ISLD - I found out why it dropped today and Monday...
I don't subscribe to the WSJ so I didn't see this, but here is the reason for the drop..I'll explain while you are reading what I see so puzzling about this....
Here is the complete article from Dow Jones Newswires, originally published yesterday as well as today. It is available to anyone subscribing to Wall St. Journal Interactive.
Digital Island Off 18% Despite Underwriter Buy Ratings
By MARK BOSLET
(This story was originally published Monday.)
PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Shares of several Web hosting companies fell dramatically in Monday's Nasdaq market selloff - most notably Digital Island Inc. (ISLD).
The loss in this newly public company came even as two underwriters - Thomas Weisel Partners LLC and Bear Stearns - went out with buy ratings. The drop also comes on the heels of powerful earnings last week from market leader Exodus Communications Inc. (EXDS).
Clearly, the group lost ground because of the broad market retreat that took the technology-heavy Nasdaq sharply lower.
But a closer look uncovers a fresh concern with high-flying Digital Island. Despite what were generally favorable research reports from the underwriters, one analyst came out with a revenue estimate for this year that was below what had been projected during the company's IPO roadshow in June, market sources pointed out.
Both analysts were under the projections for next year, said the sources, who attended the roadshow presentations. The sources said the more conservative revenue estimates spooked some investors.
In trading Monday, Digital Island shares were off 5 7/16, or 17.5%, to 25 9/16. Volume was light at 804,000 compared with average daily volume of 2.9 million shares.
In his research report, analyst Jim Linnehan of Thomas Weisel Partners indicated he saw Digital Island poised for tremendous growth. But he projected the company would have revenue of $11.3 million in 1999, less than the nearly $12 million projected during the roadshow and under estimates that were higher during presentations to private investors early this year.
FM Edit- Ok, so the ANALYST projections are different by $700k. So..analysts always change their views, despite what the company thinks it will do, correct? Also, if I am not mistaking, even at $11.3 million in 1999, that is an increase of over 107% from prior year...
Linnehan estimated revenue will climb to $46 million in 2000, and Bear Stearns analyst James Henry projected $46.1 million. The roadshow revenue projections for 2000 had been $56 million or greater, the sources said.
FM Edit- Again, this only gets better...Let's go with the 1998 figure - Revs $5.45 million..THat is an increase of 744% in a 2 year peoriod. On the basis of expected 1999 revs of $11.3 million, we have an increase of 307% from the year ago..
Digital Island shares debuted June 29 at 10 and rose to a high of 40 7/16 on July 7.
A Digital Island spokesman declined to comment. Also lower Monday were Exodus and competitor AboveNet Communcations Inc. (ABOV).
-By Mark Boslet; 650-496-1366
Clearly, what happened is people freaked out over differing numbers. Now, I am not sure exactly what happened, but please reference the numbers I have pointed out showing growth, even with the lower analyst #'s...I think with % increases like that, I sure would want to be in...
This looks like a short-term scare, but long-term, people will have forgotten, new investors will be here and know nothing.
What you are going to see is "ISLD reports 303% increase over previous year revenues" (and this is conservative) YOu know analyst predict lower numbers, so they can get in lower, then they beat the numbers, the stock runs, they sell..Simple game.
Now, tell me those growth numbers aren't going to make the stock go up...
Thanks to Rob for pointing this article out to me...And, I would have made the same trade on the stock (that I made earlier) even if I would have seen the article!
FM!
Also, expect Leihman Bros report out Thurs or Friday....Maybe clear some things up.. |