12/13/2004

Merger Mania

Hello:

It appears that large corporations are going holiday shopping this quarter, and buying other large corporations. Oracle and PeopleSoft, Sprint and Nextel, Johnson and Johnson and Guidant; where does it end? Does this merger mania signify a market top? Perhaps not. The next phase of growth in this economy, may be fueled to a large extent from corporate spending as opposed to consumer spending. It is highly possible, that large corporations are finding that it is cheaper to buy an existing assets as opposed to building something new.

Does your donor have an orphan 401K left behind at a former employer? The 401k trustee may not allow for contingent beneficiaries, such as a non-profit organization. This may be a future talking point for you and your donors.

Terri G. Millson, CIMC President

Ray Dicius, GEPC LPL Branch Manager