BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Meade Instruments (MEAD): The sky really is falling]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/17/meade-instruments-mead-the-sky-really-is-falling/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/17/meade-instruments-mead-the-sky-really-is-falling/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/17/meade-instruments-mead-the-sky-really-is-falling/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Astronomers, both professional and backyard, know Meade Instruments Corporation (NASDAQ: MEAD) as a manufacturer and retailer of fine optical instruments, including telescopes, microscopes and binoculars. The company is still in the midst of what CEO Steve Muellner says is a "restructuring."

Revenues for both 4Q and FY 2008 are down, not significantly, but down nonetheless. The results would have been worse but for Meade's decision to sell its Simmons, Weaver and Redfield brands for $15 million in gross cash proceeds. Gross profit margins are down and FY net losses continue, only at a slightly slower pace. FY 2008 net loss was $17.7 million or $0.81 per share versus FY 2007 net loss of $19.3 million or $0.98 per share. Due to the closing of Discovery Stores, Meade Instruments took a $4 million inventory write-down.

The earnings news, while unimpressive, was not unexpected. What caused the stock to drop over 10% in trading on 16 June 2008 to close at $1.10 was a warning by auditors that there are doubts about the company's ability to continue in business. Meade senior management insists the company has the necessary cash flow to stay in business for at least the next 12 months. The company plans to introduce several new products during FY 2009 and will continue to cut costs whenever possible during the restructuring.

Meade Instruments (MEAD): The sky really is falling originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astronomybinocularsBushnellDiscovery StoresDiscoveryStoresMEADMeade Instruments CorporationMeadeInstrumentsCorporationmicroscopesSteve MuellnerSteveMuellnertelescopesTue, 17 Jun 2008 13:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Google (GOOG) adds the universe to Google Earth]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/22/google-adds-the-universe-to-google-earth/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/22/google-adds-the-universe-to-google-earth/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/22/google-adds-the-universe-to-google-earth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

To the best of our knowledge, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is the #1 search engine in the entire universe. Therefore, it's appropriate that it should turn its attention to the skies as a likely new market.

To this end, the company has added a cool new feature to Google Earth -- Google Sky. Now you can turn the Google Earth lens outwards and explore the heavens as seen from our planet, 100 million stars and 200 million galaxies all served up in high-resolution images, including some from the Hubble Space Telescope.

The imagery is a compilation of data from many astronomy sources, based on a initiative from University of Washington visiting faculty. In addition to images, the program offers animation showing the near-future celestial mechanics of the moon and solar planets, and click-on information about objects in view.

I have this picture in my mind of an astronaut, on the night before a moon launch, printing out a map of his/her route to the Sea of Tranquility

Google (GOOG) adds the universe to Google Earth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astronomyfeaturedgoogGooglegoogle earthGoogle SkyGoogleEarthGoogleSkysky mapSkyMapsolar systemSolarSystemuniverse mapUniverseMapWed, 22 Aug 2007 13:05:00 EST