Research powers two high-tech leaders

Article Excerpt

SIERRA WIRELESS $18.58 (Toronto symbol SW; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (604-231-1100; www.sierrawireless.com; Shares outstanding: 32.3 million; Market cap: $577.9 million; No dividends paid) makes modules that connect products—including smart electricity meters and vehicles—to the Internet. This is known as machine- to-machine networking or, more generally, as the Internet of Things. In the three months ended December 31, 2015, the company’s revenue fell 2.8% from a year earlier. That’s a drop from $149.1 million to $144.8 million (all figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). Excluding one-time items, the company earned $2.5 million, or $0.08 a share, down sharply from $9.1 million, or $0.29, a year earlier. Several of Sierra’s repeat customers delayed buying its new products until they complete the switch to Intel’s new Skylake chip. This sixth-generation chip aims to significantly boost the power of desktop computers and laptops. To stay ahead of the competition, Sierra devotes a high 12% of its revenue to research. The…