A number of new streaming devices have been revealed as part of the Roku lineup. They’ll include upgraded Roku Express and Ultra devices as well as several streaming sticks. In addition, there was an upgrade unveiled for the Roku operating system. Unfortunately, other news arrived that hurt the Roku stock price, despite its high percentage climb for the past year.
Per Yahoo Finance, Roku Express is $29.99 and features HD streaming along with a 10 percent sleeker design. The Roku Ultra is priced at $99.99 and features 4K/HDR picture quality and faster channel launch. The streaming device’s remote offers customization with favorite channels to allow viewers even quicker navigation.
Wal Mart also has a pair of new Roku devices available. These Walmart-exclusive devices are the Roku Express+ for $39.99 and the $79.99 Roku Ultra LT.
There are also two new streaming sticks. There’s the Roku Streaming+ with voice remote and TV controls. There’s also a Streaming Stick+ HE. Both of the sticks are 4K-ready and sell for $59.99 each.
Along with the brand new streaming devices also comes an upgrade to Roku operating system. The new OS 9.2 brings Roku Zones, which is a new search and discovery feature. There is also enhance Roku voice functionality along with voice-controlled sleep timers. Additionally, Roku TV gives viewers the options to find movie quotes by voice.
After the news of the new devices and operating system arrived, so did news of the Roku stock taking a hit. In a FOX Business report, they indicated that Pivotal Research Group initiated cover for Roku but gave the stock a “sell” rating.
In a note that analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak wrote for investors, it mentions that there will be other “over the top” competition for Roku. Those may include a free alternative from Comcast and the Xfinity Flex streaming box. Pivotal also rated Comcast as a “buy” adding it will be hard for Roku to compete with “the big boys.”
The sell rating and sour news sent Roku down by nearly 20 percent for the day. Roku stock closed at $108.05 on Friday, down $25.71 or 19.22 percent.
Dil Bole Oberoi
