“It's a tough retailing environment. The real question is have they been able to pull back a bit on the cost structure? ... Can we read enough into this quarter to gain enough confidence to expect they will break even in the fourth quarter?”
“I don't think they really need Windows XP distribution, ... They already have deals with the four largest PC manufacturers, and that will give them the means of getting onto the desktop anyway, without having to do a deal with Microsoft.”
“We expect the current gap between Lycos' closing price and the $97.55 [a share] acquisition [price] to tighten and see few catalysts until the deal closes.”
“This is a logical, rational reaction to a complex structure, ... It's a good move because there's been an overhang on the stock because of the open cable issue and contract expirations.”
“This makes it easier for management to respond more nimbly. It also makes it less likely for any spin-offs and will help them create a new structure when their cable contracts start to expire beginning in 2002,”
