UTSI - News and Analysis from Seeking Alpha 'UTSI' Tag RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/utsi Asia Tech Stock Weekly Summary (June 15 - 21, 2009) http://seekingalpha.com/article/145028-asia-tech-stock-weekly-summary-june-15-21-2009?source=feed 145028 Japan

Telecommunications

• Japanese operator KDDI (KDDIF.PK) merging its South Korean subsidiaries Prism Communications and KDDI Korea. Following the merger, the merged entity will use the KDDI Korea name. KDDI decided to merge the subsidiaries to efficiently expand the ICT business in Korea.

Mobile/ Wireless

• The number of mobile phone shops in Japan is expected to contract by 5 percent this year, the Nikkei reports, citing research firm Seed Planning. The number of shops operated by thirty major retailers is expected to fall by 5 percent to 4,600 in fiscal 2009, from 4,866 in fiscal 2008. This would be the second year of decline. Furthermore, shops selling handsets for different carriers are forecast to drop by 50 percent to 400 while shops specializing in one carrier are expected to increase by 3 percent to 4,200. The new pricing schedules introduced by the mobile operators, which offered higher handset prices but cheaper calling plans, have made things more difficult for mobile retailers.

Semiconductor

• Elpida Memory Inc. (ELPDF.PK) plans to apply for public funds to shore up its depleted capital. Elpida, which plans to tie up with a new memory chip firm set up by Taiwan, has been battered by low dynamic random access memory prices even as it chases bigger rivals Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (SSNLF.PK) and Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
• Orders for Japanese chip-making equipment rose for the third straight month in May, suggesting conditions may be leveling off in the semiconductor sector, which has been weakened by slow demand and low prices. In the latest sign of bottoming out, orders for tools used to make microchips rose 22 percent in May from the previous month to 31.4 billion yen (US$326 million). Orders were still down 65 percent from a year earlier. The ratio of the three-month moving average of orders to sales stood at 0.66 in May, preliminary figures from the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan showed, meaning that for every 100 yen (US$1.00) of sales, chip makers placed new orders worth 66 yen with Japanese equipment makers. That was up from 0.44 in April, but still well below 1.00. A reading above 1.00 shows that orders are outpacing sales, signaling a recovery in subsequent months.
• Toshiba Corp. (TOSBF.PK) said it plans to mass produce 28-nanometre system chips in the next business year as it fights to stay relevant in an area dominated by the likes of Intel Corp (INTC) and Texas Instruments Inc (TXN). Toshiba is hurrying to restructure its system chip business, which has been smarting from shrinking demand, high costs and falling prices. Toshiba and NEC Electronics (NELTY.PK) would extend their development agreement with an IBM-led group of firms to develop 28-nanometre chips together. Toshiba had previously said it planned to start mass-producing 32-nanometre chips next year, but it now plans to skip 32-nanometre production altogether at its system chip plants in southern Japan. Systems chips control multiple functions in electronics or cars and look like a maze of circuits on a single sliver of silicon. Producers have been racing to shrink their chips while packing more power into each unit.
• Toshiba Corp. will shoulder US$307 million in restructuring costs from shutting down its old system chip and discrete chip lines as it seeks to unload losses. Toshiba plans to cut production capacity for lines that process 150-millimetre or smaller silicon wafers by 30 percent in the year to March 2010. The move comes after talks to merge Toshiba's system chip operations with NEC Electronics Corp floundered at the end of last year, with NEC Electronics announcing in April that it planned to merge with Renesas Technology Corp. Toshiba, which expects losses to continue on its chip operations this year, plans to scrap two lines at its Kitakyushu plant in southern Japan, to stop production at two lines in Himeji in western Japan, and to reduce production at two more plants.

Hardware

• Sony Corp. (SNE) chief executive Howard Stringer said the Japanese electronics conglomerate's turnaround efforts, which include job cuts, plant closures and a management reshuffle, were advancing well. Sony last month forecast a second consecutive year of losses as the global slump hits demand for electronics. To get back to growth, it is implementing far-reaching restructuring such as a headcount reduction of about 16,000 people and closure of eight of its 57 manufacturing sites. Mr Stringer took the helm at Sony in 2005 vowing to deliver growth and get its various divisions to work closely together to compete with new rivals such as Apple (AAPL) in portable music and Nintendo (NTDOY.PK) in games. Mr. Stringer's efforts have been hampered by a stronger yen and sluggish demand for its electronics products, which include Bravia liquid-crystal display televisions, Cyber-shot digital cameras, and the PlayStation 3 game console. Sony shareholders also approved a new management set-up at the company that will center power around Mr. Stringer and a team of younger executives.

Internet

• Rakuten Inc. (RKUNF.PK) now intends to take on 100 more new college graduates in the spring of 2010 than previously planned, for a maximum of 400, thanks to growing online sales operations. The virtual mall operator, which hired 307 college graduates this spring, had earlier eyed a similar number for next year. Its development division, which creates online services, will hire 150 graduates, up 40 percent from the spring of 2009. The other 250 are bound for sales and administration. Roughly 30 percent of this class of 2010 will have science backgrounds. Rakuten headquarters will employ six Chinese in the fall and seven Indians next January. In midcareer personnel, the company is keeping the 2009 figure on a par with last year's, which came to 690. The Rakuten group employs about 5,500 workers overall, a figure that the company says will top 10,000 within a few years.

China

Hardware

• Hisense Electric plans to raise as much as 1.5 billion yuan (US$219 million) by private placement of up to 150 million shares in order to fund further expansion into upstream segments of liquid-crystal display (LCD) television manufacturing. The share offer would target both institutional and individual investors at no less than 10.83 yuan (US$1.6) per share. Proceeds from the placement, which has yet to be approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission ((CSRC)), would be used for boosting production capacity in LCD modules and flat-panel television sets. After the expansion, production capacity of LCD modules, a key component for flat-panel television sets, would jump from 1.5 million units to 6.5 million. The manufacturing of LCD modules, which usually makes up about 70 percent of the cost of the final product, has been an area of intense competition for domestic television makers. Hisense had attempted to issue additional shares to raise 1 billion yuan to fund an LCD module expansion project in April last year, but the CSRC vetoed the effort for reasons not fully clarified.

Internet

• Beijing Municipal Government rolled out an informatization infrastructure plan, aiming at transforming the city into an information hub and Internet center. The municipal government expected to absorb rolling investment of 100 billion yuan (US$14.6 billion) for the construction of the informatization infrastructure by 2012. To promote related industries' investments of about 200 billion yuan, Beijing plans to take the lead in building the urban-rural integrated high-speed broadband information networks during the implementation of 3G construction. As of the end of May 2009, Beijing boasts 10.4 million internet users, 8.8 million fixed-line phone users, 17 million cell phone users, and four million broadband access service subscribers.
• MySpace.cn announces that its operations will not be affected by the layoff plan of its parent MySpace. MySpace’s Chinese venture lacks the popularity its parent in the US has seen in the past years. Some believe that MySpace has encountered a setback in its expansion in the Chinese market. In the second half of 2008, Luo Chuan, former CEO of MySpace.cn, joined China Mobile Ltd., MySpace.cn's operating director went to work for Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., and MySpace.cn's marketing director and product director left their posts as well. In June 2009, it was reported that MySpace planned to cut 30% of its jobs. Even in the US the company faced a big challenge from archrival Facebook. In May 2009, Facebook's user growth doubled from a year ago, while MySpace's user base lessened 5 percent.
• Sohu.com Inc. (SOHU) announced the introduction of a 3G channel, based on the company’s media platform, which will act as a dedicated broadcaster of 3G-related information for users. Sohu will provide some basic information services, such as a 3G map and product trials, through its 3G channel. The company registered the domain 3g.sohu.com for the channel. It was disclosed that the 3G channel would cooperate with Sohu's entertainment channel to offer an entertaining and fashionable experience to users. The new channel will join hands with Sohu's sports and financial channels.
• Sina Corp. (SINA) said online advertising sales would rebound as property and vehicle clients increased spending, after reporting a 31 percent drop in quarterly profit because of a decline in revenue. Third-quarter advertising sales were expected to increase from the current quarter. Still, the year-on-year comparison is challenging. First-quarter advertising sales fell 9.8 percent from a year earlier, prompting the company to freeze some rates to retain clients, and first-quarter net income dropped to US$9.75 million from US$14.1 million a year earlier. Advertising sales fell to US$43.2 million from US$47.8 million.

Mobile/Wireless

• An industry insider reveals that China Unicom (CHU) will continue the first phase of 3G construction in the remaining 229 cities, after it launched the first batch 3G trial commercial operation in 55 cities in May. The telecom service operator plans to finish the network construction in the 229 cities by the end of this year, and will have the cities capable of providing services in September, when the cell phone numbers will be released. China Unicom's second batch network construction will cover the country's major prefecture-level cities, while its first batch construction was mainly arranged in the provincial capitals and developed cities. Its first phase 3G network construction will cover China's 284 cities with 78,600 base stations established. Key cities and important regions will enjoy complete coverage of China Unicom's 3G network signals.
• Investment by mainland telecommunications network operators so far this year has exceeded last year's total because of the deployment of the 3G mobile system. State-owned operators China Mobile (CHL), China Unicom, and China Telecom Corp (CHA) have substantially boosted network investment since Beijing issued 3G licences in January. The increased investment is mainly due to the roll-out of new 3G networks, such as Unicom's deployment of a network covering more than 300 cities this year. China Telecom had opened the tender for the second phase of its CDMA network, which could extend its coverage to more than 500 cities. Beijing estimates the operators will spend more than 300 billion yuan (US$43.9 billion) on 3G deployment. Unicom had previously said it would spend 100 billion yuan (US$14.6 billion) on network infrastructure alone this year, while China Telecom plans to spend 80 billion yuan over three years.
• China Mobile Ltd. obtained approval from Taiwan's Far EasTone Telecommunications Co ((FET)) to buy a 12 percent stake in the company, sources reported. Shareholders of FET approved the issuance of up to 444 million new shares valued at NT$17.7 billion (US$537 million) to China Mobile to fund mergers and acquisitions or to invest in new business. China Mobile is planning to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in Taiwan to handle the share transaction. The deal, which still needs regulatory approval, is expected to be the first direct investment by a mainland state-owned company on the island in six decades. China Mobile and FET jointly announced the proposed deal in late April. China Mobile, which just began offering 3G services in mainland China, has been seeking to expand overseas and to enhance its services. The company's first-quarter net profit grew 5.2 percent.

Telecommunications

• The China Telecom Group signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with northwestern China's Shaanxi Province to accelerate the information industry in the province. China Telecom Group agreed to invest 20 billion yuan within five years in the construction of Shaanxi's communications infrastructure to strengthen its comprehensive information service capability. The telecom giant plans to put four billion yuan into Shaanxi this year to improve the quality of wire and wireless wide band services in the province. It will stretch the coverage and utilization of its rural information network in Shaanxi, a large agricultural province, in an effort to narrow the distance of rural residents within the market and reduce the economic risks for them in operating farm products.
• JPMorgan buys 31.04 million shares in China Telecom at HK$130 million (US$16.8 million). According to the data of the Stock Exchange, has acquired 31.04 million shares, 0.22 percent issued share capital, of China Telecom, at HK$4.19 (US$0.54) apiece.
• ZTE Corp. (ZTCOF.PK) is likely to secure the biggest contract in China Mobile Ltd's third round of bidding to supply TD-SCDMA wireless equipment, sources reported. ZTE is likely to win a 36 percent share of China Mobile's equipment purchases, while Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Nokia Siemens Networks may win a combined share of 30 percent. Datang Telecom Technology Co Ltd is expected to obtain an 18 percent share. China Mobile, the country's largest telecom operator, is expected to announce the bidding results soon. The telecom operator this year aims to build 85,000 TD-SCDMA base stations in 238 Chinese cities. It currently owns TD-SCDMA base stations in 38 cities in China, and has 514,000 3G network subscribers.
• The China Unicom Group will invest 40 billion yuan (US$5.85 billion) in Henan province in the next five years on its 3G mobile network and fixed-line broadband transmission infrastructure. The investment is part of a strategic alliance China Unicom Group has reached with Henan to enhance the province's information technology infrastructure. The company is spending 3 billion yuan this year building 7,000 WCDMA 3G base stations across the province. About 1,863 base stations have been undergoing trials since last month. The company will also increase its broadband internet connectivity bandwidth and optimize the network infrastructure in Henan. Analysts believe the massive investments made by telecommunications operators on the mainland will directly benefit equipment vendors such as ZTE Corp. Unicom chairman Chang Xiaobing said such investment plans could help the local economy face the challenges of the tough economic environment.

Media, Entertainment and Gaming

· Chinese digital advertising company Focus Media Holding Ltd (FMCN) reported a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss, and forecast sequentially higher revenue for the second quarter. The company said it would cease expansion of its digital poster frame network in light of uncertain demand. Focus Media posted a net loss of US$5.7 million, or US$4 cents per American Depositary Share, compared with a net loss of US$53.8 million, or US$42 cents per ADS, a year ago. Net revenue from continuing operations fell 14 percent to US$66.7 million, while that from discontinued operations fell 23 percent to US$64.4 million. Analysts on average had expected the company to post a loss of 5 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates. For the second quarter, the company expects revenue from continuing operations of US$69 million. Net revenue from discontinued operations is expected to be US$81.5 million.
· UTStarcom Inc. (UTSI) will focus on IPTV solutions in China. China and India serve as two major markets for UTStarcom. While centering its business on broadband in India, the company would prioritize the development of IPTV solutions and related products in China. The company would take initiatives to concentrate its resources on specific business areas, services and markets. It will develop differentiated products with leading technologies to boost revenue and gross margin. The company recently announced plans to downsize global headcounts by over 50 percent and cap annual operating expenses below US$100 million. The company has set about to move its functional departments in the US headquarters to China. It will retain about 2,000 staff for major markets including India and China.
· Advertising and consumer spending in the mainland's media and entertainment industry will probably grow 7 percent this year and next. Despite the global downturn, the mainland will still manage to see a 2.15 percent gain in advertising revenue this year, to US$20.6 billion. Global advertising revenue was expected to fall 12.1 percent this year and rebound to a 1.4 percent increase in 2011. Video games and the internet were expected to be the leading growth engines on the mainland, with spending expected to grow at a compound rate of 15 percent and 13 percent, respectively, this year and next. Spending on digital music and outdoor media would increase 7.5 percent during the period, the study estimated. Revenue from digital media would account for 39 percent of the total in 2013, up from 28 percent last year. PricewaterhouseCoopers' global leader of entertainment and media practice, Marcel Fenez, said media companies needed to expand their digital operations, as more and more users were getting content online than by traditional means, such as printed and broadcasted media.
· Perfect World (PWRD) announced that it has updated its revenue guidance for the second quarter of 2009. Due to stronger than expected ramp-up and traction of the newly launched "Battle of the Immortals," especially in the past month, and better than anticipated results from recently launched expansion packs on some of the existing games during the second half of the quarter, the Company now raises its revenue guidance to be between 489 million yuan (US$71.5 million) and 510 million yuan (US$74.6 million), which represents a sequential increase of 15 to 20 percent. This compares to the previously announced sequential guidance of a 2 percent decline to a 2 percent increase in revenue.
· Shanda Games (SNDA) has secured an exclusive operator agreement for Japanese online game company Cyberstep's 3D fighting casual online game Get Amped II and 3D shooting casual online game Cosmic Break in China, according to 17173.com. Shanda currently operates Cyberstep's 3D online casual fighting game Get Amped.
· According to reports in local Chinese media, The9 (NCTY) Limited is seeking to cooperate with Kingsoft Limited to extricate themselves from the predicament their in after losing World of Warcraft. Once they come to an agreement, the9 Limited will be a partner in operating the new knight-errant MMORPG "Jianxia Online 3" which is produced by Kingsoft Limited in China. There are currently no official announcements or other details available..

Software

• Longtop Financial Technologies Limited (LFT) has signed a contract to upgrade the Customer Relationship Management ((CRM)) system for the headquarters of a leading National Commercial Bank in China. It was first selected by the customer to develop a customized CRM system in 2008 to improve the quality of client services and increase business efficiencies. In the phase-two project, the company will implement data mining techniques and new analytical functions will be added, including performance appraisal, unified view of customer profile, customer analysis and decision making, statistical inquiry and reporting.

Alternative Energy

• Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (YGE) a Chinese vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") product manufacturer, announced that its follow-on public offering of 18,600,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing one ordinary share of Yingli, was priced at US$13.00 per ADS. Of the 18,600,000 ADSs sold in the offering, 15,600,000 ADSs were sold by Yingli Green Energy, and 3,000,000 ADSs were sold by a selling shareholder, Yingli Power Holding Company Ltd., a company beneficially owned by the family trust of Mr. Liansheng Miao, the chairman and chief executive officer of Yingli Green Energy. The offering was increased from its initial announced size of 15,500,000 ADSs. Yingli Green Energy has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 2,790,000 additional ADSs to cover over-allotments. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses, to repay certain existing indebtedness, including repayment of approximately US$50.0 million in a loan facility provided to its subsidiary, Yingli Energy (China) Co., Ltd., by Asia Debt Management Hong Kong Limited, and for general corporate purposes. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (as Global Coordinator), Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are the joint bookrunners and underwriters for the offering. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the co-manager for the offering.
• LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (LDK), in an alliance with China Nuclear Power Engineering Co. and the Belgian Enfinity, has won the bid for China's Dunhuang photovoltaic (PV) station project. They won the bid at the price of 1.09 yuan/kwh and inked a 25-year contract. The station is in the pilot production phase. Despite that the enterprises can hardly make profits with the tender price now, their profits are expected to be on the rise as the PV station's mass-scale development will gradually cut down power generation costs. Dunhuang PV station, as a national exemplary project, will surely be connected to a grid for power generation.

Semiconductor

• Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMI) said demand in the country for its products was recovering, and orders in the third quarter would be better than the second. China's 4 trillion yuan (US$585 billion) stimulus package is spurring domestic demand for chips used in televisions, mobile telephones and other electronic products. Increased sales on the mainland might help SMIC post an annual profit next year. The firm reported losses for each of the past four years. New orders in December last year fell to 20 percent of September levels. Demand began to increase in January and became very strong in March and April. China became the world's biggest buyer of chips in 2005 as Nokia and Sony produced more mobile telephones, gaming consoles and other electronics in the country. Chip sales on the mainland may decline to US$63 billion this year from US$73 billion last year. Sales might rebound to US$70 billion next year. Increased consumer demand had led the chipmaker's clients to restock, fuelling orders for SMIC. Clients, which usually keep six weeks of inventory, reduced their stockpiles to two weeks in December.

Information Technology

• Despite the economic slump, mainland information technology and financial services companies are pushing ahead with key investments in Britain, with an eye to accelerating their expansion across Europe. Initiatives from Huawei Technologies, Alibaba.com (ALBCF.PK), China Central Television, China Mobile, Crystal Digital Technology, China Construction Bank Corp and China Merchants Bank were just the cream of 59 new mainland projects in Britain in the past financial year to March. Britain's international business development and promotion group ranked China as the eighth-largest source of foreign direct investment during a strong year in which Britain saw a record 1,742 new projects from 53 countries, up 11 percent from the previous financial year.
]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:31:51 -0400 IRG Japan

Telecommunications

• Japanese operator KDDI (KDDIF.PK) merging its South Korean subsidiaries Prism Communications and KDDI Korea. Following the merger, the merged entity will use the KDDI Korea name. KDDI decided to merge the subsidiaries to efficiently expand the ICT business in Korea.

Mobile/ Wireless

• The number of mobile phone shops in Japan is expected to contract by 5 percent this year, the Nikkei reports, citing research firm Seed Planning. The number of shops operated by thirty major retailers is expected to fall by 5 percent to 4,600 in fiscal 2009, from 4,866 in fiscal 2008. This would be the second year of decline. Furthermore, shops selling handsets for different carriers are forecast to drop by 50 percent to 400 while shops specializing in one carrier are expected to increase by 3 percent to 4,200. The new pricing schedules introduced by the mobile operators, which offered higher handset prices but cheaper calling plans, have made things more difficult for mobile retailers.

Semiconductor

• Elpida Memory Inc. (ELPDF.PK) plans to apply for public funds to shore up its depleted capital. Elpida, which plans to tie up with a new memory chip firm set up by Taiwan, has been battered by low dynamic random access memory prices even as it chases bigger rivals Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (SSNLF.PK) and Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
• Orders for Japanese chip-making equipment rose for the third straight month in May, suggesting conditions may be leveling off in the semiconductor sector, which has been weakened by slow demand and low prices. In the latest sign of bottoming out, orders for tools used to make microchips rose 22 percent in May from the previous month to 31.4 billion yen (US$326 million). Orders were still down 65 percent from a year earlier. The ratio of the three-month moving average of orders to sales stood at 0.66 in May, preliminary figures from the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan showed, meaning that for every 100 yen (US$1.00) of sales, chip makers placed new orders worth 66 yen with Japanese equipment makers. That was up from 0.44 in April, but still well below 1.00. A reading above 1.00 shows that orders are outpacing sales, signaling a recovery in subsequent months.
• Toshiba Corp. (TOSBF.PK) said it plans to mass produce 28-nanometre system chips in the next business year as it fights to stay relevant in an area dominated by the likes of Intel Corp (INTC) and Texas Instruments Inc (TXN). Toshiba is hurrying to restructure its system chip business, which has been smarting from shrinking demand, high costs and falling prices. Toshiba and NEC Electronics (NELTY.PK) would extend their development agreement with an IBM-led group of firms to develop 28-nanometre chips together. Toshiba had previously said it planned to start mass-producing 32-nanometre chips next year, but it now plans to skip 32-nanometre production altogether at its system chip plants in southern Japan. Systems chips control multiple functions in electronics or cars and look like a maze of circuits on a single sliver of silicon. Producers have been racing to shrink their chips while packing more power into each unit.
• Toshiba Corp. will shoulder US$307 million in restructuring costs from shutting down its old system chip and discrete chip lines as it seeks to unload losses. Toshiba plans to cut production capacity for lines that process 150-millimetre or smaller silicon wafers by 30 percent in the year to March 2010. The move comes after talks to merge Toshiba's system chip operations with NEC Electronics Corp floundered at the end of last year, with NEC Electronics announcing in April that it planned to merge with Renesas Technology Corp. Toshiba, which expects losses to continue on its chip operations this year, plans to scrap two lines at its Kitakyushu plant in southern Japan, to stop production at two lines in Himeji in western Japan, and to reduce production at two more plants.

Hardware

• Sony Corp. (SNE) chief executive Howard Stringer said the Japanese electronics conglomerate's turnaround efforts, which include job cuts, plant closures and a management reshuffle, were advancing well. Sony last month forecast a second consecutive year of losses as the global slump hits demand for electronics. To get back to growth, it is implementing far-reaching restructuring such as a headcount reduction of about 16,000 people and closure of eight of its 57 manufacturing sites. Mr Stringer took the helm at Sony in 2005 vowing to deliver growth and get its various divisions to work closely together to compete with new rivals such as Apple (AAPL) in portable music and Nintendo (NTDOY.PK) in games. Mr. Stringer's efforts have been hampered by a stronger yen and sluggish demand for its electronics products, which include Bravia liquid-crystal display televisions, Cyber-shot digital cameras, and the PlayStation 3 game console. Sony shareholders also approved a new management set-up at the company that will center power around Mr. Stringer and a team of younger executives.

Internet

• Rakuten Inc. (RKUNF.PK) now intends to take on 100 more new college graduates in the spring of 2010 than previously planned, for a maximum of 400, thanks to growing online sales operations. The virtual mall operator, which hired 307 college graduates this spring, had earlier eyed a similar number for next year. Its development division, which creates online services, will hire 150 graduates, up 40 percent from the spring of 2009. The other 250 are bound for sales and administration. Roughly 30 percent of this class of 2010 will have science backgrounds. Rakuten headquarters will employ six Chinese in the fall and seven Indians next January. In midcareer personnel, the company is keeping the 2009 figure on a par with last year's, which came to 690. The Rakuten group employs about 5,500 workers overall, a figure that the company says will top 10,000 within a few years.

China

Hardware

• Hisense Electric plans to raise as much as 1.5 billion yuan (US$219 million) by private placement of up to 150 million shares in order to fund further expansion into upstream segments of liquid-crystal display (LCD) television manufacturing. The share offer would target both institutional and individual investors at no less than 10.83 yuan (US$1.6) per share. Proceeds from the placement, which has yet to be approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission ((CSRC)), would be used for boosting production capacity in LCD modules and flat-panel television sets. After the expansion, production capacity of LCD modules, a key component for flat-panel television sets, would jump from 1.5 million units to 6.5 million. The manufacturing of LCD modules, which usually makes up about 70 percent of the cost of the final product, has been an area of intense competition for domestic television makers. Hisense had attempted to issue additional shares to raise 1 billion yuan to fund an LCD module expansion project in April last year, but the CSRC vetoed the effort for reasons not fully clarified.

Internet

• Beijing Municipal Government rolled out an informatization infrastructure plan, aiming at transforming the city into an information hub and Internet center. The municipal government expected to absorb rolling investment of 100 billion yuan (US$14.6 billion) for the construction of the informatization infrastructure by 2012. To promote related industries' investments of about 200 billion yuan, Beijing plans to take the lead in building the urban-rural integrated high-speed broadband information networks during the implementation of 3G construction. As of the end of May 2009, Beijing boasts 10.4 million internet users, 8.8 million fixed-line phone users, 17 million cell phone users, and four million broadband access service subscribers.
• MySpace.cn announces that its operations will not be affected by the layoff plan of its parent MySpace. MySpace’s Chinese venture lacks the popularity its parent in the US has seen in the past years. Some believe that MySpace has encountered a setback in its expansion in the Chinese market. In the second half of 2008, Luo Chuan, former CEO of MySpace.cn, joined China Mobile Ltd., MySpace.cn's operating director went to work for Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., and MySpace.cn's marketing director and product director left their posts as well. In June 2009, it was reported that MySpace planned to cut 30% of its jobs. Even in the US the company faced a big challenge from archrival Facebook. In May 2009, Facebook's user growth doubled from a year ago, while MySpace's user base lessened 5 percent.
• Sohu.com Inc. (SOHU) announced the introduction of a 3G channel, based on the company’s media platform, which will act as a dedicated broadcaster of 3G-related information for users. Sohu will provide some basic information services, such as a 3G map and product trials, through its 3G channel. The company registered the domain 3g.sohu.com for the channel. It was disclosed that the 3G channel would cooperate with Sohu's entertainment channel to offer an entertaining and fashionable experience to users. The new channel will join hands with Sohu's sports and financial channels.
• Sina Corp. (SINA) said online advertising sales would rebound as property and vehicle clients increased spending, after reporting a 31 percent drop in quarterly profit because of a decline in revenue. Third-quarter advertising sales were expected to increase from the current quarter. Still, the year-on-year comparison is challenging. First-quarter advertising sales fell 9.8 percent from a year earlier, prompting the company to freeze some rates to retain clients, and first-quarter net income dropped to US$9.75 million from US$14.1 million a year earlier. Advertising sales fell to US$43.2 million from US$47.8 million.

Mobile/Wireless

• An industry insider reveals that China Unicom (CHU) will continue the first phase of 3G construction in the remaining 229 cities, after it launched the first batch 3G trial commercial operation in 55 cities in May. The telecom service operator plans to finish the network construction in the 229 cities by the end of this year, and will have the cities capable of providing services in September, when the cell phone numbers will be released. China Unicom's second batch network construction will cover the country's major prefecture-level cities, while its first batch construction was mainly arranged in the provincial capitals and developed cities. Its first phase 3G network construction will cover China's 284 cities with 78,600 base stations established. Key cities and important regions will enjoy complete coverage of China Unicom's 3G network signals.
• Investment by mainland telecommunications network operators so far this year has exceeded last year's total because of the deployment of the 3G mobile system. State-owned operators China Mobile (CHL), China Unicom, and China Telecom Corp (CHA) have substantially boosted network investment since Beijing issued 3G licences in January. The increased investment is mainly due to the roll-out of new 3G networks, such as Unicom's deployment of a network covering more than 300 cities this year. China Telecom had opened the tender for the second phase of its CDMA network, which could extend its coverage to more than 500 cities. Beijing estimates the operators will spend more than 300 billion yuan (US$43.9 billion) on 3G deployment. Unicom had previously said it would spend 100 billion yuan (US$14.6 billion) on network infrastructure alone this year, while China Telecom plans to spend 80 billion yuan over three years.
• China Mobile Ltd. obtained approval from Taiwan's Far EasTone Telecommunications Co ((FET)) to buy a 12 percent stake in the company, sources reported. Shareholders of FET approved the issuance of up to 444 million new shares valued at NT$17.7 billion (US$537 million) to China Mobile to fund mergers and acquisitions or to invest in new business. China Mobile is planning to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in Taiwan to handle the share transaction. The deal, which still needs regulatory approval, is expected to be the first direct investment by a mainland state-owned company on the island in six decades. China Mobile and FET jointly announced the proposed deal in late April. China Mobile, which just began offering 3G services in mainland China, has been seeking to expand overseas and to enhance its services. The company's first-quarter net profit grew 5.2 percent.

Telecommunications

• The China Telecom Group signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with northwestern China's Shaanxi Province to accelerate the information industry in the province. China Telecom Group agreed to invest 20 billion yuan within five years in the construction of Shaanxi's communications infrastructure to strengthen its comprehensive information service capability. The telecom giant plans to put four billion yuan into Shaanxi this year to improve the quality of wire and wireless wide band services in the province. It will stretch the coverage and utilization of its rural information network in Shaanxi, a large agricultural province, in an effort to narrow the distance of rural residents within the market and reduce the economic risks for them in operating farm products.
• JPMorgan buys 31.04 million shares in China Telecom at HK$130 million (US$16.8 million). According to the data of the Stock Exchange, has acquired 31.04 million shares, 0.22 percent issued share capital, of China Telecom, at HK$4.19 (US$0.54) apiece.
• ZTE Corp. (ZTCOF.PK) is likely to secure the biggest contract in China Mobile Ltd's third round of bidding to supply TD-SCDMA wireless equipment, sources reported. ZTE is likely to win a 36 percent share of China Mobile's equipment purchases, while Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Nokia Siemens Networks may win a combined share of 30 percent. Datang Telecom Technology Co Ltd is expected to obtain an 18 percent share. China Mobile, the country's largest telecom operator, is expected to announce the bidding results soon. The telecom operator this year aims to build 85,000 TD-SCDMA base stations in 238 Chinese cities. It currently owns TD-SCDMA base stations in 38 cities in China, and has 514,000 3G network subscribers.
• The China Unicom Group will invest 40 billion yuan (US$5.85 billion) in Henan province in the next five years on its 3G mobile network and fixed-line broadband transmission infrastructure. The investment is part of a strategic alliance China Unicom Group has reached with Henan to enhance the province's information technology infrastructure. The company is spending 3 billion yuan this year building 7,000 WCDMA 3G base stations across the province. About 1,863 base stations have been undergoing trials since last month. The company will also increase its broadband internet connectivity bandwidth and optimize the network infrastructure in Henan. Analysts believe the massive investments made by telecommunications operators on the mainland will directly benefit equipment vendors such as ZTE Corp. Unicom chairman Chang Xiaobing said such investment plans could help the local economy face the challenges of the tough economic environment.

Media, Entertainment and Gaming

· Chinese digital advertising company Focus Media Holding Ltd (FMCN) reported a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss, and forecast sequentially higher revenue for the second quarter. The company said it would cease expansion of its digital poster frame network in light of uncertain demand. Focus Media posted a net loss of US$5.7 million, or US$4 cents per American Depositary Share, compared with a net loss of US$53.8 million, or US$42 cents per ADS, a year ago. Net revenue from continuing operations fell 14 percent to US$66.7 million, while that from discontinued operations fell 23 percent to US$64.4 million. Analysts on average had expected the company to post a loss of 5 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates. For the second quarter, the company expects revenue from continuing operations of US$69 million. Net revenue from discontinued operations is expected to be US$81.5 million.
· UTStarcom Inc. (UTSI) will focus on IPTV solutions in China. China and India serve as two major markets for UTStarcom. While centering its business on broadband in India, the company would prioritize the development of IPTV solutions and related products in China. The company would take initiatives to concentrate its resources on specific business areas, services and markets. It will develop differentiated products with leading technologies to boost revenue and gross margin. The company recently announced plans to downsize global headcounts by over 50 percent and cap annual operating expenses below US$100 million. The company has set about to move its functional departments in the US headquarters to China. It will retain about 2,000 staff for major markets including India and China.
· Advertising and consumer spending in the mainland's media and entertainment industry will probably grow 7 percent this year and next. Despite the global downturn, the mainland will still manage to see a 2.15 percent gain in advertising revenue this year, to US$20.6 billion. Global advertising revenue was expected to fall 12.1 percent this year and rebound to a 1.4 percent increase in 2011. Video games and the internet were expected to be the leading growth engines on the mainland, with spending expected to grow at a compound rate of 15 percent and 13 percent, respectively, this year and next. Spending on digital music and outdoor media would increase 7.5 percent during the period, the study estimated. Revenue from digital media would account for 39 percent of the total in 2013, up from 28 percent last year. PricewaterhouseCoopers' global leader of entertainment and media practice, Marcel Fenez, said media companies needed to expand their digital operations, as more and more users were getting content online than by traditional means, such as printed and broadcasted media.
· Perfect World (PWRD) announced that it has updated its revenue guidance for the second quarter of 2009. Due to stronger than expected ramp-up and traction of the newly launched "Battle of the Immortals," especially in the past month, and better than anticipated results from recently launched expansion packs on some of the existing games during the second half of the quarter, the Company now raises its revenue guidance to be between 489 million yuan (US$71.5 million) and 510 million yuan (US$74.6 million), which represents a sequential increase of 15 to 20 percent. This compares to the previously announced sequential guidance of a 2 percent decline to a 2 percent increase in revenue.
· Shanda Games (SNDA) has secured an exclusive operator agreement for Japanese online game company Cyberstep's 3D fighting casual online game Get Amped II and 3D shooting casual online game Cosmic Break in China, according to 17173.com. Shanda currently operates Cyberstep's 3D online casual fighting game Get Amped.
· According to reports in local Chinese media, The9 (NCTY) Limited is seeking to cooperate with Kingsoft Limited to extricate themselves from the predicament their in after losing World of Warcraft. Once they come to an agreement, the9 Limited will be a partner in operating the new knight-errant MMORPG "Jianxia Online 3" which is produced by Kingsoft Limited in China. There are currently no official announcements or other details available..

Software

• Longtop Financial Technologies Limited (LFT) has signed a contract to upgrade the Customer Relationship Management ((CRM)) system for the headquarters of a leading National Commercial Bank in China. It was first selected by the customer to develop a customized CRM system in 2008 to improve the quality of client services and increase business efficiencies. In the phase-two project, the company will implement data mining techniques and new analytical functions will be added, including performance appraisal, unified view of customer profile, customer analysis and decision making, statistical inquiry and reporting.

Alternative Energy

• Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (YGE) a Chinese vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") product manufacturer, announced that its follow-on public offering of 18,600,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing one ordinary share of Yingli, was priced at US$13.00 per ADS. Of the 18,600,000 ADSs sold in the offering, 15,600,000 ADSs were sold by Yingli Green Energy, and 3,000,000 ADSs were sold by a selling shareholder, Yingli Power Holding Company Ltd., a company beneficially owned by the family trust of Mr. Liansheng Miao, the chairman and chief executive officer of Yingli Green Energy. The offering was increased from its initial announced size of 15,500,000 ADSs. Yingli Green Energy has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 2,790,000 additional ADSs to cover over-allotments. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses, to repay certain existing indebtedness, including repayment of approximately US$50.0 million in a loan facility provided to its subsidiary, Yingli Energy (China) Co., Ltd., by Asia Debt Management Hong Kong Limited, and for general corporate purposes. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (as Global Coordinator), Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are the joint bookrunners and underwriters for the offering. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the co-manager for the offering.
• LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (LDK), in an alliance with China Nuclear Power Engineering Co. and the Belgian Enfinity, has won the bid for China's Dunhuang photovoltaic (PV) station project. They won the bid at the price of 1.09 yuan/kwh and inked a 25-year contract. The station is in the pilot production phase. Despite that the enterprises can hardly make profits with the tender price now, their profits are expected to be on the rise as the PV station's mass-scale development will gradually cut down power generation costs. Dunhuang PV station, as a national exemplary project, will surely be connected to a grid for power generation.

Semiconductor

• Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMI) said demand in the country for its products was recovering, and orders in the third quarter would be better than the second. China's 4 trillion yuan (US$585 billion) stimulus package is spurring domestic demand for chips used in televisions, mobile telephones and other electronic products. Increased sales on the mainland might help SMIC post an annual profit next year. The firm reported losses for each of the past four years. New orders in December last year fell to 20 percent of September levels. Demand began to increase in January and became very strong in March and April. China became the world's biggest buyer of chips in 2005 as Nokia and Sony produced more mobile telephones, gaming consoles and other electronics in the country. Chip sales on the mainland may decline to US$63 billion this year from US$73 billion last year. Sales might rebound to US$70 billion next year. Increased consumer demand had led the chipmaker's clients to restock, fuelling orders for SMIC. Clients, which usually keep six weeks of inventory, reduced their stockpiles to two weeks in December.

Information Technology

• Despite the economic slump, mainland information technology and financial services companies are pushing ahead with key investments in Britain, with an eye to accelerating their expansion across Europe. Initiatives from Huawei Technologies, Alibaba.com (ALBCF.PK), China Central Television, China Mobile, Crystal Digital Technology, China Construction Bank Corp and China Merchants Bank were just the cream of 59 new mainland projects in Britain in the past financial year to March. Britain's international business development and promotion group ranked China as the eighth-largest source of foreign direct investment during a strong year in which Britain saw a record 1,742 new projects from 53 countries, up 11 percent from the previous financial year.

Complete Story »]]> CHA CHL CHU ELPDF.PK FMCN KDDIF.PK LDK LFT NCTY PWRD RKUNF.PK SINA SMI SNDA SNE SOHU TOSBF.PK UTSI YGE ZTCOF.PK IRG UTStarcom: Good Vibrations http://seekingalpha.com/article/140185-utstarcom-good-vibrations?source=feed 140185 By David Weissman

We expect UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI), a provider of IP-based telecom equipment, to receive further demand for its IPTV solutions as mobile TV systems become increasingly popular in China and India due to nationwide deployments of 3G wireless networks.

]]> Thu, 28 May 2009 12:18:50 -0400 Zacks.com Zacks.com submits:

By David Weissman

We expect UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI), a provider of IP-based telecom equipment, to receive further demand for its IPTV solutions as mobile TV systems become increasingly popular in China and India due to nationwide deployments of 3G wireless networks.


Complete Story »]]> UTSI Zacks.com Mobile e-Learning Stocks: U.S. Education, Unemployment, and Baby-Boomer Evolution http://seekingalpha.com/article/135984-mobile-e-learning-stocks-u-s-education-unemployment-and-baby-boomer-evolution?source=feed 135984 Perhaps we might find stable market growth by 2010. The data without question paints an overwhelmingly picture. This report highlights potential solutions and many of the key corporate and government players involved in the necessary “mobile e-learning” global market.

Several major hurdles remain ahead for the U.S. particularly dictated by population trends. Therefore, even if the current economic financial crisis subsides the U.S. will be only one in a handful of players attempting to compete in the prized high wage knowledge driven global economy.

]]> Thu, 07 May 2009 06:39:18 -0400 James Rickman James Rickman submits:

Perhaps we might find stable market growth by 2010. The data without question paints an overwhelmingly picture. This report highlights potential solutions and many of the key corporate and government players involved in the necessary “mobile e-learning” global market.

Several major hurdles remain ahead for the U.S. particularly dictated by population trends. Therefore, even if the current economic financial crisis subsides the U.S. will be only one in a handful of players attempting to compete in the prized high wage knowledge driven global economy.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL ADBE ALU APOL BBBB CECO COCO CSCO CVG ECLG FJTSY.PK HPQ HTC IBM ILC KYO MC MMTOF.PK MOT MSFT NIPNF.PK NOK NTT NVTL ORCL PALM PC PGI PHG PQE PSO QCOM R RIMM RUK SABA SANYY.PK SHCAY.PK SI SKIL SNE STRA SUMT SWIR TCL TOSBF.PK UTSI VZ WEBX James Rickman Chinese Tech Stock Weekly Summary (Dec. 22 - 28, 2008) http://seekingalpha.com/article/112473-chinese-tech-stock-weekly-summary-dec-22-28-2008?source=feed 112473 The following is excerpted from IRG's weekly stock report:

• • •

Mobile/Wireless

  • Beijing Tianyu Communication Equipment has teamed up with the U.S. chip maker Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) to produce third generation phones, in a bid to tap into the upcoming 3G market in China, sources reported. Tianyu was granted a patent license by the U.S. company to develop, produce and sell the 3G handsets based on the CDMA 2000 standard in China. The two companies also expect to join hands to provide mobile products for the global market. The Beijing-based company expects to release more than 20 CDMA handset models next year. With the fast development of the 3G market worldwide, Tianyu is able to provide high-quality CDMA and WADMA terminals under the Tianyu brand. China Telecom (CHA) pledged to inject 80 billion yuan (US$60.2 million) on CDMA network upgrading and handset purchase.

Telecommunications

  • Telecom minister Li Yizhong predicts China will spend 280 billion yuan (US$40.9 billion) on 3G networks over next two years. China's wireless carriers will invest US$40 billion in advanced third-generation networks over the next two years, a top official said, in what could be a boost for China's domestic telecommunication-equipment industry. China, the world's largest mobile phone market by number of subscribers, is one of the last major telecom markets to adopt third-generation technology, which has higher data-transmission speeds that enable wireless video and other fancy services. The government said it would award 3G licenses to its carriers by the beginning of 2009, ending a years-long wait by equipment makers. The government would provide "strong support" to China's homegrown 3G technology, known as TD-SCDMA, which is being adopted by China's largest carrier, China Mobile Ltd. (CHL).

Media, Entertainment and Gaming

  • Fosun International Limited has acquired about 13.3 percent stake in Focus Media Holding Limited (FMCN) through open-market trades. Fosun spent US$150.11 million on 17,267,078 American depositary shares during the period and may acquire more in the future. Fosun's announcement placed the unaudited book value of Focus Media's total assets, as of September 30, 2008, at about US$2.37 billion. Fosun International is involved in pharmaceuticals, property development, steel, mining, retail and financial services and investments. Focus Media announced on December 22 that Sina (SINA) agreed to acquire its LCD display network, poster frame network and in-store network through the issue of 47 million new ordinary shares. Focus Media keeps its Internet and movie theater advertising businesses and some billboards.
  • Nineyou International Limited plans to begin open beta testing of its licensed Q-style 3D pet-themed MMORPG "Concerto Gate II" on January 9. The company plans to adjust experience points, the game's profession structure and virtual item prices in the game mall; optimize client ends and servers; and add new tasks and virtual items to the game. Systems for marriage, riding animals, social networking and guild fights will also be added to the game during testing. Nineyou will also hold an offline wedding party for in-game couples who plan to become real-life partners, an activity to select a game spokeswoman and prize giveaways for gamers.
  • The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television ((SARFT)) announced its purchase of 1 million CMMB terminals including handsets, media players, positioning devices, USB keys and other products. Lenovo (LNVGY.PK) , ZTE (ZTCOF.PK), Beijing Tianyu Communication Equipment, UTStarcom (UTSI), Digital China, Samsung (SSDIF.PK) and Datang Telecom were among the companies winning government contracts. Around 120 terminal manufacturers entered 400 terminals in the bidding; thirty-three handset makers were awarded contracts.
  • The9 (NCTY) plans to start alpha testing of its in-house developed role-playing webgame "Jiu Zhou Zhan Ji" (9zwar) on December 26. The9 spent one year developing the game and is currently offering testing accounts on the game's official website.

Alternative Energy

  • Chinese vertically integrated photovoltaic product manufacturer Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (YGE) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Yingli Energy (China) Co. Ltd., has received an eight-year US$70 million loan from China Development Bank to build PV cell production lines with annual capacity of 100MW. Yingli said the funds would help the company reach annual production capacity of 600MW in the third quarter of 2009.
  • The government of Lixian, Hebei province has signed a cooperation agreement with an American new energy company that plans to invest 669.7 million yuan (US$98 million) in a polysilicon project scheduled to begin construction in February 2009, reports Solarbe.com. The project is expected to manufacture 1,000 tons of polysilicon per year after it begins production in December 2009 and generate annual sales revenue of 950 million yuan (US$139 million).
  • LDK Solar (LDK) plans to recruit 10,000 employees in 2009. The company took on 6,000 employees between May and August and plans to hire 60,000 more in the next three years. LDK Solar is headquartered in Xinyu.
  • Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (STP) is jointly constructing a 66MW on-grid photovoltaic project with Yunnan Provincial Power Investment and other investors. The 3.58 billion yuan (US$523 billion) invested project began construction in December in Shilin, Yunnan province and is expected to produce 7703.89 kWh per year when it begins generating electricity in 18 months.
]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:09:30 -0500 IRG The following is excerpted from IRG's weekly stock report:

• • •

Mobile/Wireless

  • Beijing Tianyu Communication Equipment has teamed up with the U.S. chip maker Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) to produce third generation phones, in a bid to tap into the upcoming 3G market in China, sources reported. Tianyu was granted a patent license by the U.S. company to develop, produce and sell the 3G handsets based on the CDMA 2000 standard in China. The two companies also expect to join hands to provide mobile products for the global market. The Beijing-based company expects to release more than 20 CDMA handset models next year. With the fast development of the 3G market worldwide, Tianyu is able to provide high-quality CDMA and WADMA terminals under the Tianyu brand. China Telecom (CHA) pledged to inject 80 billion yuan (US$60.2 million) on CDMA network upgrading and handset purchase.

Telecommunications

  • Telecom minister Li Yizhong predicts China will spend 280 billion yuan (US$40.9 billion) on 3G networks over next two years. China's wireless carriers will invest US$40 billion in advanced third-generation networks over the next two years, a top official said, in what could be a boost for China's domestic telecommunication-equipment industry. China, the world's largest mobile phone market by number of subscribers, is one of the last major telecom markets to adopt third-generation technology, which has higher data-transmission speeds that enable wireless video and other fancy services. The government said it would award 3G licenses to its carriers by the beginning of 2009, ending a years-long wait by equipment makers. The government would provide "strong support" to China's homegrown 3G technology, known as TD-SCDMA, which is being adopted by China's largest carrier, China Mobile Ltd. (CHL).

Media, Entertainment and Gaming

  • Fosun International Limited has acquired about 13.3 percent stake in Focus Media Holding Limited (FMCN) through open-market trades. Fosun spent US$150.11 million on 17,267,078 American depositary shares during the period and may acquire more in the future. Fosun's announcement placed the unaudited book value of Focus Media's total assets, as of September 30, 2008, at about US$2.37 billion. Fosun International is involved in pharmaceuticals, property development, steel, mining, retail and financial services and investments. Focus Media announced on December 22 that Sina (SINA) agreed to acquire its LCD display network, poster frame network and in-store network through the issue of 47 million new ordinary shares. Focus Media keeps its Internet and movie theater advertising businesses and some billboards.
  • Nineyou International Limited plans to begin open beta testing of its licensed Q-style 3D pet-themed MMORPG "Concerto Gate II" on January 9. The company plans to adjust experience points, the game's profession structure and virtual item prices in the game mall; optimize client ends and servers; and add new tasks and virtual items to the game. Systems for marriage, riding animals, social networking and guild fights will also be added to the game during testing. Nineyou will also hold an offline wedding party for in-game couples who plan to become real-life partners, an activity to select a game spokeswoman and prize giveaways for gamers.
  • The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television ((SARFT)) announced its purchase of 1 million CMMB terminals including handsets, media players, positioning devices, USB keys and other products. Lenovo (LNVGY.PK) , ZTE (ZTCOF.PK), Beijing Tianyu Communication Equipment, UTStarcom (UTSI), Digital China, Samsung (SSDIF.PK) and Datang Telecom were among the companies winning government contracts. Around 120 terminal manufacturers entered 400 terminals in the bidding; thirty-three handset makers were awarded contracts.
  • The9 (NCTY) plans to start alpha testing of its in-house developed role-playing webgame "Jiu Zhou Zhan Ji" (9zwar) on December 26. The9 spent one year developing the game and is currently offering testing accounts on the game's official website.

Alternative Energy

  • Chinese vertically integrated photovoltaic product manufacturer Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (YGE) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Yingli Energy (China) Co. Ltd., has received an eight-year US$70 million loan from China Development Bank to build PV cell production lines with annual capacity of 100MW. Yingli said the funds would help the company reach annual production capacity of 600MW in the third quarter of 2009.
  • The government of Lixian, Hebei province has signed a cooperation agreement with an American new energy company that plans to invest 669.7 million yuan (US$98 million) in a polysilicon project scheduled to begin construction in February 2009, reports Solarbe.com. The project is expected to manufacture 1,000 tons of polysilicon per year after it begins production in December 2009 and generate annual sales revenue of 950 million yuan (US$139 million).
  • LDK Solar (LDK) plans to recruit 10,000 employees in 2009. The company took on 6,000 employees between May and August and plans to hire 60,000 more in the next three years. LDK Solar is headquartered in Xinyu.
  • Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (STP) is jointly constructing a 66MW on-grid photovoltaic project with Yunnan Provincial Power Investment and other investors. The 3.58 billion yuan (US$523 billion) invested project began construction in December in Shilin, Yunnan province and is expected to produce 7703.89 kWh per year when it begins generating electricity in 18 months.

Complete Story »]]> FMCN LDK LNVGY.PK NCTY QCOM STP UTSI YGE ZTCOF.PK IRG Hedge Fund Tracking: Tiger Global (Chase Coleman), Q3 2008 http://seekingalpha.com/article/111606-hedge-fund-tracking-tiger-global-chase-coleman-q3-2008?source=feed 111606 This is the Third Quarter 2008 edition of our ongoing hedge fund tracking series. Before reading this update, make sure you check out the preface to the series we're doing on Hedge Fund 13F's here.

The other funds we've already covered include:

]]> Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:00:50 -0500 Market Folly Market Folly submits:

This is the Third Quarter 2008 edition of our ongoing hedge fund tracking series. Before reading this update, make sure you check out the preface to the series we're doing on Hedge Fund 13F's here.

The other funds we've already covered include:


Complete Story »]]> AAPL ABK AMSC AMT AMX APWR BIDU BPOP BZH CAVM CMA COH CPTS CSR CSX CTRP DDUP DISCA EDU EMKR ETFC FBP.D FEED FHN FRP FSC GGG GHL GMGMQ.PK GOOG GU HBAN HOV JRJC LDK LFT LMNX LO LVLT MA MELI MI MIDD MNT NLC NPD OVTI PAYX PCLN PII QCOM RF RIMM SBAC SCI SFI SINA STAR STEC SWIR SYNA TDG TRLG TRMK UA UTSI V VOCS WAMUQ.PK WTS ZION Market Folly 11 Stocks That Share Five Compelling Characteristics http://seekingalpha.com/article/109165-11-stocks-that-share-five-compelling-characteristics?source=feed 109165 I often state that no one plays a better game of 3 Card Monte than Wall Street’s pirates in neckties. These guys have truly mastered the art of distraction (with the exception of the Great Houdini). To emphasize my point, consider the following video as a metaphor for what occurs in the stock market.

]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:38:22 -0500 J Clinton Hill J Clinton Hill submits:

I often state that no one plays a better game of 3 Card Monte than Wall Street’s pirates in neckties. These guys have truly mastered the art of distraction (with the exception of the Great Houdini). To emphasize my point, consider the following video as a metaphor for what occurs in the stock market.


Complete Story »]]> ACXM G GIII IFLO ISRG JAS MTRX PRGX RNOW UEPS UTSI J Clinton Hill UTStarcom Inc. Q3 2008 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/104728-utstarcom-inc-q3-2008-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 104728 UTStarcom Inc. (UTSI)

Q3 2008 Earnings Call

November 6, 2008 5:00 pm ET

]]> Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:17:15 -0500 UTStarcom Inc. (UTSI)

Q3 2008 Earnings Call

November 6, 2008 5:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> UTSI UTStarcom, Inc. Q2 2008 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/89609-utstarcom-inc-q2-2008-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 89609 UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q2 2008 Earnings Call

August 6, 2008 5:00 pm ET

]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:02:35 -0400 UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q2 2008 Earnings Call

August 6, 2008 5:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> UTSI China ADRs: Mixed July http://seekingalpha.com/article/89519-china-adrs-mixed-july?source=feed 89519 July was a volatile month for the U.S. markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average started the month with some big losses, even closing below 11,000 for the first time in two years on July 15th. But since then, the index has reclaimed some of the losses after a pair of strong rallies, fueled by declining oil price. For the month, the Dow rose a meager 0.25%, the NASDAQ rose 1.42% and the broader S&P 500 index declined just about 1%.

During the month, the Shanghai Composite Index (^SSEC) showed some signs of life, briefly going over the 2,900-point mark early in the month before settling at 2,775.72. That’s a gain of 1.45%. The Hang Seng Index (^HSI) also recovered from the deep drop in June, gaining 2.84% in July.

]]> Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:51:50 -0400 The Sun The Sun submits:

July was a volatile month for the U.S. markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average started the month with some big losses, even closing below 11,000 for the first time in two years on July 15th. But since then, the index has reclaimed some of the losses after a pair of strong rallies, fueled by declining oil price. For the month, the Dow rose a meager 0.25%, the NASDAQ rose 1.42% and the broader S&P 500 index declined just about 1%.

During the month, the Shanghai Composite Index (^SSEC) showed some signs of life, briefly going over the 2,900-point mark early in the month before settling at 2,775.72. That’s a gain of 1.45%. The Hang Seng Index (^HSI) also recovered from the deep drop in June, gaining 2.84% in July.


Complete Story »]]> ACH ACTS AMCN ATAI ATS ATV BIDU CAEI CEA CEDU CEO CHA CHL CHU CISG CMED CN CNTF CSUN CTEL CTRP EDU EJ FMCN FUQI FXI GA GRO GRRF GSH GSOL GU HMIN HNP HRAY HTX JASO JOBS JRJC KONG LDK LFC LFT LONG LTON LVS MPEL MR NCTY NED NINE NPD NTES OIIM PGJ PTR PWRD QXM SCR SHI SINA SMI SNDA SNP SOHU SOL SOLF SPRD SSRX STP STV TCM TSL UTSI VIMC VISN VIT WH WX XFML XIN YGE YZC ZNH The Sun China ADRs: Severe Loss in June http://seekingalpha.com/article/83701-china-adrs-severe-loss-in-june?source=feed 83701 Comparing to what happened to Chinese stocks listed on U. S. stock exchanges, the drop in major U. S. equity indexes is minor, though the Dow Jones Industrial Average did lose more than 10% in just one month (10.19%). During the same time period, the NASDAQ dropped 9.12% and the S&P declined 8.57% as jitters in the financial sector continued and there was no sign that the housing market has bottomed. In fact, the loss in June was the severest monthly loss since the Great Depression.

However,  if you are investing heavily in Chinese ADRs (like me), then I am sure you feel even more depressed when looking at your stocks’ performances last month. Of the 82 Chinese ADRs I track regularly, only 6 of them ended the month in the positive territory. All other 76 stocks dropped, and they dropped like a rock: 30 stocks lost more than 20% and 10 more than 30%.

]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:41:56 -0400 The Sun The Sun submits:

Comparing to what happened to Chinese stocks listed on U. S. stock exchanges, the drop in major U. S. equity indexes is minor, though the Dow Jones Industrial Average did lose more than 10% in just one month (10.19%). During the same time period, the NASDAQ dropped 9.12% and the S&P declined 8.57% as jitters in the financial sector continued and there was no sign that the housing market has bottomed. In fact, the loss in June was the severest monthly loss since the Great Depression.

However,  if you are investing heavily in Chinese ADRs (like me), then I am sure you feel even more depressed when looking at your stocks’ performances last month. Of the 82 Chinese ADRs I track regularly, only 6 of them ended the month in the positive territory. All other 76 stocks dropped, and they dropped like a rock: 30 stocks lost more than 20% and 10 more than 30%.


Complete Story »]]> ACH ACTS AMCN ATAI ATS ATV BIDU CAEI CEA CEDU CEO CHA CHL CHU CISG CMED CN CNTF CSUN CTEL CTRP EDU EJ FMCN FUQI FXI GA GRO GRRF GSH GSOL GU HMIN HNP HRAY HTX JASO JOBS JRJC KONG LDK LFC LFT LONG LTON LVS MPEL MR NCTY NED NINE NPD NTES OIIM PGJ PTR PWRD QXM SCR SHI SINA SMI SNDA SNP SOHU SOL SOLF SPRD SSRX STP STV TCM TSL UTSI VIMC VISN VIT WH WX XFML XIN YGE YZC ZNH The Sun UTStarcom, Inc. Q1 2008 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/82898-utstarcom-inc-q1-2008-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 82898 UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q1 2008 Earnings Call

May 15, 2008 5:00 pm ET

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:08:09 -0400 UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q1 2008 Earnings Call

May 15, 2008 5:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> UTSI Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News http://seekingalpha.com/article/77582-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed 77582
  • MGM mulls Manhattan. MGM Mirage (MGM) and Dubai World may join to buy Harry Macklowe's Drake Hotel site. The partners would assume $580M in defaulted debt and interest, and probably pay another $200M for the East 56th and Park Ave. site. "A Park Avenue address is prestigious and well regarded from a global perspective, and a globally recognized brand would be a good combination," hotel investment broker Mark Gordon says.
  • Can Icahn seize Yahoo? Carl Icahn unveiled his Yahoo (YHOO) proxy slate (including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban), while Yahoo defended its board and its handling of the Microsoft (MSFT) bid. Paulson & Co. hedge fund said it bought 50M shares of Yahoo during Q1, and plans to back Icahn's dissident slate. Some think the group may already control as much as 30% of the proxy vote.
  • Yahoo pressing Google alliance. Yahoo (YHOO) is in a big rush to seal a search-advertising pact with Google (GOOG), in part due to the pressure of Carl Icahn's play for its board. The companies say their planned "open platform" will allow others to serve up ads tied to keyword searches (this in order to overcome regulatory issues). But some analysts think the deal's structure creates a false sense of a level playing field that will in fact be dominated by Google.
  • Weak data won't go away. Thursday's economic data kept recessionary concerns on the front burner. Industrial production fell 0.7% amid a 8.2% drop in motor vehicle output. Capacity utilization at manufacturers fell to 79.7% from 80.4% a month ago. The Empire State Manufacturing Survey fell to -3.23 from +0.63, while the Philly Fed's general business-conditions index improved to -15.6 from -24.9, although it remains in contractionary territory. Initial claims fell 1,000 to 365,750. Homebuilder confidence fell to 19 from 20 the past three months.
  • More scrutiny at American Airlines. The FAA wants to know why American Airlines (AMR) mechanics were told to skimp on safety checks for damage due to lightening. American seems confident the move was permissible; if it's wrong, it could face stiff fines.
  • Macy's banks on child's play. Macy's will announce plans to open FAO Schwarz toy boutiques in each of the 685 stores that carry kids clothing. Macy's says the deal will drive traffic. The big question is can FAO retain its exclusive image amid such huge expansion?
  • Carmakers settle with CAW. GM (GM) and Chrysler (DIA) settled with the Canadian Auto Workers union in a deal very similar to the one hammered out by Ford (F) two weeks ago -- even though the two initially said Ford got the short shrift. CAW president Buzz Hargrove says he moved quickly, because things are only going to get worse from here on.
  • Libor in focus. Fed officials and London traders who play a role in setting the Libor are in contact amid concerns the ubiquitous rate is lowballing the true rate banks are borrowing at.
  • Lockheed locks up $1.5B gov't deal. As had been speculated, Lockheed Martin (LMT) won a $1.4B U.S. Air Force contract to build the next-generation Global Positioning System Space System program, known as GPS III. ITT (ITT) and General Dynamics (GD) are also participating in the project.
  • Bernanke urges banks to borrow. Fed Chairman Bernanke is happy banks are having an easier time of raising funds, and wants them to keep doing so to repair their balance sheets and support new economic expansion. The most recent Treasurys offered by the Fed's new program drew just $7.24B in bids on an offer of $25B.
  • Rio Tinto faces China censure. Chinese steelmakers may boycott Rio Tinto (RTP) amid accusations Rio is limiting contract-supplied iron ore in order to force them to buy at higher spot-market prices. A boycott could open up the door for smaller firms to break the virtual China iron-ore monopoly of Rio, BHP Billiton (BHP) and Vale (RIO).

Earnings: Thursday After Close

  • Advance Auto Parts (AAP): Q1 EPS of $0.86 beats consensus of $0.78. Revenue of $1.53B in-line. Announces $250M share repurchase program to replace a $500M program which had $105M remaining. Shares: +8.75%.
  • Autodesk (ADSK): Q1 EPS of $0.50 beats consensus of $0.48. Revenue of $599M vs. consensus of $589M. Sees Q2 EPS of $0.52-0.54 vs. consensus of $0.52. Shares: -0.4%.
  • Beazer Homes (BZH): Q1 EPS of -$3.59 misses consensus of -$2.05. Revenue of $503M vs. consensus of $528M. Sees Q2 EPS of -$5.93, short of consensus of -$1.01, and revenue of $405M vs. consensus of $483M. Shares: -5.2%.
  • BMC Software (BMC): FQ4 EPS of $0.63 beats consensus of $0.51. Revenue of $467M vs. consensus of $460M. Sees full-year 2009 EPS of $2.10-2.20, better than consensus of $2.09. Shares: +4.3%.
  • Compuware (CPWR): FQ4 EPS of $0.23 beats consensus of $0.21. Revenue of $339M vs. consensus of $332M. Shares: -2.7%.
  • General Steel (GSI): Q1 EPS of $0.06 misses consensus of $0.13. Revenue of $292M vs. consensus of $282M. Shares: -21.8%.
  • Giant Interactive (GA): Q1 EPS of $0.20 beats consensus of $0.16. Revenue of $67.3M vs. consensus of $63.1M. Shares: -3.9%.
  • Kohl's (KSS): Q1 EPS of $0.49 beats consensus of $0.44. Revenue of $3.6B in-line. Sees Q2 EPS of $0.70-0.74, in-line, and full-year EPS of $2.95-3.15, short of consensus of $3.11. Shares: -1%.
  • Nordstrom (JWN): Q1 EPS of $0.54 beats consensus of $0.49. Revenue of $1.88B in-line. Sees full-year EPS of $2.65-2.80, short of consensus of $2.76 and down from a previous $2.75-2.90. Shares: +1.2%
  • Quantum (QTM): FQ4 EPS of -$0.08 misses consensus of $0.04. Revenue of $229M vs. consensus of $241M. Shares: -10.1%.
  • UTStarcom (UTSI): Q1 EPS of $0.21 beats consensus of -$0.10. Revenue of $586M vs. consensus of $550M. Shares: +4.6%.

Earnings: Friday Before Open

  • Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF): Q1 EPS of $0.69 beats consensus of $0.65. Revenue of $800M vs. consensus of $808M. Same-store sales were down 3% from a year ago.
  • Fairpoint (FRP): Q1 EPS of $0.19 beats consensus of $0.00. Revenue of $282M vs. consensus $143M.

Today's Markets

  • In Asia Friday: Nikkei -0.23% to 14,219. Hang Seng +0.41% to 25,619. Shanghai -0.36% to 3,624. BSE Sensex +0.47% to 17,435.
  • European markets are broadly higher at midday. FTSE +1.43% to 6,341. CAC +0.74% to 5,095. DAX +1.79% to 7,202.
  • U.S. futures are up slightly from Thursday's close. Dow +0.11% to 13,009. S&P +0.18% to 1,427. Nasdaq +0.14% to 2,038.50.
  • Gold is 0.98% higher to $888.40. Oil is up 1.78% to $126.35.

Get Wall Street Breakfast by email -- it's free and takes only seconds to sign up.]]> Fri, 16 May 2008 07:19:16 -0400 SA Editor Eli Hoffmann
  • MGM mulls Manhattan. MGM Mirage (MGM) and Dubai World may join to buy Harry Macklowe's Drake Hotel site. The partners would assume $580M in defaulted debt and interest, and probably pay another $200M for the East 56th and Park Ave. site. "A Park Avenue address is prestigious and well regarded from a global perspective, and a globally recognized brand would be a good combination," hotel investment broker Mark Gordon says.
  • Can Icahn seize Yahoo? Carl Icahn unveiled his Yahoo (YHOO) proxy slate (including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban), while Yahoo defended its board and its handling of the Microsoft (MSFT) bid. Paulson & Co. hedge fund said it bought 50M shares of Yahoo during Q1, and plans to back Icahn's dissident slate. Some think the group may already control as much as 30% of the proxy vote.
  • Yahoo pressing Google alliance. Yahoo (YHOO) is in a big rush to seal a search-advertising pact with Google (GOOG), in part due to the pressure of Carl Icahn's play for its board. The companies say their planned "open platform" will allow others to serve up ads tied to keyword searches (this in order to overcome regulatory issues). But some analysts think the deal's structure creates a false sense of a level playing field that will in fact be dominated by Google.
  • Weak data won't go away. Thursday's economic data kept recessionary concerns on the front burner. Industrial production fell 0.7% amid a 8.2% drop in motor vehicle output. Capacity utilization at manufacturers fell to 79.7% from 80.4% a month ago. The Empire State Manufacturing Survey fell to -3.23 from +0.63, while the Philly Fed's general business-conditions index improved to -15.6 from -24.9, although it remains in contractionary territory. Initial claims fell 1,000 to 365,750. Homebuilder confidence fell to 19 from 20 the past three months.
  • More scrutiny at American Airlines. The FAA wants to know why American Airlines (AMR) mechanics were told to skimp on safety checks for damage due to lightening. American seems confident the move was permissible; if it's wrong, it could face stiff fines.
  • Macy's banks on child's play. Macy's will announce plans to open FAO Schwarz toy boutiques in each of the 685 stores that carry kids clothing. Macy's says the deal will drive traffic. The big question is can FAO retain its exclusive image amid such huge expansion?
  • Carmakers settle with CAW. GM (GM) and Chrysler (DIA) settled with the Canadian Auto Workers union in a deal very similar to the one hammered out by Ford (F) two weeks ago -- even though the two initially said Ford got the short shrift. CAW president Buzz Hargrove says he moved quickly, because things are only going to get worse from here on.
  • Libor in focus. Fed officials and London traders who play a role in setting the Libor are in contact amid concerns the ubiquitous rate is lowballing the true rate banks are borrowing at.
  • Lockheed locks up $1.5B gov't deal. As had been speculated, Lockheed Martin (LMT) won a $1.4B U.S. Air Force contract to build the next-generation Global Positioning System Space System program, known as GPS III. ITT (ITT) and General Dynamics (GD) are also participating in the project.
  • Bernanke urges banks to borrow. Fed Chairman Bernanke is happy banks are having an easier time of raising funds, and wants them to keep doing so to repair their balance sheets and support new economic expansion. The most recent Treasurys offered by the Fed's new program drew just $7.24B in bids on an offer of $25B.
  • Rio Tinto faces China censure. Chinese steelmakers may boycott Rio Tinto (RTP) amid accusations Rio is limiting contract-supplied iron ore in order to force them to buy at higher spot-market prices. A boycott could open up the door for smaller firms to break the virtual China iron-ore monopoly of Rio, BHP Billiton (BHP) and Vale (RIO).

Earnings: Thursday After Close

  • Advance Auto Parts (AAP): Q1 EPS of $0.86 beats consensus of $0.78. Revenue of $1.53B in-line. Announces $250M share repurchase program to replace a $500M program which had $105M remaining. Shares: +8.75%.
  • Autodesk (ADSK): Q1 EPS of $0.50 beats consensus of $0.48. Revenue of $599M vs. consensus of $589M. Sees Q2 EPS of $0.52-0.54 vs. consensus of $0.52. Shares: -0.4%.
  • Beazer Homes (BZH): Q1 EPS of -$3.59 misses consensus of -$2.05. Revenue of $503M vs. consensus of $528M. Sees Q2 EPS of -$5.93, short of consensus of -$1.01, and revenue of $405M vs. consensus of $483M. Shares: -5.2%.
  • BMC Software (BMC): FQ4 EPS of $0.63 beats consensus of $0.51. Revenue of $467M vs. consensus of $460M. Sees full-year 2009 EPS of $2.10-2.20, better than consensus of $2.09. Shares: +4.3%.
  • Compuware (CPWR): FQ4 EPS of $0.23 beats consensus of $0.21. Revenue of $339M vs. consensus of $332M. Shares: -2.7%.
  • General Steel (GSI): Q1 EPS of $0.06 misses consensus of $0.13. Revenue of $292M vs. consensus of $282M. Shares: -21.8%.
  • Giant Interactive (GA): Q1 EPS of $0.20 beats consensus of $0.16. Revenue of $67.3M vs. consensus of $63.1M. Shares: -3.9%.
  • Kohl's (KSS): Q1 EPS of $0.49 beats consensus of $0.44. Revenue of $3.6B in-line. Sees Q2 EPS of $0.70-0.74, in-line, and full-year EPS of $2.95-3.15, short of consensus of $3.11. Shares: -1%.
  • Nordstrom (JWN): Q1 EPS of $0.54 beats consensus of $0.49. Revenue of $1.88B in-line. Sees full-year EPS of $2.65-2.80, short of consensus of $2.76 and down from a previous $2.75-2.90. Shares: +1.2%
  • Quantum (QTM): FQ4 EPS of -$0.08 misses consensus of $0.04. Revenue of $229M vs. consensus of $241M. Shares: -10.1%.
  • UTStarcom (UTSI): Q1 EPS of $0.21 beats consensus of -$0.10. Revenue of $586M vs. consensus of $550M. Shares: +4.6%.

Earnings: Friday Before Open

  • Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF): Q1 EPS of $0.69 beats consensus of $0.65. Revenue of $800M vs. consensus of $808M. Same-store sales were down 3% from a year ago.
  • Fairpoint (FRP): Q1 EPS of $0.19 beats consensus of $0.00. Revenue of $282M vs. consensus $143M.

Today's Markets

  • In Asia Friday: Nikkei -0.23% to 14,219. Hang Seng +0.41% to 25,619. Shanghai -0.36% to 3,624. BSE Sensex +0.47% to 17,435.
  • European markets are broadly higher at midday. FTSE +1.43% to 6,341. CAC +0.74% to 5,095. DAX +1.79% to 7,202.
  • U.S. futures are up slightly from Thursday's close. Dow +0.11% to 13,009. S&P +0.18% to 1,427. Nasdaq +0.14% to 2,038.50.
  • Gold is 0.98% higher to $888.40. Oil is up 1.78% to $126.35.

Get Wall Street Breakfast by email -- it's free and takes only seconds to sign up.
Complete Story »]]> AAP ADSK AMR ANF BHB BMC BZH CPWR DIA F FRP GA GD GMGMQ.PK GOOG GSI ITT JWN KSS LMT MGM MSFT QQQQ QTM RTP SPY UTSI VALE YHOO SA Editor Eli Hoffmann Chinese Tech Stock Weekly Summary http://seekingalpha.com/article/68094-chinese-tech-stock-weekly-summary?source=feed 68094 The following is excerpted from IRG's weekly stock report:

Internet

• Members of an overseas Chinese democracy party have sued Yahoo (YHOO) for human rights abuses, claiming the company turned over information to Beijing about a colleague that led to his arrest and jailing. Zheng Cunzhu, a Los Angeles businessman and member of the China Democracy Party, sued on behalf of Li Zhi, a party member sentenced in 2003 to eight years in prison after Yahoo supplied information to identify and convict him, according to the complaint filed in San Francisco federal court. The February 22 lawsuit comes three months after Yahoo agreed to provide legal, humanitarian and financial support to the families of two jailed mainland writers to resolve a similar lawsuit over disclosures made to the central government that led to their arrests. Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang apologized to the families at a U.S. congressional hearing last November.

]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:42:16 -0400 IRG The following is excerpted from IRG's weekly stock report:

Internet

• Members of an overseas Chinese democracy party have sued Yahoo (YHOO) for human rights abuses, claiming the company turned over information to Beijing about a colleague that led to his arrest and jailing. Zheng Cunzhu, a Los Angeles businessman and member of the China Democracy Party, sued on behalf of Li Zhi, a party member sentenced in 2003 to eight years in prison after Yahoo supplied information to identify and convict him, according to the complaint filed in San Francisco federal court. The February 22 lawsuit comes three months after Yahoo agreed to provide legal, humanitarian and financial support to the families of two jailed mainland writers to resolve a similar lawsuit over disclosures made to the central government that led to their arrests. Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang apologized to the families at a U.S. congressional hearing last November.


Complete Story »]]> CHINA CHL CHU CN CTRP GA LNVGY.PK NTES SKM SNDA UTSI IRG Chinese Stocks Listed in U.S. Posted Mixed February http://seekingalpha.com/article/67188-chinese-stocks-listed-in-u-s-posted-mixed-february?source=feed 67188 Chinese stocks listed on U.S. stock exchanges had another rough month in February. Of the 84 Chinese ADRs I track, winners and losers are virtually evenly split: 43 had a losing month while another 41 gained. Biggest losers again were alternative energy stocks, with Suntech Power (STP) leading the way with a drop of nearly 32%.

However, unlikely the month of January when most Chinese ADRs lost a big chunk of their market value, February saw some nice rebound in Chinese issues with several stocks gaining as much as 50% last month. During the same time period, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (^HSI) rose 876 points, or 3.74% and Shanghai Composite Index (^SSEC) declined 35 points, or 0.8%. The Bank of New York Chinese ADR Index (^BKCN) added 8 points, or 1.69%.

]]> Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:47:09 -0500 The Sun The Sun submits:

Chinese stocks listed on U.S. stock exchanges had another rough month in February. Of the 84 Chinese ADRs I track, winners and losers are virtually evenly split: 43 had a losing month while another 41 gained. Biggest losers again were alternative energy stocks, with Suntech Power (STP) leading the way with a drop of nearly 32%.

However, unlikely the month of January when most Chinese ADRs lost a big chunk of their market value, February saw some nice rebound in Chinese issues with several stocks gaining as much as 50% last month. During the same time period, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (^HSI) rose 876 points, or 3.74% and Shanghai Composite Index (^SSEC) declined 35 points, or 0.8%. The Bank of New York Chinese ADR Index (^BKCN) added 8 points, or 1.69%.


Complete Story »]]> ACH ACTS ATV BIDU CHL CMED CSUN CTEL EDU FXI GA HMIN JOBS LDK LFC NTES PGJ PTR SOHU SOLF TCM UTSI WH YGE The Sun UTStarcom, Inc. Q4 2007 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/68923-utstarcom-inc-q4-2007-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 68923

UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q4 2007 Earnings Call

February 28, 2008 5:00 pm ET

]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:45:00 -0500

UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q4 2007 Earnings Call

February 28, 2008 5:00 pm ET


Complete Story »]]> UTSI LG Voyager Leads Surge in Online Xmas Shopping for Handsets http://seekingalpha.com/article/57775-lg-voyager-leads-surge-in-online-xmas-shopping-for-handsets?source=feed 57775 ‘Tis the season for snow, Santa and shopping till you drop. Merchants across the country are currently in the midst of their busiest season of the year. The wireless industry is no exception, hoping to draw consumer interest (and dollars) from new product launches, bundled deals and blitz advertising campaigns. Q4 2006 saw a 14% increase in mobile phones sales from the previous year. Will this trend continue in 2007? To find out, Compete ranked mobile phone interest by measuring the number of times visitors to major carrier websites viewed detail for specific phone models in the month of November. Models with multiple colors and styles available were not combined.

]]> Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:12:02 -0500 Compete Compete submits:

‘Tis the season for snow, Santa and shopping till you drop. Merchants across the country are currently in the midst of their busiest season of the year. The wireless industry is no exception, hoping to draw consumer interest (and dollars) from new product launches, bundled deals and blitz advertising campaigns. Q4 2006 saw a 14% increase in mobile phones sales from the previous year. Will this trend continue in 2007? To find out, Compete ranked mobile phone interest by measuring the number of times visitors to major carrier websites viewed detail for specific phone models in the month of November. Models with multiple colors and styles available were not combined.


Complete Story »]]> AAPL MOT NOK T UTSI Compete Wireless Equipment Picks and Nix http://seekingalpha.com/article/57426-wireless-equipment-picks-and-nix?source=feed 57426 On December 10, The Wall Street Transcript interviewed Lawrence M. Harris, an Oppenheimer & Co. analyst responsible for the telecommunications equipment sector. Key excerpts, including his sector picks and nix, follow:

TWST: Where are you pointing investors at this point?

]]> Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:24:25 -0500 The Wall Street Transcript On December 10, The Wall Street Transcript interviewed Lawrence M. Harris, an Oppenheimer & Co. analyst responsible for the telecommunications equipment sector. Key excerpts, including his sector picks and nix, follow:

TWST: Where are you pointing investors at this point?


Complete Story »]]> ALVR HRS MOT NOK UTSI The Wall Street Transcript S&P 1500 Volatility Plays http://seekingalpha.com/article/54497-s-p-1500-volatility-plays?source=feed 54497 For traders with a more short term time horizon, we have compiled a list of the S&P 1500 stocks which have the largest intraday high low ranges [based on the average percent spread between the intraday high and low for the last fifty days]. We then grouped the stocks based on whether they have a rising or falling fifty-day moving average. Tickers highlighted in gray indicate that the stock is new this month to the list. Reflecting the state of the market, this month's list is dominated with stocks from housing and finance related sectors that are all in downtrends.

click to enlarge

]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:53:05 -0500 Bespoke Investment Group Hickey and Walters (Bespoke) submit:

For traders with a more short term time horizon, we have compiled a list of the S&P 1500 stocks which have the largest intraday high low ranges [based on the average percent spread between the intraday high and low for the last fifty days]. We then grouped the stocks based on whether they have a rising or falling fifty-day moving average. Tickers highlighted in gray indicate that the stock is new this month to the list. Reflecting the state of the market, this month's list is dominated with stocks from housing and finance related sectors that are all in downtrends.

click to enlarge


Complete Story »]]> CHP CSAR FMT HH IRN RDN SPF TGIC UTSI WCG Bespoke Investment Group UTStarcom Q3 2007 Earnings Call Transcript http://seekingalpha.com/article/53890-utstarcom-q3-2007-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed 53890

UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q3 2007 Earnings Call

November 12, 1007 8:30 am ET

]]> Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:33:18 -0500

UTStarcom, Inc. (UTSI)

Q3 2007 Earnings Call

November 12, 1007 8:30 am ET


Complete Story »]]> UTSI The Long Case for UTStarcom http://seekingalpha.com/article/53577-the-long-case-for-utstarcom?source=feed 53577 Investing in UTStarcom (UTSI) has been a nightmare for shareholders who have held this stock between 2003 and today. The stock had steadily dropped from the low $40s per share to just $3 as of Tuesday November 6th , 2007, bringing the company's market cap from over $5 billion dollars to the $350 million range, or over $4.7 billion in lost shareholder wealth in the last four years.

The massive decline in the stock price is the result of a multitude of events, some external and some self inflected. The major blow to the company performance has been the phasing out of its Personal Access Technology (PAS) by the Chinese telecom operators (China Telecom (CHA) and China Netcom (CN); in the late 90s and early 2000s, the Chinese fixed-line telecom players opted to use UTStarcom's Japanese borrowed technology as a away to offer limited mobility to their clients since they lacked a mobile license; as a result, demand for the low price PAS exploded, reaching at a certain point over 20% of the fixed-line operators voice revenues.

]]> Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:00:00 -0500 Nawar Alsaadi Nawar Alsaadi submits:

Investing in UTStarcom (UTSI) has been a nightmare for shareholders who have held this stock between 2003 and today. The stock had steadily dropped from the low $40s per share to just $3 as of Tuesday November 6th , 2007, bringing the company's market cap from over $5 billion dollars to the $350 million range, or over $4.7 billion in lost shareholder wealth in the last four years.

The massive decline in the stock price is the result of a multitude of events, some external and some self inflected. The major blow to the company performance has been the phasing out of its Personal Access Technology (PAS) by the Chinese telecom operators (China Telecom (CHA) and China Netcom (CN); in the late 90s and early 2000s, the Chinese fixed-line telecom players opted to use UTStarcom's Japanese borrowed technology as a away to offer limited mobility to their clients since they lacked a mobile license; as a result, demand for the low price PAS exploded, reaching at a certain point over 20% of the fixed-line operators voice revenues.


Complete Story »]]> UTSI Nawar Alsaadi