INSTANT VIEW: Tech companies report quarterly results

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Several large U.S. tech companies posted their quarterly results on Tuesday afternoon, including Apple Inc, Yahoo Inc and VMware Inc.

* Apple said quarterly profit rose 26 percent, driven by sales of its new iPhone but it issued a forecast for the current quarter well below Wall Street expectations.

* Yahoo said its quarterly profit fell sharply on weak sales as corporate advertisers slashed spending on brand promotions at the leading provider of online display advertising.

* VMware reported quarterly earnings and revenue that blew past Wall Street expectations, sending its shares higher even as the business software maker guided its outlook lower.

The following are comments from analysts and other business insiders on the results:

COMMENTS

KATHERINE EGBERT, ANALYST, JEFFERIES & CO -- VMWARE

"The quarter looks good. They beat by $7 to $8 million on revenue. Licenses were not up that much. Expectations were low. They beat nicely on EPS.

"Given that there is upside on the quarter and they are guiding on the low end. That means that the fourth quarter numbers have to come down.

"On the operating margins they had previously guided to 25 percent, plus or minus. Now it looks they are guiding to 23 percent, plus or minus.

"The stock is up $4 now. It's a relief rally because it was a good quarter. Expectations were very low. Good for them."

LAURA DIDIO, ANALYST, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTELLIGENCE

CORP -- VMWARE

"Wall Street will be happy." The results are "good for VMware and good for the industry.

"The real thing is, what's going to happen with the next quarter. VMware, like every high-tech company, is going to have to hold their breath.

"But it's definitely a cause for celebration in a bearish market. They're certainly holding their own at this point."