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.

Strategies & Market Trends : Angels of Alchemy -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: puborectalis who wrote (9831)	8/24/2000 9:43:18 PM
From: puborectalis	Respond to of 24256

US funds cut back on Microsoft Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is popular with shareholders, but fund managers monitor the firm's big trial. Worried about the Microsoft anti-trust trial, large US investment funds have begun to cut back sharply on their share holdings in the software maker. The survey by First Call Sharewatch covers the period April to June, after Microsoft was found guilty of abusing its monopoly power in the software market and told to split in two. The sell-off coincides with the global plunge for share prices for technology companies, and data for the third quarter of the year are not yet available. But while the shares of many other software firms suffered as well, First Call's research shows that funds sold Microsoft while they bulked up on technology stocks like Cisco Systems. Microsoft - the sellers Fidelity Investments, which controls one of the world's largest family of funds, reduced Microsoft in its portfolio by 36%. Janus Capital sold 47% of its Microsoft shares, while Putnam Investments placed 14% of its holdings on the market. Other big sellers were American Century, T.Rowe Price, Oppenheimer Funds and AIM Management Group. Well-known investment banks also reduced their stakes in Microsoft, among them Goldman Sacks, Bankers Trust and American Express Financial Advisers. Better opportunities Microsoft's case is set to go through a long appeals process, and many investment funds are concerned the trial will affect Microsoft's share price. Richard Peterson, market strategist with Thomson Financial Securities Data, said it was significant that not just one but several funds were moving in the same direction. He said the sell-off reflected not only concerns about the outcome of the trial, but a belief in better opportunities elsewhere in the market. Fund managers who want to invest in technology stocks know "better money can be made elsewhere faster", Mr Peterson said. Fund industry consultant Geoff Bobroff said the Microsoft sell-off was similar to that of companies involved in earlier anti-trust cases, like AT&T and IBM. "If we go back and look at the AT&T and IBM anti-trust cases, for many years after the decisions their stocks were in the dog house", Mr Bobroff said. On Wednesday, Microsoft shares closed at $70.75, down half a dollar, and well below the 52-week high of just under $120. Search BBC News Online

To: puborectalis who wrote (9831)	8/24/2000 11:35:40 PM
From: puborectalis	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24256

From earlier this year,concerning CBLT's business.........Robertson Stephens Gives Outlook on eAuto Sector 13 January 2000 Robertson Stephens Gives Outlook on eAuto Sector - eAuto Revolution Has Shifted into High Gear - SAN FRANCISCO--Jan. 13, 2000--Robertson Stephens Senior Automotive Analyst Jordan Hymowitz today issued a report giving his outlook on the emerging eAuto industry. "We believe a technological transformation is occurring in the American automobile industry," said Hymowitz. "Auto manufacturers, fueled by the Internet, are working to streamline their distribution systems, which still account for more than 30 percent of production costs. New alliances are being created to facilitate this goal, both on the front and back end of the production cycle." "On the front end, Internet companies are working to match consumer wants with available supply in order to improve customer satisfaction, eliminate excess inventories and maximize manufacturer margins," said Hymowitz. "Several auto manufacturers are attempting to enter the retail channel directly, both by buying dealerships and by creating Web sites to sell directly to consumers. On the back end, manufacturers are making strategic alliances with software and technology companies to facilitate leaner production." "Franchised dealers, the staple of the vehicle distribution system for nearly one hundred years, are feeling increasing competition on several fronts and fear margin pressure," said Hymowitz. "Dealers are signing up with Cobalt and other companies specializing in customized Internet solutions in record numbers. Dealers are also increasingly relying on state franchise laws to insure their role in the distribution of automobiles, and hence, their financial soundness." "Numerous eAuto endeavors are seeking to capitalize on consumers' dislike of the dealership experience combined with their fondness of the Internet. Well-funded private eAuto companies include CarsDirect.com, CarOrder.com, Greenlight.com and DriveOff.com," said Hymowitz. "In short, we think investors are waging heavily that eAuto companies will be tremendously successful."