Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY) Receives An Upgrade ‘To Hold’

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Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) received numerous analyst downgrades and price target reductions since its latest weak earnings report, but today it has been upgraded. Desjardins analysts upgraded the stock from long-term sell to long-term hold, reports Street Insider.

Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY) Receives An Upgrade 'To Hold'

Research In Motion Upgraded On Operating Profitability

The analysts said they upgraded Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) because its operating profitability rose by .74 standard deviations. The company’s operating profitability was previously expected to fall by 1.33 standard deviations.

Desjardins analysts still have reservations about the stock though, as would be expected. The company’s probability score is 36, which they said suggests that it’s a below average prospect over the long term.

The BlackBerry maker’s revenue for its most recently completed quarter was 9 percent higher year over year, although the company shipped only 6.8 million smartphone units and 100,000 tablets and continues to see quarterly losses.

Annual Meeting Tomorrow

Speculations are running high that Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) management will have to reexamine its options in light of the company’s weak earnings report. There’s a possibility that shareholders will pressure management to do this at tomorrow’s annual meeting. Some investors say the company might need to look into selling itself, although there may be fewer and fewer suitors the longer the BlackBerry maker tries and fails to right the sinking ship.

Research In Motion And Emerging Markets

So what’s ahead for Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB)? Perhaps management will shed some light on what the company is working on. It has been focusing on targeting emerging markets, especially with the BlackBerry 9720, a rumored handset that’s expected to target such markets.

The problems with upgrading to BlackBerry 10 and the need to keep BlackBerry device management separate from management for other devices is proving too complicated, inconvenient and expensive for many enterprise customers. It remains to be seen if emerging markets will become a solid replacement for enterprise customers.

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