HP’s turnaround looks good – for now 18 Nov 2008 Tech demand may have seized up, but HP's quarterly results show the firm chugging along smoothly. Shareholders may want to thank CEO Mark Hurd s stringent costcutting programs. Weak competitors like Dell and Sun don t hurt, either. But the party may not last much longer.
Yahoo gives new meaning to search 18 Nov 2008 The internet group is kicking off a hunt to replace boss Jerry Yang. The founder will return to his Chief Yahoo role, but the company has a less clear destination. Not naming an internal candidate may simply be good governance. But more likely it's a signal of no confidence.
Microsoft’s riches alone won’t buy success 23 Oct 2008 The software giant is churning out the dollars despite economic woes. The cash is going in the right directions to shareholders and to fix the lumbering Vista. But with rivals stronger than ever, Microsoft will need more than money to keep profits from gradually fading.
Yahoo could be junkyard treasure 22 Oct 2008 The stumbling internet group has become Wall Street's punching bag. But the beating's gone too far. After stripping out its Asian assets and cash, Yahoo's core businesses look undervalued. For investors with a stomach for risk, Yahoo might be a steal.
Apple missed market share opportunity 15 Oct 2008 The maker of the iPhone and iPod is known for trendy offerings, not cheap ones. But by failing to deliver a bargainpriced notebook, Apple missed an opportunity to increase its share of the computer market. The cheap portables trend is real, fashion is fleeting.
Apple’s platforms are its hot new product 10 Sep 2008 The iPod maker s latest corporate love fest didn t include any unexpected toys, sending its shares sliding. But what it did reveal should be more exciting to shareholders than another gizmo. Apple s focused on building the best platforms now, not the best gadgets.
Dell can’t sell its way out of trouble 4 Sep 2008 The PC giant just released a mini laptop for $399. But another cheap offering won t patch Dell s wounds. Its business model is broken and its balance sheet is in disarray. Shareholders shouldn t expect a new product to be the salve.
Does Apple’s iPod matter any more? 3 Sep 2008 The tech company looks set to unveil a new product. Chances are, it's a new iPod. That should help boost the music player's flagging sales growth. But nowadays, the iPod is far from Apple's biggest moneyspinner. Shareholders should focus most intently on Mac computer sales.
Yahoo’s botched election raises questions 6 Aug 2008 The internet company initially said its chairman and CEO were comfortably elected. Instead, an extraordinary revised tally shows a huge protest vote. Among the questions it raised: is Yahoo so distant from shareholders that it thought the initial results correct?
Yahoo reveals its dismal hand 23 Jul 2008 The internet group announced anaemic secondquarter results demonstrating why it needs to be gobbled up by Microsoft. It s growing like a utility and hasn t announced any feasible alternative to create value.
Should Apple CEO’s health be a private matter? 22 Jul 2008 The gaunt appearance of boss Steve Jobs has investors wanting answers understandably, given his iconic status. But the company says Jobs health is a private matter. And it should be, provided the board has succession plans in place.
Apple is a computer company after all 21 Jul 2008 Apple gets heaps of press for the ubiquitous iPhone and iPod. But its Macintosh computers are its real raison d être. As the portable music and smartphone markets saturate, Apple will need to rely on selling computers to meet Wall Street s huge growth expectations.
A bid on Ebay might pay off 17 Jul 2008 The auctioneer beat Wall Street's expectations last quarter despite a feeble economy. Yet investors have sent its stock down 21% this year. Now it looks cheap. Its auction business remains strong and the company does well when consumers are skittish. Ebay could be a steal.
Microsoft could learn from Inbev’s recipe 16 Jul 2008 By snapping up resistant AnheuserBusch in short order, Inbev offered a tutorial on buying companies that don't want to sell. Seeing how Microsoft has handled its sloppy dance with Yahoo, it's clear the software giant could benefit from a lesson.
Activist victory at Atos could shake up France SA 28 May 2008 Two hedge funds have won their battle to force the IT services company to focus on shareholder value. The French companies that already feel the pressure of such professional investors should take notice. More companies might even start to accept tough love from shareholders.
Market has got HP wrong on $14bn EDS purchase 13 May 2008 This is the rare deal where the numbers work: HP s returns will exceed its cost of capital. Yet the strategy of expanding into a lowergrowth business has led to a wipeout nearly equal to the purchase price. That s silly. After all, HP can always spin the thing off.
HP won’t repeat Compaq disaster with EDS deal 12 May 2008 The tech company has spent several years undoing damage from its fateful takeover of Compaq. Now it is reportedly close to buying IT services company EDS for up to $13bn. While risky, it makes far more strategic and financial sense.
Routine Apple results spook investors 22 Jan 2008 The tech company as usual beat cautious estimates and said next quarter will be tougher. Seasoned Apple watchers should have expected nothing less. But troubled markets and Apple s high multiple are all the justification investors needed to pull back.
Apple envy runs deep at tech extravaganza 9 Jan 2008 Everyone huddling in Vegas for the world's biggest consumer electronics show, from VCs to tech groups like HP wants to mimic Apple's success and high margins by selling gadgets and digital content to run on them. It's easier said than done.
Nintendo could pay for Wii buzz 21 Dec 2007 The Japanese group s game console is still sold out in most US stores 13 months after its debut. Whether manufactured or not, the shortage keeps the Wii buzz and game console s price up. The cost is lower margins.