From Exxon's 10-Q filed with SEC on 5-13-99:

"Notwithstanding the substantive work efforts described above, the corporation could potentially experience disruptions to some mission critical operations or deliveries to customers as a result of Year 2000 issues, particularly in the first few weeks of the year 2000. Such disruptions could include impacts from potentially non-compliant systems utilized by suppliers, customers,government entities or others. Given the diverse nature of Exxon's operations,the varying state of readiness of different countries and suppliers, and the interdependence of Year 2000 impacts, the potential financial impact or liability associated with such disruptions cannot be reasonably estimated."

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), July 23, 1999

Answers

The last sentence in Exxon's statement could be applied to any other international company worldwide.

And yet companies are still going for multi-billion dollar mergers or acquistions.Most profit forecasts for next year do not take account of y2K disruptions.The value of stocks continue to rise.

How can fund managers & other stock market players can be so blind?

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), July 23, 1999.

"How can fund managers & other stock market players can be so blind?" --For them, it's the only game in town.

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), July 23, 1999.

How can fund managers & other stock market players can be so blind?

The answer my friend is that they must, for the implied consequences of not participating in the group think on this one are beyond imagination.

It is truly an interesting test of the "material society" and the "bubble market" which we have been fanning day after day after day.

-- Gordon (g_gecko_69@hotmail.com), July 23, 1999.

I dunno, Puddin, but I am so damn smart that I exited the market in early 1998.

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), July 23, 1999.