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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Kindle Fire Has Content, Price to Compete (Videos) *Amazon launches tablet PC*

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Amazon unveiled the Kindle Fire on September 28, 2011


Amazon Launches Kindle Fire Amazon had a huge media event and unveiled a variety of new products and features:
New Latest Generation Kindle - Fits In Your Pocket - Only $79
● New Addition to the Kindle Family - "Kindle Touch" - Only $99
● New Top of the Line Kindle e-reader - "Kindle Touch 3G" - Only $149
● New Class of Kindle - "Kindle Fire" - Only $199
● Cloud-Accelerated Web Browser - "Amazon Silk"
● Free Cloud Storage
● Amazon Whispersync Now for Movies & TV Too

Amazon's Kindle Fire Has Content, Price to Compete Amazon just put the rest of the tablet world on notice by pricing the Kindle Fire at $199, less than half of the $500 mark that the industry has gravitated toward as a standard price. By doing so, Amazon is redefining for consumers just how much they need to pay for a quality tablet. "It makes it much more difficult for pure tablet vendors - other than Apple - to sell products at a profit," said Avi Greengart, who covers consumer electronic products for Current Analysis.


Kindle Fire TV Commercial - Amazon's New Kindle Ad Meet the all-new Kindle Fire—a Kindle for movies, music, apps, games, reading & more. Only $199.



Introducing the All-New Kindle Family: Four New Kindles, Four Amazing Price Points

SEATTLE, Sep 28, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) - (NASDAQ: AMZN) - Millions of people are already reading on Kindles and Kindle is the bestselling e-reader in the world for four years running. Today, Amazon is excited to introduce an all-new Kindle family: three all-new Kindle e-readers that are smaller, lighter, and more affordable than ever before, and Kindle Fire - a new class of Kindle that brings the same ease-of-use and deep integration of content that helped Kindle re-invent reading - to movies, TV shows, music, magazines, apps, books, games, and more.

"We've now reached the magical two-digit price point for Kindle - twice: the new Kindle and Kindle Touch are only $79 and $99. Kindle Touch 3G is the new top of the line e-reader with free 3G - no monthly fees or annual contracts - and is only $149," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. "Kindle Fire brings together all of the things we've been working on at Amazon for over 15 years into a single, fully-integrated service for customers. With Kindle Fire, you have instant access to all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, the convenience of Amazon Whispersync, our revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser, the speed and power of a state-of-the-art dual-core processor, a vibrant touch display with 16 million colors in high resolution, and a light 14.6 ounce design that's easy to hold with one hand - all for only $199. We're offering premium products, and we're doing it at non-premium prices."


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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Largest USA Tech Companies (Financial Charts) *Financial performance & position update*

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Largest USA technology companies add market capitalization and Apple increases overall lead

*Updated 9-20-11 for Oracle quarterly financial results*


Largest USA Technology Companies: Financial Performance & Position Review*

Largest USA Tech Companies Two ways to rank which technology companies are the Largest USA Tech Companies are by market capitalization and total assets. Below is a review of the Largest USA Tech Companies compared to their peers, the largest technology companies in the United States. These 8 companies are Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Google, Oracle, Intel, Cisco, and HP. How a "technology company" is defined makes the first difference and how the largest USA technologies companies are measured makes a second difference. The companies included are designated as such in the S&P 500 technology sector.  Notable companies not included are Qualcomm, Amazon. and EMC Corporation and telecommunications sub-sector companies.

Largest USA Tech Companies Financial Measurement Five measurements of the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies are reviewed. First is value, ranking by market capitalization. Second is financial position ranking by total assets and capital ratio. Third is financial performance ranking by quarterly net income and annualized return on assets. Some of these companies are on a fiscal year, therefore the latest 4 fiscal quarters of each company are included.

Largest USA Tech Companies by Market Capitalization A measure of the size of a technology company is the valuation of the company by the equity market. The market valuation below is as of the market close on Monday, September 19, 2011 and provides a snapshot. All prior and expected financial performance and position has been priced into the publicly traded stock, along with any other financial system and economic uncertainties to-date. Apple leads all technology companies, and all companies in the world,  with a market capitalization of $380.66 billion and is the largest corporation traded on USA and World equity markets by market capitalization. Exxon is #2 worldwide at $363.05 billion. Microsoft is 2nd at $229.46 billion (3rd largest of all corporations), IBM is 3rd at $209.70 billion (5th largest), Google is 4th at $176.16 billion (13th largest), Oracle is 5th at $146.86 billion (20th largest), Intel is 6th at $116.27 billion (29th largest), Cisco is 7th at $90.81 billion (43rd largest), and HP is 8th at $47.52 billion (98th largest). By market capitalization Apple is well ahead and pulling farther away. Microsoft and IBM are in the next tier. The current average market capitalization of the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is $174.68 billion. The current aggregate market capitalization of the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is $1.397 trillion.


Largest USA Tech Companies by Total Assets The size of the financial position of the Largest USA Tech Companies is measured by total assets. By this measure, 4 companies have over $100 billion in total assets at the latest quarter. HP is largest at $124.92 billion followed by IBM at $113.47 billion. Microsoft is #3 with $108.70 billion and Apple is #4 with $106.76 billion. Next is #5 Cisco at $87.10 billion, #6 Oracle at $73.86 billion, #7 Intel at $66.09 billion, and #8 Google at $64.86 billion. The current average assets of the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is $93.22 billion. The current aggregate assets of the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is $745.76 billion.


Largest USA Tech Companies: Capital Ratio The strength of the financial position of the Largest USA Tech Companies is measured by the basic capital ratio (total equity divided by total assets). By this measurement, Google leads with the strongest capital of 80.16%, followed by Intel at 73.72% and Apple at 64.95%. Next are OracleCisco, and Microsoft at 55.83%, 54.26%, and 52.51%, respectively. HP is at 31.40% and IBM is last at 20.45%. The current average capital ratio for the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is 54.16%.


Largest USA Tech Companies: Quarterly Net Income The current profitability of the financial performance of the Largest USA Tech Companies is measured by quarterly net income. By this measure, for the latest quarter, Apple leads with a $7.31 billion quarterly net income for the latest quarter. Second is Microsoft at $5.87 billion. IBM is #3 at $3.66 billion, Intel is #4 at $2.95 billion, Google is #5 at $2.51 billion, HP  is #6 at $1.93 billion, Oracle is #7 at $1.84 billion, and Cisco is #8 at $1.23 billion. The current average quarterly net income of the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is $3.41 billion. The current aggregate quarterly net income for the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is $27.30 billion.


Largest USA Tech Companies: Return on Assets Annual return on assets is the ultimate measurement of a technology company's financial performance. Return on assets reveals how effectively assets are being deployed to maximize profits and a 4-quarter moving average is shown on the chart for each company. By this measurement, for the latest quarter, two companies have annual return on assets greater than 20.00%: Apple leads at 27.56%, followed by Microsoft at 24.20%. Next is #3 Intel at 19.56%, #4 Google 16.74%, #5 IBM 13.96%, #6 Oracle 13.00%, #7 Cisco 7.81%, and #8 HP 7.63%. The current average return on assets of the 8 Largest USA Tech Companies is 16.31%. [Note: Return on assets differ from company reports or other sources. A more detailed method is utilized for this chart.]



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Oracle Reports YoY Earnings Increase (Charts) *Revenues, Net Income, EPS Up* ORCL

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Oracle (ORCL) reported QE August 2011 financial results on September 20, 2011
*Charts and commentary have been updated for Oracle QE August 2011 financial results*


Oracle Reports YoY Earnings Increase: Revenues; Net Income, EPS Up

Oracle Summary QE August 2011 Financial performance dropped QoQ as the QE August 2011 is normally the annual cyclical low fro total revenues, operating income, net income, earnings per share, cash flow per share, gross margin, operating margin, and net margin. The negative on Oracle has been the debt, but this dropped from 22% to 20% of total assets QoQ. The QE May tends to be an annual cyclical peak and the QE August is the annual cyclical low for Oracle, so the YoY increases are a definite positive. Financial position continues as adequate capital with moderate debt and reasonable liquidity.

Oracle Income Statement QE August 2011 Oracle reported total revenues of $8.37 billion, net income of $2.68 billion, and earnings per share of $0.36. From the prior quarter QE May 2011, total revenues were down -22%, net income down -43%, and earnings per share down -42%. From the prior year QE August 2010, these were up +12%, up +36%, and up +33%, respectively. Gross margin (see note below), operating margin, and net margin were down QoQ at 76.26%, 32.04%, and 21.97%, respectively. Cash flow from operations of $1.05 was down QoQ but up YoY. The operating expense ratio (operating expenses divided by total revenues) of 44.22% is about average, but up QoQ. [Note: Oracle does not report a gross profit, but includes some allocated cost of revenues in operating expenses as line items. For this analysis, these allocated cost of revenues have been reclassified as cost of revenues and operating expenses are therefore the commonly reported line items of most companies. The gross profit reviewed is not a true gross profit. Operating margin and net margin are not affected by this reclassification.]

Oracle Balance Sheet QE August 2011 Oracle's total assets increased +.4% QoQ and +13% YoY to a record $73.86 billion from the prior quarter of $73.54 billion. The capital to assets ratio (total stockholders' equity divided by total assets) of 55.83% is a multi-quarter high. The current ratio (current assets divided by total assets) of 53.08% is also at the higher end of the historical range The return on assets  of +13.00% is historically very strong and has increased for 4 consecutive quarters. Total debt is lower at 20% of total assets.

Oracle Outlook Oracle estimates QE November GAAP earnings per share of $0.44 to $0.46 and Non-GAAP of $0.56 to $0.58. This would be an increase both QoQ and YoY.


Oracle Financial Performance by the Quarters (Charts)

Oracle Earnings Per Share Below is a chart of quarterly earnings per share. Current Earnings per Share of $0.36 are down -42% QoQ and up +33% YoY. The prior peaks have been the QE May 2011, 2010, and 2009 of $0.62, $0.46, and $0.38, respectively. The lows have been the QE August 2011, 2010, and 2009 of $0.36, $0.27, and $0.22, respectively. The QE May is the strongest quarter and the QE August is the weakest quarter for Oracle. These peaks and lows indicate an annual cyclical nature to Oracle's business. The chart high has been $0.62 for the QE May 2011 and the chart low has been $0.22 for QE August 2009. The EPS chart average is $0.34.


Oracle Cash Flow per Share Below is a chart of cash flow from operations per share. Current Cash Flow per Share of $1.05 is a drop from the prior QE May 2011 of $2.17, which was the peak on the chart. The CFS chart average is $1.62.


Oracle Total Revenues, Operating Income, and Net Income Below is a chart of quarterly total revenues, operating income, and net income. Current Total Revenues of $8.37B are down -22% QoQ and up +12% YoY. Total Revenues have increased 6 of the past 8 quarters. Current Operating Income of $2.68B is also down QoQ and up YoY and increased 4 of the past 6 quarters. Net Income of $1.84B is down -43% QoQ and up +36% YoY. Net Income has 4 of the past 6 quarters.


Oracle Gross Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Margin Below is a chart of quarterly gross margin, operating margin, and net margin. Current Gross Margin (see note below) of 76.26% is down QoQ and below the chart average of 77.01%. Current Operating Margin of 32.04% is down QoQ and below the chart average of 33.14%. Current Net Margin of 21.97% is also down QoQ and below the chart average of 23.00%. The average income tax rate of 25.54% is a 4-quarter high and above average, decreasing the net margin. [Note: Oracle does not report a gross profit, but includes some allocated cost of revenues in operating expenses as line items. For this analysis, these allocated cost of revenues have been reclassified as cost of revenues and operating expenses are therefore the commonly reported line items of most companies. The gross profit reviewed is not a true gross profit. Operating margin and net margin are not affected by this reclassification.]


Oracle Return on AssetsROA, an annualized return on average assets for the 12 months (4 quarters) ended. Current Return on Assets of +13.00% is a multi-quarter high, very strong, and has increased 4 consecutive quarters. The ROA chart average is 11.79%.


Oracle Growth Rates Below is a chart of the quarterly (QoQ, Q/Q, quarterly change) growth rates for total revenues and earnings per share. Current Total Revenues of -22% are a multi-quarter low and below the TR chart average of +8.72%. Current Earnings per Share of -42% is also a multi-quarter low and below the EPS chart average of +15.87%. The current drop in QE August 2011 was expected as the annual cyclical low.


Oracle Revenue Sources Below is a chart of quarterly revenue sources, as a percentage of total revenues. For the current QE August 2011, the trend is clearly a decrease in Software offset by increases in Hardware and Service.


Oracle Geographic Revenues Below is a chart of quarterly geographic revenues, as a percentage of total revenues. For the current QE August 2011, the trend is a decrease in Americas and Europe, Middle East, Africa offset by an increase in Asia Pacific.


Oracle Operating Expense Ratio Below is a chart of quarterly operating expense ratio, which is operating expenses divided by total revenues. The current Operating Expense Ratio of 44.22% is a 4-quarter high and about the same as the OER chart average of 44.07%. This indicates in the current QE August 2011 decreased efficiency plus a higher proportion of revenues not reaching the bottom line, net income, and earnings per share.



ORACLE REPORTS Q1 GAAP EPS UP 34% TO 36 CENTS; Q1 NON-GAAP EPS UP 14% TO 48 CENTS

Q1 Software New License Sales Up 17%, Twelve Month Operating Cash Flow Up 46% to $12.8 Billion

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Sept. 20, 2011 -- Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) today announced fiscal 2012 Q1 GAAP total revenues were up 12% to $8.4 billion, while non-GAAP total revenues were up 11% to $8.4 billion. Both GAAP and non-GAAP new software license revenues were up 17% to $1.5 billion. GAAP software license updates and product support revenues were up 17% to $4.0 billion, while non-GAAP software license updates and product support revenues were up 16% to $4.0 billion. Both GAAP and non-GAAP hardware systems products revenues were down 5% to $1.0 billion. GAAP operating income was up 40% to $2.7 billion, and GAAP operating margin was 32%. Non-GAAP operating income was up 21% to $3.6 billion, and non-GAAP operating margin was 42%. GAAP net income was up 36% to $1.8 billion, while non-GAAP net income was up 16% to $2.5 billion. GAAP earnings per share were $0.36, up 34% compared to last year while non-GAAP earnings per share were up 14% to $0.48. GAAP operating cash flow on a trailing twelve month basis was $12.8 billion, up 46% from last year.

“New software license sales grew 17%,” said Oracle President and CFO, Safra Catz. “This strong organic growth coupled with disciplined business management enabled yet another increase in our operating margin in Q1. Operating cash flow increased this quarter to $5.4 billion, up $1.6 billion from $3.8 billion in Q1 of last year."

“Our high-end server business – Exadata, Exalogic, and SPARC M-Series – delivered solid double digit revenue growth in Q1,” said Oracle President, Mark Hurd. “In contrast, revenue declined in our low-end server business. By moving away from low-margin commodity hardware and focusing on high-end servers, we increased our hardware gross margins from 48% to 54%. Our strategy to grow the profitable parts of our hardware business is paying off.”

“Next week Oracle will announce a new high-performance SPARC microprocessor, and a new high-end server called a SPARC SuperCluster,” said Oracle CEO, Larry Ellison. “The new SPARC T4 microprocessor is up to 5 times faster than the T3 microprocessor it replaces. The new SuperCluster is engineered to use the SPARC T4 microprocessor and the Exadata flash and disk storage system to deliver extreme record-breaking performance.”

In addition, Oracle also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share of outstanding common stock. This dividend will be paid to stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 12, 2011, with a payment date of November 2, 2011.


About Oracle
Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world’s most complete, open, and integrated business software and  hardware systems company. For more information about Oracle, please visit http://www.oracle.com or contact Investor Relations at investor_us@oracle.com or (650) 506-4073.


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