Not content with being the world’s premier designer for smartphone microchips, ARM Holdings (LSE: ARM) (NASDAQ: ARMH.US) is now trying to dominate the microchip market for the Internet of Things.
Put simply, the Internet of Things (IoT) is the term for enabling everyday objects like fridges, telephones, cars, microwaves and even front doors to communicate with one another.
The potential size of the IoT market is huge and not to be underestimated. Figures vary, but it’s estimated that there are 50 billion devices set to be connected to the internet by 2020. Forecasts show that the global IoT market could be worth $7.1tn by 2020, up from the value of $1.9tn as reported during 2013.
And ARM’s low-power, high-performance microchips are perfect for IoT devices.
Pushing ahead
ARM’s microchips are already used in some IoT devices, and the company is trying to grab an even bigger share of the market.
To do this, ARM is increasing its dominance over the IoT market in two ways. Firstly, ARM is appealing to customers. In particular, last year ARM gave away some of its software to manufacturers of IoT in an attempt to gain a foothold before competitors.
Secondly, ARM is broadening its product offering through acquisitions. During February, ARM acquired Offspark, a Dutch firm that specialised in security software for the IoT market. And this week, ARM announced that it had acquired Wicentric, a Bluetooth® Smart stack and profile provider, and Sunrise Micro Devices (SMD), a provider of sub-one volt Bluetooth radio intellectual property (IP).
These two companies will be integrated to form what ARM has called the ARM® Cordio™ portfolio. ARM claims that the devices it will be able to develop using the technology from its Cordio portfolio will be able to transmit data for up to 60% longer than existing products between battery charges.
Bright future, high price
ARM is really starting to dominate the global technology market. The company’s commitment to gaining a strong foothold in the IoT market, coupled with the fact that the group’s microchips are already being within 90% of smartphones, shows that ARM is a force to be reckoned with.
What’s more, ARM is set to take another leap forward next year when the company launches its new processor blueprint. The new design is three-and-a-half times faster than comparable chips from 2014 and uses 75% less energy than competitors’ products.
Off the back of this and ARM’s other new product launches, City analysts believe that the group’s earnings will expand by 69% this year and a further 20% during 2016.
Unfortunately, ARM is one of the most expensive stocks in the FTSE 100. The company currently trades at a forward P/E of 37.7, which may put some investors off. However, ARM is a high-quality business with bright prospects — two traits that are worth paying a premium for.