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Technology Stocks : Dell Technologies Inc. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Don Martini who wrote (58128)	8/13/1998 8:07:00 PM
From: Chuzzlewit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 176388

Hi Don, I have a somewhat different take on whisper numbers. As more and more companies try to "manage" their earnings through managing perceptions about earnings, more and more people have discovered the fact that the analysts really don't analyze and forecast at all. Instead, they act as the passive conduit of information from the companies they follow. Now everyone knows that it's great when you beat expectations, so the companies use the analysts to set investor expectations to easily attainable levels. Since most people have become aware of this tactic the whisper number has become an important benchmark. The problem is that nobody knows what the whisper number is. TTFN, CTC

To: Don Martini who wrote (58128)	8/13/1998 8:38:00 PM
From: stock bull	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 176388

Don & All, Regarding Whisper Number... Called my broker regarding the whisper number. Here's what he said: The whisper number is normally the high number in the range of the estimated earnings. For example, using First Call information...Dell's mean estimate is 46 cents...the range is 44 to 48 cents, so the whisper number would be 48 cents. The number of brokers giving estimates is 29, a large number of brokers. They sure are grouped closely together...within 4 cents. My broker and I though this was a little low, especially when compared to what happened last quarter. He said that he would have a better estimate on Monday or Tuesday. He told me to call back at 9:00am (PT) to get an update. He said that the trading on these days will give him more information on the whisper number. How this is accomplished, I do not know. Hope this is of some help. Can anyone add any further information? Stock Bull PS: When I get more information, I'll post it as soon as possible.