The Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) rolled out Windows Vista at retailers in 70 countries today, delivering a PC operating system reported to better manage digital media and to increase security.
Audio Podcast:
An audio podcast of this article is available at: poweropt.com/podcasts/2007_01_31_07_MSFT.mp3
To view an interactive example of Vista visit: microsoft.com
Microsoft Vista was delayed several times during development and consequently it has been 5 years since the release of the last operating system. The marketing campaign introducing the product will include commercials featuring basketball star Lebron James and Bill Gates.
“We have just begun to see what we can do,” Gates said at a London event. “We will be taking entertainment to a whole new level … even education we believe will be changed very dramatically.”
The following are videos, featuring Bill Gates, of Microsoft’s Vista launch: youtube.com-1, youtube.com-2.
Vista required a $6 billion investment from Microsoft and will be installed on over a 100 million PC’s worldwide, according to reports.
The AP reports tepid sales saying in an article earlier today, “Consumers can finally get their hands on Microsoft Corp.’s long-delayed Windows Vista, but unlike the mad midnight rushes retailers saw with the recently released video game consoles, stores saw only a trickle of early adopters Tuesday.
The most apparent change in the product is the look and feel of the interface. Many have charged that Microsoft has borrowed liberally from the Apple operating system. Vista’s “Aero” interface uses 3-D graphics to create translucent windows that appear to float above the background screen.
Brad Cramer, who witnessed the release in London was quoted in an AP article as saying, “I have a Mac and a lot of the things they showed us I could do a couple of years ago, so we’ll have to wait and see how much of an improvement there is.”
Competitors:
Competitors for MSFT include: Google Inc. (GOOG), International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), Oracle Corp. (ORCL), Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL), Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE), Altiris Inc. (ATRS), Borland Software Corp. (BORL), Convera Corp. (CNVR), Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS), DivX Inc. (DIVX), Earthlink Inc. (ELNK), Epicor Software Corp. (EPIC), Immersion Corp. (IMMR), Logitech Intl. SA (LOGI), Lawson Software Inc. (LWSN), Marchex Inc. (MCHX), McAffee Inc. (MFE), Macrovision Corp. (MVSN), Novell Inc. (NOVL), Openwave Systems Inc. (OPWV), Progress Software Corp. (PRGS), Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM), RealNetworks Inc. (RNWK), SAP AG (SAP), Smith Micro Software Inc. (SMSI), Stellent Inc. (STEL), Sun Microsystems Inc. (SUNW), Sybase Inc. (SY), Symantec Corp. (SYMC), TiVo Inc. (TIVO), United Online Inc. (UNTD), WebEx Communications Inc. (WEBX), Wind River Systems Inc. (WIND), and Zixit Corp. (ZIXI).
Potential Trades:
All of the following option trades have 45 days until expiration. Microsoft Corp. is currently trading at $30.57. These trades were discovered using the powerful suite of option search tools found at PowerOptions .
| Covered Call – Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $ 30.57 (45) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OPTION | Strike Info |
Opt Bid |
%Dnsd. Prot. |
%If Inch. |
%If Asgnd |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MSQCK | 07 MAR 30.00 | $1.15 | 3.80% | 1.70% | 1.70% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bull-Call Debit Spread — Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $ 30.57 (45) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sell Opt |
Strike Info |
Bid Price |
Buy Option |
Strike Info |
Ask Price |
% Return |
Break Even |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MSQCK | 07 MAR $30.00 | $1.15 | MSQCY | 07 MAR $27.50 | $3.30 | 16.30% | $29.65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The covered call trade, an in the money covered call, offers 3.8% downside protection and a potential profit of 1.7% if the stock remains unchanged or rises. The net cost of this trade, per 100 options, is $2,946.00.
The second trade is a bull call debit spread. This trade offers 16.3% potential profit if the stock remains above $30.00. If the stock decreases below the break-even price of $29.65, the investment begins to lose money. If the stock price goes below the lower strike price of $27.50, the entire investment is lost. The net cost of this trade, per 100 options, is $210.00.
For more information about how to identify and research great option trades, visit the PowerOptions website. There you will find the data you need to make quick, clear, and informed decisions. You can trade knowing you have found the best investment. Also, PowerOptions will allow you, with a few quick clicks, to quickly and accurately compare trades. PowerOptions’ premium customer support is second to none in the industry. They can be easily contacted when you need them at their toll-free number to answer customer questions. Call them now toll free at 877-992-7971.
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