1.   Although database companies sell mainly to big businesses, many small investors have snapped up database stocks, which were almost a slam dunk until last year.

2.   Among the database companies, Sybase had a stronger presence in financial services applications, analysts said.

3.   A few of its companies, like Engage, a database advertising company, already have public shareholders.

4.   But Oracle itself will not be involved, the Redwood Shores-based database company said.

5.   Cash-strapped governments are selling digitized public records to a new generation of commercial database companies.

6.   CMG gains an influx of cash, plus Microsoft as a valuable ally in its efforts to expand beyond its origins as a database marketing company.

7.   Computer-related shares extended a slide that began yesterday when Oracle Corp., the largest database software company, reported unexpectedly low earnings.

8.   Computer-related shares extended a slide that began yesterday when Oracle, the largest database software company, reported unexpectedly low earnings.

9.   Connected Corp., a remote database backup company, tried to go public last April but never got out.

10.   Database companies Informix Corp. and Sybase Inc. also expected to meet, but not beat, analysts estimates for the quarter as the demand for database software slows.