The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: SunPower, Total, Suntech Power
Holdings, First Solar and Broadcom
CHICAGO, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com
announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every
day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and
events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently
featured in the blog include SunPower Corporation
(Nasdaq:SPWR), Total S.A. (NYSE:TOT), Suntech Power
Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE:STP), First Solar, Inc.
(Nasdaq:FSLR) and Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM).
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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
SunPower Extends Pact with Toshiba
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq:SPWR) has extended its
long-standing supply agreement with Toshiba through 2018. Pursuant
to the supply agreement, SunPower would provide over 100 megawatts
of its highest efficiency residential solar panels annually
exclusively to Toshiba. Toshiba would offer solar systems with
SunPower's highest efficiency solar modules in the rapidly growing
Japanese residential market. Since the company first teamed up with
Toshiba in 2010, it has delivered more than 150 MW of its
high-performance solar panels.
Toshiba Corporation is a Japanese multinational electronics,
electrical equipment and information technology corporation
headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
SunPower is a vertically integrated solar company with presence
across the entire solar value chain. The company designs, develops,
manufactures, markets and sells high-performance solar electric
power technology products, systems and services worldwide for
residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers.
The company's semiconductor-based solar cells and solar panels,
which convert sunlight into electricity, are manufactured using
proprietary processes and technologies. SunPower is largely owned
by French oil major Total S.A. (NYSE:TOT).
SunPower's customer base is spread across North America, Europe, the Middle
East, Asia and Australia. The company is proactive in
entering new markets. In addition to a sizeable presence in the US,
it is already focusing on improving market share in France, Germany, Italy, Spain
and Japan, while gaining new
market share in emerging markets like England, Greece, Israel and Malta. SunPower is also increasing its global
market presence within the residential and commercial markets by
expanding its network of dealers. Finally, by steering clear of
long-term contracts for sales through its dealer network, the
company is geared for margin growth on the back of any short-term
upswing in the solar market.
SunPower is however witnessing falling Average Selling Prices
and margins in its residential and small commercial markets segment
which accounts for approximately two-thirds of its top line. We
expect the trend to continue unabated in the near future with
valuation further restrained by the higher cost structure of the
company compared to its peers. Other risks include subsidy
roll-back in Europe and foreign
exchange risk.
SunPower presently retains a short-term Zacks #2 Rank (Buy).
Over the longer run we maintain our long-term Neutral
recommendation on the stock.
SunPower mainly competes with Suntech Power Holdings Co.
Ltd. (NYSE:STP) and First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR).
Broadcom's Latest Smartphone Portal
Leading chipmaker Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM)
recently declared the inclusion of its latest smartphone platform
in its product profile. The newly launched process is entirely
compatible with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system (OS). The
3G platform embedded with BCM21664T 1.2GHz HSPA+ cellular baseband
is considered to be the first dual-core HSPA+ processor in the
industry which is especially designed for low-end smartphones.
Broadcom's advanced platform will be engaged in integrating
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Near Field Communications (NFC) process.
Moreover, with the association of Dual ARM Cortex A9 and VideoCore®
graphics, the 3G portal will be able to provide very high data
speed along with faster computing process at a very reasonable
cost.
The new device has various features including 21.1 Mbps of
downstream connectivity, 5.8 Mbps of upstream connectivity; it has
graphic features of 720p HD recording and it supports full 1080p
playback and with low power consumption, the platform has an option
of 3G/2G dual SIM-dual standby mode. Moreover, with the help of
radio frequency (RF), power management unit (PMU) and an advanced
connectivity suite the 3G portal will offer a complete system
solution. The latest chipset is expected to improve the efficacy of
entire Android 4.2 operating system.
Broadcom's customized solutions would surely mitigate the
increasing demand in the industry thus enhancing its business.
Broadcom is well placed in the fast-growing wired and wireless
communications markets, with cutting-edge solutions for a growing
number of connected users, who are demanding more content and
bandwidth. The market for wireless connectivity devices is expected
to grow further, driven by increasing demand of smartphones,
tablets, netbooks and digital TVs.
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