Alps Electric Worth Another Look On Improving Auto And Phone Trends

Between a near-term rebound in camera phone actuators and a longer-term opportunity in car electronics, I think this is a good time to reconsider Japan’s Alps Electric (OTCPK:APELY) (6770.T). Although the U.S. ADRs aren’t as liquid as investors might like, Alps looks undervalued below the $60’s and could have further upside as the company’s auto electronics business really starts to take off in a few years.

The biggest downside at this point would appear to be another disappointing cycle for Apple (AAPL) and its new phones, as Alps has maintained strong share in the OIS actuator market and has meaningfully operating leverage potential on higher volumes.

Read the full article here:
Alps Electric Worth Another Look On Improving Auto And Phone Trends

Seeking Alpha: RF Micro Devices Near A Major Transformation

No company ever announces a merger/acquisition and tells its shareholders that they expect to waste their money and produce no long-term benefits from the transaction. But even after adjusting for hope and optimism, I think the logic of the RF Micro Devices (RFMD) - TriQuint (TQNT) merger holds up. Together, the two companies should be able to achieve meaningful operating cost synergies while offering a comprehensive line of RF products for the mobile market and emerging Internet of Things market.

In terms of value, though, I think the market has the transaction pretty well figured out. There is upside if the two companies can quickly generate more than $125 million in cost synergies, but $10 to $11 looks about right for RF Micro Devices today and likewise $16.50 to $18 for TriQuint.

Find the full article here:
RF Micro Devices Near A Major Transformation

Seeking Alpha: OM Group Could Be Ready To Run On A Stronger Europe

Many specialty chemicals spent the last six months going nowhere fast, OM Group (OMG) included. I've been watching this one, wondering if there might be a chance to get shares before the business started to improve on better demand in Europe. I don't think you can say that a recovery in Europe is a fait accompli, particularly in the passenger vehicle industry, but demand for automation, electrical, energy conversion, and alternative energy seems to be picking up. Considering the combination of recovering markets and a clean balance sheet with which to make accretive acquisitions, I like OM Group at these levels.

Continue reading here:
OM Group Could Be Ready To Run On A Stronger Europe

Investopedia: Is The PC Back From The Dead?

Horror movies have a lot to teach us. That noise is never "just the cat," it's a bad idea to go into the woods at night wearing only underwear, and tape recordings of demonic incantations tend to spoil a weekend in the woods. But perhaps most important is this lesson - nothing is ever truly dead so long as someone can figure out how to make money from it. 

To that end, perhaps the death of the PC has been exaggerated. With encouraging results from Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) and stronger than expected guidance from Hutchinson Technology (Nasdaq:HTCH) - a manufacturer of suspension assemblies for hard-disk drives - it seems like their may be life yet in the market for desktops and laptops.

Best Buy's Earnings - Maybe Not So Good for PCs  
Best Buy certainly had a good quarter, and the market responded accordingly. Whether it was great news for the PC market, though, is not so clear. There is no question that sales growth from computing and mobile phones was the leader for the company, but the problem lies in the details. Mobile phones from HTC, Motorola (NYSE:MMI) and the like continue to be hot sellers, as do tablets from Samsung, Research In Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM) and so on. Unfortunately, then, while Best Buy management's indicated that notebook sales had improved, they aren't necessarily strong. 


To continue, please follow the link:
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/Is-The-PC-Back-From-The-Dead-BBY-DELL-HTCH-WDC-HPQ-INTC-BRCM0615.aspx