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Technology Stocks : Compaq -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: zurdo who wrote (20221)	3/7/1998 5:56:00 PM
From: Dale J.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 97611

Re: <<I frankly do not think the SEC is going to be of much help, no matter how many letters we send. The chairman, Mr. Leavitt, talks convincingly about leveling the playing field for the individual investor, but nothing is ever done about the situation, to my knowledge.>> Zurdo, Sadly, you are probably correct. The brokerage houses and analysts like the status quo. Don't look for them or SEC to initiate any changes without numerous complaints. Most individual investors don't realize (or they don't care) the advantage analysts gain by having access to top management. ... Barrons - Compaq's Friday earnings warning followed cautionary comments earlier in the week from its chief financial officer, Earl Mason, at a Merrill Lynch technology conference in San Jose. We can't tell you precisely what Mason said -- Merrill didn't let any journalists in, and Compaq can't seem to find a transcript of his remarks. Hmmm. Merrill wouldn't let any journalists in. Could it be they wanted the information all to themselves. ... Barrons - CompUSA's stock plunged 6 1/2, or 20%, Apparently, CompUSA disclosed this information by dribbling it out to analysts before releasing it to the public. Hmmm. I wonder if CompUSA's individual investors are upset. Or do they just sit there and say oh well thats okay, at least CompUSA eventually told us. Dale

To: zurdo who wrote (20221)	3/7/1998 6:06:00 PM
From: Night Writer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 97611

Zurdo, Lawyers work on a contingent basis. The fees would be deducted from the award or settlement if any. Bad idea. Suing cpq is like suing your self. Company has to put up reserves for legal expense and possible payment of damages. This increases expense and comes directly out of any profits.. The discovery process is long, time consuming, and torturous. Management is distracted from their real job of running the company. This is an intangible cost. In the end many suits are settled to reduce the huge legal expense of defending the suit in court. Net effect is depression of the stock price, and share holders lose more in the market then they gain in settlement. Often the share holders get $.01 a share if lucky after legal expenses. NW