Eastman Kodak ein Vervielfachungskandidat ?

EK

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Oct. 25, 2011 Market Close: $ 1.25

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Korean Company DaeMyung ITS Selects KODAK PROSPER Press, NexPress Photo Press, and PROSPER Imprinting Systems


10/26 08:30 AM

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- After evaluating digital printing solutions from a variety of suppliers over the past year, DaeMyung ITS has selected the KODAK PROSPER 5000XL Press, a KODAK NEXPRESS Photo 3300 Press, and additional KODAK PROSPER S10 Imprinting Systems for its growing business. A pioneer in the Korean print market, DaeMyung already operates a number of KODAK (EK:$1.265000,$0.015000,1.20%) VERSAMARK Printing Systems and PROSPER S10 Imprinting Systems. Citing its low printing cost and high productivity, DaeMyung will employ the PROSPER 5000XL Press to enhance its direct mail offerings.

“We have been investing heavily in our digital printing capability for more than 10 years,” said DaeMyung CEO Myung-Gil Hyun. “Our experience with Kodak (EK:$1.265000,$0.015000,1.20%) has been excellent and we are excited to extend our production capabilities with the addition of the PROSPER 5000XL Press. Kodak (EK:$1.265000,$0.015000,1.20%) has already proven itself as a trusted partner for our business—providing us with outstanding support. This made our decision to further invest in Kodak (EK:$1.265000,$0.015000,1.20%) technology an easy one.”

DaeMyung recently hosted customers and media for an open house at its facility to showcase the enhanced production capabilities it gained with the new PROSPER 5000XL Press. Demonstrations of the press and a variety of application samples helped the more than 200 attendees learn more about Kodak (EK:$1.265000,$0.015000,1.20%) , the worldwide market leader in color web inkjet presses, and the exciting new opportunities made possible by Kodak Stream Inkjet Technology and the KODAK PROSPER Press Platform.

“By delivering digital without compromise, the PROSPER 5000XL Press is helping print service providers such as DaeMyung transform their businesses and truly position themselves for the future of the industry,” said Vince Ferraro, Kodak’s Vice President of Marketing for Digital Printing Solutions. “Continuous inkjet technology delivers quality, productivity, and cost that drive a wide range of advantages and efficiencies for the user. Our customers are visionary—embracing the future of commercial inkjet printing today.”

The KODAK (EK:$1.265000,$0.015000,1.20%) PROSPER 5000XL Press features a print speed of up to 650 fpm (200 mpm) with image quality approaching 175 lpi and a monthly duty cycle of up to 90 million A4 pages. The press is able to handle both coated and uncoated papers, including glossy coated, with basis weights ranging from 45 gsm–300 gsm (30 lbs–200 lbs). In addition, the press boasts an advanced ink formulation to further enhance print quality, durability and the unique ability to print on gloss coated substrates.

The KODAK NEXPRESS Photo 3300 expands DaeMyung’s capabilities to offer premium direct mail products for VIP customers, providing the highest level of print quality with variable data. It also allows them to expand services to offer high value photo-based products with the unique capabilities of photo quality printing. The NexPress Platform offers best-in-class productivity and application reach through features such as the long-sheet option (26”), inline dimensional printing, which is unique in the marketplace, and unparalleled substrate flexibility. DaeMyung is using the KODAK PROSPER S10 Imprinting System to add variable information in the form of barcodes and shipping numbers as a part of a mailing fulfillment offering.

DaeMyung began as a manufacturer of business forms in 1974 and expanded into direct mail production in 1990. Today the company offers everything from business forms, envelopes, and labels to direct mail, TransPromo, and RFID printing. With more than 175 employees, DaeMyung is committed to serving its customers with cutting-edge production technology that enhances return on marketing investment.

“Our customers expect the highest quality at a reasonable cost, and this move will equip us to do just that,” said CEO Hyun. “Being one of the earliest adopters of the PROSPER Press Platform in the region gives us an important advantage, and we plan to make the most of it.”  

UND jetzt die meldung des tages!!....also, für mich zumindest


The judge retired indeed but the new one was appointed by the full USITC commission (he was part of the commission that reviewed the previous ALJ's verdict in favor of Kodak).

The press talked about a split verdict 1 non-infringement, 1 infringement and the 3rd to be reviewed again by the (now new) ALJ. But as I posted before you can't be a little bit pregnant and 1 infringement is infringement.

The new ALJ has review all the files he received, has postponed some to a later date and has forwarded one to yet another ALJ. The TA-703 (Kodak vs Apple) isn't part of those and it is very unlikely, thought always possible, that there is a last minute postponement. However, Apple has in the past filed last minutes 'new facts' to elicit postponement. However, because they are today behind the dates set by the court for their filing it will completely depend on the ALJ whether the facts are sufficiently heavy to accept them and if they could not have been known by Apple before the previously set limit dates.

So, I think no further postponement for ALJ verdict.

PS: We never talk about RIMM but always of Apple. In RIMM's peculiar current situation it's new Blackbery Phones and Pad are of strategic importance. Loosing could have  

Kodak Lenders Remind Board of Duty to Sell Patent Portfolio for Fair Value

By Jonathan Keehner, Jeffrey McCracken and Serena Saitto

- Oct 26, 2011

Eastman Kodak Co. (EK)’s lenders sent a letter to the board of directors reminding the company of its fiduciary duty to sell its patent portfolio for fair market value.

Kodak takes its fiduciary duties “very seriously” and shares bondholders’ desire to obtain fair market value for the sale of its intellectual property, the Rochester, New York-based company said today in an e-mailed statement responding to the creditor letter. Kodak is providing “no guidance as to the timing or nature of any transaction,” the statement said.

The second-lien lenders, who are being advised by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, cautioned the company it could face lawsuits if it sells patents for less than market value, said people familiar with the matter. They declined to be named because the communication was private. The lender group, led by Avenue Capital Group and Brigade Capital Management LLC, holds some of the $750 million in second-lien debt backed by assets including the patent portfolio, the people said.

The letter steps up pressure on Kodak as it seeks a buyer for digital-imaging patents. The camera company has approached companies including Google Inc. (GOOG), LG Electronics Inc. (066570) and HTC Corp. (2498) about the portfolio, the people said. Some potential bidders have raised concerns about creditors’ claims on the assets, making a sale more difficult outside of bankruptcy court, these people said. Kodak is seeking to sell the assets outside of bankruptcy, two other people said.

‘Put on Notice’

“Kodak’s board has been put on notice by lenders, who are saying ‘If you destroy value, we will sue you,’” said Amer Tiwana, an analyst at CRT Capital Group LLC in Stamford, Connecticut. “This may increase the chance that Kodak files as the board will have to ask if it really wants to expose itself to a lawsuit. Our view and the market’s view is that the portfolio is worth more in a bankruptcy sale.”

Kodak said in September it has “no intention” of filing for bankruptcy. The company, which is being advised by Lazard Ltd. (LAZ) and Jones Day on the patent sale and restructuring options, has also contacted distressed debt funds over arranging as much as $1 billion in rescue financing, according to the people. No agreement on new financing has been reached, the people said. Potential lenders are pressing for a yield on the loan of as much as 15 percent, the people said.

“We are committed to optimizing our cash generation and, as a matter of course, we are always assessing the financing strategies available to us,” Kodak said in an e-mailed statement today.

‘Significant Value’

The company has been pursuing the sale of its patent portfolio since July and that strategy has not changed, it said.

“These assets are of significant value, and we expect any transaction to reflect that,” the statement said.

The second-lien creditors may fight Kodak’s efforts to raise rescue financing, said the people. That’s because that rescue-financing debt would have priority over the second-lien lenders or be paid back first in a bankruptcy, the people said.

The group of lenders is likely to also hire a financial adviser in coming days to advise on Kodak, one person said. Lenders have spoken to bankers such as Moelis & Co. and Rothschild, the people said.

Separately, a group of Kodak’s unsecured lenders have hired law firm Andrews Kurth LLP in New York to explore their options and rights, said Paul Silverstein, co-chair of the law firm’s bankruptcy and restructuring practice.

To contact the reporters on this story: Jeffrey McCracken in New York at jmccracken3@bloomberg.net; Jonathan Keehner in New York at jkeehner@bloomberg.net; Serena Saitto in New York at ssaitto@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jennifer Sondag at jsondag@bloomberg.net; David Scheer at dscheer@bloomberg.net  

Kodak to Announce Third-Quarter Results on November 3, 2011

10/04 04:01 PM
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ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eastman Kodak Company (EK:$1.1200,$-0.2200,-16.42%) will release its third-quarter 2011 financial results on Thursday, November 3, at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time over Business Wire and kodak.com Investor Relations web page.

A conference call hosted by Antonio M. Perez, Kodak’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Antoinette P. McCorvey, Kodak’s Chief Financial Officer, will take place at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 3.

On the morning of the call, please use the direct dial-in number: +1 480-629-9771, conference ID 4474312#. There is no need to pre-register.

The call will be recorded and available for playback by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 3, by dialing +1 303-590-3030, access code 4474312#. The playback number will be active until Thursday, November 10, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

For those wishing to participate via the webcast, please access our kodak.com Investor Relations webpage at: http://www.kodak.com/go/invest.

The webcast audio will be archived and available for replay on this site approximately one hour following the live broadcast.

About Kodak (EK:$1.1200,$-0.2200,-16.42%)

As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak (EK:$1.1200,$-0.2200,-16.42%) helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.

More than 75 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery --join today at www.kodakgallery.com.

Choose from the widest selection of Kodak (EK:$1.1200,$-0.2200,-16.42%) digital cameras, all-in-one inkjet printers, pocket video cameras and more at http://store.kodak.com.



Source: Eastman Kodak Company (EK:$1.1200,$-0.2200,-16.42%)  

als dann, there we go:
North American Graphics Adds New Business with KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide System

10/27 08:30 AM

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- When North American Graphics (NAG) in Warren, Michigan, installed a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide System for platemaking, customer satisfaction spiked to a new high.

“North American Graphics is a digital prepress and platemaking specialist, and became the first trade house in the United States to install Kodak’s FLEXCEL NX Wide System,serving clients throughout the U.S. and Canada,” said Art Thompson, NAG Vice President and General Manager. “Our decision to go with the FLEXCEL NX System was due to the capabilities of the plate system. Some of our customers had tested KODAK Plates on some jobs that we had done using our former supplier’s plates. Quite frankly, the KODAK Plate was head and shoulders above in quality, color gamut capabilities, consistency and repeatability. There was just so much pop. When you compare an alternative flexo technology to Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) side by side, anyone would pick the package printed with KODAK (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) FLEXCEL NX Plates.”

With the decision to move to KODAK Plates and platemaking systems, Thompson and his production staff saw the opportunity to expand the business to accommodate customers who work in wider formats. It was only natural, said Thompson, to choose the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide System as soon as it became available.

The FLEXCEL NX System is a complete solution for digital platemaking that allows users to push the boundaries of flexo printing. The system uses a unique combination of superior imaging technology and materials science to produce plates that deliver outstanding on-press performance.

The FLEXCEL NX Wide System provides all the features and benefits of the current FLEXCEL NX System in a larger format, supporting plates up to 42 by 60 inches. This allows printers and trade houses to produce a wider range of package sizes or increase efficiency through the ability to optimize job layout on one plate. The new FLEXCEL NX Wide System dramatically increases the quality and efficiency of flexographic printing, for applications including tags and labels, folding cartons, and flexible packages, while also offering improved productivity and predictability on press.

“We already had existing clients who needed wider plates than we could provide, so we’d go out of house for it,” said Thompson. “Now we’ve brought all that work into our facility. We were up and running with the FLEXCEL NX Wide System within the first week.”

KODAK Plates and the new FLEXCEL NX System give NAG the capability to solve imaging issues for its customers, Thompson said. “I had a printer that fought whenever he had a four-color job,” he explained. “We did a characterization on his press, and his customer loved it, and he got four more jobs right after it. He’s got a lot more confidence in what he can do, and he knows we’re going to be consistent.”

Thompson and his employees were particularly impressed with the technical support they received from Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) . “They were with us all the way, and we never felt like that would leave us in the lurch,” he said. “None of our customers were upset, and we didn’t miss any deadlines.”

Most important, Thompson can see the business expansion opportunities made possible by the FLEXCEL NX Wide system. “I can say we’re very happy with our decision,” he said. “We believe that Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) has set the bar pretty high, and we just see the business growing. We want to expand more, and to do that, you’ve got to have a good product. This is a good product.”

About Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%)

As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at www.kodak.com/go/followus.

More than 75 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery -- join today at www.kodakgallery.com.

Choose from the widest selection of Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) digital cameras, all-in-one inkjet printers, pocket video cameras and more at http://store.kodak.com.

(Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) and Flexcel are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%) .)


Source: Kodak (EK:$1.2300,$-0.0200,-1.60%)  

Kodak and Digital Records, Inc. Digitize Millions of Patient Records in Record Time for White-Wilson Medical Center...  

...zumindest vor gericht! ...sprichwort: kodak patentestreit. interessant wird auch noch die haltung von apple sein. mit steve wäre es klar gewesen. hm, mal abwarten!

Google, Oracle Patent Trial Won't Happen in 2011, Judge Says; ORCL Up 2%, Google Up 1.43%


10/27 10:44 AM
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10:44 AM EDT, 10/27/2011 (MidnightTrader) -- Shares of Google (GOOG:$595.50,00$9.19,001.57%) and Oracle (ORCL:$33.15,00$0.75,002.31%) are higher after The Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital noted that the trial in the patent infringement lawsuit between the two tech industry giants will not happen this year.

The judge presiding over the litigation proposed a trial plan to attorneys, saying the trial will not happen in 2011, the report said.

Oracle (ORCL:$33.15,00$0.75,002.31%) shares are up 2.04%, or $0.65, to $33.05. GOOG is up 1.36%.

Price: 33.05, Change: +0.65, Percent Change: +2.04

http://www.midnighttrader.com  

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 11:26:30 AM

Hello Mx. xxxxxxxx,

The initial determination date has been extended to October 30th. Please visit the ITC website for further clarification.

Thank you!


Alicia M. Zona | Investor Relations | Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis |

Eastman Kodak Company | 343 State Street | Rochester, NY 14650-0251 |

alicia.zona@kodak.com | 585-724-5955 Office | 585-724-1089 Fax |
www.kodak.com  

ist wohl kein gutes zeichen oder ?

überlege auch einzusteigen ist mir aber doch zu heiß.

 

Swiss Digital Print Service Provider Exploits Commercial Opportunities with KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses

10/28 08:35 AM

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For Basel-based buysite AG, digital color printing remains a constant focus amidst a continually evolving print landscape. And key to the company’s digital philosophy are its KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses.

Peter Fischli, co-founder and managing director of buysite, says the Swiss company operates in a highly dynamic niche.

“We’re not looking for jobs in the low-quality segment, copy shop services and the anonymity of web to print,” said Fischli. “Our concentration on short runs, variability and flexible finishing sets us apart from offset. We really come into our own when a client wants an original, customized solution. We do the things that many others would consider too complicated.”

According to Fischli, digital printing is increasingly popular because of the fast-turnaround times it affords. Seventy percent of all jobs handled by the NEXPRESS Presses on any given day are submitted to buysite less than 24 hours previously.

“Each job spends an average of just one day at our facility before being delivered to the client or fed to the next step in the production chain,” Fischli said.

In combination with the KODAK NEXPRESS Glossing Unit, color prints coated with transparent dry ink can be given a striking high-gloss finish – either the full size or selected areas only. Spot glossing produces a particularly attractive matte-gloss finish on matte-coated paper and carton materials.

Fischli is unequivocal in his assessment of the NEXPRESS Presses: “When I look at the images and the screening technology, I'm in no doubt that Kodak (EK:$1.2200,$0.0000,0.00%) beats its rivals hands down,” he said.  

=brandaktuell, erst vor einigen minuten aufgetaucht!  

 

nicht verzagen, es gibt ja diese überraschungsaktien. wo du eines morgens aufwachst und der wert hat sich verdoppelt oder verdreifacht...genau so schnell wie sie sich unlängst schon mal halbiert hat...gottseidank, sonst wär ich nicht hier.

nice WE

 

 

- Final Ruling may come as of next Monday till maximum Friday 30 DEC.

- Parties can again appeal with the full commission if they don't accept the ruling argumentation

- Parties can ALWAYS go to a regular court afterwards (but they'll have the USITC ruling against them and in case of Kodak that's a quite impressive suite of wins related to these and other patents).

- The 900M$ is rescue money, you pay high interest over a short period and you know EXACTLY when and how you pay it back (or you don't even get it). That goes for Kodak too, so they have something they can rely on, probably a fix irrevocable first bid with a dateline of the bidder.
G
- I agree a settlement may have been projected to or requested by the USITC but I don't think it will take until DEC 30. Certainly not if Apple follows the reasoning above or may even have been informed about a bid (hopefully a bid by Google).

- It is not uncommon that courts (also USITC) take into account the situation companies are in and work with the system within the limits of the law to allow parties to deal with the matter themselves or to arrange dates so that parties can accommodate for situations. That does not necessarily have to concern the public interest but also jobs.

- The trial by FujiFilm and the leak of bidders names like Google, LG and HTC points in the direction of a Bid. Some forces want to create another event to rise the price of the bidder (make it more expensive like Google did with the Nortel portfolio by bidding Pi-Billion Dollar to force the others higher and then not bid again).

- The "best value" issue posed by the lenders this week isn't an issue. See the Motorola take over; Google adjusted the bid with a couple of Billion Dollar just to avoid any trouble. The parties bidding for Kodak portfolio will do exactly the same and as said before for patents there are fist-rules used by the experts to value a patent portfolio that will not be disputed by courts.

- Next weeks Quarterly as posted before was moved BEHIND the OCT 30 ruling date and today, with hindsight, we know that was not by coincidence. Kodak would NEVER do that if they couldn't get a tactical advantage out of it within the scope of the strategy they are following. It means they very probably are going to communicate and that the event in question will conclude BEFORE DEC 30 which would neutralize the effect of the ruling (win/loose) on Kodak and carry it to the winning bidder.

sieht für mich ganz gut aus, yes cp  

Hi Freaks !

Es fing bei YRC Worldwide genauso an ,wie bei Kodak jetzt,Milliardenverlust bei ca. 6 MRD Umsatz und negativem Buchwert ! Auch bei YRCW haben die Zocker auf Turnaround spekuliert,aber es ging immer nur noch weiter runter.Noch schlechter als bei Kodak sieht es allenfalls noch bei American airlines aus (NYSE:AMR) Ich tippe auf eine baldige Pleite bei AMR und eventuel auch bei Kodak !

MFG
Chali  

oder doch nur die zusatzzahl? chali, ausschliessen kann man gar nix, aber diese unternehmen vergleichend in einen direkten zusammenhang zu bringen, hinkt doch ein wenig...  

ich verlasse mich auf informationen und fakten, zahlen, fortschritt, future-perspektiven, pipeline und chart....jedoch ist der faktor politik ist unberechenbar.
am donnerstag werden wir alle zusammen zu einer ersten erkenntnis kommen!
GLTA

WSJ--Kodak's Dwindling Cash Pile in Focus

BY DANA MATTIOLI AND MIKE SPECTOR

When Eastman Kodak Co. reports earnings on Thursday, it won't be profit that investors will be looking for. It will be cash.

The U.S. company posted a surprisingly low cash total of $957 million last quarter, but reassured Wall Street that it typically generates cash in the second half of the year, when it sells built-up inventories heading into the holiday season. Recent moves by the company, based in Rochester, N.Y., signaled that it burned rather than generated cash in its third quarter. The question is how much.  

die gestrigen USD 1.11 waren gar nicht gut. mal sehen ob div. fundmanager gezwungen waren EK zu verkaufen bzw./u. wieviele automatisierte stop losses ausgelöst wurden. entweder erleben wir einen netten popp-up oder kodak goes subdollar.
GLTA

weitere meldung/meinung:
"The size of the (Kodak) deal could blow your socks off," predicts Los Angeles money manager Ken Luskin, whose Intrinsic Value Asset Management owns 3.8 million Kodak shares.

"It's pocket change for Google and Apple to go pay $3-or-$4-or-$5 billion for these patents," concurs Christopher Marlett, chief executive of MDB Capital, an investment bank based in Santa Monica, Calif., that specializes in intellectual property. "There is an all-out nuclear war right now for global dominance in smartphones, tablets and mobile devices, and Kodak has one of the largest cache of weapons sitting there." Marlett says he owns Kodak stock, but wouldn't disclose how much.  

werde versuchen am cc teilzunehmen. interessant, da cc vor Q release stattfindet...unüblich!

A conference call hosted by Antonio M. Perez, Kodak’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Antoinette P. McCorvey, Kodak’s Chief Financial Officer, will take place at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 3.

On the morning of the call, please use the direct dial-in number: +1 480-629-9771, conference ID 4474312#. There is no need to pre-register.  

Forbes Earnings Preview: Eastman Kodak Company

now Eastman Kodak Company (EK) is expected to book a wider loss than a year ago when it reports third quarter earnings on Thursday, November 3, 2011 with analysts expecting a loss of 41 cents per share, down from a loss of 2 cents per share a year ago.

What to Expect:

The consensus estimate remains unchanged over the past month, but it has decreased from three months ago when it was a loss of 27 cents. Analysts are expecting a loss of $2.43 for the fiscal year per share.

Analysts look for revenue to decrease 6.1% year-over-year to $1.65 billion for the quarter, after being $1.76 billion a year ago. Revenue is projected to roll in at $6.36 billion for the year.

Analyst Ratings:

The majority of analysts think investors should stand pat on Eastman Kodak Company, with two of four analysts rating it hold. The average analyst rating of the stock has stayed steady from three months prior.

Trends to Watch For:

Revenue has fallen for four straight quarters. Revenue declined 5.4% to $1.49 billion in second quarter. The figure fell 31.6% in the first quarter from the year earlier, dropped 25.4% in fourth quarter of the last fiscal year from the year-ago quarter and 1.3% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year.

Recent Price Movement:

The stock price has fallen 45.6% since August 2, 2011, from $2.26 to $1.23.  

 

in den nächsten 24 std. :-)
FALLS der turnaround (ansatzweise) geschafft wird und FALLS EK die patente (bald) monetisiert wirds (sehr) gut werden, FALLS nicht, nicht!

unterschiedlichste einschätzungen haben wir ja hier zusammengetragen, jetzt liegst am CEO.

hier noch etwas, was man nicht so gerne liest:

RPT-PREVIEW-Investors to Kodak: show me the money

11/02 06:45 AM
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(Repeats Nov. 1 story to further subscribers)

* Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) due to report results on Thursday

* Investors want to see Kodak's (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) cash

* Wall Street seeks update on patent sale-analyst

* Analysts expect Q3 44 cts/shr loss on $1.65 bln rev

By Liana B. Baker

Nov 1 (Reuters) - Wall Street will be focused on how much cash Eastman Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) has left on its balance sheet along with hints of progress on a multibillion-dollar patent sale when the struggling photography pioneer reports quarterly results on Thursday.

The century-old loss-making American corporate icon is grappling with the specter of default by many measures, though Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) itself denies it is formulating bankruptcy plans. Analysts say the long-suffering company is depleting its coffers rapidly while laboring under a crushing debt burden.

Bankruptcy will be the elephant in the room when analysts grill longtime CEO Antonio Perez and his management team on Thursday.

"Either way you look at it, with the way Kodak's (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) credit ratings are and the way the debt instruments trade, it indicates a heightened probability of default," said Moody's analyst Richard Lane.

Evidence is mounting of distress at a company whose name was once synonymous with photography. The company was silent on its cash pile when it announced it had borrowed $160 million against its credit line in September. That news sent its shares free-falling to a 38-year-low.

Then on Sept. 30, its shares lost more than half their value when the company said it had hired law firm Jones Day, known for specializing in bankruptcy cases. [ID:nS1E78T1CZ]

Finally, about two weeks ago, Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) held talks to seek rescue financing of up to $900 million, according to sources and media reports. Sources also told Reuters that Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) had enlisted a consulting firm that specializes in restructuring, FTI.

A Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) spokesman said in an e-mailed statement that the company is always "assessing the financing strategies available to us," without elaborating.

Kodak's (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) shares rose five cents to $1.16 on Tuesday. They have fallen roughly 80 percent so far this year.

Lane expects Kodak's (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) core business to burn about $600 million to $700 million of cash in 2011 and for that pace to continue in 2012. Rafferty Capital Markets analyst Mark Kaufman expects Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) to have used $230 million in the third quarter.

The sign of life he will be looking for is whether Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) had been able to pay back any of its recent loans.

"We're now into the holiday season and I want to know where they stand on paying down their revolver and repaying the money they borrowed," Kaufman said.

PATENTS IN FOCUS

Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) , which has failed to turn an annual profit since 2007, could see its cash position improve after a successful patent sale. Financial advisor Lazard was hired by Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) in July about selling 1,100 patents related to digital imaging, which analysts say could be worth between $2 billion and $3 billion.

If Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) does not make an announcement regarding a sale or new licensing deals, Perez will have to at least come up with a timeline for the sale of its patents, analysts said.

"It's imperative that Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) doesn't clam up this time. They need to explain to people where they are in the process. It's been three months already so they should be able to put together some timeline," said Kaufman, from Rafferty Capital.

Investors will also listen for any progress on Kodak's (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) fight against Apple (AAPL:$396.51,00$-8.27,00-2.04%) and Research In Motion (RIMM:$19.30,00$-0.90,00-4.46%) at the International Trade Commission. The patent at the heart of that dispute is part of the portfolio Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) is shopping around. The new target date for a ruling on the case is Dec. 30.

Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) settled similar patent disputes with LG Corp and Samsung in 2009 and 2010. The two South Korean consumer electronics makers agreed to pay $400 million and $550 million to Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) , respectively, to license its technology.

And of course, there is the actual business -- which has been wilting for years in the face of intense competition from the likes of Hewlett-Packard (HPQ:$25.6400,$-0.9700,-3.65%) , Sony (SNE:$19.7100,$-1.2600,-6.01%) and Canon and struggling to come up with a new growth product.

CEO Perez has said that by 2012, the company will be "sustainable and profitable," with its new core businesses, consumer inkjet and commercial printing, leading the way.

Last quarter, Kodak's (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) consumer digital imaging group, which includes these printing businesses, saw its revenue fall 8 percent. Its losses from continuing operations did narrow to $92 million from a loss of $123 million a year earlier.

At least one shareholder and bondholder, Ken Luskin of Intrinsic Value Asset Managements, said he is skeptical of Perez's plan for success in these areas by 2012.

"There's no sign of a turnaround. Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) is bleeding worse than ever. All of a sudden we're going to ring in the year 2012 and everything will be OK?" Luskin said.

Analysts on average are expecting Kodak (EK:$1.1600,$0.0500,4.50%) to report a loss of 44 cents per share on revenue of $1.65 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. (Reporting by Liana B. Baker in New York, additional reporting by Sue Zeidler in Los Angeles and Caroline Humer in New York; Editing by Edwin Chan and Tim Dobbyn)  

nur negativ über Kodak, das die sich das überhaupt gefallen lassen!