5 posts and columns on Benjamin Schachter

Google’s Little Fiber Experiment Could Cost Over $1 Billion

in News on February 10, 2010 at 3:30 pm PT

The surprise announcement that Google is going to experiment with installing ultra fast optical fiber-based broadband Internet access to up to 500,000 people has some very real potential economic consequences.

QOTD

“If the new management team cannot fix user engagement, most of the other initiatives will not mean much. The company has laid out a strategy to focus on ‘niche-at-scale’ content and advertising. We are simply not believers in this strategy, and we do not give the company credit for it working.”

– Broadpoint AmTech analyst Benjamin Schachter isn’t convinced that the new AOL is any better than the old one.

Google Plans $750 Million Buyback to Offset AdMob Dilution

in News on November 11, 2009 at 3:30 pm PT

Google plans to buy back $750 million of its common stock to offset dilution from shares to be issued in the pending all-stock acquisition of AdMob, CEO Eric Schmidt told Bloomberg yesterday.

Stock Stronger as Yahoo Preps to Report Next Week–But Employee Departures (and Return of Yodeling!) Rattle

in News on October 14, 2009 at 12:39 am PT

In one week, Yahoo will report its third-quarter earnings, after the market closes. And so far, its stock is showing signs that investors are hoping for better days ahead for the Internet giant. Other good news: A pair of bullish analyst reports yesterday. But, a spate of executive departures, with chances of more to come, are worrisome. As is the excessive yodeling Yahoo is once again encouraging.
yodelstudio

Activision Blizzard: Guitar Hero World Tour Launches, Earnings Loom–Recession-Proof or Recession-Resistant?

in News on October 27, 2008 at 3:00 pm PT

Guitar Hero World Tour couldn’t boost Activision Blizzard’s share price despite a decent debut this weekend. Decent, but not stellar. Wii and Xbox 360 versions of the game were near-sellouts, the PS3 version less so. Good news, then, that UBS analyst Benjamin Schachter thinks the videogame industry could be recession-resistant.