Written by: Israel Investor Newsletter | June 12, 2008
The Wall Street Journal loves to poke fun at corporate execs living large on the lam. Kobi Alexander, Comverse’s (CMVT) Namibian-dwelling ex-CEO, is not spared any ribbing in today’s Page 1 of the WSJ (sub. required).
Seems that Mr Alexander put on a lavish bar mitzvah party for his son recently which included flying in over 200 guests from Israel and the U.S. and a gala performance by a IOI’s Aaron Katsman’s favorite hip-hop group, Subliminal.
For all you heading to Rio de Janeiro, but worried about the crime, you can breathe a sigh of relief, as the city’s crime rates have started to drop. How, you may ask? Due to Israelitechnology. Verint Systems’ (VRNT.pk), one of our favorites at IOI, surveillance systems have made a dramatic impact in fighting crime for the Brazilian city. So much so, that their system is being deployed in more areas than originally planned.
The success to date of Verint’s Nextiva Critical Infrastructure has earned praise from those connected to crime fighting. “We are committed to providing a safe city atmosphere for the residents and visitors of Rio de Janeiro, and through our expanded deployment of Verint’sNextiva solution, we will continue to decrease crime rates to allow our economy to thrive,”said Edval de Oliveria Novaes, Under Secretary of Intelligence for the city of Rio de Janeiro. “We’ve already seen dramatic, positive results from the initial deployment, and this expansion will build on that success.”
The success of the initial implementation, which contributed to the reduction of crime rates by over 50% in the high-traffic area of Copacabana Beach, is staggering.
Obviously this is a big win for Verint as a major deployment in such a major city, proves their effectiveness in video surveillance.
It’s just a shame that only now things are safer at Copacabana beach. Had Verint been around 30 years ago, Rico never would have shot Tony, and Lola would have been able to live her life. Instead she is…. ” Still in the dress she used to wear, faded feathers in her hair She sits there so refined, and drinks herself half-blind She lost her youth and she lost her Tony Now she’s lost her mind!
Oh well. Better late than never.
Disclosure: Author’s fund has a position in VRNT.pk, fund has no position in any other stock mentioned as of 4/24/08.
NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.
Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
IOI has mentionednumerous times about the intriguing potential buying opportunity presented in Comverse Technology (CMVT.pk). The huge cash position along with large positions in publicly traded Verint Systems (VRNT.pk) - the jewel of the group- and Ulticom (ULCM.pk), have made Comverse one of our favorite Israeli plays. We have mentionedthat we thought the the company will sell-off their holdings and it appears that this strategy is starting to take place.
Yesterday, the Israeli financial daily Globes reported that Ulticom has retained investment bank Jefferies and Co. to review strategic alternatives. The article also quoted Comverse president and CEO Andre Dahan, “This is the first stage of my strategy. Businesses that are not synergetic with our business can be sold. Although we emphasized in the announcement that there is no deal yet, and that Ulticom’s board might not approve any deal, but this is definitely a step towards the sale of the company.”
Previously we have mentioned that a potential breakup value of Comverse could be worth around the $30 level. Investorslooking for an interesting value play, may want to take a long look at Comverse as it appears that the breakup strategy is about to begin.
Disclosure: Author’s fund has a position in CMVT.pk,VRNT.pk and ULCM.pk, fund has no position in any other stock mentioned as of 4/18/08.
NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.
Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
As we dig out from the snowstorm that crippled Jerusalem, attention this weekend turns to sunny Arizona, and the playing of the Super Bowl. While IOI has a strict policy against choosing one team over the other, as an individual poster I will take the liberty and say that the Patriots better win, because I can’t imagine what it is going to be like to have to listen to a bunch of obnoxious New Yorkers go on and on about the Giants.
Here at IOI we would like to present our top 2 Super Bowl picks. These Israeli stocks are sure to rise enough in value that you will be able to fly to Disney World with your earnings.
Verint Systems(VRNT.pk) the security company has been on fire over the last month and a half. Previous to that it was a one way ticket downhill. The stock has gotten crushed over the last few years, mostly due to the mess that is the parent company Comverse Technology(CMVT.pk). The fact the Verint had to delay filings and get delisted from the NASDAQ has taken its toll on the stock. If you can get beyond the scandal with Comverse, you will find that Verint is growing nicely, and well undervalued to its competition, namely fellow Israeli security play Nice Systems(NICE).
Elbit Systems(ESLT) the defense company just keeps signing new deals. This past Sunday’s deal with the Netherlands, while only a $40 million deal, was much more important than the money. The company thinks that this may help them crack into NATO, and if that happens, they will start selling like crazy. With the world continuing to be a very dangerous place, Elbit Systems should benefit.
Go Pats!
Disclosure: Author’s has a position in VRNT.pk and ESLT and is long the stock as of 2/1/08.
NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more.
Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
