Drake Johnstone
Drake Johnstone
aol cash cox deal flow nice revenue
An AOL counter-bid is not out of the question. The nice thing about a Cox deal is that it would be part of AOL and part of its revenue and cash flow .
estimates exceed guidance inclined investors raise
If they exceed estimates for this quarter, which I think they will, and raise guidance for the upcoming quarter, investors would be more favorably inclined to Microsoft.
accepting high management might offer time tough
If DT Telecom or NTT come in with an $80-a-share offer, management might have a tough time not accepting such a high offer price.
cable focus looking rural systems
These cable systems are in rural areas, so they potentially are not as profitable. AT&T is looking to unload them because their focus is not on rural cable markets.
throwing
SBC sounded like they were throwing in the towel. They were pretty downbeat.
microsoft whatever
Microsoft would do whatever they can to keep AT&T from going to AOL.
along economy expect performing poorly slowing trend
AT&T has been performing poorly all along and in a slowing economy we can expect that trend to continue.
business growth
Long-distance is a growth business for Qwest but not their focus.
access cash excite generates goes huge operations positive revenue stream sustaining time tough
If that revenue stream goes away this would have a huge impact. Access actually generates positive cash flow. Excite would have a tough time sustaining operations going forward.
aggressive poorly run terms
Comcast was very aggressive in highlighting how poorly run AT&T was. Comcast was very 'in your face' in terms of the first offer.
biggest carriers challenge fast forward industry technology
If we fast forward two years, the biggest challenge for carriers in the industry is upgrading the technology in their networks.
improving revenue
If they demonstrate improving revenue growth, they could get $20 a share.
instead lack rates response revenue stable surprised
I am most surprised by the lack of competitive response by AT&T and WorldCom. If AT&T had lowered rates they would have stable revenue instead of double-digit declines.
drive happened price spring surprise upside
What could drive upside is more significant price cuts, and it wouldn't surprise me if it happened after the spring of 2004.