How high will Microsoft fly? Message Board

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Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly?

MSFT 480.82

+0.6%

Dec 4 3:59 PM EST

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To: Moominoid who wrote (6161)	4/25/1998 9:18:00 PM
From: JP Sullivan	Read Replies (1) of 74651

For all its size, MSFT is an amazingly nimble company; it's a 500-pound gorilla with the ability to turn on a dime. I remember when Mr Bill was pooh-poohing the Internet. Then Netscape arrived and almost overnight MSFT reversed its position with its (in)famous "embrace and extend" strategy. From a zero percent share of the browser market just two years ago, IE now has a 50% slice (no doubt someone will chime in here if I'm wrong). The lesson is never underestimate this company. While no company is ever a "sure thing", MSFT is as close as it gets in this business. Another thing I've noticed about MSFT is that it is not the least embarrassed about co-opting (some might call it stealing) a good idea or strategy when it sees the opportunity. Witness the browser-for-free strategy begun by Netscape and now the "Microsofting" of Java. IMO, that philosophy is brilliant -- just like the Japanese who copied and copied in the 60s and 70s. (Ironically, MSFT might end up like Japan: all the $$$ pouring into its coffers and it's unable to stop the flow. Whether or not that's such a good thing in the long term is another matter, but I'm sure shareholders would not object to the possibility of that phenomenon occurring :) So, while MSFT may appear expensive at this time and may prove to be a good short in the very short term, I have no doubt that it will continue to surprise to the upside over the longer term. Winston

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