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Hit or miss, BlackBerry is buying time with Q10

Published May 14th, 2013 3:15PM EDT
BlackBerry Q10 Sales

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We have seen mixed reports regarding BlackBerry’s performance with the BlackBerry Q10, its first QWERTY toting BlackBerry 10 smartphone. Most industry watchers seems to think early Q10 sales have been strong, though a few analysts have strayed from the pack. RBC Capital Markets’ Mark Sue is in the first camp, though he noted in a new research note on Monday Q10 sales might not blow us away. Regardless, however, the analyst says BlackBerry has already succeeded in one respect: The Q10 is buying BlackBerry some time to turn things around.

“BlackBerry is filling depleted channels, with the company on pace to meet our May-qtr estimates,” Sue wrote in a note to clients sent Monday. “Competition remains fierce and Samsung’s GS4 is emerging as the flagship push by carriers, though Q10 seems to be settling into a niche for professionals. Expect message of positive turnaround at this week’s user conference.”

The analyst says Q10 sell-through in the U.K. is still “healthy,” though momentum has slowed following a big launch. Sue noted that less than 5% of the stores he contacted in the U.K. and Canada were sold out of the Q10, but whether or not the phone winds up being a huge success, BlackBerry has already bought itself some much-needed time.

“BB10 channel fill and expected enterprise uptake give BlackBerry time to re-build its business and develop new enterprise and consumer services to offset the shift away from its mandatory services model,” Sue wrote. “Improving margins, increasing retained earnings and strengthening the balance sheet may enable BlackBerry to carve a niche in the expanding smartphone market.”

Sue reiterated his Sector Perform rating on BlackBerry shares with an $18 price target.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.