Apple (AAPL) continues to bring the iPhone to countries outside the U.S. Although its launch in China didn't generate as much fanfare as the company had hoped, things take time to roll into a big ball of success. Apple won't be slowing down international introductions of the handset that changed the wireless game, that's for sure.

As such, South Korea's own LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics are about to see their homeland assaulted by the official introduction of the iPhone for sale into that country. South Korea's KT Corp. and SK Telecom are the reported carriers for Apple's iPhone there, and although the South Korean market may seem like a small potato of opportunity for Apple, the company has been cleared by the Korean Communications Commission to start selling its popular handset.

Continue reading Apple's iPhone set for South Korean launch

Apple's iPhone set for South Korean launch originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung reverses itself on SanDisk buyout, backs away originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

UST (NYSE: UST) is recently trading at $62.80 in pre-open trading, above its close of $54. Altria Group (NYSE: MO) is close to acquiring UST in a deal worth more than $10 billion, the New York Times reported. UST September option implied volatility is at 39; October is at 35 above its 26-week average of 27 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

ScanDisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) is recently trading at $17.49 in pre-open trading, above its close of $13.46. Samsung Electronics said it is looking at various ways of tying up with SNDK. SNDK, a supplier of flash storage cards says "SNDK periodically has conversations with multiple parties, including Samsung, regarding a variety of potential business opportunities. We evaluate all of these opportunities, but maintain a policy of not commenting on market rumors or speculation," SNDK September option implied volatility of 64 is above its 26-week average of 59 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movements.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Option Update: UST volatility elevated into Altria acquisition talks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shares in chip-maker Micron Technology, Inc. (NYSE: MU) are trading higher on rumors that Samsung Electronics may buy part of their business. The South Korean Electronics giant is denying the report. Micron Technology of the U.S. is the world's leading producer of CMOS image-sensing chips. Micron three years ago invested heavily in image-sensor chips as a hedge against fluctuations in demand and prices of memory chips. Business has been very week as prices for these chips have plummeted. That being said, chip-makers have started cutting production to create better pricing.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) analyst Atif Malik said he understood why investors are getting excited about a potential price rebound for Micron shares as chip makers are starting to cut production in some less-profitable types of chips.

While Samsung denies the rumors, I wouldn't be surprised if a deal gets done. Why? Because in October Samsung bought Israeli non-memory chip developer TransChip Inc. to help strengthen its research and development capability in the CMOS chip business.

With Micron shares down more than 35% from their 52 week high, Samsung would be able to establish a real foothold in this business for cheap.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. Disclosure: Writer has no position in any stock mentioned as of 12/6/07.

Will Samsung save Micron? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung profits slack as product margins evaporate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.