Tessera’s Hiccups May Be a Buying Opportunity

I have reviewed Tessera several times before. Recently, the stock has been going through a series of ups and downs, and has fallen more than 60%, and touched its lowest point in over three years. Let’s look at what has been going in this company, which I said in an earlier post is a beneficiary of the convergence device and electronics miniaturization trends.

On February 26, Tessera Technologies (NASDAQ: TSRA) plunged more than 38% to a low of $22.15, its lowest in more than three years. What triggered this plunge was an International Trade Commission [ITC] stay on its patent infringement case against Motorola (MOT), Freescale (FSL), Qualcomm (QCOM) and others, pending a reexamination of three of Tessera’s patents by the Patent and Trademark Office [PTO].

On March 4, TSRA shares sank further to $11.11 on news that the PTO had rejected its 6,133,627 patent. A press release from its rival Siliconware Precision (NASDAQ: SPIL) reading “Siliconware Wins Again In Its Patent Reexamination Fight Against Tessera” managed to worsen its situation by making it sound final. Siliconware had asked for a reevaluation of five of Tessera’s lucrative patents that together are worth more than $250 million licensing earnings. The stock picked up after a lot of reassurances that the patent is still in full effect until the reexamination process, including all appeals, is complete. The reexamination process takes 24 months, during which the patent is enforceable.

And on March 28, TSRA soared more than 32% to around $22 after the ITC overruled its earlier stay on its patent infringement case against Motorola, Qualcomm and others.

On the financial front, Tessera reported its Q4 and full fiscal year 2007 results on January 31. Q4 revenue was $53 million with royalty and license fees at $45.5 million, meeting its earlier estimates for Q4. GAAP net income was $13.0 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, which includes non-cash charges of $4.9 million for stock-based compensation, and $1.9 million for deal amortization. Royalty growth was driven by DRAM and wireless unit growth as well as new consumer optics licenses with Toshiba (TOSBF.PK) and Nemotek. In the consumer optics business, it also acquired FotoNation, a leading provider of image enhancement technology for digital still cameras and mobile phones in February for up to $39 million. The Shellcase acquisition has also started producing monetization.

For the full fiscal year, total revenue was $195.7 million, within its full year guidance of $193 to $198 million but down from $208.7 million in 2006. Royalty and license fees were $158.9 million, above its estimate of $153 to $158 million. Product and service revenue was $34.6 million, and GAAP net income was $45.1 million, or $0.93 per diluted share.

For Q1 2008, Tessera expects revenue between $55 and $57 million, and royalty and license fees between $47 and $49 million. For Q2, revenue is expected between $53 and $55 million, and royalty and license fees are estimated between $46 and $48 million. It is currently trading around $22, and has a market cap of around $1 billion.

You could most certainly consider this a buying opportunity if you can stomach the uncertainty. All of the electronics miniaturization trends are still blowing in Tessera’s favor. I think the more important question to ask about the company at this point is when do the miniaturization patents expire, and would the other newly acquired IP from Shellcase, etc. be sufficient to substitute the revenue stream when they do.

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Comments

[Warren Bucket]

I own this stock and agree with Mitra's comments, but there are plenty of other "techhies" available at bargain-basement depressed prices that I would consider before buying more. Larger and better known high-tech companies are currently trading near their all-time lows. Some selective cherry-picking is in order, if you agree the current economic turmoil is closer to an end than it is the beginning.

[Ceviche Fund Partners LP/Dan Jacome]

This one's a trade, not an investment. Stick away, too much smart money has gotten burned on this one and will be net sellers on any pops.

[buyforeclosures]

This was up close to 4% after hours...why?