John & Barry-
I'm very surprised that the stock held up so well, even though NM had already called for a loss in Q2. I suppose the word on the street was that they were going to have lousy earnings.
I feel much better now that I have freed myself from the mental baggage of NM. It's really a psychological trap, continuing to believe that the stock will get bought out. I'm sure that the buyout will occur, now that I've sold. That's okay for me because you guys deserve it. I just had to realize that holding on to a stock for the sole reason of a possible buyout (one which had been anticipated for nearly a year) is not investing. It's speculation, pure and simple. And considering the deteriorating fundamentals of NM's business, it's more like gambling than mere speculation.
Frankly, it's probably more likely that NM will make an accretive acquisition of a private company than be acquired itself. It never occurred to me before, but since NM is one of the only public infomercial companies, it has the advantage of the public market. In other words, a private company may be interested in making its shares publicy traded, and being acquired by a public entity is a good way to do it.
Here's a good article for you all to review. I saw it last night in the magazine and found it right now on the web. responsetv.com
If NM is able to turn it around, I can always buy it again. But for now, there are plenty of safer stocks that offer better returns. I'll be around.
Best,
Todd |
