Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS:CSCO) beat earnings Tuesday after the close, announcing $0.34 EPS over an expected $0.33 EPS. CSCO's PowerRating is 5.
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS) beat earnings Tuesday, with $0.06 EPS over a consensus of $0.02 EPS. ERTS's PowerRating is 4.
DirecTV (NYSE:DTV) announces earnings on Wednesday before the bell, with analysts watching for $0.30 EPS. DTV's PowerRating is 5.
Edison International (NYSE:EIX) reports quarterly earnings tomorrow morning; watch for $0.64 EPS. EIX's PowerRating is 4.
Hospira (NYSE:HSP) should report $0.52 EPS before the market opens on Wednesday morning. HSP's PowerRating is 6.
When Precision Castparts (NYSE:PCP) announces earnings on Wednesday morning, look for $1.26 EPS. PCP's PowerRating is 4.
Analysts expect Toll Brothers (NYSE:TOL) to report $0.42 EPS Wednesday before the bell. TOL's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: CSCO, DTV, EIX, ERTS, Hot Stocks, HSP, PCP, TOL

Stocks rose Wednesday, lifting the Dow Jones industrials past 12,700 for the first time after Wall Street welcomed a robust sales forecast from Cisco Systems Inc. and a stronger-than-expected productivity reading.
The Cisco forecast gave a boost to technology stocks, while the Labor Department's productivity figures were stronger than expected for the fourth quarter. Productivity grew at a 3 percent annual rate, nearly double what Wall Street expected and the agency also reported that wage pressures eased somewhat in the last three months of the year.
"This economy just keeps moving along. Stocks overall are still reasonably priced and obviously there's a lot of money on the sidelines that wants to come in," said Al Goldman, chief market strategist with A.G. Edwards & Sons.
In early afternoon trading, the Dow rose 29.72, or 0.23 percent, to 12,696.03. The Dow rose as high as 12,700.28, passing a previous trading record of 12,683.93 set Friday.
Broader stock indicators also moved higher. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up 4.74, or 0.33 percent, at 1,452.74, and the tech-focused Nasdaq composite index, responding to Cisco's news, rose 23.16, or 0.94 percent, to 2,494.65.
Bonds rose following the economic data, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note falling to 4.74 percent from 4.77 percent late Tuesday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices rose.
Light, sweet crude rose 26 cents to $59.14 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, lifted slightly after the Energy Department's weekly domestic inventory data showed a small decrease in crude stockpiles.
"I think that people are slowly but surely becoming aware of the fact that if we had any kind of a landing it was a soft landing. I'm not even sure we can call it a landing," Goldman said of the economy. "I think people who have been disbelievers in this market for years are starting to believe."
Investors found encouragement in the productivity data because it suggested employers could extract more work from employees and stave off the need to add workers in a tight labor market. Employers forced to compete for workers would likely have to raise pay and other benefits. Such a prospect would draw concern on Wall Street as the Fed remains watchful of an increase in wage inflation.
Last week, the Fed left rates unchanged for the fifth straight time, interrupting a string of 17 straight increases than began in 2004. In comments accompanying the decision, the Fed said inflationary pressures appeared to be in check though still a concern. After an initial burst higher following the comments on inflation, stocks have shown little movement as bullish investors try to build resolve to move higher.
The productivity data seemed to overshadow comments from Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser that an improving economy might force the central bank to raise short-term interest rates. Plosser said the productivity gains were helping consumers but that it was too soon to declare the threat of inflation neutralized.
In corporate news, Cisco rose $1.16, or 4.2 percent, to $28.44 after the networking equipment maker predicted its third-quarter revenue would rise 19 to 20 percent.
News Corp. added 60 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $24.75 after the media conglomerate's fiscal second-quarter earnings fell from those of a year ago, which benefited from a gain on an asset sale. The company's box office earnings rose on several hits including the "Borat" movie. Earnings were stronger than expected and the stock set a new 52-week high of $25.35, topping an earlier high of $24.52.
Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc., which makes circuit boards, rose $3.26, or 18.5 percent to $20.84 although its fiscal first-quarter profit came in below Wall Street's expectation. Some analysts suggested the company's revenue had hit a low point.
Appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. saw its fourth-quarter earnings fall 14 percent as it recorded a loss from discontinued operations. The stock fell $2.85, or 3 percent, to $92.05. DirecTV Group Inc. rose $1.63, or 6.8 percent, to $25.60 after the satellite television operator's fourth-quarter profit more than doubled after its subscriber base grew and it changed its accounting for set-top boxes.
Cheesecake Factory Inc. fell 79 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $26.97 after the restaurant chain's fourth-quarter profit fell 9 percent amid compensation charges and increased operating costs.
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 5 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 753.59 million shares.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies was up 4.78, or 0.59 percent, at 815.19.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed down 0.66 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 closed up 0.37 percent, Germany's DAX index was up 0.58 percent, and France's CAC-40 finished up 0.46 percent.
Published by Tim Paradis, AP Business Writer

Labels: CAKE, CSCO, Dow Jones, DTV, Hot Stocks, MFLX, NWS, WHR

Acco Brands (NYSE:ABD - News) reported a fourth-quarter loss of $800,000, or a penny per share, down from a year-ago profit of $26.2 million, or 48 cents a share. The latest results include restructuring and non-recurring after-tax costs of about $20.9 million, or 39 cents a share. On an adjusted basis, excluding items, the company earned $27.3 million, or 50 cents a share, in the latest quarter. Sales edged 1% higher in the latest three months to $520.6 million from $513 million a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call was for a profit of 46 cents a share in the December period. Looking ahead, the Lincolnshire, Ill., office products seller said it expects to generate EBITDA of between $230 million and $240 million for 2007.
The Andersons Inc. (NasdaqGS:ANDE - News) said it expects to "slightly exceed" its previous 2006 earnings forecast of $1.90 to $2.10 a share. The Andersons is based in Maumee, Ohio.
Apollo Group (NasdaqGS:APOL - News) said that its first-quarter net income dropped to $115.6 million, or 66 cents a share, from $130.8 million, or 73 cents a share, a year ago following higher costs. Analysts had been expecting the education program provider to post earnings of 62 cents a share, according to data compiled by Thomson Financial. Revenue rose by 6.3% to $668.2 million. The company said that it's expecting accounting changes to have a material adverse impact on previously reported results. Apollo said that it's preparing to restate its financial statements and said that this situation could also affect the latest set of financial statements and information.
Aspen Technology (NasdaqGM:AZPN - News) shares gained after the Cambridge, Mass.-based software provider late Tuesday reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $96.4 million, up 26% from last year. Aspen said income from operations came in at $25.8 million in the quarter. The company also said it expects to restate its previously issued financial statements for fiscal 2004 through 2006 and the first quarter of fiscal 2007, relating primarily to non-cash adjustments in its reported non-operating income.
Brightpoint Inc. (NasdaqGS:CELL - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose, as wireless devices handled gained, to $9.74 million, or 19 cents a share, from $8.85 million, or 18 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.
British Airways (NYSE:BAB - News) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Merrill Lynch.
Brooks Automation (NasdaqGM:BRKS - News) swung to a fiscal first-quarter profit of $22.1 million, or 30 cents a share, from a year-earlier loss of $11.7 million, or 18 cents a share, on higher revenue from core hardware business along with acquisitions. The company had expected GAAP earnings of 24 cents to 28 cents a share in the first quarter. Excluding certain items, non-GAAP earnings in the most recent quarter were 35 cents a share. The Chelmsford, Mass., automation products provider's revenue for the first quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 76% to $191.4 million from $108.5 million a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, quarterly revenue of $187 million. Meanwhile, the company had forecast first-quarter revenue of $185 million to $190 million. Brooks expects second-quarter GAAP earnings of 25 cents to 30 cents a share, including 5 cents a share of charges, and revenue of $185 million to $190 million.
Cisco (NasdaqGS:CSCO - News) reported that quarterly profit surged 40%, boosted by its acquisition of Scientific-Atlanta and surging demand for Internet equipment among telecom companies and small businesses.
Consolidated Graphics (NYSE:CGX - News) said fiscal third-quarter net income rose to $16.4 million, or $1.17 a share, from $9.9 million, or 71 cents a share. Sales rose to $269.6 million from $226.2 million. Analysts, on average, expected it to earn $1.02 a share on revenue of $243 million, according to Thomson Financial. For the March quarter, the commercial printing company expects quarterly revenue to increase 15% from the prior year to $255 million, with earnings per share increasing 39% to $1.03. Analysts polled by Thomson expect it to earn 95 cents a share on revenue of $229 million, on average.
Digital River (NasdaqGS:DRIV - News) was initiated with a buy rating at American Technology Research.
DirecTV Group Inc. (NYSE:DTV - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose to $356 million, or 29 cents a share, from $121.2 million, or 9 cents a share. El Segundo, Calif.-based DirecTV said revenue rose to $4.18 billion from about $3.6 billion. Analysts, on average, expected it to earn 30 cents a share on revenue of about $4.1 billion, according to Thomson Financial.
Domino's Pizza (NYSE:DPZ - News) said it offered to buy back up to 13.9 million shares of its common stock, as part of plan to recapitalize the company. The Ann Arbor, Mich. pizza delivery service said it would pay no less than $27.50 a share and no more than $30 a share for each stock it buys back. The company also said it was offering to repurchase the outstanding 8 1/4% debt, due 2011, and will repay all of its outstanding borrowings under the existing credit facility. The company said it was negotiating an asset-backed securitized facility of up to $1.85 billion.
Edge Petroleum (NasdaqGS:EPEX - News) was upgraded to strong buy at Raymond James.
FEI Co. (NasdaqGM:FEIC - News) said it swung to net income in the fourth-quarter, as bookings remained solid and operating expenses declined, of $14.7 million, or 36 cents a share. During the same period in the prior year, the net loss was $30.7 million, or 92 cents a share.
Fidelity National Information Services Inc. said fourth-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $75.1 million, or 39 cents a share, from $45.5 million, or 35 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.
Horace Mann Educators Corp. (NYSE:HMN - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $28.6 million, or 64 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $16.1 million, or 35 cents a share. Looking ahead, the Springfield, Ill., insurance provider forecast net income before realized investment gains and losses of $1.80 to $1.95 per share in 2007.
Infineon Technologies (NYSE:IFX - News) said it will provide an integrated system-on-chip for Nokia's (NYSE:NOK - News) entry-level phones. Nokia said it's aiming to further improve the power performance in entry level phones and reduce their size.
Intevac (NasdaqGM:IVAC - News) said its fourth-quarter net income more than doubled to $21.3 million, or 97 cents a share, from year-earlier earnings of $9.93 million, or 46 cents a share, helped by higher sales and a larger margin. Results included a $1.1 million reversal of tax costs. The Santa Clara, Calif., maker of flat-panel display manufacturing equipment saw revenue rise 82% to $95.9 million from $52.7 million a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 70 cents a share on revenue of $86.5 million. Gross margin improved to 40.8% from 34.9% a year earlier. The stock was upgraded to buy from hold at Needham & Co.
Keane (NYSE:KEA - News) agreed to be acquired by Caritor Inc., a private San Ramon, Calif., information technology services provider, for about $854 million. The deal values Keane shares at $14.30 each in cash, a 19% premium to Tuesday's closing price of $12. The parties, which expect the transaction to close in the calendar second quarter, said the resulting private company would have anticipated annual revenue of more than $1 billion. Keane, based in Boston, posted revenue of $232 million in the third quarter ended Sept. 30.
Lazard Ltd. (NYSE:LAZ - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose to $36.6 million, or 78 cents a share, from $21.7 million, or 57 cents a share, a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 63 cents a share, on average. Revenue rose to $498.3 million from last year's $391.9 million, as strong merger and acquisition performance helped boost revenue in its financial advisory business.
Multi-Fineline Electronix (NasdaqGS:MFLX - News) said its fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 79% to $3.65 million, or 14 cents a share, from $17.3 million, or 69 cents a share, a year earlier, hurt by price reductions and reduced sales. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 20 cents a share and sales of $130.7 million. The Anaheim, Calif., provider of flexible printed-circuit and component-assembly services said sales for the period ended Dec. 31 fell 11% to $123.9 million from $139.7 million from the year-ago period.
Published By Michael Baron

Labels: ABD, ANDE, APOL, AZPN, BAB, BRKS, CGX, CSCO, DPZ, DRIV, DTV, EPEX, FEIC, HMN, IFX, IVAC, KEA, LAZ, MFLX, NOK

Bullish calls:
Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY - News): ' I have walked away from KRY and endorsed AUY.'Hydril (NasdaqGS: HYDL): 'As long as oil is north of $40, you are going to be safe there, because it just doesn't make any sense not to use hydro products. I am buying that stock.'DirecTV (NYSE: DTV - News): 'I happen to like DTV. I happen to like DISH. These are cash machines ... The government approves of the duopoly.'EchoStar Communications (NasdaqGS: DISH): 'I endorse DISH too.'Marvell Technology (NasdaqGS: MRVL): 'There is not a single semiconductor, save MRVL*, which I own for my charitable trust, because I think they've got good iPhone business.'Jones Soda (NasdaqCM: JSDA): 'I bank with JSDA. You know I like JSDA. That's an up stock. I still can't believe Pepsi still hasn't taken a run at them.'State Street (NYSE: STT - News): 'This is one those banks that does processing, therefore it gets a higher valuation. 52-week high today, and I'm not backing away. It goes still higher!'British Airways (NYSE: BAB - News)
Bearish calls:
Crystallex (AMEX: KRY - News): ' ... we do not invest with Chavez. He has proven to be a recalcitrant, pseudo-communist! We are not banking with him anymore.'TiVo (NasdaqGM: TIVO): ' I know TIVO's going to be in Comcast, and all that other nonsense... The bottom line is TIVO is 'don't buy, don't buy.' Having recommended a sale outright higher, I don't want to push my luck, but I don't want you in the stock. 'Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (NYSE: ASX - News): 'I don't like that. That's another also-ran semi play ... I do not want to own semis here.'Select Comfort (NasdaqGS: SCSS): 'I have stayed away from the bed business ... I am putting a pox on all beds! Stay away! Sell, sell, sell! 'Sealy (NYSE: ZZ - News): 'I think ZZ was a mistake by me. 'Tempur Pedic (NYSE: TPX - News)CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP - News): 'CNP is just okay. It's a 3.5% yield ... But basically, I like the utilities here, so I can't dis' it. Let me give it a 'don't buy, don't buy.'Nuance Communications (NasdaqGS: NUAN): 'No! No, no! Sell, sell, sell, sell, sell, sell, sell! ... I say no to speech recognition.'Western Union (NYSE: WU - News): 'I am still in 'don't buy, don't buy,' because I worry about the immigrants being told they can't do what they want, so they may be afraid to go to Western Union.'
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: ASX, AUY, BAB, CNP, DISH, DTV, HYDL, Jim Cramer, JSDA, KRY, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MRVL, NUAN, SCSS, STT, Tivo, TPX, WU, ZZ

Bullish calls:
Yamana Gold (AUY): ' I have walked away from KRY and endorsed AUY.'Hydril (HYDL): 'As long as oil is north of $40, you are going to be safe there, because it just doesn't make any sense not to use hydro products. I am buying that stock.'DirecTV (DTV): 'I happen to like DTV. I happen to like DISH. These are cash machines ... The government approves of the duopoly.'EchoStar Communications (DISH): 'I endorse DISH too.'Marvell Technology (MRVL): 'There is not a single semiconductor, save MRVL*, which I own for my charitable trust, because I think they've got good iPhone business.'Jones Soda (JSDA): 'I bank with JSDA. You know I like JSDA. That's an up stock. I still can't believe Pepsi still hasn't taken a run at them.'State Street (STT): 'This is one those banks that does processing, therefore it gets a higher valuation. 52-week high today, and I'm not backing away. It goes still higher!'British Airways (BAB)
Bearish calls:
Crystallex (KRY): ' ... we do not invest with Chavez. He has proven to be a recalcitrant, pseudo-communist! We are not banking with him anymore.'TiVo (TIVO): ' I know TIVO's going to be in Comcast, and all that other nonsense... The bottom line is TIVO is 'don't buy, don't buy.' Having recommended a sale outright higher, I don't want to push my luck, but I don't want you in the stock. 'Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASX): 'I don't like that. That's another also-ran semi play ... I do not want to own semis here.'Select Comfort (SCSS): 'I have stayed away from the bed business ... I am putting a pox on all beds! Stay away! Sell, sell, sell! 'Sealy (ZZ): 'I think ZZ was a mistake by me. 'Tempur Pedic (TPX)CenterPoint Energy (CNP): 'CNP is just okay. It's a 3.5% yield ... But basically, I like the utilities here, so I can't dis' it. Let me give it a 'don't buy, don't buy.'Nuance Communications (NUAN): 'No! No, no! Sell, sell, sell, sell, sell, sell, sell! ... I say no to speech recognition.'Western Union (WU): 'I am still in 'don't buy, don't buy,' because I worry about the immigrants being told they can't do what they want, so they may be afraid to go to Western Union.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ASX, AUY, BAB, CNP, DISH, DTV, HYDL, Jim Cramer, JSDA, KRY, Lightning Round, Mad Money, NUAN, SCSS, STT, Tivo, TPX, WU, ZZ

News Corp. (NYSE: NWS - News), DirecTV (NYSE: DTV - News), Liberty (NASDAQ: LBTYA - News):Cramer is bullish on News Corp., and applauds Rupert Murdoch's trading NWS's DTV stake for separation with investor John Malone, since DTV is not moving fast. Cramer discussed Malone's astute wheeling and dealing and mentioned that Liberty's CEO Greg Maffei is in charge rather than Malone. Cramer noted that Maffei worked briefly at Oracle and had a stint at the formerly bankrupt 360 Networks.
Heelys: Cramer says that IPO Heelys will be even hotter than expected, with a price beginning in the 28-30 range rather than the initial 16-18 range. However, he says he wouldn't want to buy the wheeled shoe stock at 30.
Capital Southwest (NASDAQ: CSWC - News): Cramer likes this small-cap stock venture investor which was up $9 to $141 on Thursday, and he predicts it may reach $200.
By Miriam Metzinger

Labels: CSWC, DTV, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, LBTYA, NWS

News Corp. (NWS)) is "kicking butt," Jim Cramer said Thursday on CNBC's Stop Trading segment.
Cramer said Rupert Murdoch made a great move swapping the company's stake in DirecTV (DTV) for separation with investor John Malone. "Murdoch pulled the wool over" Malone's eyes in the reported deal, Cramer said, adding that growth at DirecTV is slowing anyway.
Noting Malone's reputation as a savvy dealmaker, Cramer said he believes the swap shows that Liberty (LBTYA) chief Greg Maffei is now running the show in Malone's stead. Cramer pointed to Maffei's track record, which includes a brief stint at Oracle (ORCL) as well as leadership of the once-bankrupt 360 Networks.
Cramer says he expects wheeled-sneaker maker Heely's to be a hot IPO after it prices tonight. He said he's hearing price talk in the 28-30 range, up from the company's planned range of 16-18. "This is one hot deal," he said, but he added that he wouldn't want to buy it at 30, as the stock may have used up all its pop at that price.
Cramer's secret stock was Capital Southwest (CSWC), a Dallas-based small-cap venture investor. He said the stock, up $9 Thursday at $141 and change, could go to $200.

Labels: CSWC, DTV, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, LBTYA, NWS, ORCL

Bullish calls:
Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX - News): ' You have to hold SBUX for the next 12 months ... before they make the big move in China ... I think the stock's trading 32-42, 32-42. You're at $35. That's a nice part of the range. Stick with SBUX.'Schering-Plough (NYSE: SGP - News): ' I like SGP. It's not stopping here at $22. It's got the best cholesterol drug on the market. I say it goes to $25. Pull the trigger now! May I add that Fred Hassen may be the #1 drug executive in the world!'Merck (NYSE: MRK - News): 'MRK's the winner!'New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: NYX - News): ' Things cannot go right to $250 ... they have detours, apparently. Anything can happen on the way to $250. And what I am telling you, at $96, you must not get off that highway. That highway will get you there. I say stick with it!'EMC (NYSE: EMC - News): ' My friend from GS says that EMC is going higher ... EMC - I think she's going to be right! That's it! I'm changing my call right here. I am going from negative to positive right here - EMC! Buy, buy, buy!'Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News): 'I would actually swap out of that [TRAD] - and go into GS. They're both brokers. One's pretty cheap.'DirecTV (NYSE: DTV - News): 'I think it's happening [Liberty media acquisition of DTV]. This stock will not quit. I believe it's cheap on the fundamentals and cheap on a takeover basis.'Genentech (NYSE: DNA - News): 'I like DNA very much, but....'Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN - News): ' ... Amgen's pulling back more [than DNA].'Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG - News): 'CELG seems like a candidate to be bought by PFE.'
Bearish calls:
Coach (NYSE: COH - News): 'You know I said take profits. I cannot justify a new purchase at $43. In fact, if you bought it because of me - don't buy, don't buy - take something off please. I expect a good quarter. Big anniversary thing. We're being too greedy.'Pfizer (NYSE: PFE - News): 'PFE blew it!'CDC (NASDAQ: CHINA - News): ' ... 52-week high. You know I don't necessarily trust the Chinese because of their long history of communism... 'Baidu.com (NASDAQ: BIDU - News): 'BIDU... enough! Enough BIDU!'Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO - News): 'Here's the problem... This company is way, way too, somehow linked to housing ... I am going to have to issue a 'don't buy' on this one.'Tradestation Group (NASDAQ: TRAD - News): 'I think that it's a mistake to sell that stock ... At $1.50 higher, ring the register. I would actually swap out of that - and go into GS.'Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK - News): 'SellSellSellSellSellSell.'

Labels: AMGN, BIDU, CELG, CHINA, COH, DNA, DTV, EK, EMC, GS, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MRK, NYX, pfe, SBUX, SGP, TSCO

Shares of DirecTV Group Inc. (DTV.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Questar Corp. (STR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and IACInterActiveCorp. (IACI.O: Quote, Profile, Research) rose in extended trade on Tuesday after Standard & Poor's said the stocks would be added to its S&P 500 index. Shares of DirecTv rose 6 percent to $23.75 on the New York Stock Exchange, IAC/InterActiveCorp 4.8 percent to $35.40 on Nasdaq and Questar shares rose 3 percent to $84.97 on NYSE.
Source: Reuters.com

Labels: DirectTV Group, DTV, IACI, Questar, STR

TiVo Inc. Tuesday unveiled plans to expand Internet video that can be shown on TVs through its DVRs.
Alviso-based TiVo (NASDAQ:TIVO - News) said its TiVoCast system now has programming partnerships with CBS Interactive, part of CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - News) Reuters Group plc (NASDAQ: RTRSY - News) and business magazine Forbes to bring their video content to TV.
It will also offer a Home Movies Service, in partnership with Redwood City-based One True Media Inc., that allows sharing of home videos by sending them directly to TV sets.
TiVo's new service is expected to be offered by the end of the year, but requires an upgrade to the TiVo Desktop software. Some subscribers already use this to view photos from the Web and listen to Internet radio. It, will cost $24.95 for new users and will be a free upgrade for current users.
The service will only work with downloaded videos that are not copy-protected. It can't handle videos that use San Jose-based Adobe Systems Inc.'s (NASDAQ: ADBE - News) Flash technology, which is becoming the most common way to distribute video on the Internet.
San Bruno-based YouTube Inc., which has been acquired by Mountain View-based Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG - News), uses Flash for its popular video-sharing Web site.
Neither will the services reportedly be available to TiVos that are hooked up through DirecTV Group Inc.'s (NYSE: DTV - News) satellite service.
TiVo has 4.4 million subscribers but its growth has been slowed by competition from cheaper DVRs offered by cable and satellite services.
Published November 14, 2006 by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journa

Labels: ADBE, Adobe Systems, CBS, CBS Interactive, DirecTV, DTV, GOOG, Google, Reuters Group, RTRSY, Tivo