Editor’s Note: Related Tickers: Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), Ebix Inc (NASDAQ:EBIX), Mastercard Inc (NYSE:MA), Sourcefire, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIRE)
BlackBerry launches low-cost plan in 15 circles (Times of India)
Smartphone-maker Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has launched a plan offering all its services for Rs 129 per GB in 15 mid- and low-revenue generating circles, including Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, targetting a deeper penetration in these regions. The monthly plan would be available on the network of Aircel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone, BlackBerry India’s Director for Commercial Relationship, Hitesh Shah told PTI. However, in metros and top four telecom circles of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, the plan is limited to use of BlackBerry Messenger only. “We are trying to get deeper into market with affordable plans. For 15 telecom circles which excludes metros and category A circles, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)will offer consumer access to all BlackBerry Services for Rs 129 limited up to 1GB,” Shah said.
Ebix Inc (NASDAQ:EBIX) jumped to its highest price in almost six months and topped a $20-a-share takeover bid from Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. that would take the supplier of insurance software and services private. Shares of Ebix rose as much as 14 percent to $21.25, the highest intraday since Nov. 5, before settling to $20.52 at 10:43 a.m. in New York. Goldman Sachs agreed to pay 18 percent more than the average daily closing price for the last 30 days, Atlanta-based Ebix Inc (NASDAQ:EBIX) said today in a statement.
MasterCard lifted by credit card spending (Financial Times)
Mastercard Inc (NYSE:MA)’s first-quarter profit was boosted by rising credit and debit card spending as a growing number of consumers worldwide shunned cash transactions. The second-biggest US payments network said on Wednesday that its net income climbed 12 per cent to $766m, or $6.23 a share, from $682m in the same period of 2012. The results were higher than Wall Street estimates of $6.17 a share in the quarter, according to a survey by Bloomberg. The New York-based company said total operating expenses rose 6 per cent to $799m in the period, driven primarily by higher personnel expenses.
Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY)’s Thoughts On This Subject Are Oxymoronic (Inisder Monkey)
Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) CEO Thorsten Heins is just sounding silly now. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Heins expresses skepticism over the broader tablet movement. “In five years I don’t think there’ll be a reason to have a tablet anymore,” Heins is quoted as saying, “Maybe a big screen in your workspace, but not a tablet as such. Tablets themselves are not a good business model.” Oddly enough, Heins goes on to say, “In five years, I see Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) to be the absolute leader in…
…mobile computing — that’s what we’re aiming for. I want to gain as much market share as I can, but not by being a copycat.” That’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one. Mobile computing includes a secular shift toward smartphones and tablets, but you could also arguably include shifting from desktops to laptops within the PC market. Of the three devices that embody mobile computing — smartphones, tablets, and laptops — Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) only sells one.
Sourcefire shares climb 9% in spite of results (MarketWatch)
Sourcefire, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIRE) shares climbed 9%, to $52.09 Wednesday, in the wake of the cybersecurity company’s first-quarter results. Late Tuesday, Sourcefire reported earnings excluding one-time items of 11 cents a share, on $56.2 million in revenue, compared with a profit of 11 cents a share on sales of $46.3 million in the same period a year ago. Analysts had forecast Sourcefire, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIRE) to earn 12 cents a share on $57.4 million in sales.
Ebix Europe to Provide Tech Services for Ropner Insurance Services (Insurance Journal)
Ebix Europe, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Ebix Inc (NASDAQ:EBIX), which provides global insurance trading platforms and messaging products, has been appointed by marine broker Ropner Insurance Services to provide its London market messaging capabilities for eEndorsements, Accounting and Settlement, Electronic Claims Files and eAccounting. Ebix Europe VP Jeff Ward explained that the Company’s expertise in the insurance industry and commitment to open architecture and ACORD standards will provide Ropner with a high standard of service to their customers.
