Spector, Roseman & Kodroff, P.C. Announces Class Action Suit Against Merrill Lynch and Henry Blodget

Business Wire, May 25, 2002

Business Editors/Legal Writers

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2002

Spector, Roseman & Kodroff, P.C. has filed a class action suit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of the common stock of Excite@Home ("Excite" or the "Company") (OTCBB:ATHQE) between August 18, 1999 through September 28, 2001, inclusive. The action is pending in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York against defendants Merrill Lynch and Henry Blodget, and certain of its officers and directors.

The Complaint alleges that to maintain and enhance Merrill Lynch's investment banking relationships with Excite, defendants issued analyst reports with positive ratings on Excite which were materially misleading as they were inconsistent with their own contemporaneous, private adverse assessments of Excite. For example, defendants were repeatedly issuing a short-term accumulate, long-term buy rating on Excite despite their internal e-mails that Excite stock had a "flat" outlook, was without any "real catalysts" for improvement and described the company using profane language.

If you bought the securities of Excite between August 18, 1999 through September 28, 2001, you may, no later than June 21, 2002, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. A Lead Plaintiff is a representative, chosen by the Court, that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 directs Courts to assume that the class member(s) with the "largest financial interest" in the outcome of the case will best serve the class in this capacity. Courts have discretion in determining which class member(s) have the "largest financial interest," and have appointed Lead Plaintiffs with substantial losses in both absolute terms and as a percentage of their net worth.

If you have sustained substantial losses in Excite securities during the Class Period, please contact Spector, Roseman & Kodroff, P.C. at classaction@srk-law.com for a more thorough explanation of the Lead Plaintiff selection process. If you have relatively small losses, your ability to participate in any recovery will be protected by the Lead Plaintiff(s), and you need take no affirmative steps at this time. If you wish to join this action, please visit http://www.srk-law.com/dbjoinaclassaction.asp. To discuss this action or if you have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel Robert M. Roseman toll-free at 888-844-5862 or via E-mail at classaction@srk-law.com. For more detailed information about the firm please visit its website at http://www.srk-law.com. Spector, Roseman & Kodroff, P.C., located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and San Diego, California, concentrates its practice in complex litigation including actions dealing with securities laws, antitrust, contract and commercial claims. The firm is active in major litigation pending in federal and state courts throughout the United States. The firm's reputation for excellence has been recognized on repeated occasions by courts which have appointed the firm as lead counsel in numerous major class actions involving violations of the federal securities laws and the federal antitrust laws, and consumer fraud . As a result of the efforts of the firm, and its members, hundreds of millions of dollars have been recovered on behalf of thousands of defrauded shareholders and companies.