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.

Technology Stocks : Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Victor Lazlo who wrote (143665)	7/10/2002 1:30:47 AM
From: H James Morris	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 164684

If they put every white collar criminal in jail who would be left on Wall Street to ring the bell in the morning? Billy Harmond? <<US President George W Bush's call for a new era of integrity in corporate America in an attempt to restore confidence in business has met with a mixed reaction. "America's greatest economic need is higher ethical standards," Mr Bush said in a speech to more than a thousand business leaders on Wall Street. I thought the President spoke loudly but he offered a very, very small stick Democrat Tom Daschle The President urged longer prison sentences for corporate fraudsters and announced the creation of a new taskforce - headed by deputy attorney general Larry Thompson - to pursue and prosecute corporate criminals. Opposition Democrats said the speech was long on words but short on action. However, some business leaders welcomed the president's call for higher ethical standards. 'Heady profits' The BBC's Stephen Evans in New York says the speech was about politics as much as economics. Investor confidence and public trust has been shaken by recent accounting scandals involving companies including Enron, WorldCom and Merck. What the President wants Longer sentences for corporate fraudsters New corporate fraud taskforce More money for SEC watchdog Pay packages for bosses explained in plain English More independent directors for firms Stock option plans need shareholder approval Special payments to bosses under investigation to be frozen Compensation committee to stop 'improper loans' to CEOs Tougher laws against document shredding Many of these companies soared to prominence during the telecoms and internet boom of recent years. "The lure of heady profits of the late 1990s [led to] abuses and excesses. We must usher in a new era of integrity of corporate America," the President said. Mr Bush stressed the strong performance of the American economy, but said that "while nearly every week brings economic news", it also "brings a discovery of fraud and scandal". He said: "The business pages of American newspapers should not read like a scandal sheet." The President stressed the need for greater transparency of accounts as well as greater vigilance. Democrats said Mr Bush's words must be matched by action. The majority leader in the Senate, Democrat Tom Daschle, praised the president's tone but felt the proposals fell short of what was needed. "I thought the President spoke loudly but he offered a very, very small stick," he said. "Not only do we need to lecture on corporate irresponsibility, but we've got to send those responsible to jail." A political battle is now under way, with Democrats, and increasingly Republicans, backing tougher measures than those proposed by Mr Bush. Reform call Mr Bush called for an extra $100m (£64.7m) to strengthen the SEC, helping it to hire enforcement officers and bolster its technology. If we actually saw these guys go to prison...that would do something Bev Hendry Phoenix Aberdeen He also said executives should be jailed if they deliberately falsified accounts - at the moment they face only civil penalties. Prison sentences should be doubled to ten years. With the exception of the taskforce, Mr Bush's other calls for reform require co-operation from lawmakers, regulators, stock markets as well as business itself. "So far the administration's approach has been a familiar strategy. Use harsh rhetoric to condemn wrongdoers while delaying and watering down whatever reforms might come out of Congress," said House of Representatives Democratic leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri. "If we actually saw some guys go to prison for these scandals that would do something," said Bev Hendry, portfolio manager at Phoenix-Aberdeen. "We need more action, less talk. These things would take a long time to be enacted.">>

To: Victor Lazlo who wrote (143665)	7/10/2002 1:59:30 AM
From: H James Morris	Respond to of 164684

siliconinvestor.com QUINCY, Mass., Jul 9, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Raises EPS Target to $0.28 to $0.30, Compared to First Call Consensus of $0.18 The J. Jill Group (NASDAQ:JILL) today announced that it expects second quarter diluted earnings per share to be approximately $0.28 to $0.30, versus the current consensus estimate of $0.18, and compared to $0.14 for the same period last year. These numbers reflect the 3 for 2 stock split that was announced on June 4 and paid on June 28, 2002. The Company also expects to report second quarter net sales in the range of $84 to $86 million. The Company will report actual second quarter results on July 24, 2002. Gordon R. Cooke, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "The continued acceptance of our full price spring and summer merchandise assortment, combined with low levels of promotional activity, enabled us to once again exceed our prior expectations and more than double our year ago diluted earnings per share. With the successful spring season nearly behind us, we are excited about our future prospects and we remain focused on executing our aggressive growth strategy while building J. Jill into a premier national brand." The J. Jill Group reiterated that it expects sales to increase between 15% and 20% for the balance of fiscal 2002. The Company also stated that it now expects fiscal 2002 diluted earnings per share to range from $0.99 to $1.03, compared to $0.70 last year. As previously stated, these targets take into account the 3 for 2 stock split that was announced on June 4 and paid June 28, 2002. The J. Jill Group is a leading retailer of high quality women's apparel, accessories and footwear. The company currently markets its products through its retail stores, catalogs, and e-commerce website. J. Jill is designed to appeal to active, affluent women age 35 and older. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Various factors could cause the results of The J. Jill Group to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the continued success or possible future failure of the retail store initiative; the ability of J. Jill to effectively manage its operations and growth in a multiple distribution channel environment; significant changes in customer acceptance of J. Jill's product offerings; changes in competition in the apparel industry; changes in consumer spending, fashion trends and consumer preferences; changes in, or the failure to comply with, federal and state tax and other government regulations; the customary risks of purchasing merchandise abroad, including longer lead times, higher initial purchase commitments and foreign currency fluctuations; possible future increases in expenses and labor and employee benefit costs; the ability of J. Jill to attract and retain qualified personnel; business abilities and judgment of management; the existence or absence of brand awareness; the existence or absence of publicity, advertising and promotional efforts; the success or failure of operating initiatives; the mix of J. Jill's sales between full price and liquidation merchandise; general economic and business conditions and other factors, including those detailed from time to time in J. Jill's SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2002 J. Jill disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. URL: jjill.com

To: Victor Lazlo who wrote (143665)	7/10/2002 1:35:34 PM
From: H James Morris	Respond to of 164684

Vic, I sold some Winnebago (WGO) today because I need some gains to offset my tech expected year end losses. By the numbers 12% increase in shipments of RV's in 2002. 15% increase in campground reservations this year. 20% increase in sales of RV's so far this year. 45% increase in Winnebago income this quarter. <<While sometimes ridiculed as tin sheds on wheels, recreational vehicles in recent years have experienced a resurgence in popularity. Most recently, sales have been boosted by travel concerns stemming from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.>> uniontrib.com