What to really focus on
For mid- to long-term investors, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) only makes sense if it can accomplish Heins’ aggressive objectives, such as expanding revenue streams and winning back market share. But it’s a tall order to put a crimp in Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)‘s domestic iPhone dominance and 21% share of the global OS market, Samsung’s various smartphone alternatives, or Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)‘s Android with its nearly 70% share of worldwide mobile devices running its Android OS. Unfortunately for Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), even its own backyard — the enterprise market — is getting harder to win.
As the lines between the personal and professional smartphone markets fade, Apple, Samsung, and Google become even more worrisome for Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY). Some pooh-poohed the notion that Home Depot (NYSE:HD)‘s decision to switch 10,000 of its executives from Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s to iPhones was significant. But the Home Depot news indicates a changing marketplace where more employees bring their own devices to work. Then there’s Samsung’s new Knox app, which allows its Google Android OS phone customers to securely switch between work and personal use. Those trends leave Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) directly in the path of the biggest of the big hitters.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)‘s decision to begin offering Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s new Z10 in the States on March 22 was welcome news. Getting the Z10 in the hands of the domestic masses is good in and of itself, but doing it on schedule is an even better sign. After initial delays in the domestic release of the Z10 (the Q10 is now slated for May, give or take), Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) appears to have gotten a handle on this most critical of rollouts.
Investors need to focus on Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s potential for sales growth, not on Lenovo executives’ comments to French newspaper reporters. Buying a company because of the latest rumor is always a scary proposition. But investing based on takeover talk ratchets up the risk even higher, since any number of variables can nix a deal. Disgruntled shareholders, regulatory hurdles, or simply trying to agree on price can kill an acquisition, leaving investors high and dry.
Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s future prospects are still dependent on accomplishing the same things: the successful adoption of its new BB10 OS, getting its Z10 and Q10 in the hands of consumers in a timely fashion, and exploring additional revenue opportunities like licensing BB10 and developing strategic partnerships. If, like me, you believe Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) warrants consideration based on BB10 results and strategic management initiatives, then it’s a sound, though aggressive, growth play. But if you’re going to buy, buy Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) the company, not the rumors.
The article Don’t Buy the BlackBerry Buyout Rumors originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Tim Brugger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Google, H.J. Heinz, and Home Depot and owns shares of Apple and Google.
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