Kent Mergler
Kent Mergler
companies consistency defense earnings good industry looking opposed solid stock theme wind
We own L-3 because it's a good solid stock as opposed to being part of an industry theme play, ... The defense industry has the wind at its back now but most companies don't have the earnings consistency we're looking for.
consider core expect expensive stock
The stock is expensive but you'd expect it to be expensive. We consider it a core holding.
continue influenced market recession rest selective stocks tech
The whole market will continue to be influenced by the war. For the most part, the tech stocks are still in a significant recession than the rest of the economy. It's going to be selective stocks that are going to be leaders.
assuming case higher problems risk seen willing worse
Assuming the problems are no worse than what we've seen to date, you can make a case for a recovery. But that's a higher risk than we're willing to take.
consumer evidence noise spending stopping
Most of the noise about the consumer stopping spending has been just noise. There hasn't been real evidence of it.
pay war
It doesn't pay to go to war with the world.
company decent growth potential
If we can find a company with accelerating growth potential and a decent valuation then we're happy,
companies figure money near people prospect trading
I can't figure out why people want to own unprofitable companies with no prospect of making money in the near future. That's just trading paper,
financing selling unusual
When you are selling a $20,000 item, it's not unusual to have financing arm,
suit
This suit has been about placating competitors, not benefiting consumers.
busted companies huge market mostly relief sigh strength
The real strength in the market in 2003 was from small-cap and mostly busted companies. It was a huge sigh of relief that many unprofitable companies did not go out of business.
companies confidence consistent degree high network
The two companies are similar, but Symantec has been a more consistent performer. I just do not have a high degree of confidence in Network Associates.
curious everybody happens year
We're as curious as everybody else to see what happens when the new year starts.
companies earnings growth invested likely progress selected strong tech technology until
We are not heavily invested in tech and are not likely to be so until we see fundamental progress. We've always selected companies with strong earnings growth and most technology companies don't have that at this point.