All:
As you probably heard on Mike Murphy's CTSL hotline update this weekend, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that there are offers on the table for both the glaucoma test kit and ISV 205. The bad news is that they're not acceptable_at least according to Murphy's sources. Murphy no longer thinks a deal is even possible by Thanksgiving, although he expects one before Xmas.
Murphy spoke with Insite management yesterday. In addition to trying to confirm info he already had, he also asked about the possibility of bankruptcy; something management apparently hadn't really considered (according to Murphy).
FWIW, I did ask Baer about that very subject in a conversation several weeks ago. He told me that it would never happen. He could raise substantial cash within 24 hours with one phone call. I inferred that (a) Insite didn't want to dilute any more unless absolutely necessary ,and (b) that was why Insite was willing to let cash get critically low.
Anyway, Murphy's negative/cautionary tone could cause a minor sell-off on Monday, assuming anyone else still holds this stock. Frankly, I was a little depressed after hearing his news myself.
I'll probably hold on a while longer. Whatever happens, though, I expect to be out by late December. At this point I have substantial unrealized long term capital losses that I can use to offset ordinary income_and avoid filing a final quarterly tax payment. I hope to take a few profits, although that hope is fading with each passing day. Pity.
Insite had(has?) so much promise. They've frittered their advantage away waiting for a perfect deal that never came. Now they're running out of cash and have no real leverage. In the end, they'll take what they can get. Judging by all the hesitancy to accept an offer, it probably won't be much.
Bob |
