In Focus

o what stocks are at issue in New York State Attorney General Spitzer's investigation of Merrill Lynch's investment banking practices? Here they are:

1. Amazon (AMZN);
2. America On-Line (AOL);
3. Yahoo (YHCO);
4. Ebay (EBAY);
5. Double Click (DCLK);
6. Lycos (LCOS);
7. Homestore (HOMS);
8. Priceline (PCLN);
9. CMGI (CMGI);
10. Excite (ATHM);
11. Etoys (ETYS);
12. Barnes and Noble (BNBN);
13. My Points (MYFI);
14. I Village (IVIL);
15. 24/7 Media (TMSF)
16. Quokka Sports (QKKA);
17. Pets.com (IPET);
18. Infospace (INSP);
19. Exodus (EXDS);
20. Inktomi (INKT);
21. Real Networks (RNKW);
22. Internet Capital Group (ICGE);
23. Aribs (ARBA);
24. Vertical Net (VERT). Others referenced:
    
25. Aether System (AETH);
26. Excite (ATHM);
27. Goto.com (GOTO);
28. Lifeminders (LFMN);
29. Media (TFSM)

There will be more stocks to add to this list, undoubtedly. And Merrill Lynch will not stand alone in attempting to defend allegations of deception, as at least ten other brokerage firms already are being investigated.

— James J. Eccleston
FinancialCounsel.com