Microsoft, Symantec Get Ready for a Showdown - WSJ.com

Surprising stats -- I wonder if the analysis was primarily retail channel sales 

Since the first version of the product came out in the spring, OneCare has had limited success. According to market-research firm NPD, OneCare held 1.6% of the U.S. security-software market at retail through November compared with Symantec's 61.8%, Trend Micro Inc.'s 10.6% and McAfee Inc.'s 9.3%. When the security software is part of a suite, Microsoft has a 3.8% share.

But Microsoft has lofty goals. "We certainly aspire to be No. 1," says Brian Hall, general manager of product management. "We're in it for the long term."

Symantec is equally determined not to give ground. "We feel we are well poised to maintain our market leadership," says Tom Powledge, senior director of product management.

Source: Microsoft, Symantec Get Ready for a Showdown - WSJ.com