The Art of the Analyst Conference Call and Earnings Forecasts — To Guide or Not to Guide

While many companies continue to offer guidance to the investment community, in recent years several high-profile companies have stopped doing so. A featured breakout session on “The Art of The Analyst Conference Call and Earnings Forecasts — to Guide or Not Guide” at Foley’s sixth annual National Directors Institute on March 8, 2007 in Chicago, focused on this topic in detail.

Moderated by Foley & Lardner partner, Linda Kelso, the panel featured differing viewpoints and personal experiences on providing guidance. Panelists included Steve Calk, vice president, Ashton Partners; Charles Hansen, executive vice president and general counsel, Saks, Inc.; Julie Howard, president and chief operating officer, Navigant Consulting, Inc.; Robert Lamm, managing director, associate general counsel and corporate secretary, FGIC Corporation; John McGinty, advisor, UBS Securities LLC; and Ivan Sabel, chairman and CEO, Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.