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Investing in ValueClick: Naivety and False Rumor...

By Ian L. Cooper

Wednesday Jun 27, 2007

If you’re ever bored… in search of a good laugh… watch as the ValueClick herd gets burned for the sixth time in three months. It really is like watching a five year old get burned by the same burner, despite knowledge that it hurts.

On May 29, and 31, 2007, rumors surfaced that ValueClick (VCLK) would be bought out. It didn’t happen. Five days later, the rumors surfaced again, the herd piled in again, and the buyout didn’t happen. The rumor is now 0 for 3, the rumors start again, and the herd piles in again on June 14, 2007. Again there’s no buyout. The rumor is now 0 for 4, and they’re trying to push the rumor again. And the herd is piling in. Would you believe the Street tried pushing the rumor again on June 19, 2007?

Okay, now we’re sitting at about 0 and 5 for the rumor. And now I’m hearing rumors that News Corporation, or even Google is interested in buying VCLK. And I’m watching as the herd piles back in for round 6.

Are investors this naïve? I’m hoping so. I’ve got a bridge to sell. Truth is, with an SEC query, the fact that all acquisitions in this industry sub-sector have been greatly realized, and the fact that VCLK just brought a new CEO on board, there’s no real chance of a buyout. Maybe the herd likes losing money… over and over again??

 

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