No Need for Struggling RIM to Split, Says Analyst

A wave of attention on RIM began on Tuesday after reports that Canadian based Research in Motion (RIMM) needed to split up began to take forth. Media began reporting a need for Canadian Blackberry Research in Motion (RIMM) to split after suffering a severe stock price drop recently.

The company has seen its stock price drop 50 percent over the last six months, leading some to call to Split the Berry. One possible reason cited is to capitalize on RIM's well-regarded data system, but the company could accomplish everything a split would do while still staying together, says one analyst.

There is no reason why they can't achieve all of that by keeping the company together, Jeffries & Co. equity analyst Peter Misek said.

The buzz to split began when RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky, formerly bullish on the company, stated that the company needs to modernize and can do so by splitting the company into two parts: one for the phones and one for the data system.

Misek doesn't think RIM would ever do that, but did think it would be wise to try to capitalize on its impressive data system, which includes its popular BBM messaging and email system.

They have amazing security on its data compression email client that we think if they licensed it out (would) be the right thing to do.

Licensing out its email system could create a $2.50 to $3.00 stock price increase for RIM, Misek said.

This whole debate comes after RIM announced on Tuesday that seven new Blackberrys will be released over the next year in a shareholders meeting. Investors and analysts have been disappointed in the Blackberrys' sluggish sales and the relative disappointment of its QNX-based Playbook tablet.

Some have already written RIM off as dead, but Misek says that the company could still bounce back.

Sure they could (bounce back), Misek said. Every time there is a new generation there is a chance to bounce back but the problem is each time Apple gets more diverse. Every time I buy an iPhone or iPad app I get further into the Apple ecosystem. I become too invested.

The key future for Blackberry seems to hinge on its QNX operating system. Expectations are high for the continually delayed operating system, but Misek says it's within reason.

QNX could take the entire Android app market, he said. They already have announced an Android player which if you have an Android app you can resubmit it to QNX and it'd work.