Sorry annuity, didn't mean to cause your therapist more work this week. The IPO was 6 or 7 years ago, I stand corrected. The question was stock value, not wheather or not an annuity was a "good deal". The stock price for AEL is a mystery to me, in that they seem to do all the right things, profits are good, strong business plan...etc. But the stock price doesn't seem to follow the sucess of the company itself. I have my opinions, which I stated in an earlier post, and I stand by those opinions, if you don't agree, fine. I may be ignorant, but I bought at $10+ and I'm sure I'm not the only person wondering why this stock seems to be under valued. BUT, right now it's flat. Hovers around $11 or so, and gets downward presure much over that. Frankly, Mr. brilliant, you are right, the annuities have outperformed the stock. BTW, a jar buried in the back yard out performed most stocks, s&p and NYSE, hardly an endorsement for an annuity. $8.50 is still a close call.My name is Mr. Ignorant.