SEC probes Altera over analysts

By Matt Andrejczak
ept. 21, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) --The Securities and Exchange commission is investigating computer chipmaker Altera Corp.'s dealings with Wall Street analysts, according to an analyst who received a letter from the SEC as part of its inquiry.

According to the analyst, who said the letter came from the SEC's enforcement office in San Francisco, the agency is asking for records of communication with the company, and also whether the company sought to restrict such communication. The agency is seeking any letters, emails or phone call recordings with Altera, said the analyst, who requested anonymity.

An attorney with the SEC's San Francisco office declined comment. An Altera spokeswoman said she hadn't heard of the inquiry and declined further comment.

The probe, believed to be in the early stages, comes in the wake of a public apology Altera issued in July to a former Wells Fargo analyst who had accused the company of denying him access to conference calls and other forms of communication in retaliation for his negative stance on the company's stock...