Hurd left NCR in 2005 to become chief executive of the much larger Hewlett-Packard Co. But he lost that job last month in a sexual harassment-expense account scandal.
On Monday, Oracle said it hired Hurd, 53. Investors reacted Tuesday by selling Teradata shares and buying Oracle stock. Oracle closed Tuesday up 5.8 percent to $24.26. Even a lawsuit by Hewlett-Packard to block Oracle from hiring Hurd failed to stem the stock’s rise.
Teradata and Oracle compete in the field of data warehousing, where large computer systems are used to track and collate huge amounts of information. Teradata has about 400 local employees.
Oracle “has now added a well-respected player who has direct knowledge of Teradata’s business,” Eric Savitz, a technology blogger for Barron’s, said Tuesday.
“Teradata, I think, does have to be very concerned,” said David Gasper, president of software developer Initial Point. Gasper founded Gasper Corp. before selling the company to NCR. “No matter what company Mark goes to, he’s going to make them a competitor,” Gasper said.
Teradata spokesman Mike O’Sullivan declined to comment.
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