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 : Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: marginmike who wrote (12986)	7/28/1998 7:03:00 PM
From: deeno	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

o.t..... analysts Enjoyed your comments. I've always felt that they were not hired to pick stocks. They make money by primarily by providing correct raw data to institutional investors. Institutions want to know earnings, inventories, sales, tax rates etc. then the institutions make the decsions to buy or sell. An analyst is considered good or not good based on how accurate the forcast of raw data is. His (or her) ability to sell research, do deals etc. is related to the reputation earned and how confident the BUY side feels that the analyst can deliver "the numbers". Now brokerage companys do have to provide advice/research to the public/retail also. Since these people should have a good "feel" for the company, why not let them tell the sales force what stocks they like. My gut feeling is that while they maybe the best in the world at getting the current and next year PE right, they are not any better at picking individual stocks then informed investors. I think you can use an analyst to develope your fundamental picture but, I agree with you, you better draw your own conclusions. Thats why I was interested in opinions on Merrill's comment to see if his numbers made sense then draw my own conclusion. FWIW.