AuthenTec [AUTH: 1.78, 0.00 (0.00%)], the world’s leading provider of fingerprint sensors and solutions to the PC, Wireless and Access Control markets, released their Q1/09 earnings and held their analyst conference call May 12th after the market closed.

As I wrote on my Twitter feed, 3 of the companies in the portfolio reported last week, and all things considered, AuthenTec was not the highest on my priority list by any means.

Sure, I guess that speaks to the status of the company, and I’m seriously considering shuttering the entire position as I’ll discuss below, but for now, it looks like with AuthenTec’s huge cash position (the stock currently trades at less than the $2.31 per share in cash on hand), as well as their intellectual property (IP) and client

Wal-Mart (

AuthenTec, Inc. (NASD: AUTH), the world leader in providing fingerprint authentication sensors and solutions to the high-volume PC, wireless device and access control markets, recently reported its financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended October 3, 2008. Quarterly revenue posted a 22 percent increase to $18.4 million when compared to the corresponding period one-year earlier and was in line with the company’s updated guidance range of $18.2 million to $18.5 million for the third quarter.

On a non-GAAP basis, the company reported record net income for the third quarter of $1.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share. This reflects a year-over-year improvement of 62 percent compared to net income of $859,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2007 and beat third quarter estimates of $0.03 per share. AuthenTec, Inc. expects revenue in the fourth quarter to range from $12.5 million to $13.5 million.

F. Scott

AuthenTec Inc. (AUTH) is the world leader in providing fingerprint authentication sensors and solutions to the high-volume PC, wireless device, and access control markets. The company has sold more than 30 million sensors worldwide.

AuthenTec’s sensors utilize the company’s patented TruePrint and TrueMatch technologies which allow fingerprints to be read below the surface of the skin to the live layer - or true fingerprint. This technology is not affected by common skin surface conditions dry, worn, calloused, oily, or dirty skin that can affect other sensors’ ability to acquire accurate fingerprint images for user authentication purposes. The company’s fingerprint sensor technologies are the only technologies capable of acquiring everyone’s fingerprint under virtually any condition.

The company’s technologies are the driver behind AuthenTec’s ability to provide the broadest range of form factors and the lowest cost fingerprint sensors on the market today. The company’s network of partners and customers include: Texas Instruments, Samsung,

AuthenTec, Inc. stock was upgraded from “Outperform” to “Strong Buy” by Raymond James Financial on Thursday (June 12th). The announcement fueled a rapid appreciation of 12.3 percent for the day.

AuthenTec itself has been growing by leaps and bounds, seeing a 67 percent revenue increase in the first quarter of 2008. In a recent conference call held to discuss the quarter ended March 31st, the company expressed the belief that 2008 revenues will only continue to grow. It is estimated that earnings for the second quarter will total more than $17.2 million, as a result of large-volume shipments of the company’s “AES 2810″ PC fingerprint-authentication product. It has also been reported that Intel’s Montevina laptops will come equipped with the AES 2810 sensors, to begin shipping in the second half of 2008.

In addition, AuthenTec has announced its intent to step up research and development efforts in a play for an