Replies to post #9278 on Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

[DaveMock]

Hi Jim -

In regards to your suspicions about the "timing" of my recent writings and the book, there's actually very good reasons for it all, only it is not known to you.

I could not discolse the book until it was cataloged, which it now is. I was counseled by The Motley Fool legal to disclose the title in the recent commentaries since we decided in some indirect way it does constitute an "interest" in the company through future sales of the book - though I own no shares/option/warrants/puts/calls or any other financial tie in Qualcomm. TMF is very good about disclosure, and I wanted to be fully upfront as well - best to be safe and honest.

Contrary to your thinking that I now have some "sudden revelations" wrt Qualcomm, it is quite the opposite I assure you. I would have liked to put more opinion into Qualcomm pieces up til now but I believe it would have been skating along thin ethical ice - if I can't disclose that I'm writing a book on the company (until now), then I shouldn't be touting a strong opinion. This is also why I decided to refrain from buying the stock since I started the book - it would look a little shady to be gobbling up shares when I'm talking with all levels inside and outside the company, right?

You've lamented how sad it is that some may have followed my advice back in '02 and not bought Qualcomm. However, evidence shows that investors following our "advice" would be far, far, far richer than just holding QCOM. While QCOM was dead money for more than 9 months, other wireless stocks we covered and many more were soaring unbelievably - some 200%-300%+ in months. What about NXTL or GRMN or WFII? Jeez, even MOT. Several others we never got to - SWIR, NVTL, TXN, ERICY, AMT, SCON. For gosh sakes, LU crushed QCOM over the next 12 months. Even tech darts outperfomed QCOM over the next year (Nasdaq).

Unlike some that want to just hold QCOM and "wish" it higher, I look for the best opportunities in wireless stocks at any given time. Unfortunate for your understanding that I was not actively freelancing articles in much of '03 to update on QCOM and the industry but I find it short-sighted and counter to reality to say it was a mistake to pass on Qualcomm and look elsewhere back at that time. Just like I believe it would be shortsighted not to consider QCOM now (and sell some other overpriced players).

I understand that I'll never be good enough for you or many posters here and on SI and TMF wrt to QCOM, and I'm sure many of the same will find the book so fundamentally and fatally inadequate that it is unworthy of honoring with even a $1 for a used copy. But I sincerely hope that it opens up the larger business world to an amazing company that surprisingly few outside of telecom, stock boards and San Diego know the truth about.

Good luck from here out.

Dave