Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What are your thoughts on EZ Chip? They had a very good quarter, but I’m curious what you think about them going forward. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

EZChip Semiconductor Ltd., $25.08, symbol EZCH on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 29.1 million; Market cap: $740.4 million; www.ezchip.com), is an Israel-based company that specializes in chips that regulate and speed up the flow of data within computer networks. It focuses on design and outsources production to other chipmakers. The company gets nearly 75% of its revenue from three main customers: Cisco Systems, ZTE Corp. and Juniper Networks. (Cisco Systems is a recommendation of Wall Street Stock Forecaster.) This heavy reliance on just a few clients is a significant risk factor. For example, in September 2013, EZChip’s shares dropped from $31 to below $22 on news that Cisco is now developing its own networking chips. In the three months ended March 31, 2014, EZChip’s revenue rose 32.6%, to $20.3 million from $15.3 million a year earlier. Earnings jumped 48.6%, to $10.0 million from $6.7 million. Per-share earnings rose 43.5%, to $0.33 from $0.23, on more shares outstanding. The gains were mainly due to strong sales to…