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Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Teflon who wrote (21405)	4/23/1999 10:51:00 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

So you see, it doesn't effect MSFT's ability to buy anyone if MSFT decides to buy back more stock than normal. That's right, Tef, but look at what it does to the earnings per share! We, the stockholders, make out like bandits as the EPS rises and the stock goes up more. LindyBill

To: Teflon who wrote (21405)	4/23/1999 10:55:00 AM
From: t2	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 74651

Teflon, I think MSFT is buying more shares than normal. They definately stepped up repurchases in the March quarter. I think it was a shift in strategy. They realized that a high stock price makes it easier to acquire companies. In the past all they talked about was overvaluation----than was not a good strategy in my opinion. They have come to their senses. I still think they can torpedo the AT&T deal with some concessions from Comcast on set top boxes or other issues related to control. Cable has been very suspicious of MSFT. MSFT might just have thought the hell with trying to get friendly with TCI and others and just go with other deals. My feeling is that they would not purchase but instead increase their stake in Comcast which would result in significant influence when strategic decisions are made a Comcast. IMHO that is all MSFT wants ---they don't want control of any cable company. Furthermore, MSFT does not appear to be abandoning the ISP business as a lot of people had speculated. Instead, they started to do more including taking steps in alternatives to cable as well. That possible reversal in strategic plans may result in them getting involved in the Media One deal. For MSFT these cable outfit investments is pocket change. I don't think they like the idea of having AT&T derail their long term plans.

To: Teflon who wrote (21405)	4/23/1999 11:01:00 AM
From: t2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

Teflon, Sorry i could not join you on the ATHM thread. I am stuck doing my taxes---in Canada due on April 30. I realized that I had a lot of trades last year. It may take me a couple of days just to sort out the gains from last year. Even the summaries from the broker for the year are many pages long. Having a hell of a time. In addition, i am now limited from buying more on my trading account as I had to pull out a lot of cash just to pay the taxes. Now I get the buy and hold strategy (a little late). <g>