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That article is Old
It dates from Jan 15, 2013 and is no longer relevant.
Low Vol, no sign of breakout
There's been low vol (~50K daily) since Feb and most of that was motivated sellers. No substantial buyers in sight.
Niobe & Vdrives devices sold
1Q Financial Results contradicts your statement:
The Company recognized Niobe system revenue of $0.7 million, which included system installation revenue, one Niobe ES system upgrade and a customer deposit for a previously cancelled Niobe ES order. In addition, system revenue included $0.4 million on four Vdrive systems and $0.2 million in Odyssey® system sales. Recurring revenue was $7.0 million in the quarter, a 13.6% increase from $6.2 million in the prior year first quarter. Procedures declined 5% from the same quarter last year but improved 3% sequentially.
The Company generated new capital orders of $1.3 million, which included one Niobe ES upgrade of a Niobe I system, two Vdrive system orders and three Odyssey system orders, compared to $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2013. Ending capital backlog for the 2014 first quarter was $7.3 million.
CEO's Definition of Newsworthy
The lack of news releases is caused by what CEO considers newsworthy. Short of a major event for the company, nothing warrants a news release.
However, shareholders are not so picky, especially the small band of current investors which are in the stock for the long term and can tolerate frank news, whether good or bad.
For example, we would expect a press release when:
1) The mgmt team as listed in the company web site changes,
2) A significant business deal is signed (or at this point any new deal),
3) New financial funding is obtained,
4) A change in business strategy has taken place.
1Q 2014 Results?
Since we have a new Senior Accountant it would be nice if the company released its unaudited financial results for the first quarter. This is pretty standard practice for many Chinese companies.
SouFun Announces First Quarter 2014 Results
First Quarter 2014 Highlights
Revenue in the first quarter of 2014 was $121.2 million, a 33.2% increase from the corresponding period in 2013.
Operating income in the first quarter of 2014 was $49.5 million, a 33.1% increase from the corresponding period in 2013. Non-GAAP operating income in the first quarter of 2014 was $51.0 million, a 31.0% increase from the corresponding period in 2013.
Net income attributable to SouFun's shareholders was $41.5 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 46.2%. Fully diluted earnings per ADS were $0.10, an increase of 42.9% from the corresponding period in 2013.
Non-GAAP net income attributable to SouFun's shareholders was $47.8 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 44.0%. Non-GAAP fully diluted earnings per ADS were $0.11, an increase of 37.5% from the corresponding period in 2013.
Business Outlook
SouFun estimates its total revenue for 2014 will be between $780.0 million and $796.0 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 22.5% to 25%. This forecast reflects SouFun's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change.
Nope
But the good news is that insider selling has slowed.
When the cash flow improves we will see the stock price start moving up again into the .20+ range.
Cash Flow Problem
That’s my guess. The CEO previously reported that the company has received contracts for work but most of that money is collected once the customer agrees to take delivery, therefore the need for subsistence cash to pay the monthly bills. This problem gives us insight into the structure of the KPMG lawsuit settlement… it’s probably not one lump sum payment.
As long as the company continues to win new contracts and the CEO can persuade key employees to stay on, then I think the share price will quickly bounce back
Whatever the problem is
I hope it gets fixed fast before a total collapse occurs.
Insider Selling
I think the selling pressure the stock has been under the last month or so was triggered by the departure of the VP for Human Resources. This had a domino effect causing other insiders to sell.
Just my opinion.
Winnie Tam Promoted
to Senior Accountant & HR, replacing Nettie So,VP HR, who has left the company.
Winnie Tam monitors Artificial Life's accounting and financial reporting, preparing for the SEC and tax filings, handling corporate compliance matters for the group companies, as well as overseeing HR matters. With extensive experiences in handling corporate finance and compliance related matters, Ms. Tam has been a core member of the accounting team of the Company since 2009.
@Spegarcia22 - Selling not good idea
In my opinion ALIF is not ready to be sold because the company is in the early stages of recovery and their proprietary AI algorithms and graphics development tools need to be reengineered to meet the requirements of the new generation analytical platforms that a potential suitor would be using. In other words, ALIF's tool kits have to be more consumable to enable a 3rd party to extract value from it. Without this, a suitor is not willing to pay a fair value for the company.
In the buyout examples you mentioned, those companies had products with easy-to-use and full-featured interfaces (APIs) that were compatible with high profile platforms. That enabled the purchasers to get an immediate ROI.
I think partnerships (instead of selling the company) will provide Alif with more opportunities to improve their tool kits and grow the business.
I agree with you that it's difficult to know exactly how profitable ALIF can be on its own. It all depends on how much the CEO learned from his previous setbacks. Remember that the ALIF IPO was at $15 and went up to around $40 before it collapsed to the sub $1 level. For sure the CEO can easily take the stock value to $1 - $2 in the company's current condition. Issuing quarterly non-audited financials would be helpful. (Audited reports are too much of a burden right now).
Once Alif refines its tool kits APIs then the valuation can go much higher.
In summary, I think the CEO needs to remain in total control of the company and do what it takes to grow the new business model.
Another Alif gem: 3D Graphic Rendering
Besides it's namesake AI technology, Alif has spent a lot of effort developing fluid motion 3D graphic technology and combined it with augmented reality technology (licensed from ARE Augmented Reality Europe GmbH, of which Alif is a minority stake-holder), to create an apps engine that can be used to develop stunning smartphone games, marketing and advertizing apps, and other commercial and medical/health related apps. This ARE apps engine uses the smartphone's camera to locate and identify specially designed AR "markers". When a marker is recognized, the mobile device will project a super-imposed 3D graphics, audio/video on the device screen which will combine with the "reality" that is being viewed in the real world. This technology can enrich the way in which people perceive and interact with information in their surrounding environments.
In fact, for the last 5 years or so, this technology has been a major source of revenue for the company. And it's now providing
the company with a life-line to recovery.
Why am I telling you this? Well just recently Zynga purchased mobile video game-maker Natural Motion for $527M. A lot of money for tech very similar to Alif's 3D rendering engine that can be coupled to 3G and 4G+ network-enabled mobile devices.
That being said, I remain a fan of Alif's AI engine and believe that in the long run it will bring the most value to the company.
The key being that Alif will need to partner with major players in the field to realize this valuation. And the senior execs have
the potential to make this happen.
Zacks does 180 degree
Zacks Rank just Changed to BUY {2}
IBM forms new division for AI
The new division is called Watson, named after former IBM president Thomas Watson, beat its human rivals in the US TV quiz show in 2011. IBM is commiting $1bn to new Watson AI division
The investment includes a $100m fund to boost innovation around Watson-related developer apps.
The company said the investment comes in response to a growing demand for cognitive computing - a more intuitive, human-centric form of artificial intelligence that understands the nuances and complexities of language and can learn from experience and new evidence.
The new division will be run by Michael Rhodin, former senior vice president of the company's software solutions group.
Watson aims to mimic how people think, using natural language capabilities and analytics, but can process vast amounts of information faster than the human brain.
IBM plans to market Watson's abilities to businesses and consumers via its cloud computing infrastructure, Softlayer.
"We have reached the inflection point where the interest in cognitive computing is overwhelming and we recognised we need to move faster," said Stephen Gold, vice president of Watson Business.
Jamie Popkin, of research firm Gartner, said: "I think [IBM has] developed something that takes us to the next step where information management needs to go."
It envisages a number of "powered by IBM Watson" assistive apps coming on to the market, such as Fluid's expert personal shopper and Welltok's personalised health plans.
Healthcare professionals are likely to access Watson's huge database when using diagnostic equipment linked wirelessly to smartphones and other mobile devices, experts believe.
Investment bank Credit Agricole has predicted that Watson spin-offs could account for more than 12% of IBM's total revenue by 2018.
Zacks Rank changed to Hold
Meanwhile Qihoo Upgraded to Strong Buy
No telling settlement amount
However, in the the lawsuit the Company estimated the damage and potential damage caused to the Company by KPMG Hong Kong to exceed US$ 100 million due to -- amongst other factors -- the loss of substantial market value of its equity, the forced delisting of its shares from the US OTC market and the German Entry Standard Segment, its loss of major cash funding options, its loss of investment opportunities, its loss of revenues and profits and its general loss of business opportunities and general reputation damage caused directly and/or indirectly by KPMG Hong Kong's malpractice, breach of contract and breach of duty of care.
So my guess the settlement amount is at least 10M, which is enough together with current revenue to the fund the company for 12 months. Also note the company has another suit pending against a former customer for non-payment of services.
By the end of 2014 the company should have a sustainable revenue stream to support a profitable business model attractive to high value investors.
Why are they delisting? Haven't read anything related
Please see: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1289340/000135445713000211/xslF25X02/primary_doc.xml
I think I might have misunderstood this filing by the SEC.
To continue being listed on NASDAQ the regular bid price must be above $1 and the market cap above $50M. STXS does meet those conditions, so I dont know why the SEC filed Form 25.
Thanks for challenging my post. Any other clarifications would be appreciated.
Selling Continued on 12/27/13
My guess it's employees cashing in for New Years celebration.
If this continues in January, then this is an ominous sign - an indication the company is trying to raise cash because revenue is low and no private placements are occurring.
Alternatively, it could be a major holder that is tired of waiting. However I think all of those sold when the stock price collapsed to the .01 level.
Lets hope the sell volume will tapper off so that the new pool of investors will drive up the bid price.
Merry 3rd Day of Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Yeah oltimer, Big lot sold
I noticed that too. I think it's an employee or major holder selling off shares:
13:22:18 .............. 0.051 ..146907
13:22:04 .............. 0.052 .. 19093
13:20:53 .............. 0.0522 . 12000
---------------------------------------------------
...................................... 178,000
The timing is good for your purchasing under .08
If the selling pressure subsides the price will quickly get to .25.
I have noticed with my broker's buying menu that if set the price to say $1, then the aon order check-box is enabled; I then check it and adjust the price to .06. And voila I got my aon buy!
Of course that's a bug and they will fix it as more people start doing that.
trade==== My computer is up
Just saw your posts today.... I'm Glad it's working again!!
It's also a good idea to keep track of management changes listed under: About Us -> Management.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Facebook Enters AI Research Arena
Facebook has hired New York University professor Yann LeCun to head up its research in Artificial Intelligence.
The move marks both a formal launch and expansion to AI research efforts by Facebook that have been underway for some time.
Professor LeCun in posting news about his new position said the goal of the research would be to bring about major advances in AI through a partnership with New York University, where LeCun will continue to maintain part time status.
Facebook’s combination launch/expansion follows a similar move by Google, which hired AI research scientist Ray Kurzweil last year. Kurzweil will lead Google’s efforts in both artificial intelligence and deep learning.
IBM, of course, has a long history of involvement in AI research, going back to the 1950s. More recently the company made news with its super computer, Watson, which successfully competed on the television show Jeopardy and is now well on the way to being available to the public as a resource for app providers.
All this led to an arms race between Google, Facebook and other tech companies that will desperately try to keep up.
At the heart of all this AI research is something called “deep learning.” Deep learning is an algorithm that allows computers to interpret the meaning as well as the context of both symbols and images.
Properly applied, deep learning would allow an application to recognize topics in which you are interested, then gather up posts and images on those topics and present them to you as part of your news feed.
While artificial intelligence research has been around for a long time, most of the work has been done in universities and government. The advent of companies such as Facebook and Google has made the application of AI viable for commercial purposes.
Positive fundamental
One positive fundamental is that SINA has $1.22 billion in total cash and no debt.
Now, if only SINA could stay above $80, then that would send a positive technical signal.
$350M Convertible Bonds issued
The Bonds are due 2018 and convertible to ordinary shares listed on NASDAQ. The bonds will bear an interest rate of 2.00% annually.
The proceeds from the 5-year debt will be deployed for working capital requirements, meeting capital expenditure, funding business expansions, acquisitions and introduction of new businesses or services, and other general corporate purposes.
As of Sep 30, 2013, the debt-to-capital ratio for SouFun was 0.58x which represented an improvement of 7 percentage points from 0.65x at 2012 end. However, with the issuance of the $350 million debt, the debt-to-capital ratio is expected to deteriorate.
Even with this 350M debt announcement Zacks still rates SFUN a 1 (Strong Buy).
Rights to issue 3.4M Shares Exercised
The shares offering resulted in gross proceeds of $10.2M to stxs. The offering began in Oct 2013.
2.7M new shares @ $30 pps
This share offering is for NASDAQ. Shouldn't hurt current price too badly.
Will it break out to the $170s level?
Looks like Baidu is setting up to breakout to new highs. It's been in a churn between the 150s and 160s+ since Oct.
Apple buys social analytics firm Topsy
Here’s another example of the value the IT industry is placing on analytics software, the same type of software that Alif develops. And I know that Alif analytics is faster and more versatile than Topsy.
Topsy enables users to examine Twitter conversations and pick out trending topics, hashtags or influential people using the social network. The company features a search engine specifically for Twitter where users can search for topics or tweets. Apple paid around $200M for Topsy.
Olitimer, I agree …
The Alif staff is focused on winning contracts and building new business relationships. Those are exactly the core competencies of the team. As new investors begin to realize this potential they will put their money on the table. In addition, clients themselves will often become early investors because they are the first to see the revenue stream flowing. Generally, these latter types of investments/funding are disclosed by press releases.
High-Speed Growth expected in 2014
Although 2013 revenue growth slowed down to 38% from 57% in 2012, that's still taking the company from 2012's top-line of $170M to an estimated $234M this year. And 2014 full year estimates are for 29% revenue growth to surpass the $300M mark.
Along with revenue growth, gross margin is also expanding leading many analysts to rate BITA a strong buy.
Early this November BitAuto announced a joint venture with Kelley Blue Book and the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) to provide data on the Chinese used car market launched these services in mobile applications to meet the country's increasingly high-tech consumer demand.
The new Web and mobile-based portal will be the direct access point for China's most comprehensive and up-to-date car valuation information and is expected to serve as a central hub for the development of China's new and used car industries.
If you are looking for a high-growth play on the Chinese consumer, BitAuto is a good option.
BIDU now accepts bitcoin
The demand for bitcoin has been particularly strong in China, therefore the leading search engine, Baidu (BIDU), now accepts the currency for certain services.
Macquarie Raises Qihoo to OUTPERFORM
In a report published Tuesday,11/26/13, Macquarie Capital analyst Jiong Shao reiterated an Outperform rating on Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. , and raised the price target from $90.00 to $118.00.
Zacks also changed its rating to Buy from Hold.
However I say it's too soon to tell if the stock is going to break its holding pattern from its mid-July point.
Underperforming
Stock has been on the low side of its trading range this past Qtr even though the company reported strong earnings. Many analyst rate this stock a HOLD.
time to get back into this? Not Yet
Wait until the delisting from NASDAQ settles down and stock moves to the BB pink sheets. Then if the fundamentals firm down consider buying a small position.
Pleasing 1Q14 results announced
net income of $20.4 million, a 29.3% increase compared to $15.8 million year over year.
New Bond Issue knocks wind out of stock
The 5.750% Senior Notes due 2021 are an additional issuance of and will be fully fungible and form a single series voting together as one class with the $800 million aggregate principal amount of the previous bond exchange.
New Bond Issue knocks wind out of stock
The 5.750% Senior Notes due 2021 are an additional issuance of and will be fully fungible and form a single series voting together as one class with the $800 million aggregate principal amount of the previous bond exchange.
It's in a transitional phase
If it drops below 75 then you better get out!
2.50x1.75 JH
Medion AG and KPMG
The ALIF press release stated that it plans to issue a separate statement about the two pending lawsuits it has filed against Medion AG and KPMG.
Well, that's pretty interesting because it has long been rumored among the major holders that those two parties are in the process of settling. That injection of cash will help bolster ALIF's 2014 business activities.