The BlackBerry Storm smartphone is expected to be available in Hong Kong from 1O1O, 3 Hong Kong, China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, one2free and SmarTone-Vodafone in the second quarter 2009.
Here is the full release.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Skype coming to iPhone, Blackberry
Blackberry and iPhone users will be able to get versions of EBay Inc.'s Skype Internet telephone service soon.
The company plans to launch service for the iPhone on Tuesday and for Research in Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry in May.
IPhone user who download Skype's free software will be able to make free calls to other Skype users but will be charged for calls to those who don't use the software.
Original Article
The company plans to launch service for the iPhone on Tuesday and for Research in Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry in May.
IPhone user who download Skype's free software will be able to make free calls to other Skype users but will be charged for calls to those who don't use the software.
Original Article
Friday, March 27, 2009
Traders Bullish on RIM
Option traders felt bullish on RIM yesterday. Traders picked up 5,600 calls for $1.55 apiece at the April $50 strike price. Even more bullish were call purchases of 2,900 contracts at the April $55 strike for 63 cents each, and 1,400 lots at the $60 strike for a 26-cemt premium per contract. In all, about 60,000 calls traded vs. 28,000 puts traded yesterday.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Goldman Likes RIM
Analysts are divided on RIM lately. Goldman Sachs analyst Simona Jankowski advised owning the stock heading into the earnings report. Jankowski said that following a round of retail checks, she "walked away with increased confidence in our May quarter estimates." She says consumer demand is stronger, with all major products - the Bold, Curve, Javelin and Storm - continuing to "sell very well." On the other hand, she expects slowing in April, with Verizon expected to end its "buy one, get one free" promotion:at the end of March. But shes a pick up again around Mother’s Day and graduation promotions. Jankowski said enterprise demand is "significantly weaker," but that the company still will meet expectations.
Jankowski said she would be a buyer of the stock heading into earnings for three reasons:
There were other noteworthy - and more cautious - comments on the stock this morning:
Citigroup’s Jim Suva maintains his Hold rating and $46 target. He writes that the focus will be on May guidance and gross margin commentary; he asserts that RIMM in the May quarter is likely to post its first sequential drop in net subscriber adds. He also writes that he is “increasingly concerned” that enterprise demand could begin to drag just as the consumer market competition gets tighter.
Credit Suisse’s Kulbinder Garcha this morning repeated his Underperform rating and $37 target on the stock, and contends there are risks to the consensus estimates for the May quarter.
Jankowski said she would be a buyer of the stock heading into earnings for three reasons:
- She expects in-line results and guidance, "which should provide relief for the shares" given recent underperformance, with the stock down 25% since February 10, compared to a 2% decline over the same stretch for the S&P 500. She also notes that short interest is at a 6-month high.
- Jankowski also expects the company to guide for sequential gross margin improvement after a 10% drop over the past two quarters. Driving higher margins: improving yields, lower component pricing and fewer rebates.
- And three, she says valuation is compelling at 11x her calendar 2010 GAAP EPS estimate, compared to a median 20x multiple for communication technology shares.
Jankowski maintains her $57 price target on the stock.
There were other noteworthy - and more cautious - comments on the stock this morning:
Citigroup’s Jim Suva maintains his Hold rating and $46 target. He writes that the focus will be on May guidance and gross margin commentary; he asserts that RIMM in the May quarter is likely to post its first sequential drop in net subscriber adds. He also writes that he is “increasingly concerned” that enterprise demand could begin to drag just as the consumer market competition gets tighter.
Credit Suisse’s Kulbinder Garcha this morning repeated his Underperform rating and $37 target on the stock, and contends there are risks to the consensus estimates for the May quarter.
RIM to Launch TV Services?
According to newteevee.com, RIM is planning to announce a full-episode television service for BlackBerry users as early as next week at CTIA.
Here’s what they’ve heard so far:
Here’s what they’ve heard so far:
- It will be an unlimited monthly subscription service for a fee
- Once a user orders a program, the content will be downloaded in the background over Wi-Fi
- Multiple broadcast and cable networks have licensed content for the service
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
JPMorgan Chase Downgraded RIM
JPMorgan Chase analyst Ehnud Gelblum downgraded the BlackBerry maker to "underweight" and gave a cautious earnings estimate for the next year and a half.
Ehnud Gelblum wrote in a note that RIM will likely experience slower growth over next 18 months as the company launches fewer new smart phone models.
The report helped send the RIM's stock down $2.96 a share to $51.93 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and down $2.24 (U.S.) to $41.99 on the Nasdaq stock market, where most of the shares are trade, in late trading.
Mr. Gelblum wrote that RIM will be forced to rely mainly on consumers to purchase new smart phones because corporate clients are tightening their spending habits.
Ehnud Gelblum wrote in a note that RIM will likely experience slower growth over next 18 months as the company launches fewer new smart phone models.
The report helped send the RIM's stock down $2.96 a share to $51.93 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and down $2.24 (U.S.) to $41.99 on the Nasdaq stock market, where most of the shares are trade, in late trading.
Mr. Gelblum wrote that RIM will be forced to rely mainly on consumers to purchase new smart phones because corporate clients are tightening their spending habits.
Will Xobni Help RIM Take On Apple?
In an effort to make the BlackBerry stand out further from the pack, Research In Motion's investment arm announced plans to invest in startup Xobni, which makes an e-mail search tool.
The BlackBerry Partners Fund, a $150 million venture capital fund aimed at encouraging development of software for RIM's popular handheld devices, is investing $3.2 million in a round of funding for Xobni that's being led by Cisco Systems, which invested about $7 million.
The move marks the fifth investment so far for BlackBerry Partners, a joint venture of RIM, Royal Bank of Canada, and Thomson Reuters, and reflects the rising stakes in a game of smartphone one-upmanship. RIM, like other smartphone makers, including Palm and Nokia, are trying harder than ever to infuse their devices with compelling tools, games, and other applications after Apple roiled the smartphone market with its iPhone.
The Xobni investment comes the same day Nokia said it will invest in Obopay, a Redwood City (Calif.) startup that makes mobile payment software. Terms were not disclosed.
Here is the full article.
The BlackBerry Partners Fund, a $150 million venture capital fund aimed at encouraging development of software for RIM's popular handheld devices, is investing $3.2 million in a round of funding for Xobni that's being led by Cisco Systems, which invested about $7 million.
The move marks the fifth investment so far for BlackBerry Partners, a joint venture of RIM, Royal Bank of Canada, and Thomson Reuters, and reflects the rising stakes in a game of smartphone one-upmanship. RIM, like other smartphone makers, including Palm and Nokia, are trying harder than ever to infuse their devices with compelling tools, games, and other applications after Apple roiled the smartphone market with its iPhone.
The Xobni investment comes the same day Nokia said it will invest in Obopay, a Redwood City (Calif.) startup that makes mobile payment software. Terms were not disclosed.
Here is the full article.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)