Skyworks Expands Smartphone Content

There is a growing need for high quality photographs among smartphone users, which in turn is driving implementation of camera flash drivers in mobile devices. These driver solutions from Skyworks enable longer battery life for consumers along with a simplified design, reduced component count and decreased overall solution size for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

 

According to research, mobile phone cameras will grow to approximately  2.2 billion units by 2015 from 1.6 billion units in 2011.  

 

Meanwhile, the colossal demand for smartphones continues to drive momentum for Skyworks, particularly at Nokia Corporation and Apple. Skyworks has partnerships with leading smartphone vendors, such as RIMM, Motorola and Samsung. With a diversified customer base, Skyworks is strongly placed in this market.

 

Apart from smartphones, growth will be propelled by high resolution tablets, USB modems, home networks and yet-to-be-introduced Internet connective devices. The rising RF dollar content and increasing complexity associated with the proliferation of smartphones is fueling growth in the total available market (:TAM), providing a unique expansion opportunity for Skyworks.  

 

Management expects smartphone adoption to increase in the developing countries, such as China and India.

 

Earlier, Skyworks posted a net income of $49.3 million or 26 cents per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, down from net income of $51.5 million or 27 cents per diluted share in the year-ago. 

 

Excluding acquisition-related charges but including stock-based compensation expense, Skyworks reported net income of 35 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

 

However, earnings estimates have been more or less static after the company reported third quarter results. Hence, we maintain a Neutral recommendation on Skyworks. Our recommendation is supported by a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term rating of Hold.