SAP AG (SAP) reported third quarter of 2009 net income from continuing operations of 60 cents per share, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 58 cents. U.S. GAAP software and software-related service revenues were €1.94 billion (previous year: €1.99 billion), a decrease of 3%. U.S. GAAP total revenues were €2.51 billion (€2.76 billion), a decrease of 9%. U.S. GAAP software revenues were €525 million (€763 million), a decrease of 31% (30% at constant currencies). In the third quarter of 2009, SAP closed major contracts in several key regions including Dagrofa/SuperGros, Prada S.p.A., SeverStal OAO, Surgutneftegaz OAO, Swiss Life AG, and Telefonica, S.A. (TEF) in EMEA; Banco Industrial S.A., ConocoPhillips (COP), Dolby Laboratories (DLB), Fairfax County, Research In Motion Limited (RIMM) and Valero Services Inc. in Americas; and APL Co. Pte. Ltd, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, HDFC Standard Life ...

Communication has been revolutionized by the latest generation of cell phones and other mobile gadgets, including Apple’s iPhone and the Blackberry from Research In Motion Limited, but the telecommunications sector has largely failed to capitalize on mankind’s addiction to the cell phone. The Telecommunications HOLDRS Trust (TTH: sentiment, chart, options) has suffered a rough year, as the exchange-traded fund (ETF) has dropped more than 10% since the start of 2009, easily underperforming the broad market. In fact, TTH has been locked in a sharp decline since October 2007, falling under resistance at its 200-day moving average.

From a sentiment perspective, options players have high hopes for a rebound in the trust. The Schaeffer’s put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) for TTH stands at an annual low of 1.35, indicating that short-term options speculators have not been more bullishly aligned toward the ETF at

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Highlighted stocks include Palm, Inc. (PALM) and Research In Motion Limited (RIMM).Although Palm, Inc. (PALM) surprised us by posting better-than-expected results for 1Q 2009, the maturing lifecycle of Centro, the slow ramp of its Windows Mobile-based product sales, and product transition issues led to a disappointing 2Q 2009.Though Palm is currently working on several cost-saving initiatives and expects to launch its next-generation phone in the first half of calendar year 2009, we have doubts on the success of it given the current economic uncertainty that has dampened demand for consumer products.We continue to believe that Palm badly trails Research In Motion (RIMM) in the smartphone market and will not be able to effectively compete as an independent company. We have low confidence in its ability to survive with a weak market share, so we reiterate our Sell rating on ...

The Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday charged BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Limited (RIMM) and four of its senior executives for stock option backdating.br /br /The SEC’s complaint alleges that Ontario, Canada-based RIMM, its former Chief Financial Officer Dennis Kavelman, former Vice President of Finance Angelo Loberto, and Co-Chief Executive Officers James Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis illegally granted undisclosed, in-the-money options to RIMM executives and employees by backdating millions of stock options over an eight-year period from 1998 through 2006.br /br /”As alleged in our complaint, RIMM and its highest level executives engaged in widespread backdating of options which provided them and other employees with millions of dollars in undisclosed compensation,” said Linda Chatman Thomsen, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “This enforcement action underscores the SEC’s resolve to assure full and accurate disclosure to U.S. investors by foreign issuers.”br /br /Antonia Chion, Associate Director of the SEC’s Division …

Palm, Inc. (PALM) has been growing unit volume as a result of continued popularity of its Centro smartphones. The launch of its Treo 800W gives it a more competitive offering at the high-end of the market.

Although Palm has surprised us by posting better-than expected results for the second quarter, the maturing lifecycle of Centro and product transition issues led the company to lower expectations for the second quarter. We continue to believe that Palm badly trails Research in Motion Limited (RIMM) in the smartphone market and will not be able to effectively compete as an independent company.

We therefore lower our estimates for 2009 and 2010 and reiterate our Sell rating with a lower six-month price target of $2.00.

Anita Mohata contributed to this report.

Read the full analyst report on PALM.

"PALM" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?"RIMM" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? ...