To: Glenn D. Rudolph who wrote (115140 ) 1/13/2001 12:36:03 PM From: Rob S. Read Replies (2) | Respond to It has become clear how exaggerated the effect of analysts has become in amplifying the value of companies stocks. From an academic viewpoint, the purpose of ANALysts is to help put some meaningful value on companies. This should be a worthwhile function in allocation of capital to promising enterprise. But the assessment of value should not abruptly change from quarter to quarter nor should historical metrics suddenly be thrown out on the notion that "things are different this time". If an ANALyst is purely speculating about something she/he can only vaguely theorize (with their limited experience and neurons), they should say so. In the case of Amazongonenutty.com, (however, not quite so nutty these days), ANALysts, such as Marry Meeker and Henry, the Mad Hatter, Blodgett, put out glowing forecasts and price targets for a new business concept with little understanding or consideration of the underlying dynamics of the internet. The pitfalls of the Internet commerce phenomena were too easily ignored while their pimp brokerage houses so conveniently paid these ANALysts to flash their recommendations as brazenly as a two bit street corner whores trolling for eager customers who are driven by uncontrollable emotions. It is time that the public look at the industry and the work of these people as it is - pimps and whores after an easy buck and the public after a quick thrill. Too bad that in the heat of passion it is so easy for investors to ignore that the whore is diseased (the motivational basis of analysis is tragically flawed).
