Month: July 2007

Categories
Stocks

Sonic Innovations SNCI Q2 report

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 31, 2007 by stlplace

Here is the results from PR NewsWire. To summarize:

Net sales from continuing operations for the second quarter 2007 of $30.4 million were up 16.4% over the $26.1 million for the second quarter of 2006.

North American sales of $11.8 million in the second quarter 2007 increased 8.2% from 2006. European sales of $12.8 million in the second quarter 2007 increased 33.1% from the second quarter 2006. Rest-of-world sales of $5.8 million in the second quarter 2007 were up 3.9% from 2006.

I am listening to its conference call, it seems the Q3 and 2007 outlook are good.

On a separate matter, Ninetowns (NINE), the stock I traded a few times, dropped to $3 level as its operation continued to deteriorate, and its CEO and main shareholder (appears) cashing money at the expense of small shareholders. I’m glad I no longer have that. In my mind, management integrity is as important as management competence, if not more.

Categories
Fun

Exchange rate and bank

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 31, 2007 by stlplace

I went to the China Merchants Bank today, to exchange some USD into CNY. The rate is 7.5544. From what I read, the US senate has passed a bill to push China to appreciate the CNY more faster. That certainlly did not help me (get more Chairman Mao for my green backs).

On a positive note, the waiting line at the bank is much shorter, partly because the calm down of the China stock market.

On the other hand, housing market here is going crazy. My co-worker told in one case, people bought up all the units (but 2) of a new building during its opening day. I just could not understand, on the other side of the ocean, the US housing market is ice cold.

Categories
Stocks

Crocs newest addition

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 30, 2007 by stlplace

I read it from the Forbes, Crocs bought Bite Footwear. I checked out Bite’s web site, it looks they make sports sandals, which reminds me of the “Keen” branded outdoor sandals sold in Dick’s Sporting Good. Don’t know if they are comfortable or not, but the Keens are not cheap.

One interesting thing I saw is this running shoes. I don’t know if Nike will come up similar things or not.

Bite Shoes running

Besides selling more Crocs in China (and other international market), Crocs needs the diversification of products to keep growing. It appears to me the “jibbitz” buy already brought some fruits. This “Bite Footwear” buy seems better than OceanMinded buy earlier this year, as “Bite” appeals to a wider crowd.

Categories
China Fun

iPod and Crocs in Shanghai

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 30, 2007 by stlplace

Got back to Shanghai in the weekend; my limit observations in past 2 days suggest those two are hot besides the weather. Don’t run and buy stocks solely based on this.

Crocs: I saw people wearing Crocs near Zhongshan Park, at Hongqiao Parkson Shopping Mall and Jinjiang Chef (restaurant). Today my co-worker told me this thing was selling very well in the mall. I saw a guy wearing red crocs while riding motor cycle; and girl wearing Jibbitz too.

Apple iPod: by now probablly everyone in the US (who can get iPod) already got one (hint: yours truely also got one). But in China this iPod trend is in the early innings. Mac is also sold here. Maybe the iPhone will follow after everyone in the US got one?

Categories
Fun

Back to Shanghai (again)

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 31, 2007 by stlplace

The local temperature is 29 to 38 Celsius, or 84.2 to 100.4 Farenheit.

Stock market: Shanghai composites is edging up to new high (at 4398.79 as of 10:25 AM July 30 local time).

I will talk about the craziness of “Crocs” in Shanghai later, and Sheng Jian Bao place.

IMG_4611

I think I will miss a few things on the other side of the ocean (definitely not work):

Continue reading “Back to Shanghai (again)”
Categories
Stocks

A good quarter from CROX

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 30, 2007 by stlplace

Here is the results (details from business wire). I will add more after listening to its conference call.

— Second Quarter Revenues Increased 162% to $224.3 Million vs. $85.6 Million Last Year (analyst expected 188.49 to 204.20)

– Company Reports 2Q07 Diluted EPS of $0.58 vs. $0.19 Last Year- (analyst est. 0.40 to 0.48)

— Company Issues 3Q07 Guidance of Revenues between $240 and $250 Million and Diluted EPS of $0.58 to $0.62 –

— Company Raises FY07 Guidance to Revenues of $810 to $820 Million and Diluted EPS of $1.89 to $1.93 –

Continue reading “A good quarter from CROX”
Categories
China Stocks

Perfect World IPO

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 26, 2007 by stlplace

I read this from Netease: Perfect World, a Chinese online game co., will debut in Nasdaq under ticker symbol PWRD tomorrow July 27.

Here is the prospectus from SEC. The company was not profitable in 2005, and 2006, but it turned corner in Q1 2007. It seems other Chinese online game companies are also coming because the market started to warm up to SNDA, NCTY etc, and the craziness of Wii.

I’m not a gamer, and I’m packing for back to home trip. So I will leave the analysis to experts.

Categories
Stocks

Lots of conference call

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 26, 2007 by stlplace

I need to listen to the following calls because I hold those stocks.

Today: CROX, I don’t want to speculate on this one…too much buzz lately.

Next week
07/31: SNIC, have no idea.

08/01: SBUX, the expecation is more reasonable this time, I don’t expect block buster quarter but I think they should be OK (better than PNRA, maybe?)

08/02: GSIT, they blew up their very first quarter since IPO last time, hope they don’t disappoint this time. Their biggest customer, Cisco, has been strong lately.

The week after:
08/06: MR, I expect solid growth in the US sales; I have no idea about China.

08/07: HLYS, street expectation is low; they blew last CC because of the secondary offering thing. I expect some upside surprise.

Categories
Stocks

Got some Heelys again

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last Updated on July 26, 2007 by stlplace

Yeah, I know it’s risky, because I’ve been there. But I’m not insane. I think the recent sell off is a bit over done, at least from my store checking: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line and Sports Authority are displaying new Heelys for “back to school” season. I assume those guys don’t just put there for show, I think they do want to sell the shoes and make money instead.

Earnings:
The company is due to report its Q2 earnings on August 7.

CEO Interview:
Adarsh did an interview with its CEO and posted in his blog. By the way, CEO Mike Staffaroni has worked for LA Gears (a fashion sports shoes co.) in 90s, and hopefully he and his team learned lessons from the boom and bust of LA Gears, and make Heelys a long term success.

Categories
Fun

Congrats to Bill Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Last Updated on July 26, 2007 by stlplace

Today Bill Miller must be very happy, as his fund (Legg Mason Value Trust) core holdings Amazon (5% of $20 b, roughly $1 b) went up more than 20%, this is the second time AMZN came out with a blockbuster quarter this year, and the stock has been up more than 100% in the past 6 months. I think his AMZN made more than $1 b for his clients in a year or so. Last year, largely due to the underperformance of AMZN, Bill Miller’s fund did not beat the market. Many people laughed at him, but he believed in himself.

Would like to talk a little more about AMZN. I believe most people know they are the largest online retailer, they sell things from books to mobile phones.

But in recent years they have used their experience in building online store, and information technology to expand in related areas. They build stores for other retailers, as we can see the “other” options when look for things, in some cases Amazon’s price may not be lowest. This is OK because they still collect money from their partners when customers buy from the partners. Arguably their profit margin on the “3rd party store” is higher than their own store.

They have this “Amazon Marketplace”, which is similar to eBay, and is gaining popularity lately. Their developer program and other web services also bring values to small retailers. Just like I talked about “what exactly is Google, Apple or MasterCard”, we are still trying to figure out what exactly is Amazon.

But when we all figure out what it IS (and its potentials), maybe it’s time to sell the stocks. I’m glad I don’t need to worry about that, it’s bill’s problem 🙂

amazon logo