AuthenTec (Nasdaq: AUTH) is the world’s leading provider of fingerprint sensors and solutions. AuthenTec Inc., is actively involved in issues and trends related to biometric technology and security with specific expertise in the PC, wireless and access control markets. It was founded in 1998 by a small, dedicated team led by co-founders CEO Scott Moody and CTO Dale Setlak. It has since then grown to more than 100 employee "players" worldwide and is led by the most experienced team of semiconductor, biometrics, and segment market professionals in the industry.
Though the internet makes many things more convenient (banking, shopping, etc.) one of the most inconvenient things about it is remembering all those passwords (must be at least six but no more than ten characters, containing at least one letter and one number, case sensitive ... you know the drill) without writing them down on a cheat sheet that defeats the whole purpose of security. Finally someone has figured out how to turn your fingerprint into your password, which is not only more secure, but more convenient too. Plus this is the best technology out there and it's cheap enough that not only James Bond can afford it.
In short, it is a mixed-signal semiconductor company that provides fingerprint authentication sensors and solutions to the high-volume personal computer (PC), wireless device, and access control markets. It offers a range of fingerprint sensors that enable users to access and control multiple functions on an electronic device by touching or sliding their finger across the sensor. The company’s fingerprint sensors utilize unique information in fingerprints to verify the identity of the individual, as well as the unique, individual fingers on the same person. Its sensors are used in various applications related to security, password replacement and financial transaction authentication.
AuthenTec Inc.’s award-winning sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch™ by utilizing the company's patented TruePrint® technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication. AuthenTec’s patented TruePrint® and TrueMatch® technologies allow fingerprints to be read below the surface of the skin to the live layer – or true fingerprint. As such, they are less affected by common skin surface conditions, including dry, worn, calloused, dirty or oily skin that can hinder competitive sensors’ ability to acquire accurate fingerprint images for user authentication purposes. TruePrint is the only fingerprint sensor technology capable of acquiring everyone’s fingerprint under virtually any condition.
AuthenTec Inc’s newest wireless products and technologies for key Asian cell phone OEMs and wireless carriers include their new QuickLaunch personalization and TrueNav user navigation software for mobile phones, durable TouchStone packaging technologies as well as new world phones, smart phones, PCs, and other wireless products that integrate AuthenTec fingerprint sensors for versatile Power of Touch(R) features that extend beyond security to include convenience, personalization and navigation.
The company’s network of partners and customers includes; Analog Devices, APC, ASUS, Bioscrypt, Cherry, Compal, CA, Fellowes, Fujitsu Computer, HP, IBM, Intel,Lenovo, LGE, Microsoft, Motion Computing, Packard Bell, Samsung, SCM
Microsystems, Tatung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Quanta, among others
AuthenTec Inc., is a Fortune 500 Breakout 25 company and is a Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award winner, and three-time winner of Frost & Sullivan’s Market Leadership Award. According to a report from Frost and Sullivan, AuthenTec enjoys a massive market opportunity. The market for fingerprint sensors is expected to grow 50.6% annually, to $2 billion by 2013.
AuthenTec, Inc., is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol AUTH.
AuthenTec’s stock price has fallen over 90% the last year from somewhere around $18.00 to about $1.60
AUTH doesn't currently meet the $100M market cap / $1.50 stock price minimum.
But then, AuthenTec's shares are severely undervalued and have a legitimate chance to rise in value 50% or more by 2009. Their fingerprint technology is unsurpassed in the industry and protected by a multitude of patents and intellectual property, as well as being well-entrenched in the markets in which they serve.
Besides, AUTH is active in a market space that will be exploding in the future – The Company’s product has a unique and distinct competitive advantage over competition in an underdeveloped field, as a result the company should out grow most companies in S&P 500. Moreover, Security is always in the back of people's minds.
Fingerprint authentication becoming popular on cell phones in Asia. As fingerprint technology is the future. In other words, it recognizes specific fingerprints more specifically your fingerprint. As tomorrow's credit payments will be made with cell phones and AUTH will be playing a big role in making them safe...In short, fingerprint security is catching on fast and AUTH has the best technology and is expanding use rapidly
Stock Value
According to market reports, there were some positive developments including news that the customer loss that they thought was going to affect their revenue and earnings in the back half of 2009, will not actually impact them until well into 2010, thus allowing AuthenTec Inc. more time to make up the difference and find new customers and applications to overcome this loss.
For AuthenTec’s intellectual property alone, there is value in the shares of the company, and it would not be surprising to see AuthenTec bought out by a larger player within the next 6-12 months because of their dirt cheap valuation, and the assets that they possess.
Obviously, if you own shares of AuthenTec, now is not the time to sell. There is some value here that is not currently priced into the shares of the stock. At the current prices the stock is trading below its cash on hand, and is priced for ultimate failure.
I don’t know when shares will stop their recent slide to new all-time lows, but one thing I am certain of: AuthenTec is a cutting edge company that continues to execute in an otherwise wickedly negative marketplace and in the face of continued consumer doldrums. AuthenTec is a rapidly expanding company with a niche product and a patented moat around its business that no competitors can claim.
So, I guess it would be alright to sell, when the price reaches at around $7.50 per share, which is a sure possibility
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