Under The Radar News - Friday

• Move over Intel, AMD... Via Technologies upcoming Isaiah CPU could put an end to the Intel (INTC)/AMD (AMD) duopoly. Isaiah consumes 3.5 watts to Atom's 0.6-2.5, but its Superscalar design should allow it higher performance. Wal-Mart (WMT) will sell a $398 Everex gBook using the chip.
• From Blockbuster's earnings call. Blockbuster (BBI) CEO Jimmy Keyes on proposed acquisition of Circuit City (CC): "We will not proceed with the transaction unless it makes sense both strategically and financially and also creates significant value for our shareholders... We remain confident that our core business is healthy and we remain confident in our ability to transform Blockbuster with or without this transaction. We see it as a potential accelerator for our stated strategy, but the transaction is not critical to our continued transformation."
• Nicht wahr. Apple (AAPL) is not making a larger-screened iPhone with an Intel (INTC) Atom processor, as had been rumored. Widespread headlines trumpeting the new device were based on a mistranslated sloppy dispatch in the German-language version of ZDnet.
• Mobile maitre-d'. A new patent filing for an "iPhone (AAPL) server" suggests Apple may one day use the device to serve local content like interactive restaurant menus or museum information. Upcoming software may also have the ability to monitor your health and physical activity.
• Bubble prevention. New research suggests economic bubbles can be restrained by Fed action, contrary to the belief of former governor Alan Greenspan.
• Fill 'er up -- with diesel. Prices for diesel fuel are rising even faster than those of gasoline, leading refiners like Tesoro (TSO) and Valero (VLO) to max out diesel production while cutting back on gas. The trend may not have a direct effect on gas prices, which seem to be taking their cue from crude, but the demand for crude-oil supplies to produce diesel fuel is further pressuring the crude complex.
• CW network outlook bleak. Ratings at CW Network (CBS) (TWX) are down about 22% as its youthful audience prefers to spend its time surfing the net. Industry insiders wonder whether the upcoming fall season is the network's last chance. With only three new shows on slate, a massive rebound seems unlikely.
• Less ads, more money? Fox Entertainment (NWS) unveiled a plan to run fewer ads in two of its new dramas (Fringe and Dollhouse) in the hope of hooking viewers. Fox thinks it can get advertisers to pay more per commercial.
• Yahoo, WPP forge multi-year deal. Yahoo (YHOO) and WPP Group (WPPGY) unveiled an online, advertising partnership to develop technology to connect to Yahoo's Right Media online ad exchange -- an open-ended electronic system for advertisers and websites to buy and sell online advertising space.
• $10B infrastructure fund. A new KKR fund will focus on infrastructure investments. KKR hopes to raise $10B for the initiative. (Editor: See Matthew D. McCall's "Comparing the Two Infrastructure ETFs" -- IGF and GII.)
• Getting your feet wet with water stocks. Water ETFs and stocks are gaining popularity among money managers. ETFs such as PowerShares Water Resources ETF (PHO), Claymore S&P Global Water (CGW) and PowerShares Global Water Portfolio (PIO) are one way to play a global water shortage. Companies like GE (GE), Itron (ITRI) and Valmont Industries (VMI) are another. Keep in mind it takes 62,000 gallons of water to make a ton of steel; 39,000 gallons to manufacture a car; and 3,000 gallons to produce a single semiconductor.
• Fannie relaxes downpayment rules. Fannie Mae (FNM) will no longer required larger down payments on properties in areas where home prices are declining. It will accept up to 97% loan-to-value ratios on conforming mortgages, and 95% on non-conforming loans.
• Too big to fall? "Both these companies (Fannie (FNM) and Freddie (FRE)) are clearly going to be insolvent by the end of the year, but everyone knows that Congress will do anything to keep them afloat, because if Fannie and Freddie go under, the entire global financial system will melt down," Christopher Whalen, founder of Institutional Risk Analytics, says. "These companies’ earnings don’t matter. Their accounting hardly matters. People buy the stock because they believe the federal government will bail them both out if things get really bad." Maybe, but that doesn't mean investors will get a good deal.
• Extreme climbs on takeover speculation. Shares of enterprise technology vendor Extreme Networks (EXTR) are moving up after JMP Securities analyst Samuel Wilson said the company is in serious negotiations with at least one potential suitor. Industry sources think Enterasys (ETS), which is looking to compete with Cisco (CSCO), is a likely acquirer.
• Profit or bust. Sources in IDT (IDT) say if IDT Global Services doesn't break even by July, it will be closed down. IDT Global Services CEO Eli Ninio is said to have acquired the bulk of the unit's ownership from the parent company.

Comments

[cheaperCDs:]

Fewer ads, not "less ads". (The paragraph under the headline uses the correct term.)

2008 May 16 04:43 PM

[tom1234:]

well the Wizzard may find a way to profit share on the advertising exhibited his products

2008 May 17 09:26 AM

[fatcat:]

tom1234...WHAT??

2008 May 17 11:26 AM