Palm, the US-based smartphone maker, scored a critically acclaimed hit with its WebOS operating system and Palm Pre handset when they launched in June, just ahead of Apple's iPhone 3GS, writes Paul Taylor . But since then, both Palm and Sprint Nextel, the exclusive Palm Pre carrier in the US, have remained tight-lipped on how many Pre handsets have actually been sold.
But on Thursday, Jon Rubinstein, the former Apple executive who took over as Palm's chief executive in June, could lift the veil a little when Palm announces its first-quarter results.
Investors, who have bid up Palm's share price more than four-fold since the Pre was announced in January this year, will be looking for evidence that Palm's recovery strategy is back on track.
Last week, Palm's shares were further buoyed by news of a $50 price cut on the Pre to $150, and the launch of the cutely named Pixi, a lower priced, smaller and lighter sibling for the Pre that will also be powered by WebOS. But not everyone is convinced.
Some analysts say Palm's decision to remain in partnership with Sprint Nextel with the Pixi could limit initial demand and affect margins.
As a result, Standard & Poor's analysts reiterated a strong sell opinion on the stock at the end of last week.
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