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• RealNetworks joins layoff list

  Posted Dec 05 2008, 08:33 AM by Kim Peterson
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  Filed under: RealNetworks
  Money Blog: Top Stocks Blog - MSN Money

  Shares of RealNetworks fell nearly 7% Friday after it joined the growing number of companies laying off workers this month. Real is cutting 130 jobs, or about 7.5% of its total workforce.

  The company cited the economy, of course, as its motivator, but said it's also consolidating operations and getting more efficient. Here's the CEO memo, courtesy of Digital Daily.
  

  One analyst said the cuts "can only be helpful to the share price outlook," because they'll help cash flow stay positive in a spiraling economy. After topping $7 this summer, Real's share price has plunged to $3.44 and investors have been largely apathetic about the company and its prospects.   Read More...

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• Would you pay for unlimited iTunes?

  Posted Mar 19 2008, 08:02 AM by Kim Peterson
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  Filed under: Apple, music, RealNetworks, Kim Peterson
  Money Blog: Top Stocks Blog - MSN Money

  

  After pooh-poohing music subscription services for years, Apple is talking to labels about that very idea, according to the Financial Times. It's about time. Apple could really energize iPod sales this way. But here's the twist: instead of the regular pay-every-month scenario, the fee would be bundled up front into the price of an iPod or iPhone.

  In other words, if you pay more when you buy the iPod, you could get free access to all the music on iTunes for the life of the device. Executives talking to the FT said research has shown that people will pay up to $100 for that, or they would be willing to pay a $7 to $8 monthly fee for a music subscription.

  Nokia has a similar deal in place for devices it's developing, and reportedly will pay music labels $80 for every device sold. Apple, in its typical drive-the-labels-nuts fashion, has only offered to pay about $20, according to the FT. Nokia is being hit hard with the news today; its shares have fallen nearly 8% this morning to $30.17. Apple shares are down less than 1% to $132.04, and shares in RealNetworks, which owns the competing Rhapsody music subscription service, are down nearly 2%. Napster shares are down 3%.   Read More...

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• RealNetworks has cash but no one cares

  Posted Jan 04 2008, 03:28 AM by Kim Peterson
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  Filed under: RealNetworks
  Money Blog: Top Stocks Blog - MSN Money

  People just don't care about RealNetworks anymore. Bear Stearns analyst Kunal Madhukar put the company's situation bluntly in a client note yesterday, saying that "current disinterest almost verges on apathy" toward the stock. Ouch. Real's shares have had a disappointing year, falling some 40% in the last 12 months to the $6.20 range. 

  Shouldn't investors like this company more? If just for the fact that it's sitting on $600 million in cash?

  RealNetworks is smack in the middle of some of the hottest areas in tech: music and PC games. But those businesses are growing too slowly on the company's balance sheet.   Read More...

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