As WorldCom's financial situation darkens, analysts say bankruptcy could be just around the corner. Even if it isn't, the telecommunications company and its competitors are in for a rough ride for the next few years, according to Wall Street analysts. ... debt slashed to "junk" status; $32B in debt, but customers aren't defecting [yet]. "The bigger problem is going to be two, three or four years out. It's a long-term situation." ... price wars, excess network capacity and a weak economy have taken their toll ... After Thursday, analysts are talking more about the possibility of bankruptcy. "WorldCom's problems will likely cast a further pall on other leveraged telecom carriers with perceived liquidity issues -- primarily Sprint and Qwest." |
