I judged that this message held no confidential or specific information. I considered this prior to posting it. And the sender did not state that this was in -any- way to be held in confidence. I am surprised that Investor Relations is personally handled by the CFO, and he can find time to personally handle inquiries, to the point of inviting telephone calls. I never expected to be invited to telephone, although I did telephone IR in March of 1996, three months after I originally purchased ISSI at 19. I was told by the CFO then that "the company is not 'going broke', we hold $10 per share in cash," etc etc. Well, why someone didn't pick up $10 in cash when the stock hit the 8's, I'm not sure (except for the inventory write-down of June 1996).
I also received (3-96) some very technical information over the phone from the CFO about the company products, and how they were being unfairly lumped into other chipmakers' categories that had nothing to do with ISSI. And -that- is exactly my complaint. ISSI is in a business that is difficult to exactly define to the general public, yet you have the general public as shareholders. Because of this position, IMO, you are -obliged- to keep beating the drums (and I don't mean explaining stock flucuations: that is a unrewarding exercise) about how you are different/better/not affected by the other guys. We see on this board someone who sold all their stock when he heard the Intel announcement, and now we hear from the CFO (but not publically, what you consider "confidential" ) that it is irrelevant. What about IBM and the copper chip, breaking the 35 micron barrier?? The ISSI web page specifically mentions their 35 micron technology. Relevant?? I don't know..but I am certain ISSI knows. Why not give out a press release to that effect?? And say, "oh by the way, business is booming/bad/better/". I contract writing code at Bank of America, and when Dave Coulter became CEO, he stated, "Job One, highest priority, shareholder VALUE. Return to the shareholder is most important thing on our list." He lives it. If San Francisco sues them for a muni bond mishap, Dave Coulter has sent a Voicemail to every employee/contractor, explaining "their side". If there is a shootout in LA at a branch, Dave Coulter sends another Voicemail expressing regret. Why can't other companies feel this same obligation? If you are a publically-own concern, you need to acknowledge that. I owned Dell stock for a total of five days, yet I heard more from Dell afterwards, than in the long period of owning ISSI. |
