RIM releases 4th quarter earnings and a number of changes

Research in Motion released its fourth quarter fiscal 2012  earnings report after the markets closed on Thursday afternoon.

The BlackBerry maker reported a $125-million loss, with revenue coming in around 4.2 billion. That’s 19% lower than the 3rd quarter, and about $400-million less than expected.

CEO Thorsten Heins made his debut leading the conference call, saying in his 10 weeks at the helm of the company, he has launched an extensive business review, “it is now very clear to me that extensive change is what RIM needs.”

Heins says RIM will re-focus on enterprise solutions over the consumer market, “BlackBerry cannot succeed if we try to be everybody’s darling, and all things to all people.”

Heins says RIM is looking at licensing out its property including its software and infrastructure, and “…leverage the BlackBerry platform through partnerships, licensing opportunities, and strategic business model alternatives.”

Jeffrey Stacey, a founding partner of Stacey-Muirhead Capital Management is reacting positively to the call, “…cash was up, subscribers were up, they’re doing very well internationally, I think there was very much to like in the call.”

Stacey says he finds Heins to be “refreshing, open, he’s looking at all the options as part of a new strategic direction for the company.”

Heins says a key part of RIM’s turnaround will depend on continued sales of the BlackBerry 7 based devices, ahead of BlackBerry 10 phones hitting the market.

Heins noted new BB7 phones will be hitting the market in the next couple weeks.

During the Q&A portion of the call, Heins was asked if a sale of Research in Motion is on the table as part of this strategic review.  

Heins replied, “…if there is any element that we detect during the strategic review that would lead us into this direction we would consider it, but it is not the main direction we’re pursuing right now…”

Heins added that his main goal is to lead RIM through a turnaround.

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