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Pachter pauses to percolate E3 thoughts, says $499 PS3 is here to stay
Wedbush-Morgan's Michael Pachter has been around the industry long enough to know that the first thing you do as an analyst the Monday after E3 is a brain dump. Bright and early this morning we received his report entitled "E3 2007 Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" in which Mr. Pachter fills you in on the stocks to buy, hold on to, and sell in the relative future (Cliffs Notes version found after the break).Pachter says the theme of this E3 was "non-traditional" game software. Music games, games targeting or including female gamers and titles focused on the casual market. He also says that unlike prior E3s, access to new product offerings was relatively unrestricted -- well yeah, because everyone was there for business and barely had time to see the hangar. The key companies Pachter says to invest in are Activision, EA, THQ and Ubisoft. He also says the the big news of E3 was the Sony "price cut" and that he expects Microsoft to follow by the end of the year. But what about that 60GB not being manufactured news? Pachter thinks the $499 PS3 is here to stay and, when those 60GB units are depleted, the 80GB model will take its place.
AAPL hits record highs, up 55% over 6 months
The charts tell the story: AAPL is feeling the iPhone bump. Even without today's $2 runup on the on-again/off-again iPhone Nano rumors (triggering a busy day: 14% more AAPL trades than usual), the stock is now solidly up 55% year to date, putting Apple's market capitalization as of today's close hovering near $115 billion. Whatever aggravation or gripes one might have with Apple's newest product, it's clear that Wall Street is feeling the iPhone love in a big way.Something really interesting might happen this week if the spike continues: Apple, Inc. market value may soon surpass that of the company where Steve & Steve got their start: Hewlett-Packard. HP's market cap is $117B, by no means out of reach considering the circumstances. (Of course, Google's market cap is over $162B... but that's just craziness.)Disclaimer: I hold Apple, Inc. stock. Split-adjusted, I bought it at about $13. Never give up -- never surrender.
Palm posts 43-percent drop in profit
We'll admit, anyone paying even the slightest bit of attention should have seen this coming a mile away, but the latest financial news from Palm is far from peachy. The firm announced a whopping 43-percent dropoff in profits compared to this quarter just one year ago, and the stock subsequently slid four-percent as a result. Of course, the perpetual delays of its modern-day operating system cannot be helping the cause, and considering the innovation that has surfaced in the smartphone arena over the past 12 months, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Interestingly enough, rival RIM was able to find a way to keep on keepin' on all the while, as it simultaneously posted a staggering 76.5-percent increase in revenue from the same quarter a year ago -- talk about salting the wound.
iPhones sold out at a few Apple stores, many AT&T stores
If you want an iPhone, you haven't gotten one yet, and you operate in slow motion, now would probably be a good time to start worrying about availability. We've been hearing wide-scale reports since yesterday from AT&T stores across the country that locations have been unable to keep the device in stock, with some selling out in a matter of minutes after launch all video game console-style. For folks within driving distance of an Apple store, that hasn't been a problem so far because Apple's own retail locations seem to have been supplied with many, many units -- and that, friends, is what's starting to change. According to Apple's iPhone locator, there are still plenty of locations with stock -- but unlike last night, it's not difficult at this point to find stores that have sold out as well. Think there's any chance Apple's gonna let the pipe run dry?
iPhone orders at online Apple Store see 2-4 week delays
Uh oh, it looks like Apple might have dumped the majority of their iPhones into brick and mortar stores, making web shoppers wait longer than usual for a new device. The online Apple Store currently displays a 2-4 week shipping time for both 4GB and 8GB iPhones. While this could simply be an overestimation to help manage the demand, it might be motivation for more users to try their luck if they have a local Apple or AT&T store. Just remember: only one phone per customer is allowed at AT&T stores, while Apple has a cap of 2, and you can always check your local Apple Store's iPhone stock from the comforts of your pajamas before making the trek.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Nintendo officially bigger than Sony in Japan
After months of outselling Sony hardware in both North America and Japan, Nintendo has edged past the electronics giant in the one area that really matters to gamers: market capitalization! Reuters reports that Nintendo's Japanese shares have quadrupled in the past four years to a total value of 6.54 trillion yen ($52.76 billion), just ahead of Sony's 6.5 trillion yen ($52.44 billion) [update: fixed typo] market cap. That's a massive 0.6 percent lead!Before you trade in all those classic Pokémon cartridges for Nintendo stock, be aware that this sector of market is prone to swings. "This is one of those companies that is not exactly making daily necessities. One negative factor and shares could take a dive," Mizuho Securities analyst Takeshi Koyama told Reuters. And don't disregard Sony just because they're technically slightly smaller -- despite their troubles, Sony Corp. stock has risen 67 percent in the last two years, ten percent ahead of the the Nikkei average.Previously: Nintendo closing gap on Sony's market value
Nintendo is worth almost as much as Sony
Nintendo has surpassed the enormous electronics firm (and unfortunate 3DO M2 owner) Matsushita to take second place in market value for electronics firms. Nintendo's market value (the value of all of its shares) is currently at 6.30 trillion yen ($51 billion), which is not that far off from first-place Sony's 6.64 trillion yen.The really remarkable thing for us is that Sony and Matsushita make all sorts of things, like computers and radios, and their revenues are currently over eight times those of Nintendo. Nintendo just makes video games and their shares are eclipsing Matsushita's.
Kabu Trader Shun's minigame and big trailer
Half adventure game, half stock trading battles, Kabu Trader Shun hits Japanese stores later this week. Looking to promote its release, Capcom posted a Flash minigame complementing the Phoenix-Wright-styled title. Players can live out the after-hours-lounge experience of a stock trader, text messaging a needy girlfriend while trying to keep the boss' drink filled at the same time. It's a simple, fast-clicking diversion, but seeing the creative steps companies are taking to advertise their games is always interesting.We happened to also spot a lengthy trailer during our stay at Kabu Trader Shun's official site, though we can't guarantee its freshness. Clocking in at just over two-and-a-half minutes, the video introduces the game's characters, trade battles, and adventuring sequences. Head past the post break for the movie.
Apple market cap tops $100 billion
Our favorite stock just keeps going up, and earlier this week Apple Inc. broke the $100 billion market capitalization barrier. With the stock price heading over $116 a share, the value of the company continues to climb. And analysts remain bullish, with Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty talking about a near doubling of the market cap within the next 12 months as a viable possibility. Of course this would hinge on the success of the iPhone plus expanding Mac market share, but at this point nobody wants to bet against Cupertino. Unable to deny themselves a little schadenfreude, many on the Mac web are noting that this puts Apple (~$102b at the time of this writing) well above Dell's market cap (~$61b), and closing in on HP (~$122b) and IBM (~$158b). Only Microsoft remains way out in front (~$292b).[via AppleInsider]
Stock Trader Shun screens
DS fans have been following Capcom's Stock Trader Shun with interest, and let's be honest, it's not because we're all crazy about the stock market. Our interest in Stock Trader Shun stems entirely from the fact that it kinda sorta looks like a financial version of Phoenix Wright.We aren't sure that the game is going to appeal to the Phoenix Wright audience (i.e. us) because, while Phoenix Wright's lawyering relied on traditional adventure game skills like conversation trees and item collecting, Stock Trader Shun's main gameplay is closer to a simulation of stock trading than an adventure game model with a stock-trading veneer. When out of the courtroom in Phoenix Wright, you're still talking to people and presenting items; but the non-trading portions of Shun seem fundamentally different from the number-crunching.But just because it's not exactly Phoenix Wright doesn't mean this game can't be enjoyable. We'll find out sometime after the June 7th release date when importers' impressions start coming in.
WRUP: Getting ready for the weekend stock edition
Not much on the weekly releases radar this week, so maybe you don't have much planned in the way of gaming this weekend? Well, what about the rest of you? What about the people who still can't find a Wii? What are they to do? Well, the news this week shows the Wii will be in stock at Gamestop and EB, at least, so perhaps you want to get up early and try over there? Of course, there's always the long shot of entering a contest ...Remember, if you can't find a Wii, there's always those kids meal toys from Wendy's to cheer you up!Previous posts: What were you playing?
Wiis at Kmart this Sunday
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Wiis_at_Kmart_this_Sunday'; It will be months before manufacturers will be able to meet the Wii demand and end its shortage, but you might not have to wait until then to get your hands on the supply-constrained console. Kmart's latest circular advertises that the retail chain's stores will have Nintendo Wiis in stock next Sunday, but we doubt that the systems will stay on shelves longer than a few minutes. It was just this morning when a few of you confessed to us about not being able to acquire a Wii yet, so this must be a sign from the heavens! Or from Ace of Base! If you're still looking for an opportunity to buy the console, especially considering this week's Super Paper Mario release, here's your chance. You won't even have to go broke over outrageous eBay prices or offer up your unsullied body on Craigslist! Jump past the post break for the Kmart flyer.[Via CAG]
Nintendo quiet at GDC due to Japanese stock situation?
Before going into GDC07, we all thought Nintendo would remain relatively quiet. And, they kind of did. Miyamoto reassured us that Super Mario Galaxy would be arriving this year and even told us about a new Channel. So, it depends on how you look at it, but we consider the show to be a success here at HQ.Regardless of what we thought, many others are saying that Nintendo really didn't have a presence at the show. And these folk are pointing to the current Japanese stock situation as the reason why Nintendo didn't reveal much at the show. So what does that mean for us? Nintendo is going to stay "hush hush," for awhile. But, when you think about it, hasn't Nintendo always been kind of "hush hush?"
DS Daily: Are we going too far?
The DS has done a remarkable job of turning professions normally requiring years of dedication and intense training into spontaneous and exciting romps of fancy. Phoenix Wright and Trauma Center are still some of the most lauded games on the blooming handheld, and such fresh ideas are what keep the gaming industry healthy.But one look at this, and one's stomach feels a bit queasy. My God, a stock trading game? A reviled profession, virtually anathema to gamers, being made into a game? Of course, the title will in all likelihood never be localized, but is nothing sacred anymore? Are we overreacting? What other "profession" games would you like to see on the DS?We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you about tips. The link is small and sadly difficult to find; many readers have no idea it even exists. But check it out: in the column directly to the right of the main posts, under "Resources", is a small "Send us news tips" link. Use it! If you send us a hot story or interesting article, we'll bake you cookies credit you with the tip in the post and you'll be totally famous.[Note to all business-oriented people: we were totally sensationalizing your chosen profession to incite teh flame. Please don't sell us.]
Japanese government sells its Nintendo stock
Wait, what? It turns out that the Japanese seat of power actually owned around 1.4% of Nintendo's stock, coming in at a pricey $557 million dollars ... turns out they made quite a profit, seeing as how Nintendo's stock has gone up 43% in the past six months alone.The unfortunate consequence of this action, however, is that Nintendo's stock value dropped by 2.7% to 32,950 yen per share. Before the Sony fanboys doom-sayers come out in full force, however, it should be noted that our sister site Joystiq notes that the government sold the shares as per Nintendo's request; the gaming giant actually wanted to increase the number of individual share-holders.Should you go buy some NTDOY stock? If you're business-savvy, why not? Nintendo's been on a roll financially, and it can't hurt to revel in some of their success.
iPhone market fallout: RIM racked, Palm pounded
If your stock ticker symbol is RIMM or PALM, today would have been a good day to stay in bed. The trend noted in this Engadget post from 2 pm ET kept on going through the trading session, with Blackberry-maker Research in Motion losing nearly 8% on the NASDAQ and 7.7% on the Toronto exchange. Palm suffered nearly as badly, with Nokia and Motorola posting much smaller declines. For the homes of the Treo and the Pearl, "Black Tuesday" represented a total loss of market value approaching $2.2 billion dollars. Meanwhile, Apple's one-button bounce on the day was a stunning $6.1 billion.Seems that Wall Street got Steverino's message loud and clear; he expects to take his 1% of cellphone market share right off the top, and he is definitely playing for keeps. I'm guessing that this "Sponsored by Blackberry" ad button won't be showing up on any more CNET videos, either.Thanks Florian!
Stock trader sim imported, reviewed
The folks at GameBrink got their hands on a copy of Kabushiki Baibai Torenakabutore, a stock trader sim, but not the one we mentioned before. And the verdict is? Solid offering from Hideo Kojima (is there any other kind?), but not exactly import friendly unless you read Japanese. What's interesting about this game is that it relies on five years of real data from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, so the trends are realistic. They're not playing when they call this one a sim, are they? Further, all your favorite gaming companies are represented, like Nintendo and Konami. The lessons are real as well; a complete trading newb can apparently pick this up, play the game, and walk away knowing some real information about how the market works. Should a sim be so realistic? Maybe not always, but stock trading is apparently pretty addicting, so here it seems to work well.Since there are multiple companies busily forging stock trader games, perhaps we'll see a release outside Japan for one of these ... and now we're hoping for this one, since we've gotten a look at it!
Nintendo versus Sony, in stocks
Sales figures and stock prices are important to any fanboy's repertoire. For some reason, there's a strange assumption that higher sales of a system means better games (something that I'd like to disagree with ... RIP Dreamcast). However, considering how we're all invested (mentally) in the industry, it's still fascinating to see how gamer perception reflects upon stocks--and Digital Battle did the research for us.Sony fanboys know that Sony hasn't done as well as they could've this year, with both the PSP and PS3 launches. Nintendo has been on a roll with the Wii and the DS, and it appears the stock reflects that nicely. However, considering how Sony is a mega-conglomerate corporation, one can't assume the poor performance of the video game devision is to blame for their fiscal stagnation: I'm sure exploding batteries haven't helped them one bit.[Via digg]
Apple takes $84 million charge, defends Steve Jobs in options scandal
While Apple's surely enjoying the perks of having a monumental amount of iPods unwrapped just days ago, everything's not exactly kosher in Cupertino. Aside from the mysterious mouse the firm just patented, the company is facing another bevy of off-the-wall lawsuits, all while trying to fish its CEO out of potentially hot water. After the Securities and Exchange Commission found that ole Steve was granted 7.5 million stock options without the proper authorization of Apple's board of directors in 2001, there was widespread speculation that Mr. One More Thing may suffer the same fate as Apple's former CFO Fred Anderson, who resigned after a similar debacle in 2004. It seems, however, that things just might work out okay after all, as Apple finally filed its required forms with SEC, recognizing a "total additional non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $84 million after tax, including $4 million and $7 million in fiscal years 2006 and 2005, respectively." Aside from taking the lofty charge, the company also stated that while Jobs was "aware of the favorable grant date recommendations, he did not financially benefit from these grants or appreciate the accounting implications." So all those out there holding your breath to see if Macworld would ever be the same if this went south, it looks like we'll be seeing jeans and a black shirt all over again in just a few weeks.
Analyst: PS3 dragging down Sony
Add one more name to the media dog pile that has developed around Sony since the company's launch of the PS3. RealMoney's Michael Comeau recently told readers that the slow start for the system was "only one of many reasons to avoid shares of the consumer-electronics conglomerate, but it's certainly the most important."Comeau cited Sony's unflagging support for Blu-ray as the PS3's Achilles heel, causing higher costs and production delays "with no discernible improvement in game quality." Ouch! A harsh assessment, and one Kaz Hirai would no doubt disagree with. Comeau also felt that the loss of previous Sony exclusives like Grand Theft Auto and Virtua Fighter and the early hype surrounding the Nintendo Wii will hurt Sony's gaming market share.Why is that important to the investors that Comeau writes for? Well, while gaming only provides 10 percent of Sony's revenue, it accounts for over 60 percent of their profits, leading Comeau to predict a declining video game market share for Sony will dramatically drag down profits for the entire company. What's more, increased competition in other consumer electronics like high-definition TVs lead Comeau to say "it is nearly impossible for me to come up with a bullish case for Sony." Double ouch!
