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Overstock.com skids on analyst report

Posted May 30 2008, 02:49 PM by Kim Peterson
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Shares in Overstock.com plunged 7% today to $25.83 after Merrill Lynch cut its rating to "sell" from "hold." And thus ends the startling runup in shares of the online retailer. The stock has more than doubled since March.

Why is Merrill so grumpy? Overstock had a great first quarter, which is the main reason why shares went up, but analyst Justin Post said he can't justify the current valuation, according to Barron's. Anything above $18 is simply too much at this point.

Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne has said he's hoping for a $10 million profit this year on $1 billion in total sales. He could hit the sales goal no problem, but the profit? I'm not so sure. For Q1, the company reported a $4 million loss on $201 million in sales.

Comments

 

"Overstock had a great first quarter, which is the main reason why shares went up"  Really?  So, some 800 days on the REG SHO list, the massive naked shorts had nothing to do with it?  It was just 'fundies'?  It has nothing to do with Overstock having discovery against all of Wall St., and Gradiant/Rocker?  Didn't know.  Thanks Justin.

"The stock has more than doubled since March"  So, the stock started this move at around $8.  And, anything past $18 would be a bit much.  But it was neutral at 9 -18.  That wasn't worth a call?  But sell at $28?  How do you know when to sell it, when you don't know when to buy it?

"And thus ends the startling runup in shares of the online retailer. "  Ya think?  You don't think the massive short, and the massive naked short or FTD (fails to deliver ) problem, you know, the "elephant in the room" that doesn't exist has anything at all to do with it?

I think a first year Med student could tell you this was a short squeeze of tremendous importance.  And I think the janitor could tell you they haven't made a dent in it.  But, we'll see.  And Mother Merrill?  They of how many billions of writedowns?  They've got all the answers now?  For a day perhaps.  For a day.

The timing of the Merrill report is really fishy. The SEC should investigate the behind the scenes reasons for the timing of this negative report. Another agenda is being played out with OSTK. Bet on it.

Overstock's CEO posting as Craig and Lenofus is the real reason the stock is overvalued.

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