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.

Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (27581)	7/15/1999 12:26:00 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Respond to of 50167

A. Frederick W. Moran of ING Barings Furman Selz B. Robert S. Morrow of Institutional Advisory Service -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mindspring Enterprises: Frederick W. Moran, head of media and communications stock research, ING Barings Furman Selz Interviewed by Meghan Murphy The Wall Street Journal recently named Fred Moran its top-ranked Internet analyst for the third straight year. His portfolio returned an estimated 492% last year. The Internet Analyst spoke with Mr. Moran about MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES (MSPG). [THE INTERNET ANALYST – MEGHAN MURPHY] You recently told The Wall Street Journal that MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES is one of your top picks for the coming year. Why? [FRED MORAN] MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES has consistently grown earnings each quarter for the past two years, and is uniquely positioned for further growth. And the company is well-positioned for a takeover. Right now, it has north of 1.2 million subscribers – making it the fifth-largest Internet Service Provider in the United States. It is one of only two ISPs besides AMERICA ONLINE (AOL) with more than 1 million subscribers. [MM] What differentiates it from AMERICA ONLINE? [FM] MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES has regularly provided the highest-rated customer satisfaction of any ISP, and is consistently rated the best ISP by industry sources. Customers value its clean, smooth, uninterrupted service and its speed and ease of use. It furnishes an alternative to AMERICA ONLINE for users who don't want to be bombarded with pop-up ads and junk mail. AMERICAN ONLINE is targeted to users who aren't as tech-savvy, while MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES is ideal for Internet users who want quick access to the Web, without having to circumvent AMERICA ONLINE's proprietary content. [MM] When will MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES' customers get high-speed DSL access? [FM] High-speed access is available now, but only on a limited basis. It is being rolled out vigorously, however. DSL service will be a standard offering by the year 2000. The company recently allied with COVAD COMMUNICATIONS GROUP (COVD) to promote its DSL service. COVAD COMMUNICATIONS has a major telecom infrastructure with a high-speed fiber-optic network that can be used for Internet hook ups. Previously, MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES made a similar arrangement with Bell South. [MM] What are your earnings estimates? [FM] I expect split adjusted earnings of $0.09, meaning MINDSPRING ENTERPRISES should meet or beat consensus estimates. Earnings will be driven by the more than 600,000 new subscriber additions this quarter. I expect to see $0.37 earnings for the year, with revenue of more than $300,000.