Just released Sigma Designs (SIGM) Q1 results (see conference call transcript) are probably the worst nightmare for a non-cyclical growth company to shrink both top and bottom lines.  But is this the beginning of the end of SIGM or does this create an opportunity to own a piece of a great company on cheap? 

I think it is the latter.  Their main business - IPTV and Blu-ray HD DVD - will remain sluggish for th remain of 2008, but may have an significant upswing in 2009, benefiting from the next generation IPTV 8654  media processor, which "provides a 50% improvement in performance along with lower overall system costs"; delevering of their new Blu-ray chips and possible Taiwan and China design wins; and many of their initiatives may come to fruits starting the begining of next year as well, leading to potential upside surprises. 

Am I nuts? I don’t think so.

Did LDK Solar (LDK) pay me to write this? For sure not.

When some analysts say "jump!", speculators and investors alike tend to ask "how deep?"

But you don't have to. Partially because you can be more objective than some of the analysts who provide the ratings, either 'Sell" or "Strong Buy". According to BusinessWeek, Piper Jaffray (who issued a "sell" on LDK Solar (LDK), has provided investment banking services for LDK within the past 12 months and makes a market in its securities. Needham (reaffirmed a "Strong Buy") expects to receive compensation for investment banking services from LDK within the next three months. So what are the facts that you and I should keep in mind?