QUALCOMM (QCOM – NASDAQ) is a pure intellectual property play in the telecommunications equipment business, specifically for wireless gear based on “code division multiple access (CDMA)” technology, one of the key standards of wireless networks. QUALCOMM designs CDMA-based chips, and farms out their production to third parties, most notably IBM, Texas Instruments, and Taiwan Semiconductor. The company has three core businesses. CDMA Technologies designs and markets CDMA chip-sets and software for wireless voice and data communications. Technology Licensing collects one-time license fees and royalty payments on CDMA wireless handsets. Wireless and Internet has three sub-segments: Internet Services, Wireless Business Solutions …

Johnson Controls (JCI – NYSE) is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and controls. With 57 straight years of sales growth and 13 straight years of earnings growth, the company is the premier player in the auto supplier group. It also has a very strong environmental record, with a slew of sustainability initiatives in place. Johnson Controls has two operating segments, the Automotive Group (75% of sales) and the Controls Group (25% of sales). The automotive group is the world’s largest independent supplier of seating, overhead, door and cockpit systems as well as integrated electronics. Virtually …

St. Jude Medical (STJ - NYSE) is the most highly leveraged player in the rapidly expanding market for cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices (better known as pacemakers and defibrillators), which account for 72% of the company's total revenues. …

Pixar has created five full-length animated feature films: Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and the Oscar-winning Finding Nemo, all of which have had extraordinary success at the box office and on home video. …

With the U.S. Congress once again debating an energy bill that could potentially allow oil drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), we thought it appropriate to profile two companies involved in alternative energy technologies. …

Intermagnetics General (IMGC – NASDAQ) is a combination of a growing and profitable health care technology company and a development-stage energy technology company, both of which focus on superconducting materials. …

Portfolio Profile …

BankAmerica made a ten-year, $350 billion pledge to community development as part of the merger announcement. …

Vodafone is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company, offering its services in 25 countries. …