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Biotech / Medical : Agouron Pharmaceuticals (AGPH) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: scaram(o)uche who wrote (5152)	8/14/1998 3:02:00 AM
From: Peter Singleton	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6136

Rick, hmmm ... did you see this comment from DD's CEO? <<[we] are seeking other acquisitions in the life sciences area>> After they pick off the rest of Pioneer Hi-Bred they don't own, that doesn't leave much agbio to pick over ... except a big acquisition like Zeneca. Wonder if they're talking to any biotechs? : ) btw, from statements by their head of Life Sciences, DD will not do any non-accretive deals ... e.g., no research boutiques. Now, where on earth do you think they could find an accretive deal among the biotechs? Gotta think on this for awhile ... : ) Peter DuPont CEO Affirms Strategy for Investment Audience; Cites Challenging Third Quarter NEW YORK, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- In a speech to the investment community here today, DuPont (NYSE: DD - news) President and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr., reaffirmed his commitment to transform the company into a faster-growing, more profitable, less cyclical group of integrated businesses. He also said that the near-term economic environment presents continuing challenges similar to those the company experienced at the end of the second quarter. ''We indicated to you last month that our third quarter earnings would be below last year due to difficult business conditions. Those conditions include the impact of lower oil prices, higher quarterly interest expense from acquisitions, about $100 million lower revenues in agricultural products resulting from a one-time change in distribution in the third quarter of 1997, and an extremely difficult Asian environment, particularly affecting our polyester business. Therefore, we anticipate that our third quarter earnings will most likely be closer to the low end of the range of analyst estimates,'' Holliday said. ''I would expect by the fourth quarter increased contribution from our productivity efforts, a more normal comparison in our agricultural products business, and lower interest expense,'' Holliday said. Corporate Transformation ''We are already implementing our strategy to transform the company,'' Holliday said. ''We have decided to exit the company's wholly owned energy subsidiary, Conoco, acquired Merck & Co.'s interest in our pharmaceutical joint venture, are seeking other acquisitions in the life sciences area, and are building on the strongest components in DuPont's chemicals and specialties businesses.'' Holliday cited the company's highly profitable differentiated businesses, which today contribute over 50 percent of chemicals and specialties earnings, as examples of areas where further investment can strengthen market penetration and leadership. Included in this group are specialty fibers such as Lycra(R) brand spandex, Tyvek(R) spun-bonded olefin and Kevlar(R) aramid fiber, as well as photopolymers and electronic materials. ''The earnings power of these businesses is based on multiple competitive advantages that cannot be replicated by others. Technology leadership has enabled DuPont to achieve high market share and establish strong brand identities,'' he explained. ''Performance improvements in 1999 and 2000 will be driven primarily by reshaping DuPont's foundation businesses, such as nylon and polyester, and aggressive productivity improvements that reduce cost and minimize capital expenditures,'' Holliday said. Holliday also cited the exciting potential of the life sciences businesses, which are expected to contribute a third of the company's total earnings in four or five years -- up from about 20 percent today. Holliday noted that DuPont has a rich pipeline of crop protection and pharmaceutical products, as well as attractive opportunities in nutrition and health. ''Accelerating the growth in life sciences is key to our strategy to becoming a faster-growing, more profitable, less cyclical company,'' Holliday said. Founded in 1802, DuPont is a global research and technology-based life sciences, materials and energy company. Committed to better things for better living, DuPont serves worldwide markets including food and nutrition; health care; agriculture; fashion and apparel; home and construction; electronics; transportation and energy. The company operates in about 70 countries and has 98,000 employees. Revenues in 1997 were more than $45 billion.

To: scaram(o)uche who wrote (5152)	8/14/1998 1:58:00 PM
From: JMM	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 6136

.....I understand that you are the resident bull on this stk and try to explain everything that has to do with any negativity. A message board is for opinions also.....right...If you're case was so strong the stk wouldn't be where it is now. Apparently some other believe differently then the die hard bulls on the stk. Every stk has people who defend it to the hilt..but kinda naive to believe that the bullish opinion is always the correct one. The stk enjoyed its major run in the past......looking at the potential downside of a stk just makes sense in the mkt we are in. Remember I said the worse case scenario was to the 15 to 16 level...face it the stk has very poor technicals. Not sure investing in a stk for a takeover shows confidence in its ability to grow by itself......