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fao: Billybadback SUFCESSEX-COMP over at BARC is looking for you :))
Date Company Name Broker Rec. Price Old target price New target price 01 Jun ARM HOLDINGS PLC Morgan Stanley Overweight 0.00 690.00 725.00 http://sharedealing.nandp.co.uk/broker-views/ARM/ARM-Holdings
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/93836131-how-much-lower-can-the-market-go.html June 1 (Bloomberg) -- On today's "Insight & Action," Adam Johnson looks at how low the market could go. He speaks on Bloomberg Television's "Street Smart." Given past 2 years history, he expects S&P500 to another 7% downside :)
Zacks Zacks #1 Rank ''Buy'' Stock: ARM Holdings Plc Wednesday, April 4, 2012 http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/04/4390134/zacks-releases-four-powerful-buy.html
Qualcomm's Quad-core Chips to Counter Intel's Ultrabooks Mar 30, 2012 6:00 pm Qualcomm is preparing a quad-core version of its Snapdragon S4 chip for thin and light Windows 8 laptops, which the chip maker hopes will steal some thunder from Intel's second wave of ultrabooks due later this year. The S4 chips will go into laptops that are thinner and lighter than Apple's MacBook Air or today's ultrabooks, according to Rob Chandhok, senior vice president at Qualcomm. Ultrabooks are being promoted by Intel as a new category of thin and light laptops. "We think much lighter than what Intel calls an ultrabook," Chandhok said. The lines between high-end smartphones, where Qualcomm's chips are normally found, and laptops has started to blur, Chandhok said. The S4 chips will enable smaller laptops with high-resolution screens, longer battery life and always-on connectivity, he said. The chips are based on a core from U.K. chip design company ARM, and include an integrated modem and a graphics core capable of handling 3D graphics. Just as Intel hopes to make microprocessors for smartphones, Qualcomm is trying to expand out of the smartphone market and into PCs. It has already shipped some prototype Windows 8 PCs with Snapdragon chips to developers. But Intel is moving against the ARM-based vendors by pouring millions of dollars into developing ultrabooks. Qualcomm hopes Snapdragon laptops will be differentiated by their 4G connectivity and strong multimedia qualities, Chandhok said. The S4 will be manufactured with a 28-nanometer process, improving power efficiency and performance compared to earlier Snapdragon chips, Chandhok said. While ARM chips often provide longer battery life, they generally pack less performance than Intel's Core processors. Qualcomm is also thinking about 64-bit support on Snapdragon, but Chandhok couldn't reveal when such a chip would be released. Windows 8 will be a 64-bit OS, and ARM has already announced 64-bit support with its upcoming ARMv8 architecture. Having a powerful Snapdragon chip with four CPU cores and multiple graphics cores will make a difference for Windows 8 devices, especially for applications like games, Chandhok said. Windows 8 can improve application performance by executing programs in parallel across multiple cores, and Qualcomm is working on compilers to parallelize program execution for everyday applications like browsers. "There will be maturation on the software," Chandhok said. Aside from makers of x86 chips, Qualcomm will compete with ARM-based chip makers Nvidia and Texas Instruments, which are also supplying chips for Windows 8 tablets. While many basic features will be similar, Qualcomm will try to differentiate its chips by developing software that plays to unique multimedia and cellular connectivity features on Snapdragon. "In this day and age, the instruction set matters," Chandhok said. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2529
Here’s How Google Will Dominate Microsoft March 29 2012 According to analysts at International Data Corporation, nearly 1 billion “smart devices” were shipped, racking in $489 billion in revenue. Shipments of smartphones, tablets, and even PCs are expected to grow to 1.1 billion this year and will reach 1.84 billion by 2016. The number of shipments has doubled since 2011. Forecasts indicate Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android and Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS will contribute to the decline of traditional Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows computers. Android-based devices running on ARM (NASDAQ:ARMH) CPUs are estimated to reach 31.1 percent of total shipments this year, more than either iOS or Windows (x86). In 2011, Windows PCs (x86) led with a 35.9 percent market share, while Android on ARM CPUs held a 29.4 percent share. Meanwhile, iOS held a 14.6 percent share, but by 2016, iOS is estimated to reach 17.3 percent, Android will reach 31.1 percent, and Windows is expected to drop to 25.1 percent. However, forecasts don’t guarantee a victory for Android. IDC claims that hardware vendors in the market will find it difficult to find success because of the cheaply priced devices. Despite iOS’s smaller market share, iOS is expected to attract a large percentage of developers simply because iOS users, having already paid more for their devices, are more willing to pay for mobile apps. IDC is dubbing the new era “PC Plus,” implying multiple devices, rather than the end of the PC entirely. http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/heres-how-google-will-dominate-microsoft.html/
BREAKINGVIEWS Intel vs. ARM: Rivalry surges in winner-take-all tech world ROBERT CYRAN Reuters Breakingviews Published Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012 2:30PM EDT Last updated Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012 6:44PM EDT Intel (INTC-Q28.160.361.29%) and ARM Holdings (ARMH-Q28.450.030.11%) are on a collision course that may bloody investors. Intel dominates the markets for making processors for PCs and servers. Britain’s ARM Holdings-powered chips run nearly all mobile phones and tablets. Each craves the other’s markets. The shift to mobile computing may give ARM a long-term edge. But one thing’s for certain: cutthroat competition. Intel boasts a $140-billion (U.S.) market cap and designs and makes about 80 per cent of the processors used in PCs, according to IDC. ARM is less than a tenth as valuable, in part because it doesn’t make chips itself. It licenses designs for its processors, which are used by most chip makers. About 90 per cent of all cellphones utilize them. While Intel chips are fast, they use lots of power. That’s fine for plugged-in devices, but when a gadget runs on a battery, its makers turn to ARM, whose simpler designs sip less electricity. The riches up for grabs are tremendous. Intel’s PC and server sales alone were about $44-billion last year. Meanwhile, more mobile devices were sold than PCs last year. Throw in the fact that winners often take everything in technology, and it’s easy to see the rivalry surging. Intel wants to use its manufacturing prowess to make smaller, more efficient, mobile chips. ARM’s chips are becoming more powerful. The first meaningful skirmishes are in tablets, which need speed and power efficiency. For example, Microsoft’s Windows 8 should hit the market this fall. While the company has a long alliance with Intel, its software will now also run on ARM chips. The history of similar fights suggests it may take years for a winner to emerge. Engineers don’t like designing products with a new standard unless the advantages are clear. And users are reluctant to switch because they are tied into existing software. Yet the effects will be felt on the two firms’ profit lines earlier, as they compete for work. ARM doesn’t have much room for error, trading at 42 times estimated 2012 earnings. Intel is cheaper at less than 12 times earnings. But the firm spends billions to build and run plants that make its chips. So its 24 per cent net margins are highly dependent on keeping its factories running full tilt. If its standard loses ground, a large chunk of its $140-billion market capitalization could be in jeopardy. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/breaking-views/intel-vs-arm-rivalry-surges-in-winner-take-all-tech-world/article2385812/
March 29, 2012 - 11:22 Analysts at IDC say they expect a "relatively dramatic" industry shift to occur between 2011 and 2016. 

Indeed, the once-dominant x86 WinTel paradigm is projected to slip from a leading 35.9% share in 2011 down to 25.1% in 2016. Concurrently, the number of Android-based devices running on ARM CPUs will increase from a 29.4% share in 2011 to an impressive market-leading 31.1% share in 2016. 
 iOS-based devices are also pegged to experience an increase in market share, as they remain on track to jump from 14.6% in 2011 to 17.3% in 2016. "Android's growth is tied directly to the propagation of lower-priced devices. So, while we expect dozens of hardware vendors to own some share in the Android market, many will find profitability difficult to sustain," explained IDC analyst Tom Mainelli. "Similarly, we expect a large percentage of application developers to continue to focus their efforts on iOS, despite the platform's smaller overall market share, because iOS end users have proven more willing to pay for high-quality apps." Meanwhile, IDC analyst Bob O'Donnell noted that the industry had officially entered a "multi-device" age. "We believe the number of people who use multiple devices will only continue to increase. The trick, moving forward, will be to integrate all these devices into a unified whole through use of personal cloud-type applications and services. That's the real challenge of what we have often called the 'PC Plus' era.

" "[Nevertheless], whether it's consumers looking for a phone that can tap into several robust 'app' ecosystems, businesses looking at deploying tablet devices into their environments, or educational institutions working to update their school's computer labs, smart, connected, compute-capable devices are playing an increasingly important role in nearly every individual's life," he added. http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-features/62407-android-and-arm-are-going-ftw
Intel and ARM Head for a Bloody Chip Collision Thursday, March 29, 2012 Intel and ARM Holdings are on a collision course that may bloody investors. Intel dominates the markets for making processors for PCs and servers. Britain’s ARM Holdings-powered chips run nearly all mobile phones and tablets. Each craves the other’s markets. The shift to mobile computing may give ARM a long-term edge. But one thing’s for certain: cut-throat competition. Intel boasts a $140 billion market cap and designs and makes about 80 percent of the processors used in PCs, according to IDC. ARM is less than a tenth as valuable, in part because it doesn’t make chips itself. It licenses designs for its processors, which are used by most chipmakers. About 90 percent of all cellphones utilize them. While Intel chips are fast, they use lots of power. That’s fine for plugged-in devices, but when a gadget runs on a battery, its makers turn to ARM, whose simpler designs sip less electricity. The riches up for grabs are tremendous. Intel’s PC and server sales alone were about $44 billion last year. Meanwhile, more mobile devices were sold than PCs last year. Throw in the fact that winners often take everything in technology, and it’s easy to see the rivalry surging. Intel wants to use its manufacturing prowess to make smaller, more efficient, mobile chips. ARM’s chips are becoming more powerful. The first meaningful skirmishes are in tablets, which need speed and power efficiency. For example, Microsoft’s Windows 8 should hit the market this fall. While the company has a long alliance with Intel, its software will now also run on ARM chips. The history of similar fights suggests it may take years for a winner to emerge. Engineers don’t like designing products with a new standard unless the advantages are clear. And users are reluctant to switch because they are tied into existing software. Yet the effects will be felt on the two firms’ profit lines earlier, as they compete for work. ARM doesn’t have much room for error, trading at 42 times estimated 2012 earnings. Intel is cheaper at less than 12 times earnings. But the firm spends billions to build and run plants that make its chips. So its 24 percent net margins are highly dependent on keeping its factories running full tilt. If its standard loses ground, a large chunk of its $140 billion market capitalization could be in jeopardy. http://www.slate.com/blogs/breakingviews/2012/03/29/intel_and_arm_rivalry_should_worry_investors.html
Date Company Name Broker Rec. Price Old target price New target price Notes 28 Mar ARM HOLDINGS PLC Exane BNP Paribas Neutral 592.50 600.00 600.00 Reiterates http://sharedealing.nandp.co.uk/broker-views/ARM/ARM-Holdings
Date Company Name Broker Rec. Price Old target price New target price Notes 28 Mar ARM HOLDINGS PLC Morgan Stanley Overweight 0.00 690.00 690.00 Retains http://sharedealing.nandp.co.uk/broker-views/ARM/ARM-Holdings
March 27, 2012, 11:00 a.m. EDT REMINDER: Media Alert: EVE Joins ARM Partner Pavilion at Design West 2012 Will Highlight Hardware/Software Co-Verification of ARM-based SoCs With ZeBu Emulation SAN JOSE, CA, Mar 27, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- At Design West 2012 ARM Partner Pavilion Booth #1127 WHO: EVE, the leader in hardware/software co-verification WHAT: Will exhibit at the ARM(R) Partner Pavilion (Booth #1127) at the Design West Expo and highlight its ZeBu fast emulators for hardware/software co-verification of ARM-based Systems on Chip (SoCs) WHEN: Tuesday, March 27, through Thursday, March 29 WHERE: McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif. EVE and ARM have partnered to enable tight integration between ZeBu-emulated SoC hardware and ARM software development environments, creating a comprehensive hardware/software co-verification environment. EVE will detail ZeBu's support for ARM-based SoC development, along with ZeBu-Blade2, its newest hardware-assisted verification platform based on Xilinx Virtex6-LX760 field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). ZeBu offers fast execution and attractive pricing for best-in-class software validation and hardware/software integration ahead of silicon availability. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/reminder-media-alert-eve-joins-arm-partner-pavilion-at-design-west-2012-2012-03-27
March 27, 2012, 9:32 a.m. EDT Iar Systems Supports ARM Cortex-M0+ and Freescale’s New Kinetis L Series 30 percent smaller code size! UPPSALA, Sweden, Mar 27, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- IAR Systems (sto:IARB) announces that its highly-optimizing C/C++ compiler and debugger tool suite IAR Embedded Workbench® now supports the new ARM® Cortex™-M0+ core and Freescale Semiconductors’ recently announced Kinetis® L series. The ARM Cortex-M0+ processor combines energy-efficiency with high performance. It is suitable for use in applications for intelligent sensing and control in home appliances, medical monitoring equipment, smart meters, lighting and motor control systems. Flash memory size is a key factor in determining system cost and power consumption, and the need for the smallest possible code size is evident. Thanks to its advanced optimization intelligence, the IAR C/C++ compiler produces extremely compact code. For ARM Cortex-M0 microcontrollers, the code generated is overall 30 percent smaller in standard benchmarks than for open-source alternatives. “Freescale’s Kinetis L family is the first in the industry to offer products integrating the new ARM Cortex-M0+ core to ease migration from 8-bit to entry-level 32-bit solutions,” said Jeff Bock, Director of Marketing for Freescale’s Industrial and Multi-Market Microcontrollers. “The new ARM Cortex-M0+ core maintains compatibility with all other Cortex-M-class processors, allowing designers to reuse their existing compilers and debug tools. IAR Embedded Workbench will help our customers leverage the full benefits of the Kinetis L Series to create smarter, smaller, more energy-efficient embedded applications by generating the smallest possible, highly optimized code.” In addition to providing advanced and highly efficient optimization features, IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM is easy to use, highly integrated with hardware, RTOS products, and middleware, and offers the world’s broadest support for ARM MCUs, currently more than 2000 devices. IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM is available in several versions, including a product package that is designed specifically for ARM Cortex-M core families. For more information and to download evaluation versions, visit www.iar.com/ewarm . http://www.marketwatch.com/story/iar-systems-supports-arm-cortex-m0-and-freescales-new-kinetis-l-series-2012-03-27-93200
Microsoft Working on ARM-Based Xbox "Lite" Platform - Rumour. Microsoft to Release Low-Cost ARM-Based Xbox Media-Gaming Platform [03/26/2012 10:48 PM] Microsoft Corp. is reportedly working on a new low-cost platform that will use microprocessors based on ARM architecture and which will be aimed at casual gamers. The device will compete primarily against set-top-box products like Apple TV and will likely be a multimedia, rather than a purely gaming device. "My understanding is that we'll see a Xbox device in late 2013 which does Arcade-style games and all the current and future media apps with Kinect (with near-mode). It will be an ARM-based platform price-competitive with the Apple TV (if you own a Kinect already)," said MSnerd, a well-known blogger with knowledge of Microsoft's plans. Low-cost ARM-based device for gaming and media services will likely be Microsoft's approach to compete against Apple TV, which shares software and hardware platforms with iOS-based devices like iPhone or iPad. Since modern ARM-powered system-on-chips can be very powerful, the set-top-box could potentially handle high-definition games, including those designed for Windows Phone or Windows 8. "At some point after that, we will see a Xbox Next, a true successor to the 360. Details about it are very hazy, except that, like the 360, it will do games for core-audiences and the same media apps as the other device, also with Kinect," according to MSnerd. As the Xbox console and Xbox set-top-box are unlikely to compete directly against each other their launch schedules may not be aligned at all. Moreover, in case the Xbox STB costs around $100 and is designed mostly for media services, Microsoft may launch it earlier than in late 2013. In fact, it makes a lot of sense for the software giant to release its STB sometimes around the Windows 8 launch. It is presently unclear whether Microsoft plans to sell its STB under its own brand, or will let other companies to manufacture their versions of device, which guarantees wide availability, but creates fragmentation of user experience. Microsoft did not CONFIRM OR DENY the news-story. http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20120326224844_Microsoft_Working_on_ARM_Based_Xbox_Lite_Platform_Rumour.html
Nasdaq hit new high yesterday since dotcom: 3,134.17 http://www.google.com/finance?q=INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC
Nasdaq hit new high yesterday since dotcom: 3,122.57 http://www.google.com/finance?q=INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC
Google prepping ARM-powered Chromebooks March 26, 2012 - 12:19 The current - rather limited - lineup of Google Chromebooks are powered by Intel’s x86 processors. 

However, Mountain View is reportedly prepping at least two new models that will feature RISC-based ARM chips. 
Indeed, ChromeStory has spotted a Chrome-powered device dubbed "Daisy," which may be either a Chromebook or Chromebox. 

 Either way, the system apparently boasts an ethernet port, and will almost certainly support WiFi or 3G. Daisy also comes loaded with Samsung’s Exynos 5250, an ARM Cortex-A15 processor clocking in at a speedy 2.0GHz. 

 According to Samsung, the powerful chip is capable of processing 14 billion instructions per second - making it almost twice as fast as a 1.5 GHz dual core ARM Cortex-A9 chip. 

 In addition, the chip offers four times the 3D graphics performance, twice as much memory bandwidth and an impressive 2560 x 1600 resolution. 

 Meanwhile, LaptopReviews reports that Sony is prepping a Vaio-branded Chromebook that will sport an ARM-based Nvidia Tegra processor. Additional specs are said to include an 11.6” diagonal screen, 2GB of RAM, two USB ports, SD card reader, headphone port, microphone, HDMI, Wireless 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth and a 16GB SSD. Unsurprisingly, Google is also apparently working on a number of new x86-powered Chrome products alongside its upcoming ARM-based lineup, including three devices code-named "Slumpy," "Stumpy," and "Newton." http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-features/62330-google-prepping-arm-powered-chromebooks
Morgan Stanley bullish on ARM Holdings after tax cuts and Apple IPad rush 12:24 pm by Philip Whiterow Heavyweight broker Morgan Stanley has upgraded semiconductor chip designer Arm (LON:ARM) to its “best ideas list” in light of tax changes in Wednesday’s budget. Chancellor George Osborne cut corporation tax to 24 per cent from April this year and said it would drop one per cent each year until 2014. As a result, Morgan dropped its long-term tax rate to for ARM to 20 per cent from 25 per cent and upped its forecasts saying it is ‘overweight’. ARM designs and licenses the technology for the processors that power many of the world’s mobile phones, tablets and other computers. Its partners pay ARM for the license fee and between a 1-3 per cent royalty on every chip produced. Morgan added: “ARM’s semiconductor IP business model is the most robust business model in the European technology sector, in our view, with high operational leverage.” Another key factor in ARM’s upgrade is the ‘Patent Box’ due to be introduced in this year’s Finance Bill which could see ARM’s corporation tax falling further to 10 per cent. The patent box will allow a lower rate of tax for companies obtaining profits from patents. The designer of the world’s most energy-efficient microprocessor is also in favour with analysts at Barclays Capital after the launch of the iPad3, with 3 million sold in its first weekend. Barclays elevated ARM to its highest stock rating of ‘1-overweight’ on Tuesday and it 2012/13 revenue estimates by two per cent. The investment bank is impressed by ARM’s strong position in the growing tablet, smartphone and laptop markets. ARM says its technology is used in 90 per cent of smartphones and 28 per cent of all electronic devices but it is also making share gains in the PC market. Morgan upgraded its price target to 690p from 650p and earnings per share for 2012/13 to 18.7 pence from 18.3 pence. http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/40663/morgan-stanley-bullish-on-arm-holdings-after-tax-cuts-and-apple-ipad-rush-40663.html
Date Company Name Broker Rec. Price Old target price New target price Notes 23 Mar ARM HOLDINGS PLC Morgan Stanley Overweight 592.50 650.00 690.00 Retains http://sharedealing.nandp.co.uk/broker-views/ARM/ARM-Holdings
Nasdaq hit new high yesterday since dotcom: 3,090.08 http://www.google.com/finance?q=INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC