Boring Portfolio Report
Wednesday, August 13, 1997
by Greg Markus (TMF Boring)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (August 13, 1997) -- Contrary to expectations, producer prices declined for an unprecedented seventh straight month in July, according to a government report released this morning. That news buoyed the bond market and sent stocks soaring... for about 20 minutes.

The Dow, which was up nearly 80 points momentarily, sold off sharply and tumbled more than 160 points, to -82, in a matter of minutes. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq followed along -- although the latter held up much better, thanks to a glowing quarterly earnings report from chip-equipment bellwether APPLIED MATERIALS <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(Nasdaq: AMAT)") else Response.Write("(Nasdaq: AMAT)") end if %>.

By day's end, the Dow had recovered somewhat to -33 (-0.41%), while the S&P finished the session off 0.49%. The Nasdaq held on to a 7-point gain (+0.45%).

The Boring Portfolio finished higher, as well: up $138, or 0.20%. Five holdings rose, two fell, and two closed unchanged.

Among Boring winners was BORDERS GROUP <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE: BGP)") else Response.Write("(NYSE: BGP)") end if %>, which picked up $1/4 ahead of the company's quarterly earnings report tomorrow. The Motley Fool will cover Borders Group's 5pm EDT conference call and will provide you with a timely summary.

Analysts are expecting Borders to show a penny loss for the seasonally slow July quarter versus a three-cent loss a year ago. Should all go as planned, perhaps I'll head over to Borders #001 in Ann Arbor to toast the news with a double latte' and help the company's top line by purchasing a book or two, or a new CD.

Or a book or two and a new CD. Or two.

CISCO SYSTEMS <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(Nasdaq: CSCO)") else Response.Write("(Nasdaq: CSCO)") end if %> gained $13/16. The company today released Version 4.0 of its CiscoWorks network management application. Buy yours today, direct from Cisco's Web site, for only $9,995.

But wait! There's more!!

Act now and received free your companion copy of Cisco Resource Manager -- a $5,995 value, but yours free for the downloading when you purchase CiscoWorks 4.0!

I didn't see anything about a set of free steak knives as part of the deal. But it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Up the road a few miles from Cisco HQ (or CiscoHQ, as the folks on Tasman Drive might write it), ORACLE CORP. <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(Nasdaq: ORCL)") else Response.Write("(Nasdaq: ORCL)") end if %> announced that Oracle's Network Computer, Inc. (NCI) venture has completed its acquisition of Navio Communications Inc.

According to the press release, the new NCI will produce Enhanced TV (TM), which is software that "extends the television experience by combining broadcast and web content, creating a new and dynamic television experience for consumers."

Reports elsewhere indicate that Enhanced TV will be on the market in time for Christmas.

All I have to say about this is I'm glad that Oracle isn't betting its entire future on Enhanced TV.

But, hey, I'm just Boring.

Drip Portfolio-- Criteria for long-term buys, part 2.
Fool Message Boards -- Speak your mind!
Evening News -- Risk v. Reward.
Daily Double -- Grupo Radio Centro.
Daily Trouble -- Value in this butchered stock?
The Fool Portfolio -- Fool Port tied with Boring.
Fool Four -- 23% annualized.

(c) Copyright 1997, The Motley Fool. All rights reserved. This material is for personal use only. Republication and redissemination, including posting to news groups, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of The Motley Fool.

Stock  Change    Bid
ATLS  +  1/8   27.13
BGP   +  1/4   22.81
CSL   +  9/16  42.63
CSCO  + 13/16  75.06
GNT   ---      44.31
ORCL  +  1/2   56.75
OXHP  -1 3/4   72.75
PMSI  ---      10.88
TDW   -  1/2   50.38

                  Day   Month    Year  History
        BORING   +0.20%  -3.85%  18.73%  36.63%
        S&P:     -0.49%  -3.38%  24.47%  48.33%
        NASDAQ:  +0.45%  -0.65%  22.65%  52.11%

    Rec'd   #  Security     In At       Now    Change
  2/28/96  400 Borders Gr    11.26     22.81   102.67%
  8/13/96  200 Carlisle C    26.32     42.63    61.92%
  5/24/96  100 Oxford Hea    48.02     72.75    51.48%
   2/2/96  200 Green Tree    30.39     44.31    45.83%
  6/26/96  100 Cisco Syst    53.90     75.06    39.26%
   3/5/97  150 Atlas Air     23.06     27.13    17.64%
 11/21/96  100 Oracle Cor    48.65     56.75    16.65%
 12/23/96  100 Tidewater     46.52     50.38     8.28%
   3/8/96  400 Prime Medi    10.07     10.88     8.01%

    Rec'd   #  Security     In At     Value    Change
  2/28/96  400 Borders Gr  4502.49   9125.00  $4622.51
  8/13/96  200 Carlisle C  5264.99   8525.00  $3260.01
   2/2/96  200 Green Tree  6077.49   8862.50  $2785.01
  5/24/96  100 Oxford Hea  4802.49   7275.00  $2472.51
  6/26/96  100 Cisco Syst  5389.99   7506.25  $2116.26
 11/21/96  100 Oracle Cor  4864.99   5675.00   $810.01
   3/5/97  150 Atlas Air   3458.74   4068.75   $610.01
 12/23/96  100 Tidewater   4652.49   5037.50   $385.01
   3/8/96  400 Prime Medi  4027.49   4350.00   $322.51

                             CASH   $7890.00
                            TOTAL  $68315.00