Panasonic Corp. has laid off 20% of their workforce – or 600 employees – in its lithium ion battery operations, according to a report by the Nikkei yesterday in Osaka, Japan. The move was made in an attempt to help turn the division profitable. The company has also decided to restructure their manufacturing processes as the layoffs alone won’t likely be enough to achieve profitability.
Financial
More Bad News Bruises Apple – Stock Hits Worst Level in a Year
The AP is reporting that Apple, Inc. saw its stock price hit hard in trading today on Wall Street, dropping 23.44 points or 5.5%, to close at $402.80 per share – well below yesterday’s close of $426.24. During today’s session the stock traded as low as $398.11, setting a new 52-week low and triggering analysts to buzz about trouble in Cupertino. What happened? Another Apple supplier, Cirrus Logic, Inc., released a disappointing financial report that hinted that the real problem lays with Apple.
What’s the connection between Cirrus Logic and Apple? See below… [Read more…] about More Bad News Bruises Apple – Stock Hits Worst Level in a Year
Hon Hai’s Q1 Sales Drop More Than Expected, Hurt by Slipping Demand for iPhone
Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. reported today that sales for the first quarter had dropped by 19 percent from the same period last year. Hon Hai, better known by the name of a large division called Foxconn, is a key supplier to Apple, Inc. and analysts point to this as another indicator of Apple’s slipping dominance of the smartphone business.
See more on this unexpected result… [Read more…] about Hon Hai’s Q1 Sales Drop More Than Expected, Hurt by Slipping Demand for iPhone
Yamaha Launches New Medium-Term Plan; 1st Task? Explain Why Last One Failed
Yamaha Corporation last week announced a new medium-term management plan titled Yamaha Management Plan 2016 (YMP2016) which sets forth management’s strategies for the time period of fiscal 2014-to-fiscal 2016. The new plan succeeds the previous Yamaha Management Plan 125 (YMP125) which was just completed March 31, 2013.
First task of the new plan? Explain why the previous plan failed… [Read more…] about Yamaha Launches New Medium-Term Plan; 1st Task? Explain Why Last One Failed
Did Vendors Force Electronics Expo into Bankruptcy?
In a series of filings associated with the Chapter 11 voluntary bankruptcy filing by Wayne, NJ-based Electronics Expo, we are learning new details on the slippery slope the company found itself facing in 2012 – a slope that landed them in court, seeking protection from creditors. The filings included an affidavit from company Managing Member and President Levent (known as Leon) Temiz that said circumstances left them with “no alternative but to conclude that a reorganization under Chapter 11 was the best way to stabilize the Debtor’s financial condition and maintain sufficient flexibility to restructure its debt while continuing to operate its business.”
What were the factors that drove Electronic Express to bankruptcy?… [Read more…] about Did Vendors Force Electronics Expo into Bankruptcy?
Tech Data Must Restate Financials for Last Three Years
BREAKING NEWS
Clearwater, FL-Based Tech Data Corp. said today that it will restate some of its financial results for the period of time covering the fiscal years of 2011, 2012, and 2013. According to the company, it has discovered “improprieties” with how its U.K. subsidiary reflected vendor accounting.
See more on this surprising announcement…find out how big the impact will be… [Read more…] about Tech Data Must Restate Financials for Last Three Years
Foxconn International Reports Biggest Financial Loss in Its History
Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. (FIH), announced today that for fiscal year 2012 the company had the biggest loss ever since it listed its stock in 2005. FIH, which says it is the world’s largest contract manufacturer of cellphones, booked a net loss of $316.4 million for the year.
Why did FIH lose money for the first time? See details below… [Read more…] about Foxconn International Reports Biggest Financial Loss in Its History
Samsung Takes Significant Stake in Sharp Corp.
*STORY UPDATED BELOW* – FOXCONN ‘OFFENDED’
The Nikkei reported today that South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Company has agreed to invest ¥10 billion ($107 million) into former high-flying, now troubled Sharp Corporation as it continues to struggle to raise much-needed cash. According to the report, Sharp will issue the shares to Samsung possibly as early as this month.
The surprise announcement signifies that Samsung will have own significant share of Sharp… [Read more…] about Samsung Takes Significant Stake in Sharp Corp.
Nortek Acquires 2GIG Technologies
BREAKING NEWS
Nortek, Inc. announced today that it has acquired 2GIG Technologies, Inc. from APX Group, Inc. 2GIG is a designer and supplier of residential security and home automation systems. A privately held company, 2GIG will expand Nortek’s portfolio of installed home systems products.
See what 2GIG brings to the table and how much Nortek paid to add the brand to its portfolio… [Read more…] about Nortek Acquires 2GIG Technologies
Founder Schulze Considering Abandoning Deal for Best Buy
Former Best Buy Chairman
Multiple news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and Reuters News Service, are reporting that Best Buy founder Richard M. “Dick” Schulze is considering abandoning his bid to take the company private. Schulze had informed the Board of Directors in August 2012 that he intended to purchase all outstanding shares of stock to take the company private. After months of study and planning, Schulze is said to be ready to scuttle the plan.
