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 : Novell (NOVL) dirt cheap, good buy? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Paul Fiondella who wrote (19796)	1/24/1998 1:42:00 PM
From: George Papadopoulos	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42771

Rumors...Microsoft interested in British Telecomm!!!!From Yahoo Friday January 23 3:51 PM EST Takeover rumors sweep high-tech world CHICAGO (Reuters) - Rumors swept the high-tech world that takeovers were in the works involving some big names, with Microsoft rumored to be interested in British Telecom and computer maker Gateway said to be up for sale. Microsoft Corp declined comment Thursday on the market rumors that the company was considering a bid for British Telecommunications, Britain's one time government owned telephone monopoly. But analysts were highly skeptical about any deal. "We don't comment on rumors," a spokeswoman for the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant said. Meanwhile, Gateway 2000 chairman and chief executive Ted Waitt again brushed off the rumors that the company may be an acquisition target, saying the personal computer direct marketer will not be sold. "We are serious about this business, we are not looking to sell this business," Waitt said in a conference call with the media. Earlier, Gateway beat analysts' fourth quarter earnings expectations, reporting earnings per basic share of 60 cents a share. According to First Call, analysts had expected lower profits, with the consensus estimate at 45 cents a share. Gateway also announced that it has named an AT&T Corp executive, Jeffrey Weitzen, as president and chief operating officer, filling a vacancy that has existed since July. Waitt said Weitzen would not have joined the company if he were not confident in its future. Last month, shares of Gateway surged 9 percent in one day as rumors that the company was an acquisition target resurfaced. Compaq Computer Corp had been named as a possible buyer. The Microsoft rumors seemed to be only remotely possible. One industry analyst said the rumor sounded extremely unlikely, noting that past Microsoft acquisitions have been confined to the computer software industry. He said it was possible Microsoft was in discussions with the British giant over ways to speed Internet access through emerging technologies such as digital subscriber lines. The biggest acquisition Microsoft ever attempted was a $2 billion deal to purchase rival software maker Intuit, which was dropped after the U.S. Justice Department objected on antitrust grounds. British Telecom has a market capitalization of about $60 billion. British Telecom shares surged Thursday on takeover speculation that also mentioned AT&T Corp and other U.S. telecommunications companies as potential buyers. Very interesting!!!

To: Paul Fiondella who wrote (19796)	1/24/1998 4:02:00 PM
From: Joe Antol	Respond to of 42771

Hi Paul, I don't have any info (really), but I do have a comment on your post. Your post and Don's post prior, are extremely well put together, and make a lot of sense to me IMO. That is why I said to Scott "I come to SI for information". There is a lot (boy a lot..) of "noise", but there is a wealth of information that can be gleaned from a lot of very knowledgeable people on most of the threads. Anyway, I tend to agree with both your analysis', and they support what I've been trying to articulate (but not as eloquently as either of you --- I'm more of a "gut" type of guy). The 5-6.5 range puts it at the last postion of worth that is the book value, goodwill, plus the 1B. As I said earlier the next Q IMO will tell all. And perhaps be the last Q. I hope not for the longs still sitting at double-digit positions, but I am very skeptical. At that point a 5-6.50 "long buy" could yield a 3 or 4 point profit and the profit could be very good, obviously on how much $ one wants to risk. Regards, Joe...<but then again, that's what this game is all about, right?>

To: Paul Fiondella who wrote (19796)	1/24/1998 6:27:00 PM
From: Spartex	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 42771

Paul: I concur, but would say that downside risk would be in the 6- 6 1/2 range, especially in the current nervous market climate. However, if there are institutions getting a wiff of Novell's 6 month outlook, they may start to nibble again. But you are right, many of these institutions won't touch Novell until they have a strong quarter and show some hope of a future. We seem to be at that inflection point between good and bad. Just depends on which way the wind is blowing, and at this point is looks quietly down. The quiet and suspense is kind of getting to me. What do you think will have to NOVL share price if they report 1 to 2 cents loss? I mean do you really think they are going to punish them? I would think that the shareholders and institutions are looking a little further out than the past quarter. They are insterested in Schmidt's forwarding looking guidance. If positive, back on board. Seems like we're all waiting for that pin to drop, eh Joe? I know, just the facts, you won't buy until you see some real fact$. Quad-K