<..Up good in a down market, volume already about double yesterday's...>
When several of the smarter telecom analysts are looking conservatively in 12-18 months at anywhere from more than a double to more than a triple, in an obviously heated sector (and even the most cautious analyst's (Reagan) top telecom brokers think mid 50's for WCII in 12 months is conservative), you have an exciting stock.
The following may also have some effect:
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S&P Revises Advanced Radio Telecom's Rating Outlook to Negative
NEW YORK -- Standard & Poor's today revised its outlook on Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. to negative from stable and affirmed its triple-'C'-plus senior unsecured debt rating and single-'B'-minus corporate credit rating on the company.
The outlook revision reflects heightened concerns about near-term liquidity. Advanced Radio Telecom's wireless broadband network has yet to generate meaningful levels of revenue from its carrier-focused business, and it is expected that the company will need to obtain substantial additional external funding in the first half of 1998 to meet buildout expansion and working capital requirements for the next few years. The company has not yet identified its financing plan to cover these cash shortfalls, and continues to have a very limited degree of financial flexibility.
Ratings on Advanced Radio Telecom reflect the substantial marketing challenges of the company's high frequency radio transmission network strategy and the significant debt incurred to finance this start-up venture. The company is not expected to have sufficient earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization to cover interest for at least several years. Moreover, cash and cash equivalent balances, which totaled $34 million at Sept. 30, 1997, are expected to continue to decline due to operating cash deficits.
OUTLOOK: NEGATIVE
Given the start-up nature of this venture and continued operating losses, Advanced Radio Telecom will require significant additional capital in 1998 to fund its operations and business expansion plan. Declining cash balances heighten concern about the company's near-term liquidity. Failure to secure this funding would result in a ratings downgrade in the near term, Standard & Poor's said. -- CreditWire
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Also see: "Supreme Court Remains Mum On Local Phone Competition Case"
at Message 3249232
Regards-
Steve |
