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Microsoft to rename SkyDrive after losing trademark suit

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Microsoft will be forced to rename its SkyDrive cloud storage service after failing to defend its trademark against U.K. broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting.

BSkyB, as the service is more commonly called, filed suit against Microsoft in 2011 in the English High Court, successfully arguing that the “Sky” portion of its name could be confused with Microsoft’s own SkyDrive, and that Microsoft’s use of the name SkyDrive infringed Sky’s rights in the ‘Sky’ mark.

In June, Microsoft lost the case in England and Wales, and failed on appeal as well.

For Microsoft, losing the case will have financial consequences, as the company will be forced to rewrite promotional materials, which have increasingly focused upon SkyDrive as the glue that holds its various software services together. Microsoft hasn’t said how much it will all cost, but will probably provide an accounting in subsequent earnings reports, if the amount is materially significant.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at PCWorld

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Should You Buy ITV?

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By Royston Wild, The Motley Fool

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LONDON — The shares of broadcaster ITV  have steadily marched higher since the summer of 2012 and are currently up almost a quarter in the year to date against a 10% rise for the whole FTSE 100 index, just off a recent record peak of 132 pence.

The company has undergone extensive reshaping in recent years and last year delivered double-digit profit growth despite a subdued television advertising backdrop. Broker Liberum Capital has placed a 155 pence price target on the stock, suggesting the price still has further ground for gains.

Advertising revenues set to march higher
ITV‘s 2012 results released last month showed revenues rise 3% to 2.2 billion pounds, driving earnings before interest, taxes and amortization 13% higher to 520 million pounds.

The results were particularly encouraging, given the lack of growth in TV advertising, illustrating the strength of the firm’s online and content divisions. But even here the environment looks ready to improve.

Liberum said it expects pay-TV and broadband advertising spending to become much more aggressive as we approach the summer.

With BT Group ready to launch its Premier League portfolio, prompting a scramble among competitors British Sky Broadcasting, Virgin Media, and Talk Talk, ITV should experience rising advertising revenues.

And with ITV continuing to build its share of the television advertising market — 2012 levels stood at 45.8% versus 44.7% in 2009 — and “real time” TV viewing rising over the period, the broadcaster’s structural drivers continue to improve.

Elsewhere, ITV‘s extensive cost-cutting program is set to match last year’s 20 million pounds of savings in 2013. And further savings can be expected further out as additional measures come to fruition, including the restructuring of its news operations.

The price is right
City analysts expect earnings per share to rise 11% in 2013, to 10 pence, before rising a further 7% next year to 11 pence.

ITV‘s shares currently change hands on P/E ratios of 12.9 and 12 for 2013 and 2014, respectively, below the wider media average of 13.6. I expect the P/E multiple to continue trending lower as earnings improve further out.

The broadcaster is also anticipated to continue building dividends, and analysts predict last year’s 2.6 pence-per-share payout to rise to 3.9 pence in 2013 and to 4 pence per share in 2014.

These prospective payments are represented by yields of 3% and 3.1% for this year and next, below the FTSE 100 average, but they are safeguarded with coverage of about 2.6 times for both years. A reading above 2 is considered the benchmark for splendid protection.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Should I Buy BT Group for My ISA?

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By Royston Wild, The Motley Fool

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LONDON — I believe that BT Group‘s aggressive strategy to build its broadband and television portfolios should underpin solid growth over the long term.

The company operates a lucrative dividend policy, making it a great pick for your tax-efficient stocks and share ISA (just click here for more information on how to maximize returns from ISAs). In my opinion, BT‘s improving earnings potential should enable it to maintain its policy of generous shareholder payouts.

Broadband and television operations ratchet up
BT continues to build market share in the U.K. broadband market, and bolstered its weighty presence further following last month’s 4G services auction. The company forked out 186 million pounds for the license to 2 x 15 MHz at the 2.6 MHz range, a move designed to enhance its wireless broadband services and allow connectivity to more remote parts of the country.

Elsewhere, BT is stepping up the fight with consolidated services heavyweight British Sky Broadcasting by steadily buildings its television portfolio to offer a rival “triple play” package.

BT agreed to buy ESPN’s U.K. and Ireland television channels late last month in a bid to bolster its BT Sport package, which is due for launch this summer. The deal gives BT the broadcasting rights to a host of top-notch football competitions, including the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League, in addition to the 38 English Premier League matches it has already agreed to show over the next three seasons.

A recent survey by broker Liberum Capital suggested that BT is gaining more interest from potential customers, with 37% of respondents in February claiming that they would consider switching from Sky, up from 25% in October and 28% in July.

The broker anticipates new BT Vision subscriptions will jump from around 100,000 per year to 250,000, mainly on the back of BT‘s ability to substantially undercut Sky on a price basis.

Earnings on course to tread higher
City analysts expect earnings per share to maintain a steady ascent in coming years — a 5% forecast increase to 24.9 pence for the year ending March 2013 is anticipated to rise 1% to 25.1 pence in 2014, and 7% to 26.9 pence in 2015.

I reckon that the telecoms giant represents decent value for money at current prices. A P/E reading of 10.8 for this year is forecast to slip to 10.7 in 2014, before sliding to 10 during the following 12 months.

BT also looks a canny pick for income investors seeking to latch on to excellent prospective dividend growth. A projected yield of 3.5% for 2013 — matching the average payout yield for the FTSE 100 — is expected by City experts to accelerate to 4% and 4.5% in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

After slashing its dividend in 2009 due to heavy earnings pressure, the company has rebuilt its progressive dividend policy that is now safeguarded with much better dividend coverage. Meaty forecast coverage of 2.6 times for 2013 is expected to remain high at 2.4 times and 2.2 times for 2014 …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance