Carl Icahn to the Rescue?

If Yahoo shareholders are to get a second lucky break, Carl Icahn will have to be to Yahoo what Gordon Gekko was to Teldar Paper.

After watching actions that I believe to be so against the interests of Yahoo’s shareholders as to be despicable, I personally hope that Icahn liberates Yahoo from the overpaid cronies on its board of directors.

As such, I encourage Jerry Yang and company to start submitting their resumes elsewhere.

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Trust Analysts Blindly - Lose Money

In recent posts (here and here) I’ve made it clear that I apply the “trust no one” mantra to many things, including research firms and well-connected individuals.

This, of course, is not to say that I don’t listen to what “experts” have to say. “Expert opinions” can be extremely valuable when used appropriately.

Unfortunately, some “experts” aren’t “experts” and implicitly trusting that every statement or prediction that comes from somebody you perceive as being an “expert” is accurate or wise is not the best strategy.

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Ross Levinsohn: From Big Rounds to Down Rounds

Back in December, Ross Levinsohn was quoted by PaidContent as saying:

Shopping: When I asked if they’re running into companies eager to sell now in case things turn sour, Levinsohn said it was just the opposite. “I’m actually amazed by it. A year ago … there was more desperation to sell.” The Facebook platform initiative and, to some extent, OpenSocial, turned that around, adding distribution to companies that once were only features.” They now have tens of millions of users and are raising money at huge multiples—hundreds of millions of dollars—and they’ll get it.”

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