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Strategies & Market Trends : Stock Watcher's Thread / Pix of the Week (POW) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/13/2000 5:07:00 PM
From: Return to Sender	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 52051

SW, I could not find WASP on Index #3. I was just getting ready to say thank you for adding it but now I'm kind of befuddled. Oh, I have one more question for you. Are there any sites that you are aware of that allow you to easily set up a public portfolio. Something that everyone can see without necessarily joining? Thanks, RTS

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/13/2000 5:29:00 PM
From: BlueCheap	Respond to of 52051

<FROM DJ NEWSWIRE FONR UP 12%, CO. SAYS INSTITUTIONS HAVE SHOWN INTEREST.> This was Posted by: daytradingpro Msg: 19557 on Yahoo Board FOR THE NEW INVESTORS I Didn't see this on DJ myself but it agrees with my opinions. Malcolm BlueCheap

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/13/2000 5:46:00 PM
From: Snowman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 52051

A few to watch in the morning..VILW..DSL news..IBUI ADVR TEXN NCTI

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/13/2000 6:18:00 PM
From: LABMAN	Respond to of 52051

LTI.V breaking news acquires wireless company globeinvestor.com

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/13/2000 6:29:00 PM
From: jimbos	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 52051

Beautiful day on INPH, hope the squeeze continues tomorrow. I'm so glad at times that i'm a pokey trader, and hold stocks maybe a little longer then I should.

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/13/2000 7:55:00 PM
From: Return to Sender	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 52051

California Software Reports Record Fiscal 1999 Results SANTA ANA, Calif., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- California Software Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: CAWC - news), a leader in IBM migration products and developer of the award-winning BABY(TM) product line, today announced its audited financial results for the twelve months ended December 31, 1999. Sales grew to record levels of $12.0 million for fiscal 1999. Income before taxes rose to $3.35 million. California Software reported $0.87 basic earnings per share and $0.66 per share on a fully diluted basis for fiscal 1999. The Company attributed its improvement in sales and income to the widespread market acceptance of its new product releases, including a record order of 4,000 licenses for BABY/GUI, which was introduced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999. As of December 31, 1999, cash and receivables rose to $4.78 million and total assets increased to $6.07 million. The Company had working capital of $4.23 million at the close of fiscal 1999. Bruce Acacio, President and Chief Executive Officer of California Software, stated, ``Through the conversion of a $2,250,00 note payable in the first quarter of 2000, all long-term debt has been eliminated.' Acacio continued, ``Our strong balance sheet combined with steady top-line growth during fiscal 1999 and a forthcoming 2-for-1 stock split (for shareholders on record as of March 15 with an ex-dividend date of March 22, 2000) is rapidly positioning the Company to make the transition for listing on the American Stock Exchange. We plan to file for an AMEX© listing next week, which is ahead of schedule.' Carol Conway, Vice President of California Software, commented, ``In the ever-changing mid-market sector, our upcoming e-business solution, BABY.com, will capitalize on the need for businesses to integrate operations over the Internet and is poised to rival competitors, such as Jacada.' Conway continued, ``The proven success of several product introductions during fiscal 1999 has generated significant sales momentum, which we expect will contribute to fiscal 2000 revenues of over $20 million.' ``A private placement of $10 million this year will fuel our aggressive growth-through-acquisition strategy. During fiscal 2000, we plan to add several highly qualified acquisitions,' added Conway. (financial statements to follow) California Software Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Audited) December 31, 1999 December 31, 1998 Cash $402,782 $15,395 Accounts Receivable $4,381,742 $0 Total current assets $5,171,395 $0 Other assets $847,785 $3,480 Total assets $6,070,652 $0 Total current liabilities $939,193 $0 Notes payable(A) $2,250,000 $0 Total liabilities $3,189,193 $0 Total shareholders' equity $2,881,459 $15,743 Total liabilities & shareholders' equity $6,070,652 $15,743 California Software Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Audited) December 31, 1999 December 31,1998 Gross Sales $12,009,377 $0 Less Sales Discounts ($1,763,144) $0 Net Sales $10,246,193 $0 Cost and Expenses Wages and Salaries $1,262,959 $0 Selling, General, and Administrative $1,587,214 $19,955 Returned Product Reserve $3,906,214 $0 Amortization of intangible assets $211,956 $12 Depreciation Expense $54,117 $0 Total Costs and Expenses $7,022,460 $19,977 Net Operating Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes $3,223,733 $(19,977) Other Income Deferred Taxes $112,539 NA Interest Income $14,221 $0 Net Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes $3,350,493 $(19,977) Provision for Income Tax $520,497 $0 Net Income (Loss) $2,829,996 $(19,977) Net income (loss) per common share -- primary $0.87 $(0.01) Equivalents for convertible debt(A) 1,000,000 NA Net income (loss) per share -- diluted(A) 0.66 NA Weighted average number of common shares 3,270,900 3,270,900 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements A. The $2,250,000 note payable was eliminated in the first quarter of 2000 through the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of common stock, which effected a fully diluted earnings per share of $0.66. California Software Corp. is the international leading provider of IBM Midrange migration software solutions marketed under the brand name BABY. These products support the migration of IBM AS/400 screens and applications into PC-LAN business environment and enjoy over 100,000 installations in 56 countries. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the ``safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence on third-party suppliers, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, see www.californiasoftware.com and www.otcfn.com/cawc. SOURCE: California Software Corp. biz.yahoo.com

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/14/2000 1:36:00 AM
From: Investor Clouseau	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 52051

March 13, 2000; E-Trade Holds Merger Talks thestandard.com Although talks with American Express broke down, the online broker may yet be acquired. By Megan Barnett After years of hard work and smart moves, E-Trade's moment has come ? and E-Trade knows it. The second-largest online broker has held merger talks with several potential suitors ? most recently financial-services giant American Express (AXP) ? but has yet to find a partner willing to accept its terms. According to four sources inside E-Trade, American Express had opened negotiations to purchase the online broker. Teams from American Express traipsed through E-Trade offices in early February performing due diligence on the brokerage's operations. The talks collapsed several weeks ago amid concerns about cultural incompatibility and the price E-Trade was asking, the sources say. American Express is not the first major financial institution to walk away from E-Trade's Menlo Park, Calif., campus without a signature on the dotted line. During the last 18 months, people inside E-Trade say, numerous suitors have come knocking, including securities firms Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, insurance giant AIG and commercial banks Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank (DTBKY) . Even Fox Entertainment expressed interest in the online brokerage, perhaps to become part of E-Trade's financial media strategy. Discussions have ranged from exploratory talks to boardroom meetings with bankers. "We're talking to a lot of companies across businesses to explore ways of expanding our offerings," says Patrick DiChiro, a spokesman for E-Trade. DiChiro declined to comment on the American Express talks. A spokeswoman for American Express also declined to comment. With traditional banks and brokers linking up in the midst of a historical financial industry deregulation, it seems like just a matter of time before online financial companies undergo similar consolidation. That trend is hitting as competition among online companies intensifies. "As the financial services [arena] gets deregulated, the big gorillas ? whether American Express or banks like Deutsche or big brokerage houses ? will all be getting into each others' businesses," says Gaurang Desai, a managing director at Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, who hasn't been directly involved in any E-Trade-related merger talks. While few mergers have taken place among financial services firms, many companies are putting out feelers in search of the right suitor. Ameritrade has denied news reports that it is looking for a merger partner, while Reuters' Instinet unit explored a deal with online broker Datek. According to investment bankers interviewed by The Standard, America Online (AOL) , Charles Schwab and Intuit (INTU) are talking with potential partners. "All of these [companies] have spoken with numerous players," says an investment banker who asked not to be identified. For E-Trade, a marriage with American Express would give the electronic brokerage the presence it may need to catch up to Charles Schwab, the leading online broker. "The clicks-and-mortar model has worked very well for Schwab. And at the end of the day, E-Trade is going to have to come up with something similar," says a source close to E-Trade who wishes to remain anonymous. The deal could have been a coup for American Express, which hasn't had much success extending its global brand to the Internet. The firm launched brokerage and banking services online last fall without making many waves in the industry. The firm's biggest recent success was the Blue credit card launch last year. Perhaps a bit ahead of its time, the Blue card comes with an embedded smart chip, and although most people don't have smartcard readers currently, customers have been intrigued by its futuristic marketing campaign. "[American Express] has done a lot, but they haven't had anything in the way of success," says Bill Burnham, general partner for Softbank Capital Partners. "Unless they radically change their operations, I don't know how they're going to do it." Analysts and industry observers agree that E-Trade isn't desperate to sell, and some say it may wait out the year until the right partner comes along. E-Trade CEO Christos Cotsakos also may be asking a lot for his company, in both valuation and in the amount of control he would retain, sources say. A clause added to Cotsakos' contract last summer indicates the brokerage's top executive might be getting more serious about listening to offers from outsiders. According to the contract, E-Trade's compensation committee "authorized a special enterprise value enhancement bonus for Mr. Cotsakos that will be payable upon a change in control of the company." But the changes sweeping the online brokerage industry are dramatic, and E-Trade could get left behind if it stalls too long. "They've done an incredible job building a platform and market share," says another investment banker. "But its ability to thrive and succeed in a highly competitive, highly dynamic industry is open to question." No one's quite sure what price Cotsakos has put on the company, but E-Trade's market capitalization today, at $7.4 billion, has dropped sharply from last spring when it topped $20 billion. While online brokerages' revenue and new accounts continue to surge, their stocks have not even come close to the levels reached last April. Analysts say investors are skeptical about how long they can hold onto their business models in a severe market correction. "Given where they are from a valuation point and given what they offer, I think it's likely" E-Trade will be bought, says Deutsche Bank's Desai. "Online brokers will spend $1.5 billion in advertising this year. They're killing each other, and finally some are saying 'I'm tired of fighting now.'" E-Trade is not alone in facing what increasingly looks like an inevitable wave of mergers and acquisitions. "We're in a period of consolidation," says Kenneth Sawyer, managing director for Prudential Volpe. "The current thinking is that conglomerates are better. Traditional financial-services companies need to find out where the growth is. Right now, there is a huge shift of money moving into the stock market." Sawyer says he's constantly hearing rumors of talks among global banks, insurance companies, securities firms, securities exchanges and clearinghouses. Last week Joe Ricketts, chairman and majority owner of Ameritrade, reportedly told the Financial Times he was interested in making "some sort of arrangement, whether it be a joint venture or a sale." Ricketts did not deny saying this, but Ameritrade released a clarification later the same day stating that the company is not looking for a buyer. Earlier, a report in the Wall Street Journal said electronic trading network Instinet had held talks to merge with Datek, owner of Island, the No. 2 ECN. "Everybody is talking to everybody ? no one wants to get left behind," says Henry McVey, equity analyst for Morgan Stanley. Softbank's Burnham agrees. "If you're offline, the world is passing you by at this point," Burnham says. "If people come up with the right offer, anybody's a seller." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through E-Trade's Revolving Door Several companies have discussed a possible partnership with or acquisition of E-Trade. COMPANY MARKET CAP DESCRIPTION American Express $54.9 billion Diversified financial services American Int'l Group $128.4 billion Insurance firm Deutsche Bank $42.2 billion Commercial bank E-Trade $7.4 billion Second-largest online brokerage Fox Entertainment $19.2 billion Media company Goldman Sachs $48.1 billion Securities firm J.P. Morgan $17.7 billion Securities firm Wells Fargo $53.9 billion Commercial bank Source: The Standard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Rabinovitz contributed to this report. View

To: Stock Watcher who wrote (29326)	3/14/2000 4:57:00 PM
From: Stock Watcher	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 52051

***Tues. 3/14; Daily Index Results; Fav's Index + 740%; details here: (Index links below) Winners: CHCL + 30% (RCJIII) WINR + 17.5% (Dave Gore & Francois Goelo) BTLY + 14% (RCJIII) IDCP + 14% (Due Diligence) DVUI + 14% (Tim Dickson) LMGR + 13% (Mo Green) EILL + 11% (Ga Bard) (2) Pix on Winner's List: RCJIII Index links: INDEX #1 ($2 - $6.99): siliconinvestor.com INDEX #2 ($7 & over): siliconinvestor.com INDEX #3 (under $2): siliconinvestor.com Favorite's INDEX (the best of the bunch IMO) siliconinvestor.com eom/sw