Bargains abound amidst the financial fiasco. Let’s look for the ones in the handset sector. The iPhone has created a flurry of activity in the handset market; more handset makers are moving towards the convergence device trend. Just yesterday, Nokia released its response to the iPhone, a touchscreen 5800 XpressMusic smart phone called the Tube, right on the heels of HTC’s G1 phone on Google’s Linux-based Android platform.
The financial crisis is making things tough. Handset makers are reeling under the pressure of higher component costs. Nokia lost market share and RIM missed estimates. And yet, there is still a lot of promise for this sector. Let’s take a look at how the top 5 handset stocks are poised in this market.
Also, this morning, HP announced its entry into the smartphone sector.
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The financial markets are scary, and amidst this turbulence, earnings season is under way. Micron (MU) reported a larger-than-expected fourth quarter loss yesterday. The company was affected by the oversupply situation in the DRAM and NAND markets. Semiconductor prices continued to plunge and NAND ASP declines outpaced cost reductions; as a result Micron had to writedown its inventory for $205 million. >>>
Here is a compilation of top 12 enterprise software stocks worth watching, especially after yesterday’s beating in the stock market. If you have the nerve for it, you can consider buying some. >>>
On September 24, Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX), the leading payroll and personnel services provider, reported first quarter results that met earnings estimates but missed revenue estimates. In earlier coverage, I suggested that it could be a SAAS aggregator. >>>
The global outsourcing and consulting giant, Accenture (ACN), reported Q4 earnings yesterday, beating analysts’ expectations and supporting their position at the head of my Top 10 Outsourcing Stocks list. >>>
Yesterday, Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) reported second quarter results that were in line with guidance but slightly below analyst estimates. A major reason for missing estimates was the delay of the BlackBerry® Bold in the US market due to battery and 3G connectivity issues. >>>
I have covered the major semiconductor stocks earlier and listed my top 10 in the industry. For the semiconductor infrastructure stocks, here is a list of the top nine in the EDA, ATE and manufacturing equipment space, which may not be a healthy industry, but is still a must-have industry, especially as semiconductors have to be built. >>>
Yesterday, 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) reported strong first quarter results that not only beat all estimates but were a sign of significant turnaround progress. It was the first time since 2000 that 3Com has reported quarterly GAAP profit. 3Com attributed the profit to higher sales, lower costs, and a patent dispute settlement. >>>
Palm announced in its earnings call on Thursday that its new platform development is on track to be completed by the end of 2008 and that handsets based on it would be released in the first half of 2009. >>>
Oracle’s earnings results were a bright spot in at the end of a chaotic week for the financial sector. After dipping to $18.10 in the week, the stock soared to $21, helped by the company’s positive performance and the Fed’s bailout decisions. However, it could be hit hard by a stronger dollar. >>>