Exploring Overstock's Discount

This column was originally published on RealMoney on March 23 at 2:08 p.m. EST. It's being republished as a bonus for TheStreet.com readers.

Negativity makes investors uncomfortable.

A simple way to mitigate this discomfort is to avoid stocks that are enveloped by negativity. The problem with this is opportunity cost. You'll miss out on some extraordinary investment opportunities.

The better way to mitigate negativity is to carefully parse and examine the criticism. That's what I've tried to do in this two-part column on the negativity directed at Overstock(OSTK Quote). Below, I address criticism involving the balance sheet and management.

'Overstock Has a Liquidity Problem'

My review of Overstock's operations indicates that it has ample liquidity. The company has cash and marketable securities of $112 million and credit lines of more than $50 million. ...