ome insider tips from your friendly political stockbroker:
GoreNewMillennium.com. Once touted as the new Microsoft, this somewhat stodgy Tennessee-based firm specializing in executive back-up, environmental services, government reorganization, and Democratic fund-raising has posted disappointing earnings in recent years. Damaging disclosures about Chinese holdings and sub-par performance of Charisma subsidiary make this a risky investment at best, but some investors are betting on its recovery in 2000.
Clinton Survival Technologies Ltd. Formerly known as Clinton Global Enterprises Inc., this Arkansas-based conglomerate barely avoided bankruptcy in 1998 after its popular CEO was hit with a sexual harassment suit and prolonged federal investigation of alleged corrupt practices. Firm has overcome many crises before and appears poised for a comeback, but proxy fight by Capitol Hill majority shareholders over proposed $792 billion expansion and consumer fatigue could send stock into nose-dive.
Bush Leadership Resources Inc. Wall Street likes this exciting new firm launched just five years ago by Texas entrepreneur with impressive family background. Analysts were impressed by company's performance in first six months of 1999, when it rang up $37 million in sales despite the absence of a well-defined product.
Hastert Speakers Bureau. New over-the-counter stock started off slowly after suddenly going public in January 1999, but steady performance and down-home appeal of this solid but unspectacular Illinois company augurs well for future earnings. Recent history of nasty boardroom fights still scares some analysts, but if it can overcome competitive challenges in 2000, patient investors will be richly rewarded.
Greenspan.money.com. A perennial favorite of Wall Street, but still eyed with suspicion by Main Street, this blue chip money management firm recently went on line after maintaining steady course in the 1990s. CEO's renowned ability to reassure analysts from Frankfurt to Tokyo has fueled its success, but global investors worry about who will replace him when he steps down, probably in 2001.
Starr Everlasting Investigations LLP. From unknown start-up six years ago to $50 million conglomerate today, its growth has been spectacular, even though it has produced few useful products other than best-selling dirty book in 1998. Jury is still out because of concerns about CEO's judgment and staying power, but Whitewater and White House Travel Office holdings could add value in 2000.
McCain-Forbes-Dole-Bauer-Quayle Campaign Services Ltd. Despite an abundance of talented and ambitious executives, this Republican-oriented political consulting firm is struggling to get off the ground after its Alexander subsidiary declared bankruptcy in August and its Buchanan division disclosed interest in moving headquarters to Reform Party. Despite holdings in every state, marketing department's failure to differentiate among its many products except for distinctive line of Dole women's apparel has hampered ability to compete with Bush Leadership Resources.
Bradley Big Ideas Inc. A promising newcomer to the Big Board, this well-established New Jersey public policy innovator has come back strong after taking time out to restructure itself. Speculators could find they have another America Online or Amazon.com in their portfolios, depending on outcome of planned product launches in Iowa and New Hampshire early next year. Definitely not a stock for day traders.
Hillary Carpetbaggers & Associates. Headed by impressive woman CEO, this firm has bet its future on new listening technology designed for sale in New York State and could pay rich dividends to investors next year. But CEO's outsider image, lack of track record, and rumors of marital problems, along with failure of Health Care Associates venture in 1994, could play into hands of take-no-prisoners competitor, Giuliani Municipal Services Inc.
Camelot Nostalgia Corp. Once considered the political equivalent of IBM or General Electric, this legendary family firm appears to be running out of gas after nearly 40 years of prosperity. Buffeted by personal problems and tragedies, including the recent death in an airplane accident of its most promising executive, its aging product line has badly eroded profits, and the firm's once-glamorous image may no longer appeal to younger consumers.
Ventura Body Slam Promotions Ltd. This Minnesota company literally came out of nowhere in 1998 with the most talked-about product since the Sony Walkman. Marketing skills learned from CEO's association with World Wrestling Federation have boosted stock price to record levels, but Wall Street still isn't convinced that this former Navy SEAL is for real.
However, the word on the Street is that the firm is vulnerable to takeover by a Perot-Buchanan combine.
Albert Eisele is editor of The Hill newspaper.
