The Satellite News Financial Ticker
Week of Jan. 16 – 22, 2004
|
Percentage Change
|
|||||
Symbol
|
Jan. 22 Price
|
One Week
|
One Month
|
Three Month
|
Year to Date
|
|
Operators
|
||||||
APT SATELLITE HLDGS | ATS |
2.79
|
(0.7)
|
18.2
|
24.0
|
17.2
|
ASIASAT TELECOM | SAT |
20.24
|
1.8
|
8.5
|
18.4
|
6.6
|
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING | BSY |
56.12
|
0.6
|
12.5
|
27.5
|
10.2
|
ECHOSTAR COMM -CL A | DISH |
35.94
|
1.0
|
8.6
|
(8.7)
|
5.7
|
HUGHES ELEC (GM -CL H) | GMH |
17.31
|
2.7
|
8.3
|
11.1
|
4.6
|
LORAL SPACE & COMM | LOR |
1.05
|
141.4
|
208.8
|
156.1
|
233.3
|
NEWS CORP | NWS |
38.45
|
2.9
|
11.3
|
10.6
|
6.5
|
NEW SKIES SATELLITES | NSK |
7.02
|
(3.8)
|
4.8
|
19.2
|
(2.0)
|
PANAMSAT | SPOT |
21.80
|
6.5
|
5.5
|
11.3
|
1.1
|
PASIFIK SATELIT NUSANTARA | PSNRY |
0.20
|
2.6
|
290.0
|
5.4
|
290.0
|
PEGASUS COMMUNICATIONS | PGTV |
47.94
|
29.2
|
137.3
|
255.1
|
70.7
|
SES GLOBAL | SESF.LU |
7.98
|
2.2
|
5.6
|
4.3
|
(0.3)
|
SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO | SIRI |
3.28
|
1.5
|
48.4
|
28.1
|
3.8
|
XM SATELLITE RADIO | XMSR |
26.79
|
0.3
|
17.5
|
36.4
|
1.9
|
Operators’ Average |
100.00
|
13.4
|
56.1
|
42.8
|
46.4
|
|
Manufacturers
|
||||||
ANDREW | ANDW |
16.99
|
(0.2)
|
48.1
|
24.7
|
46.6
|
BALL | BLL |
58.81
|
1.9
|
(0.1)
|
8.1
|
(1.3)
|
BOEING | BA |
42.89
|
(0.5)
|
3.4
|
17.2
|
1.8
|
COM DEV INTL | *CDV |
3.25
|
9.8
|
22.6
|
22.6
|
12.8
|
EMS TECHNOLOGIES | ELMG |
24.12
|
(5.3)
|
25.6
|
29.2
|
17.4
|
GARMIN | GRMN |
56.44
|
(1.7)
|
2.6
|
26.0
|
3.6
|
GILAT SAT NETWORKS | GILTF |
6.80
|
19.7
|
34.9
|
52.8
|
39.1
|
GLOBECOM | GCOM |
5.78
|
11.8
|
12.2
|
39.3
|
21.7
|
HARRIS | HRS |
48.73
|
20.2
|
29.0
|
36.3
|
28.4
|
HONEYWELL | HON |
35.86
|
(0.9)
|
12.7
|
23.4
|
7.3
|
KVH | KVHI |
19.53
|
7.1
|
(33.5)
|
(27.9)
|
(29.2)
|
LOCKHEED MARTIN | LMT |
50.98
|
(1.0)
|
1.5
|
10.8
|
(0.8)
|
LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES | LU |
4.04
|
(0.8)
|
39.3
|
64.9
|
42.2
|
MOTOROLA | MOT |
16.70
|
2.1
|
26.3
|
24.4
|
19.3
|
NERA | NERAY |
2.35
|
(1.2)
|
16.4
|
5.3
|
13.3
|
ORBITAL SCIENCES | ORB |
13.26
|
(0.4)
|
6.8
|
35.9
|
10.3
|
QUALCOMM | QCOM |
57.11
|
(5.0)
|
11.9
|
26.0
|
5.9
|
RAYTHEON | RTN |
31.81
|
2.6
|
6.6
|
13.4
|
5.9
|
ROCKWELL COLLINS | COL |
32.29
|
(0.2)
|
10.4
|
20.2
|
7.5
|
SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA | SFA |
33.41
|
1.0
|
25.4
|
(9.2)
|
22.4
|
SKY FRAMES | SKYU |
0.00
|
–
|
(99.7)
|
(99.8)
|
(99.0)
|
TITAN | TTN |
21.76
|
(0.1)
|
–
|
3.6
|
(0.2)
|
TRIMBLE NAVIGATION | TRMB |
41.24
|
0.9
|
21.3
|
70.8
|
10.7
|
VIASAT | VSAT |
23.48
|
(4.1)
|
24.0
|
19.8
|
22.7
|
Manufacturers’ Average |
100.00
|
2.3
|
10.3
|
18.2
|
8.7
|
|
Nasdaq Composite Index
|
||||||
Nasdaq | comp |
2,119.01
|
0.4
|
8.6
|
9.2
|
5.8
|
SP 500 | sp50 |
1,143.94
|
1.2
|
5.1
|
9.4
|
2.9
|
SN Stock Price Average | — |
100.00
|
6.4
|
27.2
|
27.3
|
22.6
|
Wall Street Analysis
By Paul Dykewicz
Concerns that a discount pricing war could erode profits in the U.S. multichannel video sector were put to rest late last week when DirecTV announced price hikes that topped those from the previous week announced by rival EchoStar Communications [Nasdaq: DISH].
Since cable TV operators are notorious for boosting prices every year, the decision by both satellite TV service providers to raise their rates should enhance the profitability prospects for cable and satellite companies. Part of the price hikes will cover increased programming costs, but both companies should also benefit with additional revenues.
The price hike for DirecTV averages 4.5 percent across its various programming packages, according to a research report released Jan. 23 by Vijay Jayant, a satellite and cable analyst at Lehman Brothers. Those price increases are “significantly higher” than the 1.7 percent average price hike on EchoStar’s programming packages, he added.
Also notable is a new DirecTV promotional package that offers discounts on its least expensive option to entice new subscribers. DirecTV is the higher priced satellite TV service across the board; its new promotion is aimed at the low-end customers that generally go to EchoStar. DirecTV is offering its Total Choice programming for $29.99 per month for the first six months of service, before the price rises to the standard rate of $39.99 per month. Customers must agree to buy one year of programming and also purchase DirecTV equipment. The promotion competes directly with EchoStar’s bargain-basement $29.99 a month America’s Top 60 programming package. The increased aggressiveness by DirecTV follows closely on the heels of the acquisition of its parent Hughes Electronics [NYSE: HS] by News Corp [NYSE: NWS]. Watch for DirecTV to be more aggressive in the coming months in the areas of programming options, equipment, and service enhancements.
Paul Dykewicz is the senior editor and senior analyst of SATELLITE NEWS. He can be reached by e-mail [email protected] at or by phone at 301/354-1769.