Friday, January 13, 2006

IBM Twisting in the Wind

IBM reports that the SEC has stepped up their investigation of accounting and reporting irregularities regarding the expensing of stock options. Everyone who followed the stock knew that this is a possibility. The SEC usually needs to draw blood. IBM may throw them something just to get it over with. The question becomes what kind of sanctions will occur. Multi million dollar fines are chump change at big blue. Personally I vote for a hang em high scenario where individuals (senior officers and advisors that they hide behind) are severely sanctioned and restricted from holding positions of power and influence in any area’s dealing with the securities business and or investor relations/corporate finance for long periods of time. This will be the only way to deal with the arrogance of those who feel that they can get one by the marketplace.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Siebel Shameless Tout (Siebel Systems NASDAQ:SEBL)

Siebel Systems (NASDAQ:SEBL) shamelessly touts its own horn in their latest press release. They are very proud that they did better than they said they would. Makes you wonder if something was held back allowing the astute to profit and now the stock is getting extra juice. The quote in question from their press release is “…significantly exceeded management guidance and analyst consensus expectations…” Hmmm.

Cosmic Dust Space Ship (Lockheed Martin NYSE:LMT)

Normally I am pretty jaded about financial and corporate communication but the most recent release from Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) about a space ship returning to earth from a successful mission to collect cosmic particle dust just blows me away. In a time and era when getting your fast food order correct is a major customer service victory getting your space ship to come back on time is very cool. Kudo’s to all involved.

PS I am still watching the financial stuff

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Apollo Group (Nasdaq:APOL) Fast Shuffle in Executive Suite

Apollo Group (Naasdaq:APOL) in todays press release well after market close announces a new president and offers up the usual superlatives. One sentence does bother me. The old president resigned as both officer and director. Old presidents usually stay on the board to offer counsel and advice. The executive suite shuffle seems a little fast and furious. Oh by the way there is also a new interim executive chairman of the board. This does not sound like a smooth transition.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK) comes clean

I finally liked something. Just to show that my skepticism is not always bad I would like to point out Autodesk’s announcement (NASDAQ:ADSK) regarding the completion of the Alias purchase. Kudo’s to Autodesk for including financial information on the impact the acquisition. So many companies just make announcements and punt out any obligation to report the financial impact.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Las Vegas

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES is currently under way in Las Vegas. Many companies feel a need to bang the corporate drum extra loud and issue product press releases loaded with marketing hyperbole. Whether this is under Reg FD or not can sometimes be confusing. What you can safely bet on there is a high degree of smoke and mirrors. Remember the term vapor ware consisted of marketing without the product. Dial up some caveat emptor with companies exhibiting at the CES.

Weekend Follies Jan 7-8, 2005

Five culprits this weekend issuing substantial press releases at odd ball hours over the weekend. They are Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX), Abbott (NYSE:ABT), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), G Willi-Food International (NASDAQ:WILCF) and Materials Sciences (NYSE:MSC)

For the new reader I find companies who issue press releases at odd ball hours over the weekend to trigger my skepticism which requires an extra dose of caveat emptor.