What is a Whisper Number?
Whisper numbers are unofficial earnings numbers that are related to a given stock or investment option. The whispered number typically makes its way around a given market and sometimes can be the motivation for investors to act on a hunch and buy or sell a particular security. While these rumored earnings numbers may have some basis in fact, they more generally the result of speculation that may or may not be logical or practical. A whisper number can make the rounds to investors and brokers in several different ways. Traditionally, these purported earnings numbers are shared by word of mouth. An investor hears of a projected performance based on some speculated factors and determines that there may actually be some basis for the projection. He or she then passes the tip on to others, who in turn also distribute the whisper number to their associates. Eventually, the whisper number will become widely known. At this juncture, financial experts normally are able to shed some light on the
