Monday, July 16, 2007

Focus Media requests Nasdaq meeting, stock slips

Investors already skittish about Chinese ADRs got wobbly in the knees for a second time in two weeks about Focus Media.

The Chinese advertising company announced that it plans to ask for a hearing with Nasdaq regarding two letters received in June. When Focus Media first announced the problem, reportedly the result of a request from a short-seller, the stock sank from $50 to $44 in a 20-minute span two weeks ago.

This morning, FMCN sank almost $2 to $49.24 on the news of the hearing request. FMCN is currently trading at $49.39, which could be another buying opportunity for the most faithful of longs. For the skeptical, any press release or media story that mentions Nasdaq and/or the SEC has been a red flag, warranted or not.

Observers in Asia have collectively said that Focus Media's conservative approach has led to extreme caution in this situation.

Disclaimer: Pupule Paul is long FMCN. Just a skosh.

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