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Non-Tech : E*Trade (NYSE:ET) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: buckeye3d who wrote (2466)	2/26/1998 10:44:00 AM
From: wallyam	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13953

my 2 cents and wag. is there any argument that online brokering is going to replace standard old line brokers. if you agree with this assumption, then let's talk about who is going to be hurt more, etrade having to adjust commissions downward from $14.95 to $9.95 or merrill lynch having to adjust from $300.00 to $9.95.

To: buckeye3d who wrote (2466)	2/26/1998 11:06:00 AM
From: Oeconomicus	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13953

Alex, I wouldn't exclude OptionLink from an overall evaluation of EGRP either. However, the addition of all those accounts appears to have masked a significant slowdown in account growth in the brokerage side. IMO, the valuation can only be justified by continued rapid growth and a broker has to add accounts and assets to grow revenues and profits. As for OptionLink and benefit plan business in general, don't assume that they will be able to grab market share from the big boys without a much tougher fight. Discount brokerage can be sold through TV ads and other promotion targeted directly to the account owner. Plan business is much different. They need to do it, but it won't be as easy as pumping money into spots on CNBC. Bob