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.

Strategies & Market Trends : The Thread Formerly Known as No Rest For The Wicked -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Junkyardawg who wrote (25925)	4/9/1999 1:23:00 PM
From: MARK C.	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 90042

By Jeffry Bartash, CBS MarketWatch Last Update: 12:59 PM ET Apr 9, 1999 NewsWatch Net Headlines Telecom Report (CBS.MW) -- Shares of E.spire Communications swelled more than 17 percent Friday amid renewed talk that the provider of phone and high-speed data service could be bought out soon. E.spire (espi: news, msgs) stock climbed 2 1/4 to 14 13/16 after several news reports suggested the small company -- it recorded $156.8 million in revenue in 1998 -- could be acquired by Qwest Communications International or another big telecom carrier within a year or two. E.spire, based in Annapolis Junction, Md., got its start as a reseller of local phone service. It's now aggressively moving to offer lucrative high-speed data access over its own fiber optic network to telecommuters and small businesses in direction competition with Bell Atlantic. See Telecom Report. All has not been roses for E.spire, however. The stock had sunk to as low as 4 5/16 in the past year after the company sustained larger than expected losses in cash flow -- a key measure of financial health in high-tech sectors. It's also undergone several management shakeups and is now on its third chief executive in three years. And the move into the Northeast from its traditional Southern base will expose the company to more rivals and fiercer competition. Still, analysts say the company has a good strategic plan. That's prompted several to call E.Spire undervalued, which, combined with talk of a buyout, has lift the stock sharply over the past few months. Jeffry Bartash is an online reporter for CBS MarketWatch. For more breaking news, visit our Front Page. Also, search our news archives: Ticker Keyword (For more options use our Advanced Search)