Archives for February 26, 2020

Fujifilm’s slimmer Instax Mini 11 features automatic exposure

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Get great instant photos with minimal fuss.

It’s been a while since we heard anything from Fujifilm’s Instax arm, but three years after the launch of the colorful, selfie-friendly Mini 9, its successor has arrived. The Instax Mini 11 (it’s not clear why they jumped the 10) offers up the same fun instant-photography experience, but with a few notable improvements.

For a start, it’s much slimmer than the Mini 9, which is obviously good news for those that want to get out and about with instant picture taking. It also comes with an automatic exposure function that senses the level of ambient light when the shutter button is pressed, and optimizes shutter speed and flash accordingly (so no more dial adjustments). Again, there’s a selfie mode — this time you don’t need a close-up lens attachment — and the body features custom, interchangeable shutter buttons for additional personalization. Like the Mini 9, it comes with a variety of colors, this time based on a pale pastel palette. It’s slated for launch in mid-March, with a price tag of $70.

Qualcomm reveals a reference headset to show off its XR2 chip

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It’s what under the hood that counts.

Qualcomm unveiled its XR2 platform at the end of last year, and chipheads were pretty impressed with how much power the company had packed into its newest slice of silicon. Its XR (extended reality) platform features 5G (a first, according to Qualcomm) and 8K 360-degree video playback, as well as a host of other features that double the CPU and GPU performance of its predecessors. Now, the company has revealed a reference design that demonstrates how the chipset will actually work in a headset.

Developed with Goertek, the headset looks a lot like any other, but what’s under the hood sets it apart from the competition. As well as 5G, 8K and double the CPU and GPU performance of Qualcomm’s previous XR platform, the XR2 headset features four times the video bandwidth, six times higher resolution and eleven times the AI improvements. The design supports up to seven cameras, and includes an IR emitter for hand and head tracking, as well as electromagnetic tracking tech for low latency and peripheral device tracking. It also packs in 3D audio and voice commands.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a device made for regular Joes. Yet, at least. At this stage the reference design is expected to be available for select partners in the coming months — that is, companies that are doing interesting stuff with AR and VR and want a top level platform to showcase their work. However, it does demonstrate what’s on the horizon for XR, and what consumers will eventually be able to get their hands on.

Solar Capital (NASDAQ:SLRC) Shares Down 0.5% on Analyst Downgrade

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Solar Capital Ltd. (NASDAQ:SLRC)’s stock price dropped 0.5% on Monday after Deutsche Bank lowered their price target on the stock from $24.00 to $23.50. Deutsche Bank currently has a buy rating on the stock. Solar Capital traded as low as $19.50 and last traded at $19.75, approximately 16,927 shares were traded during trading. A decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 123,648 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.85.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on SLRC. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lowered shares of Solar Capital from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday. TheStreet lowered shares of Solar Capital from a “b” rating to a “c+” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. BidaskClub lowered shares of Solar Capital from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Compass Point lowered shares of Solar Capital from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $22.50 to $21.50 in a research note on Friday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Solar Capital from $22.50 to $21.50 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. The stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $22.43.

In other news, insider Guy Talarico bought 7,150 shares of Solar Capital stock in a transaction on Friday, December 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $20.86 per share, with a total value of $149,149.00. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 930 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $19,399.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 6.00% of the company’s stock.

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Partners Group Holding AG lifted its stake in shares of Solar Capital by 19.3% in the 4th quarter. Partners Group Holding AG now owns 892,438 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $18,402,000 after acquiring an additional 144,301 shares during the period. Credit Suisse AG lifted its stake in shares of Solar Capital by 15.9% in the 4th quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 652,079 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $13,446,000 after acquiring an additional 89,469 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Solar Capital by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 520,335 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $10,821,000 after acquiring an additional 10,394 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in shares of Solar Capital by 21.6% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 358,091 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $7,384,000 after acquiring an additional 63,614 shares during the period. Finally, Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Solar Capital by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. now owns 348,468 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $7,185,000 after acquiring an additional 3,455 shares during the period. 59.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

The business’s 50 day moving average price is $20.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $20.60. The company has a market capitalization of $838.86 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 19th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.22%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 18th. Solar Capital’s dividend payout ratio is currently 95.91%.

About Solar Capital (NASDAQ:SLRC)

Solar Capital Ltd. is a business development company specializing in secured debt (first lien unitranche and second lien), subordinated (unsecured) debt, minority equity, and strategic income-oriented control equity investments in leveraged middle market companies. The fund invests in aerospace and defense; air freight & logistics; asset management; automotive; banking; beverage, food and tobacco; building products; buildings and real estate; broadcasting and entertainment; cargo transport; commercial services and supplies; communications equipment; chemicals, plastics and rubber; containers, packaging and glass; construction & engineering; diversified/conglomerate manufacturing; consumer Finance; distributors; diversified/conglomerate services; diversified financial services; diversified real estate sctivities; food products; Footwear; Education Services; diversified telecommunications services; electronics; farming and agriculture; finance; grocery; health care equipment and supplies; health care facilities; education and childcare; home and office furnishing, durable consumer products; hotels, motels, inns and gaming; insurance; restaurants, leisure, amusement, and entertainment; leisure equipment tolls and services, media, multiline retail, multi sector holdings; paper and forest products; personal products; professional services, research and consulting services, software; specialty retail; textiles apparel and luxury goods, thrifts and mortgage finance, trading companies and distributors, utilities, and wireless telecommunication services; industrial conglomerates; internet software and services, IT services, machinery; mining, steel, iron, and non precious metals; oil and gas; personal, food and miscellaneous services; printing and publishing; retail stores; telecommunications; textiles and leather; and utilities.

DiamondRock Hospitality (NYSE:DRH) Shares Gap Up After Analyst Upgrade

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Shares of DiamondRock Hospitality (NYSE:DRH) gapped up prior to trading on Monday after Deutsche Bank raised their price target on the stock from $11.00 to $12.00. The stock had previously closed at $9.83, but opened at $10.56. Deutsche Bank currently has a hold rating on the stock. DiamondRock Hospitality shares last traded at $10.15, with a volume of 2,700,137 shares trading hands.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on DRH. Wells Fargo & Co upgraded DiamondRock Hospitality from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $11.00 price target for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. ValuEngine upgraded DiamondRock Hospitality from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on DiamondRock Hospitality from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $11.40.

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 12,931,725 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $143,283,000 after purchasing an additional 937,426 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management increased its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 4,988,459 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $55,272,000 after purchasing an additional 85,200 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,759,214 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $41,653,000 after purchasing an additional 115,163 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,696,057 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $35,741,000 after purchasing an additional 219,747 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of DiamondRock Hospitality by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,656,835 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $40,517,000 after purchasing an additional 193,884 shares in the last quarter.

The company has a 50 day moving average of $10.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.76. The stock has a market cap of $2.11 billion, a PE ratio of 11.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.40.

DiamondRock Hospitality Company Profile (NYSE:DRH)

DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of geographically diversified hotels concentrated in top gateway markets and destination resort locations. The Company owns 31 premium quality hotels with over 10,000 rooms. The Company has strategically positioned its hotels to be operated both under leading global brand families such as Hilton and Marriott as well as unique boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment.

Intersect ENT (NASDAQ:XENT) Shares Down 8.9%

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Intersect ENT Inc (NASDAQ:XENT) traded down 8.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $23.09 and last traded at $24.38, 1,163,589 shares traded hands during trading. An increase of 49% from the average session volume of 780,586 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.76.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Jaffray Companies set a $21.00 price target on shares of Intersect ENT and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Intersect ENT from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, BidaskClub downgraded shares of Intersect ENT from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $27.25.

The company has a market cap of $843.34 million, a PE ratio of -19.05 and a beta of 0.91. The business’s fifty day moving average is $25.87 and its 200-day moving average is $20.87.

Intersect ENT (NASDAQ:XENT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 24th. The medical equipment provider reported ($0.25) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.35) by $0.10. The company had revenue of $31.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.60 million. Intersect ENT had a negative net margin of 36.37% and a negative return on equity of 34.19%. The firm’s revenue was down 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.16) earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Intersect ENT Inc will post -1.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in shares of Intersect ENT by 7.0% in the fourth quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,487,366 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $37,035,000 after buying an additional 97,386 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Intersect ENT by 39.6% in the fourth quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 820,608 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $20,433,000 after buying an additional 232,765 shares during the last quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of Intersect ENT by 49.7% in the fourth quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 812,720 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $20,237,000 after buying an additional 269,666 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Intersect ENT by 5.1% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 726,772 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $12,362,000 after buying an additional 35,130 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Man Group plc boosted its holdings in shares of Intersect ENT by 4.4% in the third quarter. Man Group plc now owns 659,034 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $11,210,000 after buying an additional 27,762 shares during the last quarter. 99.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Intersect ENT (NASDAQ:XENT)

Intersect ENT, Inc, a drug delivery company, researches and develops products for the treatment of patients with ear, nose, and throat conditions in the United States. The company offers PROPEL and PROPEL mini drug releasing implants for patients undergoing sinus surgery to treat chronic sinusitis; and PROPEL Contour, a steroid releasing implant to frontal and maxillary sinus ostia, or openings, of the dependent sinuses.

Express (NYSE:EXPR) Shares Down 8.3%

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Express, Inc. (NYSE:EXPR) shares were down 8.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $4.05 and last traded at $4.09, approximately 1,511,394 shares traded hands during trading. A decline of 10% from the average daily volume of 1,678,725 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.46.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on EXPR shares. B. Riley raised their target price on Express from $4.00 to $4.50 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Zacks Investment Research cut Express from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, ValuEngine cut Express from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $4.30.

The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The stock has a market cap of $285.04 million, a P/E ratio of -11.36 and a beta of 1.12. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $4.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.69.

Express (NYSE:EXPR) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the Zacks’ consensus estimate of ($0.09) by $0.06. Express had a negative return on equity of 1.38% and a negative net margin of 1.17%. The firm had revenue of $488.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $483.25 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.11 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was down 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Express, Inc. will post -0.12 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Express by 5.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 918,533 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,472,000 after purchasing an additional 50,611 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its position in shares of Express by 564.3% during the fourth quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 210,530 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,025,000 after purchasing an additional 178,836 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Express by 9.1% during the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 331,715 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,615,000 after purchasing an additional 27,591 shares during the period. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Express by 125.3% during the fourth quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 84,821 shares of the company’s stock worth $413,000 after purchasing an additional 47,169 shares during the period. Finally, Oxford Asset Management LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Express during the fourth quarter worth about $2,003,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.22% of the company’s stock.

About Express (NYSE:EXPR)

Express, Inc operates as an apparel and accessories retailer. It offers apparel and accessories for women and men for work, casual, jeanswear, and going-out occasions. The company sells its products through its e-commerce Website, express.com; and mobile app, as well as franchisees Express locations in Latin America.