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Phones / Blackberry Gets Offer To Go Private For $4.7 Billion by iamlincoln01(m): 11:34pm On Sep 23, 2013 |
BlackBerry has agreed to a $4.7 billion sale to a group led by its largest shareholder, Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., after new smartphones failed to turn the company around. BlackBerry Ltd. said Monday that a letter of intent has been signed and that its shareholders will receive $9 in cash for each share. The deal comes just days after the Canadian company announced plans to lay off 40 percent of its global workforce. The BlackBerry, pioneered in 1999, was once the dominant smartphone for on-the-go business people and other consumers. It could be so addictive that it was nicknamed "the CrackBerry." President Barack Obama couldn't bear to part with his BlackBerry. Oprah Winfrey declared it one of her "favorite things." But then came a new generation of competing smartphones, starting with Apple's iPhone in 2007. The BlackBerry, that game-changing breakthrough in personal connectedness, looked ancient suddenly. Although BlackBerry was once Canada's most valuable company with a market value of $83 billion in June 2008, the stock has plummeted from more than $140 a share to less than $9, giving it a market value of $4.6 billion, just short of Fairfax's offer. Anaylsts say that although BlackBerry's hardware business is not worth anything, its service business and patents are still valuable. At the end of the second quarter, the company also had total cash and investments of about $2.6 billion and no debt. The deal follows a $7.2 billion offer that Microsoft Corp. made this month for the phones and services business of another troubled phone maker, Nokia Corp. Fairfax head Prem Watsa, who owns 10 percent of BlackBerry, stepped down as a board member because of potential conflicts when BlackBerry announced it was considering a sale last month. The company would no longer be traded publicly once the sale goes through. "We believe this transaction will open an exciting new private chapter for BlackBerry its customers, carriers and employees," Watsa said in a statement. "We can deliver immediate value to shareholders, while we continue the execution of a long-term strategy in a private company." Watsa is one of Canada's best-known investors and is founder of Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. BlackBerry founder Mike Lazaridis recruited Watsa to join the company's board when Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie stepped aside as its co-CEOs in January 2012. BlackBerry shares plunged 17 percent after the company announced Friday a loss of nearly $1 billion and layoffs of 4,500 workers. It gained 9 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $8.82 Monday. BlackBerry said the general terms of the deal have been approved by its board and a special committee set up to look at options. The company said it will negotiate and execute a definitive transaction agreement with Fairfax by Nov. 4. During that time, BlackBerry is entitled to continue to find other buyers, but if BlackBerry backs out of the deal, it would owe Fairfax about $157 million. "The special committee is seeking the best available outcome for the company's constituents, including for shareholders," BlackBerry chairwoman Barbara Stymiest said in a statement. Watsa is likely to keep current CEO Thorsten Heins in the job. He said in April that he's a big supporter of Heins and has called his promotion the right decision. He also said he's excited about the company's new BlackBerry 10 operating system. This year's launch of BlackBerry 10 and fancier devices that use it was supposed to rejuvenate the brand and lure customers. But the much-delayed phones have failed to turn the company around. At their peak in the fall of 2009, BlackBerry's smartphones enjoyed global market share of more than 20 percent, says Mike Walkley, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity. That is now just 1.5 percent. BlackBerry said Friday that it will lay off 4,500 employees as it tries to slash costs by 50 percent and shift its focus back to competing mainly for the business customers. That will bring its global headcount to 7,000. The company cut 5,000 jobs last year. A week earlier than expected, BlackBerry surprised the market by reporting Friday that it lost nearly $1 billion in the second quarter. The company is booking over $900 million in charges to write down the value of its unsold smartphones. The company also said Friday it plans to focus on offering only two high-end devices and two entry-level phones going forward, with emphasis on the business market. The decline of BlackBerry, formerly known as Research In Motion Ltd., is evoking memories of Nortel, another Canadian tech giant, which ended up declaring bankruptcy in 2009. But BGC analyst Colin Gillis said taking BlackBerry private is the right move and said it's possible that BlackBerry could survive in a much smaller form. He noted that the $9-per-share offer is lower than the $12.32 average price that the stock traded over the past six months. Anthony Michael Sabino, a professor at St. John's University's business school, said going private removes the burden of pleasing shareholders with short-term results, just as Michael Dell hopes to do with Dell Inc. after winning a bid to take the troubled computer maker private. He said Fairfax is known for patience in its investments, which would give BlackBerry time to regroup. "In all honesty, its fate is still uncertain, but at least now it has a fighting chance," Sabino said. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3976373/ W
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Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 2:52am On Sep 18, 2013 |
faboben10: Wishn everybody writn their exam today success and goodluck Amen |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 10:40pm On Sep 13, 2013 |
A word of advice to Mr Chukwudi "Never step on a Gret Man's Shoe (Do not offend the wrong person)" |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 10:36pm On Sep 13, 2013 |
Each episode keeps springing up surprise, twists and upsets. Can't wait for the next episode. |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 8:16am On Sep 08, 2013 |
Happy Sunday to u all #JustPassingBy |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 2:22pm On Sep 04, 2013 |
preetyjoy: slept with Daisy friend all in the name of girls /sex census! There is a great difference between mutually/willingly/happily agreeing to do something and forcefully doing it.he didn't force the girls to do what they did they all consented to do d deed. 2 Likes |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 7:52am On Jul 31, 2013 |
Yaungdee: Good morning everyone! Good Morning Yaungdee Ekú àárò Gbogbo ilé |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 6:07am On Jul 27, 2013 |
Yaungdee: Good morning all d beautiful and handsome nairalanders... YE5 BO55 |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 1:45pm On Jul 19, 2013 |
Eni~girl: When are u having ur exams? |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 6:54am On Jul 18, 2013 |
Chicent: #TruTalk it would be better 4 him if he just try schooling outside Nigeria, that way his (Zubby's) potentials would be properly exhibited. My opinion though |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 10:18pm On Jul 15, 2013 |
ZUBY77: "Be wary of friends they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them." 10 Likes 1 Share |
Literature / Re: False Pretenses <1ST POSITION, ROMANCE STORY OF THE YEAR AWARD, 2013> by iamlincoln01(m): 5:55am On Jul 15, 2013 |
I've been a Silent/Ghost reader but I have to say this, you're good writer and there's always room for improvement because I'm sure this is not your best.Keep it up Kódúró Sókè |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 2:14pm On Jul 13, 2013 |
11th Comment......Space Booked |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 1:55pm On Jul 13, 2013 |
Zuby.......- giving you a Bad Belle 9/10 Na Only u don experience all this kind tin....the very good the not too good and not too worwor lol |
Literature / Re: My Complicated Love Story by iamlincoln01(m): 9:05pm On Jul 12, 2013 |
Quite an interesting Story........So fascinating too I must say As the saying goes, when a music is sweet, u play it twice. But me I will say when a NL Post is interesting, U Read&Bookmark it **BOOKMARKED** |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 6:37am On Jul 12, 2013 |
Eni~girl: Yeah.......I'm an internet addict...I read so many blogs but just comment 1c in a yl |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 6:34am On Jul 12, 2013 |
m.esther96: Amen |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 5:52pm On Jul 11, 2013 |
yormite: Jambites hope u ar preparing 4 ur post jamb Yeah |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 5:51pm On Jul 11, 2013 |
Eni~girl: U said my mind. Some people(me inclusive) prefer to be silent readers, but just decide to comment once in a blue moon |
Education / Re: OOU 2013/2014 Admission by iamlincoln01(m): 12:50pm On Jul 11, 2013 |
Celebrities / Re: Una Don See Wetin LADY Gaga Bought For Her Boyfriend On His B'day by iamlincoln01(m): 4:45pm On Jul 08, 2013 |
This says it all
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Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 5:52am On Jul 04, 2013 |
On d scle of 1-10 its an 8.5 for me.I like how started with ur sexcapades and somehow towards the end, you delved into more into your real life experiences. A very good write up. I like the fact that u always made use of 1 of my most fav laws "never put 2 much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies". Thanks Zuby 1 Like |
Politics / Re: Lagos 2015: Gladiators In The Race To Succeed Fashola by iamlincoln01(m): 12:37pm On Jun 29, 2013 |
pro01: I just hope Jimi Agbaje would get the PDP ticket. I am certain that that would nail the coffin of these ACN vagabonds in Lagos, and send them out of the state back to Iragbiji in Osun State where they belong, with their tails between their legs. Sometimes we should watch what we say, would u be happy if some calls u a fagabond. Thr fact that u don't like/support them does not mean ushould hurl such words |
Literature / Re: There And Back On Time (Nairaland Best Story of all Time) by iamlincoln01(m): 5:17pm On Jun 27, 2013 |
Oga Zubby, I like the fact that you are trying to Sagoe from maily sexual stories to ur Hustling Experience as well. I have gained a whole lot from your write up not only sexual but ur Hustling spirit as well. 4 Likes |
Dating And Meet-up Zone / Re: Fun N Hot Bbm Group;drop Ur Pins Here To Become A Member by iamlincoln01(m): 4:13am On Jun 21, 2013 |
330306C8 That's ma pin |
Celebrities / Re: PHOTOS: Emmanuel Adebayor Hangs Out With Lil Wayne, Neyo, Birdman &trey Songz by iamlincoln01(m): 1:18pm On Jun 17, 2013 |
Adebayo, My man any day any time. This guy is really Balling |
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