Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat, Could I have your thoughts on GigaMedia? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

GigaMedia Ltd., $3.23, symbol GIGM on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 54.5 million; Market cap: $176.1 million), is an online entertainment firm that operates through two divisions. The gaming-software division develops and licenses online poker, casino, and sports betting gaming software. This division mainly targets players in continental Europe. Gigamedia’s Asian online games division operates a range of play-for-fun games that are not related to gambling. This division mainly targets players in China. The company lost $2.4 million, or $0.04 a share, in the latest quarter. It expects to record non-cash write-offs of about $35 million to $45 million in the next quarter relating to underperforming games and game investments. The Taiwan-based company expects difficult conditions in the gaming-software business to continue into next year. As well, the company’s Asian online-games division could be held back by a lack of new games. And tough competition from larger rivals is hurting the company’s sales in China. The company’s shares have fallen steadily from $7 in April,…