In today's edition of the Daily Update, we offer a spate of ideas and some
promises we hope are kept. Like many of us at this time of year, certain
telcos are trying to shed excess pounds (of debt) to make themselves
more attractive (to investors), and equity research columnist Dave
Sterman does his best impression of a personal trainer keeping his eye
on analyst sentiment.

The new year also means new conditions for private B2B exchanges,
and eMarketer senior analyst Steve Butler explains how the survivors are
adapting.

Finally, Morgan Stanley has a stock idea for investors with an appetite
for wireless, but are leery of indigestion. Multex Investor members get a
free insight into Alltel (AT) thanks to the free research trial available
exclusively to them (that's you).

You can also link directly to our research page, which features synopses
of broker and free reports, by clicking here:
http://www.multexinvestor.com/article.asp?docid=5719&nd=0108

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Below
--------

- Investment ideas
- Broker and third-party research
- Online advice and chats
- Free and sponsored reports


Investment ideas
-----------------------------------------

1. INVESTMENT IDEAS
Portly telcos
Telecom stocks trying to slalom through tough conditions while carrying
a few extra pounds of debt

By Dave Sterman, equity research columnist

Telecom bankruptcies have been making headlines for most of the last
year. Struggling upstarts that borrowed too much money had to fold up
shop as the cash ran out and creditors came knocking. But debt
problems of another sort are cropping up for much larger telecom firms.
These companies are not candidates for bankruptcy, but staggering debt
loads may hinder their operational flexibility and could even cause them
to radically scale back their businesses. For equity investors, the
situation certainly bears watching.

Click here to read more.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/article.asp?docid=5628&nd=0108


2. INVESTMENT IDEAS
How the survivors have evolved
From passive transaction-based units to active technology providers and,
ultimately, proselytizers

By Steve Butler, senior analyst, eMarketer

At the beginning of 2001, eMarketer selected five so-called "independent
exchanges" that we believed were worth watching during the course of
the year. Chosen for the diversity of their vertical industry operations,
these benchmark exchanges were noted as useful indicators of the
success or failure of online exchange-based trade within various
industries.
Known as a pioneer within the energy industry and among business-to-
business (B2B) exchanges in general, Altra Market Place was placed on
the list because of its background as a facilitator of commodity-based
trade. Citadon has long emphasized its Web-based, collaborative
software for the engineering and building industry, while eMerge
Interactive (EMRG) was initially known as a cattle broker with extensive
online and offline trading operations.
MetalSite was selected because of its presence within the highly-
competitive online steel-trading industry, and SciQuest (SQST) was
noted for its leadership as a provider of Internet-based catalog and
trading technology for the life sciences industry.

Click here to read more.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/article.asp?docid=5720&nd=0108


WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
--------------------------

First Baby of the New Year Looks to be Science & Technology Funds

As the new year began, technology funds seem to be off to a roaring
start.  Both the Dow Jones and Nasdaq indices saw gains powered
primarily by technology stocks.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/ExpertInsights/SponsorHome.asp?target=/funds/expertinsights/sponsor&sid=127&nd=0108


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Broker and third-party reports
-----------------------------------------


1. INVESTORS' CHOICE: 3-DAY FAVORITE
The 451 discusses Cisco's (CSCO) new focus on the mobile wireless
market.

This report examines IP infrastructure spending, the next-gen Internet
and network architecture layers, Cisco's strategic alliances and mobile
business customer targets, and advanced e-services and content
applications. (2-page report for purchase - $5)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=5676705&nd=0108


2. TODAY'S SPECIAL REPORT
Oscar Gruss & Son offers views on its universe of 26 Israeli tech
stocks.

The firm provides company snapshots, descriptions, recent notable
events, and/or outlooks for stocks such as Check Point (CHKP),
Comverse (CMVT), Mercury Interactive (MERQ), Terayon (TERN, Vyyo
(VYYO), Amdocs (DOX), and more. (30-page report for purchase - $75)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25909975&nd=0108


3. EDITOR'S PICK: CURRENT RESEARCH FROM THE CUTTING EDGE
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey offers a positive outlook on specialty
pharmaceuticals.

FBR looks at 2001 highlights, provides a 2002 outlook, and
profiles 5 of its top picks and 4 it likes least. Two of its five favorites
are Andrx (ADRX) and Barr (BRL), while 2 it doesn't like are Watson
(WPI) and King (KG). (6-page report for purchase - $25)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25912221&nd=0108


4. THIRD-PARTY REVIEW
Kintisheff Research reports on the outlook for volatile fiber
optics concern JDS Uniphase (JDSU).

In the report, Kintisheff discusses the sector supply chain
situation, the IBM deal, and gives short- and long-term investment
opinions on JDSU. In total 5 pages of company commentary and 5
pages of detailed financials. (10-page report for purchase - $25)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25932378&nd=0108


5. WHAT'S HOT?
Crowell, Weedon, & Co. publishes its January recommendation list.

In the report, the firm offers a page of general market commentary
and then lists its recommendations which include 8 income stocks, 16
established growth companies, 2 aggressive growth names, and 2
special
situation stocks. (3-page report for purchase - $10)
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25916323&nd=0108


======================== Sponsored by =========================

The Telecomm Analyst: Wall Street's daily and weekly industry outlook

Multex's The Telecomm Analyst features daily telecommunications-industry
specific research highlights, investment ideas, analyst opinions, portfolio
strategies: http://www.multexinvestor.com/Analysts/HomeTTA.asp

To be sure you receive your TTA newsletter every week, click here:
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Online advice and chats
-----------------------------------------


1. ASK THE ANALYST
The Technical Trader's Harry Boxer discusses the characteristics of his
ideal technical chart.

Identifying a stock he likes at the moment, Boxer explains why he favors
its chart, the internal technicals, and low-priced stocks in general. Do all
of your stocks possess ideal technicals? He can answer your questions
until Wed., Jan. 9. Ask the analyst.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/AskTheAnalystForm.asp?&nd=0108

Sign up for a FREE TRIAL to Harry's "Real-Time Technical Trading
Diary" and receive Harry's "Top 20 Technical Picks for 2002" report--
FREE. Click here https://www.thetechtrader.com/sec-bin/ttuser?ref=multex3


2. ASK THE EXPERT
Insurance.com's Ronald E. Newton discusses life insurance coverage
issues brought up by divorce.

Newton explains the importance of reviewing insurance coverage in the
midst of divorce to protect loved ones should catastrophic events occur.
Do you have all the coverage you need? He can take your questions
until Thurs., Jan. 10. Ask the expert.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/AskTheExpertForm.asp?&nd=0108


3. TONIGHT's Live Event
Chat LIVE TONIGHT at 9pm ET and ask about the economy and your
stocks.

Tonight at 9pm ET, Jim Weiss, CIO - Equities State Street Research, will
answer your questions about the current economy and your stocks. Don't
miss this chance to learn more.  Click here
http://www.multexinvestor.com/LiveEvents/Article.asp?target=/liveevents/article/home&ForumID=42&DocID=5640&nd=0108



Free and sponsored reports
-----------------------------------------


1. FREE RESEARCH REPORT
Barrington Research takes a look at the current state of the
economy.

Barrington looks at Q3 GDP, the Fed Beige Report, inventories,
leading indicators, consumer spending, retail sales, consumer credit,
employment trends, and more. This 13-page report, which usually sells
for $50, is free to members for the next 72 hours.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25899632&nd=0108


2. DAILY FREE SPONSOR REPORT
Morgan Stanley sets a $75 price target for "outperform"-rated Alltel (AT).

The firm argues that AT offers investors "wireless exposure with the
positive net income, free cash flow, and balance sheet strength of a
wireline operator." Register for the firm's free-research trial to access this
and other commentary, available exclusively to Multex Investor
members.
http://www.multexinvestor.com/download.asp?docid=25931994&sid=8&nd=0108


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Be sure to check out our other newsletters, The Internet Analyst
and The Telecomm Analyst by Multex.com. The newsletters will
inform, educate, and entertain you with usable investment data,
ideas, experts, and info about the Internet and telecommunications
sectors. To see this week's issue,
click here:
http://www.thetelecommanalyst.com/ or
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