Informix Sees Widening Operating Margin

Informix Corp. expects its operating margin to widen to about 20% in 1997 from an estimated 16% this year, thanks in part to sales of its new database software. Chief Financial Officer Howard Graham said the margin narrowed this year because of the high costs of introducing its new Universal server software and other products. Montgomery analyst David Readerman estimates Menlo Park-based Informix will have an operating margin of 16% this year. Shares rose 87.5 cents to close at $26 on Nasdaq.