Strategy in TECH...
Just one day after I posted the story Tech Takes a Turn…Downwards, we learned of more layoffs hitting tech, including Google parent Alphabet, Spotify, Vox Media, and more. These additional reports of even more tech layoffs only help to affirm the reality of a slowdown hitting big tech and other areas that are adjacent to tech, such as media focused on tech.
After several years of dizzying growth, the technology sector is now experiencing a notable downturn, as the post-COVID era has brought a combination of higher prices (inflation) and lower demand. In response, 2022 saw significant job cuts at major Big Tech brands that have continued on into 2023. That includes this Wednesday when Microsoft announced it was cutting 10,000 jobs – after a 1,000 job cut in October 2022 – another big blow to Tech.
But what about the more specific segments like consumer electronics and custom integration?
Citing the “current state of the global economies” and “ongoing supply chain issues” Voxx International (NASDAQ: VOXX) reported the results of their fiscal 2023, third quarter this week and it was a story of more of the same, perhaps intensifying, business challenges that they identified when the company announced its second-quarter results. All of its major business segments reported sales declines – dropping double-digit percentages – with overall sales dropping 25.4% year-over-year. But the company said profits increased on aggressive cost cutting.
WiSA Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WISA), a developer of spatial, wireless sound technology for smart devices and home entertainment systems, announced recently that it has received an additional 180-day extension of the compliance period by the NASDAQ stock market. The purpose of the extension is to give the company additional time, until June 20, 2023, to regain compliance with NASDAQ’s minimum bid rule.
Parasound is a unique company. A long-time specialty segment stalwart, the company has been delighting audio enthusiasts for more than forty years! That is no small achievement when you consider the twists and turns of the specialty segment over that time frame.
And the credit for that success is largely due to the commitment to quality – and, frankly, just the bulldog temerity – of founder and CEO Richard Schram. So it is a development worthy of note that, yesterday, Schram announced his retirement from the company and its sale to a new owner.
WiSA Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WISA), “a developer of spatial, wireless sound technology for smart devices and next-generation home entertainment systems,” announced recently that it has successfully closed on a $7.6 million public offering…breathing new life into the struggling organization. The offering was made pursuant to an S-1 filing with the SEC, which declared the registration as effective on November 29, 2022.
Snap One (NASDAQ: SNPO), a major player in the custom integration/smart home channel, recently reported its fiscal 2022, third-quarter results last month, showing both revenue gains and reduced losses. The company says sales are slowing and they revised their forward-looking guidance for yearly performance downward.
Since this earnings report was released, the value of Snap One stock has really struggled, dropping 19% and setting several new 52-week lows.
Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI), the parent company of Sound United, announced its financial results for fiscal 2022, third quarter this week, which covers the 90-day period ending on October 1, 2022. Results for the company, which makes and sells medical equipment and AV products, were mixed, showing good growth in revenues (sales) but a decline in earnings (profits).
Why were results mixed? Read on…
Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE: EEX), parent company of Emerald Expositions, a large B2B trade show, conference, and event company, reported the financial results of its fiscal third quarter and you could almost feel the relief of a company rapidly climbing its way out of the deep hole into which COVID-19 had thrust them. I follow Emerald’s results because the company owns the CEDIA Expo trade show, as well as CE Pro and other media properties that participate in the custom integration industry.
On Monday, WiSA Technologies, Inc., a “developer of spatial, wireless sound technology for smart devices and next-generation home entertainment systems,” announced that it has hired an advisor to aid them in moving forward with an “exploration of strategic alternatives” for the company.
In other words, it is putting itself up for sale.
