Dale...
Stepping out of lurk mode for a quick comment. Bookings literally fell off a cliff in December 2000 for most tech companies. Additionally, moving into 2001, most experienced accelerated debookings as companies moved to solve inventory problems caused by the lack of orders. The speed of this decline was unprecedented. Believe me, forecasting is tough, black magic at times, but CEO/CFOs use the #s their "people" give them. Their "people" get the #s from customers and suppliers. So I guess what I'm saying is that the entire US tech community blew it. However, this decline happened so fast I doubt many saw it coming...this time.
FOS? Maybe. Yet if they consistently blow guidance they lose the respect of WS. A CEO, IMO, will not risk that for a short term pop.
I'm guessing, the reason some now are being somewhat optimistic in their guidance is that they see a firming in recent/future bookings. Simply the #s are starting to look a bit better. They can't be wrong all the time, can they? ;-) FWIW
Saltheart |
