August 15, 1999. Qwest Communications International offers local and long distance telephone, Internet, and multimedia services to businesses and consumers over their Internet protocol based network. Qwest is the #4 US long distance provider and is building networks to serve Mexico and Europe.

Qwest has network capacity on three transatlantic cables and is helping to construct a transpacific cable. Qwest is about to merge with the Baby Bell company US West, which will give the company a 70% growth in databases and streaming media.

The only drawback is that it will take a few years to get to that mark. But, long term investors should consider that Qwest has brought their investors a 45% return in the last year and a half.

The main reason I like Qwest is that their CEO, Joseph Nacchio, is one of the most aggressive and smartest CEO's around and he will leave no stone unturned.

That is a major consideration when looking for a company that is going to prosper in the years to come. And do not be surprised if it becomes a big take over target from one of the leading tech companies. It may be a little too early to buy Qwest because of the merger with US West, but I purchased it the other day at $26.50 in the theory that it may go to $56.00 in a year or two. I did not want to take a chance of getting in at a higher price even though some stock market gurus claim that it could go down to $15.00 within a year.

I do not see this happening with the strong telecommunication stocks still far from their peak in the coming years. Ticker symbol: QWST. Closed Friday at $28.50.

George