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 : Conseco Insurance (CNO) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: David T. Groves who wrote (1091)	4/9/2000 9:07:00 AM
From: Robert T. Quasius	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4155

Here's some ratio comparisons from Market Guide. According to this, CNC has very strong cash flow, including a price/free cash flow ratio of 3. Strong free cash flow does not indicate a company choking in debt to me. yahoo.marketguide.com There is a considerable discrepancy between the price/book and price/tangible book ratios, which reflects carrying a lot of goodwill from acquisitions on the books. However, the price/tangible book ratio is positive, and less than others in the industry. The tangible book will no doubt drop a lot with write-offs from GNT, but cash flow isn't affected by one time charges, and is a better indicator of a company's short term financial health. RATIO COMPARISON Valuation Ratios Company Industry Sector S&P 500 P/E Ratio (TTM) 3.95* 18.69 21.62 38.28 P/E High - Last 5 Yrs. 34.22 31.75 32.92 48.96 P/E Low - Last 5 Yrs. 4.94 11.87 11.30 16.69 Beta 1.54 1.31 1.30 1.00 Price to Sales (TTM) 0.46* 2.17 4.62 8.39 Price to Book (MRQ) 0.70 3.62 4.05 10.61 Price to Tangible Book (MRQ) 2.67 3.81 4.80 14.06 Price to Cash Flow (TTM) 2.09 14.39 18.32 29.06 Price to Free Cash Flow (TTM) 3.09 30.63 20.88 49.00 % Owned Institutions 71.34 58.00 47.76 57.93