To all: Up to now, Barron's has been resolutely negative in their
commentary on Y2K issues. In this week's edition, the editors give
oblique coverage to the matter. In a regular feature, "Research
Reports: How Analysts Size up Companies", there are three
mentions of Year 2000 firms.
Data Dimensions was picked ("Recommend Accumulation") by
Gilford Securities on 22 December: "Although corporate and
government spending on the Year 2000 problem continue to be
deferred and frustrating, we believe the shares will become a
superlative performer in 1998 ..." (DDIM, NASDAQ).
On 30 December, Avalon Research initiated a "New Buy
Recommendation" on Intersolv (ISLI, NASDAQ). "The leader
in providing the information-technology industry with application
tools that allow companies to accelerate and manage systems
development, enable data connectivity and aid in managing the
Year 2000 problem".
The third was Mastech (MAST, NASDAQ) by Adams Harkness
& Hill on 23 December: "We are initiating coverage with an
'Attractive' rating. A leading provider of information-technology
services, offering a full suite of services. Is well-positioned to
benefit from several powerful trends such as rapidly changing
technology, the shortage of IT skills, and the Year 2000 problem".
This positive coverage, though tacit on the part of the editors, is
encouraging in my opinion. My only recollections of Y2K mentions
in Barron's in the past are of articles that scoffed at the issue or
otherwise diminished it. |
