Conclude Quotes

[At the off-site, Bologna's pitch for new ideas was transformed from the subject of hallway chatter into a full-blown company initiative. Rob White, the copresident of Fallon Minneapolis, concluded the meeting with a more official version of Bologna's challenge. His door was open, he said, to anyone with new ideas.] People wanted proof that the soul of the company wasn't going to change... We had to show them that the acquisition was a strategic move to help us achieve very ambitious goals that we probably couldn't achieve on our own. - Rob White

[Alda concluded by invoking the words with which Jennings had closed his final broadcast in April, when he informed viewers of his illness.] Dear friend... Thanks. And good night. - Alan Alda

[After a morning briefing with Bush and top Senate leaders, Specter (R-Pa.) said he told the president he should postpone the announcement so senators have a better idea of how Roberts would influence the Supreme Court as chief justice over the next six months. Lawmakers say they expect Roberts to be confirmed easily next week.] I believe the next nomination is going to be a great deal more contentious than the Roberts nomination... I say that because bubbling just below the surface was a lot of frustration in the hearing that we just concluded. - Arlen Specter

[Abby Joseph Cohen of Goldman Sachs sees the index reaching 1,650, the middle of the range. In a research note, Cohen looked favorably on a market landscape that, because of the tech sell-off, narrowed the valuation gap between growth and value stocks.] We conclude that the equity market should be a much friendlier place going forward, especially for those portfolio managers who focus on companies fundamentals rather than momentum strategies, ... Careful selection will be the key to strong relative and absolute performance in 2001, as it has been since March 2000. - Joseph Cohen