Oracle to Buy Activa Tracking Software

Oracle Corp. agreed to buy Price Waterhouse’s Activa software, which helps companies track their cost and profit performance. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Price Waterhouse, a New York-based accounting and consulting firm that developed the software, will continue to use it with clients and will receive royalties from license sales. Redwood City-based Oracle, one of the world’s largest software companies, specializes in helping companies manage large databases. The company said it does not expect any financial charges because of the purchase. The company will retain most of the current Activa development team and expects to begin worldwide sales of the software immediately. Oracle’s shares fell 96 cents to close at $25.13 on Nasdaq.