News Analysis

Ottawa, August 1, 2013 — Telesat Holdings Inc.’s two new satellites – the Nimiq 6 and Anik G1 – have led to higher revenues of CDN$ 216 million (US$208.65 million) for the three months ending June 30, 2013, the company said on Thursday. The revenue growth contributed to a net income of CDN$ 15 million (US$14.49 million) for the quarter, reversing a loss of Ca$244 million (US$235.70 million) the firm recorded a year ago.

Houston, Tex., August 1, 2013--RigNet, Inc., aprovider of managed remote communications solutions to the oil and gas industry, today announced a strategic deal with Inmarsat plc involving the sale of Inmarsat's Energy Broadband business to RigNet and the appointment of RigNet to become a key distribution partner to deliver Inmarsat's Global Xpress ("GX") and L-band services to the energy sector worldwide.

El Segundo, Calif., August 1, 2013 — DirecTV announced an increase in second quarter 2013 revenues by 7 percent to US$ 7.7 billion but the pay-TV company suffered a decline in its net profit to US$ 660 million.

Paris, France, July 31, 2013--Eutelsat announced it has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. ("Satmex") for an enterprise value of US$1,142 million. This acquisition, together with the recently ordered EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite, will position the group as a major satellite operator in Latin America, reflecting its strategy to expand in high growth markets.

July 30, 2013, Germantown, Md.--Hughes Network Systems announced today that it has achieved carrier data rates exceeding 1 Gbps on its JUPITER System. Hughes believes this achievement to be a technology first for High Throughput Satellite (HTS) systems, resulting in more subscribers per satellite and greater capacity per subscriber.

Annapolis, MD., July 26, 2013--TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS)  reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. Revenue was US$ 92.8 million, down 19% due mainly to lower government pass-through sales. Gross profit was up 4% to US$ 35.9 million.

Chicago, Ill., July 25, 2013--Boeing Co. reported  second-quarter profit increased 13 percent to US$ 2.0 billion from the same period last year driven by strong performance across the company's businesses, particularly sales of sales of commercial airplanes and exports of military equipment.

Falls Church, Va., July 25, 2013--Northrop Grumman reported earnings and revenues that surpassed analysts' expectations, posting a 1.7 percent rise in second-quarter earnings as the defense company posted modestly stronger revenues. Northrop reported a profit of US$ 488 million, or US$ 2.05 a share, up from US$ 480 million, or US$ 1.88 a share, a year earlier.  Revenue increased to US$ 6.29 billion from US$ 6.27 billion a year ago.

Bethesda, MD., July 24, 2013 — Lockheed Martin Corp. reported on Tuesday profits rose by 10 percent to $859 million during the second quarter, prompting the company to raise its profit guidance for the year.

Mexico City, Mexico, July 19, 2013- Mexican satellite opeartor  Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. (Satmex) is reported up for sale, according to various media reports quoting surces familiar with the matter.Satmex has reportedly hired Credit Suisse Group AG and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to represent them in the sale.

According to sources quoted by the Wall Street Journal, the company is currently in its second round of bidding, with around five bidders including private-equity firms and “strategic” corporate bidders.