Rambabu - Buy out mania? Should the "buy out fever" spread in the next 3 months or so, we don't have to worry about the future of these companies beyond year 2000.
SEEC, CMND, and IMRS, are all candidates for take over by the Big Six Management Consulting companies like Price Waterhouse, Ernst & Young or Computer consulting firms like Computer Associates, Anderson Consulting, etc. (There was a rumor about SYNT buy out at 50% premium. 50% premium is peanuts.)
Big six accounting firms deal with companies with billion dollar revenues. They have connections at the top management level. They implement software (SAP, BAAN, etc.), Sales Force Automation, Currency conversion, etc. as part of re-engineering efforts. The y2k-bug fix can be easily bundled as part of ERP software implementation for a few more millions. If that happens, the Big Six firms need people, tools, and facilities. Why not buy out the y2k-driven companies at these depressed prices?
MIFGY buy out of ISLI is an evidence for using cash/share as a criterion for investing in the y2k-driven companies. Even it is a stock swap, instead of a cash purchase, the cash/share helps in valuing a stock. Agree, it's a short term view, but that's what is needed in today's market.
Checking on SEEC. Zacks data on SEEC may not be up to date. Marketguide, Zacks, and Basleine reports all show different numbers for institutional holding. Zacks 26%, Marketguide 41%, Baseline 30%+. Their earnings forecast numbers for 1998 and 1999 may be low. Ram |
