yhoo id tracking,

I stand by everything I said in that post on the OATS Board. OATS has been in business for 19 years now and its cumulative losses are $84 million over that time period--most of that in the last 5 years under Perry Odak's "brilliant" leadership. Its sales growth, comps, sales by store, and profitability all remain mediocre.

One thing and one thing only has changed for OATS in the previous 13 months since I made that Board posting--Ron Burkle has bought 15% of the company. He apparently sees value in OATS that I don't see. Time will tell whether Burkle (and yourself) are right or whether I am. The $19 stock price isn't based on anything substantive--just speculation on a Burkle buyout. If Burkle ever sells his position the stock will collapse back to $6 or below. OATS is a mediocre company with a terrible track record--19 years in business and they've never made a dime in profit. Whole Foods continues to successfully invade market after market after market where OATS previously had no competition. Odak jacked up retail prices at OATS in their Q4 in order to maximize short-term profits so that he could unload 50% of his shares less than a month ago onto suckers like yourself. Now OATS former Chairman of the Board is the new CEO of Albertson's. Great move by OATS making that guy their Chairman!

My prediction for OATS in 2006: they won't hit their guidance, but will give us tons of excuses; Burkle won't buy out the company; the stock will drift below $15 a share and possibly lower.