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Technology Stocks : JDS Uniphase (JDSU) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: John Carragher who wrote (4949)1/22/2000 10:21:00 AM
From: Curtis E. Bemis  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 24042
 
Interesting-- ETEK invests in Optical Networks- Hmmmm---

marketwatch.newsalert.com

(also see opticalnetworks.com

Optical Networks Has Raised $75M, Bringing its Total to $125M in Financing
Business Wire - January 22, 2000 08:28
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2000--

Top Data and Telecom Network Companies -- BROCADE, E-TEK Dynamics, Juniper Networks and Williams Communications -- Participated in Latest

Investment Round

Optical Networks, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based optical networking system provider, today announced that it has received an additional $75 million in funding from strategic partners and financial institutions, bringing its total to $125 million to date. Bowman Capital Management was the lead investor.

Other investors include: Amerindo Investment Advisors, Integral Capital, J. & W. Seligman and Mohr, Davidow Ventures.

Strategic partners investing in this round include: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (BROCADE(R)), the leading supplier of Fibre Channel fabric solutions for Storage Area Networking (SAN), Juniper Networks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq:JNPR), a leading provider of next-generation IP infrastructure systems, E-TEK Dynamics (Nasdaq:ETEK), an optical component supplier, and Williams Communications (NYSE:WCG), a leading international provider of telecommunications services and products for the carrier market.

"Optical Networks' talent and expertise give them a definite advantage when it comes to building Metropolitan optical networking equipment," said Matthew Cowan, general partner at Bowman Capital Management. "The Company has customers and has executed as planned. They have demonstrated their commitment to the Metro market."

"We are pleased at the breadth of support for our Dynamic Transport System and the company's strategy, as exemplified by this round," said Hugh Martin, president and CEO of Optical Networks. "The addition of these strategic partners increases our confidence that we will be able to obtain the supply of critical optical components we need for our transport system.

"We're also able to deepen relationships with client-side equipment manufacturers and we have the potential to expand our customer-base."

Storage area networking connectivity solutions and Internet Protocol (IP) routers are helping drive the Metro network revolution. Juniper Networks manufactures next-generation backbone routers specifically designed for Internet applications, such as backbone bandwidth management, Web hosting, IP services and high-speed access for service provider networks.

New data-intensive services, such as those enabled by BROCADE and Juniper Networks, are rapidly consuming resources in the current public-switched network and, as a result, fueling the need for equipment like the Optical Networks' Dynamic Transport System(TM) (DTS(TM)).

The DTS allows service providers to beat the bandwidth crunch by deploying a high-capacity optical wavelength to accommodate a wide variety of data, video, and traditional voice traffic with advanced service provisioning, management and protection schemes for transport across a Metropolitan area.

An investment from E-TEK Dynamics, a leading optical component manufacturer, further demonstrates their role as a supplier to Optical Networks, which will enable Optical Networks to deliver its state-of-the-art Metro transport system.

In addition to Williams Communications' investment, Matthew Bross, senior vice president and CTO for Williams Communications, has joined Optical Networks' Board of Directors.

"We are very impressed with Optical Networks' management team, vision, and state-of-the-art, all-optical system, the Dynamic Transport System," said Bross. "For these reasons, Williams Communications is pleased to be able to contribute the success of Optical Networks through its seat on the Board of Directors."

Optical Networks' DTS is an optical networking system that enables Metro network operators to deliver a wide range of Internet and other broadband services to enterprise networks and consumers. DTS integrates three essential elements -- an optical transport platform (ONLINE 9000(TM)), an optical network operating system (OPTX(TM)), and an optical link management protocol suite for internetworking (OLMP(TM)) -- to create a fully functional and economically viable all-optical Metro network solution.

Related News

Optical Networks also announced today relationships with key companies who operate Metropolitan networks: COLT Telecom Group plc (Nasdaq:COLT), KVH, Marietta FiberNet and MetroRED. These companies will establish a presence for Optical Networks in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States (see "Optical Networks Targeting $50M in Sales of its Metro Optical Equipment to COLT, KVH, Marietta FiberNet and MetroRED").

In addition, Optical Networks will be opening a new 58,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in San Jose, Calif. (see "Optical Networks to Open Manufacturing Facility to Meet Surging Worldwide Demand for All-Optical Metro Telecommunications Networks").

About Optical Networks

Optical Networks combines state-of-the-art optical transport systems with data networking technology to deliver true optical networks. These networks will fulfill the promise of wavelength-routed services, while solving the practical issues facing Metro Operators today. Visit Optical Networks' Web site at www.opticalnetworks.com.

About Bowman Capital Management, LLC

Bowman Capital Management is a premier institutional investor specializing in both public and private technology growth companies, with over $4 billion under management. Bowman Capital's private equity investments focus on leading expansion stage companies building the New Internet Economy.

Bowman Capital's private equity portfolio consists of over 40 companies, including Arrowpoint Communications, Ashford.com (Nasdaq:ASFD), Broadband Sports, Broadbase (Nasdaq:BBSW), Chemdex (Nasdaq:CMDX), Epinions.com, Guild.com, HearMe (Nasdaq:HEAR), Neoforma.com, Netcentives (Nasdaq:NCNT), Noosh, Pets.com, PlanetRx (Nasdaq:PLRX), RealNames, Support.com, and The Street.com (Nasdaq:TSCM).

For more information on Bowman Capital Management, please call Reynolds Maxwell (650/287-2293) or visit the Web site at www.bowmancapital.com.

Note to Editors: The Optical Networks logo, the Dynamic Transport System, DTS, ONLINE 9000, OPTX and OLMP are trademarks of Optical Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Quotes From Investors Follow

Optical Networks Has Raised $75M, Bringing its Total to $125M in Financing Quote Sheet

E-TEK Dynamics

"Our relationship with Optical Networks is mutually beneficial as it provides us valuable insight into systems-level requirements for our components and provides Optical Networks access to advanced optical technologies. End users also benefit by the introduction of leading-edge optical transport capability into their networks," said Michael Fitzpatrick, chairman and CEO at E-TEK Dynamics. For more information about E-TEK Dynamics, please contact Alison Reynders at 408/546-4608 or alison.reynders@e-tek.com.

Juniper Networks

"The work being done by Optical Networks is an important example of the value of new approaches being brought to critical challenges in the rapidly evolving networking marketplace," Scott Kriens, chairman and CEO of Juniper Networks. For more information about Juniper Networks, please contact David Abramson at 650/318-3326 or david@juniper.net.

Williams Communications Group

"We are very impressed with Optical Networks' management team, vision, and state-of-the-art, all-optical system, the Dynamic Transport System," said Matthew Bross, senior vice president and CTO at Williams Communications. "For these reasons, Williams Communications is pleased to be able to contribute the success of Optical Networks through its seat on the Board of Directors."

For more information about Williams Communications, see www.williamscommunications.com or contact Dana Birkes at 918/573-4424 or dana.birkes@wilcom.com.

CONTACT: Optical Networks, Inc.
Amy Lee, 408/965-2740
alee@opticalnetworks.com
or
Miller Shandwick Technologies
Michael Newsom, 617/351-4124
mnewsom@miller.shandwick.com




To: John Carragher who wrote (4949)1/22/2000 3:17:00 PM
From: Tunica Albuginea  Respond to of 24042
 
John Garragher, more from today's interview with Ron Ognar

( I hope it comes through )

TA

Triple Threat

David Franecki

Strong's Ron Ognar quarterbacks funds, recruits portfolio
chiefs and draws up game plans for growth investing.

interactive.wsj.com

interactive.wsj.com

interactive.wsj.com

At A Glance

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ ÿ Strong Growth
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ P.O. Box 2936
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Milwaukee, Wis. 53201-1400
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 800-368-1030

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Top 10 Holdings

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ ÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Companyÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Percentageÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Of Portfolioÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ JDS Uniphaseÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 5.8%ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Cisco Systemsÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 5.0ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ VeriSignÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 3.4ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Veritas Softwareÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 3.0ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Qualcommÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 2.6ÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ BroadVisionÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 2.5ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Juniper Networksÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 2.2ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Home Depotÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 2.1ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Medimmuneÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 2.0ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Kohl'sÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 1.9ÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Totalÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ 30.5%ÿ

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ As of 12/31/99 Source: Strong Funds

Ron Ognar says if he wasn't picking stocks for a living,
he'd be either a fisherman or a coach. But at Strong Funds,
he's actually all three. The former Little League skipper is
banging out hits as head of Strong Growth and Strong
Growth 20 funds while "fishing" for growth stock analysts
to school in his aggressive stock-picking style.

Ognar buys and holds core blue-chip stocks while trading
faster-growing small- and mid-cap stocks at a rapid-fire
pace. Strong Growth Fund turned over stocks at more than
twice the pace of the average fund last year.

He's insistent on keeping
core holdings Cisco Systems
and Home Depot relatively
untouched, but is quick to cut
a stock loose if he sees its
fundamentals losing steam.
An earnings miss, slipping
profit margins or declining
revenues don't sit well with
him. He'll also trim or
unload a position outright, as
he did with Internet holdings
America Online and Real
Networks in December, if stock prices rise above internal
targets. "You're not only trying to own the best companies,
you're trying to perform," he says of his freewheeling style.

Ognar, 57, began his career as an accountant in California,
but found the work "too dry." So he went back to his native
Chicago, looking to break into money management. In June
of 1968, he started at LaSalle National Bank, where he
traded stocks and bonds and went on to manage portfolios
within a year.

He had discovered his true calling.

Ognar's heavy exposure to technology
stocks last year helped his funds to
top-flight performance. Strong Growth returned 75.1% in
1999, ranking it in the top 20% of growth mutual funds
tracked by Lipper. Strong Growth 20, which uses the same
style, but picks fewer stocks, returned 109.5%. In seven
years under Ognar's watch, Strong Growth has gained
30.7% a year, seventh-best among 118 growth funds
tracked by Lipper.

The fund had two-thirds of its money invested in
technology stocks at yearend, but trimmed back to about
half this month to broaden into health care, financial
services, entertainment and retail sectors.

A long-time retail stock growing in the portfolio is Kohl's,
whose headquarters is a neighbor to Strong Funds in
suburban Milwaukee. Ognar has bumped up his Kohl's
position to 2.5% from 1.9% of the fund this month, and
says he could add more if its expansion into the Northeast
this spring goes as planned.

Kohl's is best known in the
Midwest, but purchased 33
former Caldor stores to
expand its reach in the
Northeast. Should those stores
do well, Ognar thinks the
stock could grab more
attention from East Coast
money managers. "This could
become a cult stock," he said.

While Ognar has backed away from pure Internet plays, he
is stepping up on what he calls the "arms dealers" of the
Internet: infrastructure companies.

There's no one in that group better positioned than JDS
Uniphase, Ognar says. The company makes parts for
fiberoptic data transfer, which will be the conduit for
information exchange over the Internet. A shortage of these
components, which caused Lucent to miss earnings
estimates last quarter, is a sign of pent-up demand.
"There's a great 10-year period ahead where they [will be]
a leader in fiberoptic components, a leader in application
laser technology." He thinks that JDS Uniphase can
increase earnings in excess of 50% during the next five
years and is considering bumping up his price target of
$250 a share and keeping the stock.

Ognar thinks the acquisition of E-Tek Dynamics,
announced last week, will only help the stock by adding
critical mass.

The combined company will have 70% market share in the
white-hot sector. JDS Uniphase is a core holding, so Ognar
doesn't tinker with it much, but he would add to it if the
price dipped.

Ognar also views JDS Uniphase as a strong candidate for
inclusion in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. If it were
included in the benchmark, index players would have to
step up and buy, which would give JDS shares a huge
boost.