Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Non-Tech : Wit Capital - The way of the future? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Praetor who wrote (5306)	6/23/1999 9:15:00 AM
From: Keith J	Respond to of 16809

Passed on my affirmation request for TWE...suprised I even got one since my IOI had a limit of 22. Waiting now for Juniper and NPLS. KJ

To: Praetor who wrote (5306)	6/23/1999 9:28:00 AM
From: Topannuity	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 16809

I rate NPLS a 2.5 out of possible 10 points, ie, that's pretty bad, read why below--- ****************************************************** Will this company emerge as the category leader in its market? Does this company represent the leading edge in its technology products or merchandising model? YES=1 NO=0 0 -- This company not a leader. It is a long distance communications reseller now trying to bundle dsl with long distance to its existing customer base. **************************************************** Does this company have the "first-mover" advantage over all its competitors? YES=1 NO=0 0 -- This company not a leader **************************************************** Does this company operate in a big-ass market? Is its market expected to grow exponentially in the foreseeable future? Does it offer products or services in the "HOT" sectors, e.g., infrastructure, enabling technologies, DSL, wireless internet communication, B-to-B commerce, verticals, hosted services, etc.? YES=1 NO=0 Yes, but NPLS is slow to enter DSL, it is NOT PRIMARILY focused on DSL. I give it a + Half a point 1/2 **************************************************** Does this company have strong brand recognition (the "branding" advantage)? YES=1 NO=0 Maybe to its customers... I'll give it a half point. **************************************************** Does this company have a winning merchandising and customer service strategy? Has it attracted high-profile clients or consumers? Does the company have multiple (or blended) revenue sources? YES=1 NO=0 Maybe to its customers... I'll give it a half point. **************************************************** Does the management team hustle? Have they demonstrated success in prior public ventures? Does the company have the best people in this field? YES=1 NO=0 0= Management is primarily from ranks of telecommunication resellers. CEO is a glorified salesman. was sales agent 9 years ago for NYNEX. ostman.com. **************************************************** Was this company backed early on by leading venture capital firms? YES=1 NO=0 0= no early vc backers ostman.com. **************************************************** Is the float relatively small (3-5 million shares)? YES=1 NO=0 Rate a 0..... 8,000,000 served... That's a lot on my plate [Here's the float--in millions of shares-- for some recently priced IPOs which are trading at least 100% above their IPO levels (as of 6/18/99): BRCD 3.2; CMTN 4.0; CPTH 4.5; EXTR 7.0; MKTW 2.7; MMXI 3.0; MRBA 4.0; PCLN 10.0; PRSF 8.0; PHCM 4.0; RBAK 2.5; RTHM 9.4; STRM 7.0; SILK 3.0; VERT 3.5] **************************************************** Is this company being underwritten by at least one of the three best-performing lead underwriters--Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Merrill Lynch, and Goldman Sachs? YES=1 NO=0 Yes= 1 = Goldman I really am wondering what GS is doing backing this mediocre-appearing IPO. Maybe someone can tell me what I've missed here... [These brokers are very careful in choosing the companies they underwrite because they need to protect their long-established reputation for offering quality IPOs and quality investments. If this IPO passes muster with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Merrill Lynch, or Goldman Sachs, it's usually a good deal.] ****************************************************** Is there a lot of "BUZZ" about and anticipation for this IPO? One way to guage this interest is by counting the number of messages about this IPO on the SI threads. 30 or more messages=1 Less than 30 messages=0 So far, this is only the 1st message on the NPLS thread. Buzz factor is ZERO!!! [The buzz factor can add to the appeal of an issue, but the absence of buzz does not necessarily detract. Some great stocks generate buzz, and some great stocks don't, for whatever reason. Here are some hard figures on this concept: The PCLN SI thread had 598 messages up to the morning of March 30, 1999, when it began trading. I believe this is the record number of pre-IPO posts for any issue. PCLN was one of the biggest first-day movers, jumping from $16 to $84. see techstocks.com VERT had 69 pre-IPO messages. On the other hand, an IPO with few pre-IPO messages may still turn out to be a big winner. Recent examples are RBAK (8 pre-IPO posts), HLTH (7 pre-IPO posts), CMTN (15 pre-IPO posts), and BRCD (12 pre-IPO posts). You can also learn more about the "hot" IPOs at this site-- ostman.com ] <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Taking these criteria into account, how does this IPO stack up? Please post your TOTAL SCORE (i.e., the number of "YES" responses) on the first line of your reply message. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> RESOURCES: Underwriter's performance quote.com Management team and their experience sec.gov SEC filings and prospectuses edgar-online.com sec.gov "Hot" IPOs list ostman.com Free live 24/7 chat channel devoted to IPOs chat.yahoo.com Yahoo's list of the top performing IPOs biz.yahoo.com General info on the IPO-ing company smartportfolio.com ipomaven.com ipocentral.com ipo-fund.com. quote.com ipofinancial.com Weekly IPO commentary and analysis ipo-fund.com.