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And in 30th place:
Aug. 10 (Bloomberg) -- The following are the 200 largest short interest ratios on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of the July 30 settlement date. This list includes securities with a short position of at least 200,000 shares.
Ticker Avg. Daily Days To
Symbol Company July 30 Volume Cover
=============================================================================
BTFG BANCTRUST FINANC 1,231,954 11,454 107.6
PMBC PACIFIC MERCANTL 831,652 8,642 96.2
LWAY LIFEWAY FOODS 981,262 11,515 85.2
UBFO UNITED SECURI/CA 464,518 5,663 82.0
PNBC PRINCETON NATL 222,105 3,631 61.2
CCRT COMPUCREDIT HOLD 4,472,847 75,062 59.6
FNBN FNB UNITED CORP 909,260 16,631 54.7
TOWN TOWNE BANK 2,525,603 50,267 50.2
FSBK FIRST SOUTH /NC 592,743 12,742 46.5
BUSE FIRST BUSEY CORP 5,335,323 118,533 45.0
IBNK INTEGRA BK CORP 2,625,233 58,814 44.6
SUPR SUPERIOR BANCORP 761,282 17,323 43.9
CACB CASCADE BANCORP 3,204,603 75,808 42.3
GTXI GTX INC 4,893,314 116,938 41.8
UBSI UNITED BANKSHS 7,430,943 178,358 41.7
ABCW ANCHOR BANCRP WI 2,386,954 58,258 41.0
GSBC GREAT SOUTHN BAN 905,648 22,297 40.6
MBTF MBT FIN CORP 770,508 19,220 40.1
BBBB BLACKBOARD INC 11,527,201 290,491 39.7
FFIN FIRST FIN BANKSH 2,158,475 57,509 37.5
NASB NASB FINANCIAL 294,304 7,984 36.9
IBCA INTERVEST BNCS-A 222,861 6,073 36.7
AAON AAON INC 1,966,889 54,161 36.3
OZRK BANK OZARKS 2,995,195 83,552 35.8
BSRR SIERRA BANCORP 937,583 26,182 35.8
GABC GERMAN AMER BNCP 505,225 14,150 35.7
CSGP COSTAR GROUP INC 4,527,167 127,039 35.6
PABK PAB BANKSHARES 339,984 9,684 35.1
VLNC VALENCE TECH 8,940,409 259,325 34.5
WAVX WAVE SYSTEMS-A 7,496,254 220,812 33.9
Please provide a link as to 100 million in the float.
Thanks
I agree in principle, but those shares have to be covered (bought from someone), hence taking shares out of the float to do so.
Covering will lower the shares outstanding from the inflated number right now of 80 + 8 or 10
Here is the way I see it.
The real longs still control at least 30 million shares 38%. (Could be higher)
Institutions 17%
Shorts about 10%
Total: about 65% of the outstanding shares right there.
If all the shorts were to cover tomorrow, all the shares would not just go to a hostile buyer. Others would be in there as well.
I agree that at some point the board will have to decide if they want to be taken over at a certain price. I think a 2 billion dollar figure would get my vote.
As I see the float around 35 million shares right now, and the fact that the institutions own about 17%, I think it would be quite difficult for a hostile take over.
Worth repeating:
it's possible that the deal could exert a disruptive influence in the security industry that could drive customers to seek alternatives. After all, not all McAfee customers are necessarily going to want to buy their security from Intel.
This is why Wave is agnostic. We can sell to everyone and we are interoperable.
Do you think Dell, HP, Acer, etc. want to have to buy security from Intel?
Hi alea,
Thanks for a very informative answer.
My hope is that you go from a 6 to a 8 by October 1st, and a 10 sometime in 2011.
http://www.wsw.com/webcast/mk21/wavx/
Go to this presentation and you will see many of the whos who as Wave customers on slide #14
I think it was mentioned by SKS in a couple of CCs as to the fact that they are dealing with many Fortune 500 companies.
As far as I know it is public information. You will have to go back to the last 2-4 CCs to find it. At least that is where I think I heard it.
Alea, it is my understanding that Wave has over 250 Fortune 500 companies on the books.
True, most companies may be upgrading only 100 to 3000 upgrades as "pilots". Not enough business from any one individual company to create a material announcement. And this makes them all aware of Wave Systems, and what they are doing.
I believe that if only 25 to 50% of these "pilots" go for the whole enchilada, that our days of a small speculative company will be over for good.
In reading you posts for the last couple of days, I get the impression that you are very bullish on Wave's prospects.
DD, would a strategic buy in do the job without selling out the company?
Say a MAJOR company buys in for 5%. I believe that would add 3-6 dollars to the share price at least.
Now they sell the remaining stock (PP) say at $8.00 to $10.00 (or more) a share because of the needed capitol for expansion.
That would do the trick without having to sell the company, no?
Aren't we in an alliance with Intel also? OEM
Alea, I agree, and that is what I have been trying to say but you say it much better. The audit is the key.
Sorry to disagree but I don't believe margin is right any time.
You are buying something you can not pay for and are paying interest too. The leverage works both ways. Not good on the down side.
Weby, you are right of course. Margin players have been repeatedly burned with this stock. You would think they would have learned their lesson after 4-5 times, but they haven't. No matter how many times we warn them, it falls on deaf ears. So be it.
Awk, you are right, and of course I know that. We have the software that actually lets the TPM talk to the FDEs and work within the TPMs itself.
I guess what I was trying to say, when I said software is dead, is that software can not do it alone anymore without consequences, that it has to be done through hardware.
TPMs are about to be turned on over the course of the next few years. PwC, with 60,000 unit, will be one of catalyst to begin in earnest, this movement forward.
When one major account firm begins, the others will follow.
Weby, I think that Intel is the tipping point.
I think they are bringing attention to our space, validating the space and most importantly saying that SOFTWARE IS DEAD. It's hardware from here on in that will secure the space.
I think we will get further validation in mid September at NSA/HAP.
amsterdam, here is your link printed out
--------------------------------------------
This week, Intel announced it plans to acquire McAfee, the company known for its antivirus software and other security tools. Both companies are members of the Trusted Computing Group, which focuses on security standards that computing companies can use to enable more secure data, systems and networks.
For years, TCG has advocated the benefits of security in hardware. In stories about the Intel/McAfee deal, it was interesting to see how strongly Intel is reiterating that position, with Intel CEO Paul Otellini noting in various articles and at an announcement press conference, "We believe security is most effective when enabled in hardware."
TCG created the Trusted Platform Module specification to do just that. Whether embodied in a dedicated chip or integrated into a chip set or elsewhere on the board,the TPM creates a hardware-based root of trust for the system. It creates a protected, secure vault where certificates, keys and passwords are stored, and it enables strong authentication on its own and in conjunction with smart cards, biometrics and software applications. It evaluates the platform and ensures that no changes, such as malware or root kits, have been added since the last boot, and it does this before connection to the network.
TPMs also facilitate key management and escrow for verifying the identity of a PC; can securely sign, encrypt, and decrypt e-mails and digital documents; and manage full-drive encryption.
Many ask, why isn't the TPM more widely used? Well, it IS used. Today, hundreds of millions of PCs ship with the TPM capability. Some examples are noted in the Enterprise Security: Putting the TPM to Work Whitepaper, but enterprises using the TPM include large manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, food service companies and many others.
To circle back to Intel's belief in hardware security, Intel has included TPM capabilities in its platforms for many years - including millions of embedded platforms that are used for manufacturing, kiosk and other applications. Intel's TXT technology embeds TPM capabilities, migrating what used to be known as LeGrand, into platforms widely used for enterprise applications.
Watch for more news and developments with TCG's hardware-based approach to security!
A friend of mine, who does not post on the board, sent me this e-mail. I thought I would share it with you.
------------------------------------------------
After several weeks of falling stock price (I won't call it MM bashing - too easy), it has been an amazing day to watch the recovery of our beloved Wave.
This should be a lesson to everyone who trades this stock (that does not include me, btw).
The lesson is, believe in the stock or company, the basics, the potential. When the stock gets to an absurdly low price, for whatever reason, buy it if you still believe.
Once again I fall into the shoulda, woulda, coulda camp.
I suggested to a friend of mine, who recently invested in his first Wave shares, that I was going to put in some low ball, bottom fishing orders (I had in mind $1.50 or so) to see if I could pick up more shares.
I "shoulda" been more aggressive with my bottom fishing, cuz I "woulda" been better off for doing so, and "coulda" made out like a bandit.
Alas, nothing done. However, as I write this, we are hovering around +43% (up +78 cts on the day).
The stock, of course, was smashed back on the earnings report (down 1 penny) and probably MM manipulation, and it got too cheap. Plus the McAfee purchase by Intel was probably the catalyst, as you suggested in one of your posts. The point of all this is, who cares what is driving it up or down. Take advantage of the opportunity if you are a believer in the company. [A quick check just now shows me that the stock is up 48% (+86 cts)]. This should get a mention on one biz station or another, if not the newspapers and/or blogs.
So, my inaction on shares cost me an opportunity to make some money. On the other hand, +86 cts x X-# of shares = a pretty nice return for doing nothing. Don't mind me. I'm just ruminating. It's been fun to watch.
Once the easy money was taken, they will have to bid up now to cover.
And the shorts are not the only ones buying here.
Wave is Agnostic. Do you think Dell, Acer, HP etc. what to be subservient to Intel for security?
Even though this is two years old, it is very relevant. Thanks
Regarding Wave? None, nada. This is a home run stock, I have no doubts. The handwriting has been visible for quite awhile now. The street does not see it yet, but they will, very soon now.
They don't even know about Wave to the extent we do.
They will have to do a lot more research to know what we know.
Mig, the sky never fell, just a "cloud" covered the sun for a few days.
I see the sun again and brighter days are ahead, not to say that we won't get a few more clouds now and then.
Take care
You are forgetting that Wave is Agnostic. Do you think Dell, Acer, HP etc. what to be subservient to Intel for security?
Mig, I can say stop to you too for all your sky is falling posts.
I happen to believe we have never been stronger than we are today.
With over 250 major corp. on our books, the future is very bright indeed, no sky falling here.
So, climbing back up to $2.09 from $1.78 yesterday is nothing?
We will see $3.00 again, sooner than you think.
We closed at $2.09 last Friday. How close can we come to getting back to that number today?
I don't believe the MMs covered as much as they wanted to the past 8 days. With the margin players out of the game, there is going to be upward pressure if they want to cover from here on out.
If the MMs are as smart as we all give them credit for, I am sure they are aware of NSA/Trusted computer conference happening in September.
I think yesterday's buy by Intel has brought more awareness and validity to the security space than any one event ever.
NOW, the street will start looking for little gold nuggets in the security arena.
Who has the most revenues in the space Wave is in? Who has first mover advantage in this space and who is at least a couple of years ahead of everyone else in this space? And who is interoperable in this space?
There is only one answer to these questions: a small company selling for $1.85 a share. What an opportunity!!
You may see the bigger picture in less than 30 days. So will the rest of the world regarding security of the user and data.
WRAPUP 3-Dell, HP profits rise, wave off slowdown fears
Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:43pm EDT
By Gabriel Madway and Alexei Oreskovic
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Dell Inc (DELL.O) and Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ.N) dismissed worries about weakening technology demand, reporting broad-based strength from corporate customers and only hints of weakness from consumers.
Both faced questions on Thursday about the strength of the recovery in spending on technology, after Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O) CEO John Chambers' warned last week about "unusual uncertainty" in the global economy. [ID:nN1298256]
Analysts said fears persisted about the strength of any recovery in consumer spending, as growth moderates in Europe and China as well as in the United States. [ID:nN19273495]
But executives from the two largest U.S. personal computer makers waved off such fears, even as shares of Dell fell 3 percent after it posted slightly weaker-than-expected growth margins and HP fell about 1 percent. [ID:nN19275999]
"We saw better-than-normal quarterly seasonality, as well as good balanced performance across all of our three regions," said Cathie Lesjak, HP's interim chief executive, on a conference call with the media.
Lesjak also fielded queries on a successor for former CEO Mark Hurd -- who stunned Wall Street by resigning two weeks ago over expense account inaccuracies linked to a female marketing contractor.
Though Hurd's exit has proved to be messy for the company, HP is doing its best to move on, naming an executive headhunting firm on Wednesday to lead the search for a new CEO. The company will consider both internal and external candidates. [ID:nN18272716]
Lesjak said HP is "looking forward, not back" and reiterated that shareholders are behind the company. She also suggested HP was not looking for major change in a new leader.
"When you have a winning strategy, I don't see the motivation to change it," she said.
It is unclear whether HP will go for an established technology veteran, or try to snag up-and-coming talent -- as it did in 2005 with former NCR chief Hurd, who is credited with reviving the company's fortunes. [ID:nN06147588]
Whatever the case, Wall Street will be closely monitoring the process. Hurd was lauded by investors for his cost-cutting, but the next CEO of the world's top technology company by revenue will be expected to ramp up growth -- no easy task for a company its size. [ID:nN15233713]
"Looking ahead, they're going to start running against tougher comparisons and potential currency pressures, so we're cautiously optimistic for the second half of the year," said Gartner analyst Martin Reynolds. "Although there are troubling signs, we think the technology industry will remain robust."
A DOMINANT FORCE
HP is a dominant presence in a number of technology markets, from PCs and printers to services and servers, and is a bellwether for spending in the sector. Its results on Thursday pointed to solid -- if unremarkable -- growth.
HP had reported preliminary results back on Aug. 6 -- when it also announced Hurd's stunning departure -- so Thursday's numbers had not been expected to move its stock, which has fallen 12 percent since Hurd resigned.
HP said earnings rose 6 percent as expected, helped by strength in servers and personal computers. [ID:nN1971881]
Storage and server revenue rose 19 percent, while PC revenue rose 17 percent and sales in the printing group climbed 5 percent. Lesjak did not point to any particular weakness in the market, other than in consumer notebooks.
"Europe has held up well and the printing group is skewing towards commercial versus consumer, which is a positive. They also showed solid progress in networking, which is a key segment we're watching in the battle against Cisco," said Morningstar analyst Michael Holt.
Dell Chief Financial Officer Brian Gladden said the corporate refresh cycle was proceeding as forecast, adding he expects component costs to start to come down in the fiscal third and fourth quarters.
Dell beat Wall Street's profit and revenue estimates, and said it expected a continued pick-up in demand for PCs from corporate customers. But the company's gross profit margin lagged Wall Street expectations and its shares fell in after-hours trading. [ID:nN19275999]
Dell said it expected demand for PCs among corporate customers to continue for the "next several" quarters. It said it expects "seasonal improvements" in the third quarter, thanks to sales to the federal government and business customers, with a resulting "pick-up in the low single digits."
"This is a pretty stretched-out cycle and we think it'll continue for several quarters," Gladden said in an interview with Reuters. For the fiscal second quarter, "commercial growth was really the key for us, servers, networking systems, storage, services. That was up about 43 percent."
Shares of Round Rock, Texas-based Dell, which are down roughly 31 percent since April, fell 2.4 percent to $11.75 in extended trading. HP closed at $40.76 on the New York Stock Exchange, and dropped to $40.39 after hours. (Reporting by Gabriel Madway and Alexei Oreskovic; Editing by Edwin Chan and Richard Chang)
http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN198818620100820?rpc=44
It's a waste of time and space. Sorry.
H-P's Profit Rises 6.1%, While Dell's Climbs 15%
AUGUST 19, 2010, 7:27 P.M. ET
As it grapples with the vacancy left by the abrupt exit of Chief Executive Mark Hurd, Hewlett-Packard Co. said it is sticking with its strategy of becoming a one-stop technology provider and it sees no reason a new CEO would alter that plan.
The comments Thursday came as H-P posted an 11% revenue jump and a 6% profit increase for its fiscal third quarter, which ended July 31. The Palo Alto, Calif., technology giant also raised its full-year outlook, tamping down concerns that tech demand is slowing.
No we won't. Are you sober? eom
I also agree major companies will be looking at Wave before the street does.
Steven presenting at the NSA Conference.
Yesterday NSA did a number of updates to the agenda. Steven is doing both a talk “Self-Encrypting Drives and TPMs: A COTS Solution for HAP Capabilities on Standardized Enterprise PCs” on Wed., along with hosting a demonstration. The talk appears to be misplaced in the demo section and we’re advising NSA of this (I hope they’ll make the appropriate change soon) … here’s the description: “High Assurance Platforms require Trusted Components. Attendees will learn how to leverage commercial components today…more than 300 million Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs), hundreds of thousands of self-encrypting drives (SEDs) and 60 million copies of interoperable software for increased security.”
He’s doing a series of demos (he may be joined by Pratap for these) on that day as well. See: Trusted Computing Technology, Advanced Concepts and Uses, in the Near Future
http://www.ncsi.com/nsatc10/breakouts_wednesday.shtml
We’ll be sharing more details of our participation in the weeks ahead. Thanks.
Intel Is Desperate for Growth
By Eric Jackson, Senior Contributor 08/19/10 - 10:54 AM EDT
This morning's announcement that Intel(INTC) will purchase McAfee(MFE) for $48 -- a 60% premium over yesterday's close -- is a bit of a head-scratcher.
It's hard to understand the logic for why a chip company needs to own a pure-play software company protecting PCs from viruses.
There has been speculation before about which companies eventually might swoop in and buy either McAfee or Symantec(SYMC), but it was usually other big software companies -- names like Microsoft(MSFT), IBM(IBM), or Oracle(ORCL) were commonly mentioned. Even Google(GOOG) has been mentioned as they have tried to build up their Google Apps offering to more seriously compete against Microsoft.
To my knowledge, no one has ever mentioned Intel before as a potential buyer.
So, why are they doing it?
1. They have the cash. In their most recent quarter, they had more than $18 billion in cash burning a hole in their jeans. And, remember, this is a tech company that's paying a decent forward dividend yield north of 3%.
2. They want to show more growth. This is likely more important in the eyes of Intel. This big-chip company's future success as a stock is based on its ability to continue to grow its top-line. With the PC market potentially set to take a pause, Intel's growth story is imperiled. Therefore, why not grab a high-margin software business that's running in a duopoly to pad the numbers.
I don't think it makes much strategic sense. It's likely that McAfee will be a bolt-on acquisition, where the stand-alone subsidiary continues to operate as it did as a stand-alone business with very little synergies with their new parent.
In fact, we might want to pencil in to our calendars five years from now, when Intel will likely spin-out the former McAfee division to "increase shareholder value."
So, this purchase is about Intel's desperation. But, more important in my eyes, is how this move might signal that many of those other large companies mentioned above might also start to act/react in the same way to the same problem.
We've talked about the living dead tech companies that are small and have no future without getting bought. We've also talked about all the cash the biggest companies have been stock-piling over the past couple of years. Yet, there hasn't yet been a big M&A consolidation.
We thought Oracle was going to lead the charge, but even they have cooled off of late. We could finally be ready to see some moves -- and they could be big and stupid moves like Intel's today.
The street sees nothing because they are not following a $2-$4 stock. Simple as that.
They have bigger fish to fry with the "Blue Chips' in the tank. You think they are watching Wave when major stocks are off big percentages? Not happening.
I think they may know a little bit more about Wave by the middle of September.
When they find out what we know, adjustments will be made to the share price. Count on it.