skipfactor - 1:47 am on Sep 30, 2004 (gmt 0)

>>lag time was created in part to help stabalize the serps pre-ipo

I've heard this mentioned by some, but I don't get it. I'm clueless on stocks, but would one really use the current/then SERPs as part of a buy decision? If I were an interested buyer, I'd want to see the company act as it always had: "Stabilize...you mean Google was 'unstable' before?". Would Google really throw a wrench into a smooth system that's already a sure bet as an IPO?

It also seems this type of deliberate action would lead them to the slippery slope of potential SEC violations--stabilize the SERPs right before a split or shareholder's meeting? I can't see it.