Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Zoltek (NASDAQ:ZOLT): Need to get this off my chest

I usually don't do this but I wanted to say something about Zoltek (NASDAQ:ZOLT) and its CEO/Chairman Zsolt Rumy.

As many of you know, ZOLT missed ests badly and guided down last night.

The stock was very weak already yesterday, in reaction to RBC Capital's wonderful call saying they were highly cautious holding shares into the qtr as the firm believed significant margin compression could lead to a 5-6 cent shortfall to Street estimate of 27c. Primary culprit was expected to be ~12-14% increase in raw material acrylonitrile (refined crude oil product) costs in the June qtr and inability for company to pass through price in its contract and spot market, representing 2-3% GM downside potential to Street estimate of 30.3%.

The CEO's response to this, you ask?

Well, around 1:40 PM ET we had this cross over at Bloomie:

Zoltek's Rumy says co's fundamentals are 'good as ever' and says unsure how to respond to analysts' reports - Bloomberg

The stock recovered a full 1pt in reaction to this.

Hell, why not buy a stock down 15% when you have the CEO defending it ahead of results.

Right?

Nope. ZOLT's down another 17% today as it looks like business isn't as 'good as ever'

I know's there's RegFD but what about misleading investors like Mr. Rumy did?

My message to Mr. Rumy?

You ought to step down. Right now, right here. As if the problems with your CFO weren't enough!

Got it off my chest.

Thanks.

NC

2 comments:

Tim- said...

If the carbon fiber story didn't have so much potential I would have shorted his stock after he was talking about being short CL1 contracts in his personal brokerage accounts on the last conference call. Guy is a joke. since 2006 that company disappointed quarter after quarter

i'm long HXL, better management plus they are aerospace grade producers so they get all the contracts from EADS and BA

Unknown said...

ZOlt is entrenched, because the dirty bastard owns most of the shares.