Although I agree that IDX management has every reason this quarter and the next couple of quarters to make or exceed predictions, people should keep in mind that Fowler in all probability has not stopped buying up new little companies. These buys will soak up profits in the short term. In the long term, the idea is to be a multi-biometric company, say fingerprints and face or eye recognition. That will increase possible applications (like ATMs) and raise security levels.
Too often, there is an impulse to complain on tactics when they are being subordinated to strategy. The strategy has to be long term at this stage of corporate development. Anyone expecting an immediate, explosive return is a speculator. Speculators should know they live a hit or miss existence. Anyone demanding high profits at the embryonic market stage, like we have here, doesn't understand the moves that are being made . . . control of future market share. As long as top line revenue growth is good, and alliances are strong -- and they are -- IDX is in good shape.
As far as the AFIS market goes, which is further along, IDX is dominant and profitable. Its competitors are in deep trouble. This market has arrived, but its profits are funding IDX bio-ID, etc.
Patience is a virtue, and so is foresight. There's a lot more of that on this board than on Yahoo. |
