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Technology Stocks : VIAB (Viacom Class B shares) formerly CBS -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John M Connolly who wrote (2890)	11/12/1998 7:30:00 PM
From: Patrice Gigahurtz	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4613

John: Yes I did see your explanation of EBIDTA but to me it makes little sense as bottom line net earnings are what I think the 'street' wants to see. And selling up to 20% of an earnings engine just slows down the motor a bit in my mind. I'd rather service current debt and keep 100% of radios-outdoor and drive CBS' net bottom line. Also, I'd rather see something like a tax free split to current CBS shareholders: CBS/TV as one stock and CBS/Radio(& outdoor) as another. I'd rather have both and then let the 'market place' determine their values. Also, why couldn't they get rid of that 'poison pill' in the process ? What a time for an IPO ? We could be on the eve of Gulf II ? And who knoes what the Fed will do with regards to % rates ? They could do Version Fed cut #1! or Version cut #2 and worse no Cut ? Then what ? Brazil dropped big last session, what's the trend there ? And Japan is having a heck-of-a-time convincing people to spend their yens on goods. To me it's a mystery how this stock market recovered as much of late as it has. Thanks

To: John M Connolly who wrote (2890)	11/12/1998 8:40:00 PM
From: MGV	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4613

Something is awfully wrong somewhere. Mel Karmazin's sentiments likely were roughly similar John. You have illustrated one of the key drivers of this IPO: Shareholder value. Another is acquisition currency via INF shares. Farther down the list is raise cash. If the IPO were yesterday it is possible that the initial $22 would have been bid up to $25 or more. Within 6 months (given a benign market environment), INF will be priced substantially higher than the IPO price. AS you noted, at $22, taking away the proceeds of the IPO, the market is valuing the affiliates, TNN & other cable biz, the internet, etc. at less than $1B.