RIM shares fall back to earth as Samsung denies takeover talk
But licensing deal seen possible; Goldman Sachs reportedly engaged.
Jan 19: Consumer electronics giant Samsung has issued a statement denying it is takeover talks with struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM).
RIM's shares (NAS:RIMM), which closed up 8.04% yesterday on the buy-out rumour, were down 2.92% in late Nasdaq trading.
While a full sale seems off the table, investors still see it likely that RIM will license elements of the BlackBerry software platform to other smartphone manufacturers. According to a Wall Street Journal report, RIM has engaged Goldman Sachs to "explore strategic options".
The Canadian company has also pledged to bring in an independent chairman as part of a wider executive shake-up, to be unveilled next month.
BlackBerry maker's shares surge on Samsung takeover talk
Jan 18: The Boy Genuis Report (BGR) - a well-regarded Apple blogsite - has run a post claiming Research in Motion (RIM), maker of the BlackBerry - is in takeover talks with Samsung.
The Wall Street Journal was quick to pour cold water on the report, which it describes as likely just another "magical unicorn" rumour about RIM, which has struggled as its BlackBerry has lost market share to Apple's iPhone and handsets running Google's Android software.
Regardless, investors were buying into the rumour, with RIM's shares (NAS:RIMM) rising 8% today to $US17.47 (still well off the company's 52-week high of $US70.54), giving the BlackBerry maker a market cap of $US9 billion.
Boy Genius and the Wall Street Journal do agree on one thing: RIM is likely to license the technology behind its Messenger software - a key element of the BlackBerry platform.
BlackBerry Messenger's secure, multi-recipient service proved popular with London rioters this year, and is seen as unique. Licensing it to other smartphone makers would help RIM's bottom line, but also dimish its own handsets' appeal.
NBR staff
Thu, 19 Jan 2012
Thu, 19 Jan 2012
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RIM shares fall back to earth as Samsung denies takeover talk
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