News Analysis

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.

Hong Kong, July 31, 2013-- Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) announced today the confirmation of the build of ABS-2A, a multi-beam 48 transponder Ku- satellite which will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2015 to ABS’ prime 75°E location. ABS-2A, covering the growing markets of Russia, India, Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and the Indian Ocean region, will follow ABS-2, the largest satellite to be launched over Asia scheduled in late 2013.

Saltaire, UK, July 30, 2013 —  British set-top box maker Pace Plc said profits in the first half more than tripled, driven by continuing demand for its media-server products in North America and Latin American markets, which offset some softness in Europe.

Paris, July 30, 2013 — Eutelsat Communications on Tuesday reported a 5.1 percent increase in revenues to €1,284 million (US$1,703 million) and operating income before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of €995.3 million (US$1,320.22 million) equivalent to 77.5 percent margins for fiscal year 2012-2013.

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.

Luxembourg, July 26, 2013 — SES S.A. reported slightly higher revenues of €910.5 million (US$1.207 billion) for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year, and a flat operating profit of €408.6 million (US$541.85 million) during the first half of the year compared to €411.5 million (US$545.78 million) during the same period last year.

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.