LibertySurf on the pull

European ISP LibertySurf has confirmed it is in talks with a number of different operators concerning a possible get-together, it said in a statement to the French bourse yesterday. Since LibertySurf reportedly has bags of cash in its coffers, the discussions are not thought to be concerned with propping up the outfit. Instead, it's understood that the discussions are more about consolidation. A spokesman for the UK operation declined to comment on the Guardian's story that Belgacom, the state-run telco in Belgium, was the most likely candidate for snuggles. Elsewhere, AFX reports a Les Echoes story that LibertySurf is looking to buy prepaid telephone card outfit, Intercall, which called in the receivers at the end of last year.

Inktomi Corp has revised downwards its Q1 earnings ended December 31, 2000, the company announced yesterday. Revenue for the first quarter is now expected to be between $80 to $81 million, down from its earlier forecast of $89 million to $91 million. The search engine outfit blames "current conditions in the US capital markets and the broader economy".

Alan Greenspan's unexpected trimming of interest rates in the US has given the markets, including Nasdaq, a new surge of energy. In fact, the technology-dominated index recorded its largest ever points and percentage gain yesterday. Greenspan lopped half a percentage point off interest rates, bringing them back to six per cent. It is the largest cut from the US Federal reserve since 1998, and has sparked speculation that the UK could soon follow suit. ®

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