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	Discussion Board Motorola

By Todd Lebor (TMF TeeTime)

Not really the "best time," eh? When is the best time to invest in a company that slips up more often than a janitor in a banana factory? It's not like this is the first time that Motorola has warned.

What makes you think the "steps to increase profitability" it is making now will turn out any different from its past promises?

I do, however, agree with its steps to outsource much of its manufacturing. It kinda reminds me of a pack mule being towed up a mountain. The mule serves a purpose until the expedition gets so far up the mountain that the pack mule cannot follow. Motorola is along for the ride still, but timberline is approaching and soon it will not be strong enough to continue on.

Yep, that's right, Motorola shares are cheaper than other wireless companies. Wonder why? And the best you could come up with was shares are cheap. Come on. If a depressed stock price were a reason to invest, I'd be buying up shares of Pets.com (Nasdaq: IPET) until I ran out of cash. Darn tootin' it's cheaper.

I see you have been reading my work, Chris. Bluetooth headsets and Bluetooth-enabled wireless phones will be exciting for consumers. Let's all put our hands together and pray for Motorola not to mess this opportunity up.

I love the "thanks to the company's purchase of General Instrument," its broadband consumer (cable box) division is "growing by leaps and bounds." Of course it is. Acquisitions tend to do that to growth statistics. But, how much is this acquisition adding to the bottom line?

By combing through old 10-Qs (something you might want to look into, TMF JFK or whatever your name is now), it is easy to discover that General Instrument's net margins were inferior (6% vs. 10%) to those of its closest competitor, Scientific-Atlanta (NYSE: SFA). Well worth the $17 billion, I guess. Glad I have a Scientific-Atlanta box. I do love my digital cable!

As far as getting an opportunity to pick up Motorola shares near $20, I thought I explained that in my bear argument. It shouldn't be a long wait. Here's an idea for all those un-Foolish day traders out there -- stock up on Motorola. It should provide the volatility you are looking for, as well as limit your exposure, because you can always ride out your position (long or short) knowing that the stock price will return to near $20. Now that's security!

The only thing Motorola has going for it these days is that it is headquartered near the greatest city on Earth. The Cubbies rule!

Fool on.

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