To: Thunder who wrote (41957 ) 4/13/2000 11:50:00 AM From: PMS Witch Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 74651
Worst case stuff ... I think the worst outcome for Microsoft would be to have the company's ability to operate profitably impeded. After all, the basic reason for being in business is to make profits, and the basic reason to own shares are to participate in those profits. Remove this underlying fundamental reason to own the shares of this company and massive selling and an accompanying decline in capitalization would follow. Many believe that a few little MSFTs would be more profitable than one big one. I don't know about this. (Note: I'm not saying one way or the other -- just that I don't know.) Some other remedies, such as a tinker here and there with the features of Microsoft products may have an impact from undetectable to profound: We've no option but wait and see. The severity and success of hyena-nipping lawsuits waiting in the wings is another unknown. Wise investors usually assign considerable weight to unknown risk; hence, the aggressive selling of Microsoft pending further trustworthy information. When additional light shines on this matter, I, and nearly everyone else, will re-evaluate their MSFT strategy. Once we clearly see where we want to go with this stock, we can map a route. A few people, the permanent bashers and persistent promoters won't change their minds. Since the bears would have us selling even at the bottom and the promoters would have us buying even at the top, they can be profitably ignored for the most part. When confronted with evidence in conflict with my current beliefs, I'll change my mind. As yet, in spite of sifting through stacks of chaff, I haven't found much contradictory wheat. I'll still divest myself of the trading shares I bought at $100 and $90, probably as they approach $140. This may take a bit longer than planned. If I don't see danger signs, I may yield to the temptation to get a little more -- I'll see. Cheers, PW.