Thanks for all the thoughtful info. I just learned of EAI less than a week ago. I guess what concerns me is being the last to the momentum party. Case in point is another small, fast growing company which is similarly very aggressive in making acquisitions: ANLT is not anywhere near being an IPO, but it was a $10 stock 18 months ago with a great 3 to 5 year outlook dominating its market niche. Ran up to 54 at the end of 1Q (calendar, 1998), then collapsed to 22 on no news, and has since rebounded to 36 - 38 level. Here's the 6 month chart:
cbs.marketwatch.com
It was great on the run-up. Lot's of euphoria, etc. Different businesses, so an apples/oranges comparison is not meant. But it's in the back of the old brainbox. Fortunately I'd gotten in on ANLT below 10, but missed an excellent selling opportunity, with a much lower buyback (because I like the company longterm). I always look at these things both from a long and a short-sale side. My gut reaction is EAI might be a better short in the near-term (though at a higher price than today's 60-61) than a long.
I checked out the Yahoo board, read the last 40 messages, and can't say I was terribly impressed with the quality of my sampling. Lot's of understandable excitement over the recent pop. Guess it could have been worse. I'll probably continue to watch EAI for awhile, as these things take some time to get a feel for. I have some concerns about their acquisitions (like how much revenue they're getting and how much they are paying for it - it is possible to grow too fast), and think the best source of info for further research may be the press releases at the company website.
ChrisMeister |
