WRAL Tech Wire

 Cree shines as fiscal 3Q revenue reaches a record $349M

LED lighting company Cree reports record revenue amid strong demand for its products, including its new consumer-focused $10 LED light bulb that was unveiled last month.

 Ahead of earnings and Earth Day, Cree lights up TV with LED bulb commercials

Cree announces its latest quarterly earnings today and perhaps will offer insight into just how well its new LED Bulbs are faring in the consumer market. To boost sales, Cree unleashed a barrage of "nostalgia is dumb" commercials over the weekend. Yes, that was Durham-based Cree advertising during NBA playoff games.

Cree touts new bulb vs. traditional lightbulb

 As Cree shares shine at new high, its LED bulb seems bright idea

Even MSNBC's Jim Cramer has kind words for Cree after trashing it last June after Cree unveils its new $10 LED bulb earlier this week. The Skinny and WRAL's Monica Laliberte test it out - and we think its a bright idea, too. So does Wall Street. Now the big test consumers - will consumers buy?

Cree's $10 LED bulb

 New Cree LED bulb means 200 jobs in Durham, perhaps more to come

Cree's new line of LED bulbs that the Durham-based company introduced Tuesday means new jobs for the Triangle. Cree already has hired 200 people to make the bulbs locally, and the LEDs are made in N.C. as well, a company executive says.

Inside Cree's new LED bulb

 Cree $10 LED bulb 'biggest thing since lightbulb;' lights up shares

Cree Chairman and CEO Chuck Swoboda is in New York City today briefing analysts on what could be the breakthrough event for the Durham company in the consumer lighting market: A long-lasting LED bulb that costs $10. The news excites investors as Cree shares jump 7% in pre-market trading and finished up 14.4 percent for the day in heavy trading.

Cree touts new bulb vs. traditional lightbulb

 Cree removes 'interim' from CFO Mike McDevitt's title

 Cree shares soar 22% after strong earnings report

Shares in LED manufacturer Cree jumped more than 22 percent Wednesday to a new 52-week high of $41.20 in the wake of a strong earnings report on Tuesday. Two analyst firms raise their share target prices to $41 and $42.

 Inside Cree's strong earnings: 'Pretty broad-based growth'

In a conference call with Wall Street analysts, Cree Chairman and CEO Chuck Swoboda says "pretty broad-based growth" led to a financial report that exceeded Street expectations and triggered a 15-percent jump in Cree's shares. He also talks about driving more business by explaining more about what LED lighting can do.

Cree's Chuck Swoboda

 Cree shares soar 15% after good earnings news

Shares in Durham-based Cree soar in after-hours trading more than $4.50 per share after the LED and semiconductor manufacturer reports strong earnings.

 Do LEDs really mean a bright financial future for Cree?

The invention of a better light bulb - with LEDs at the core - means long-term energy savings for users. But with bulbs lasting years longer, what are the long-term implications for companies like Cree?

 Blue Monday: Analyst's downgrade triggers 7.5% decline in Cree shares

Shares in LED maker Cree dropped more than 7 percent Monday after analyst firm Canaccord Genuity cut the stock to "Hold" from "Buy" and slashed its share target price by $6.

 Cree shares tumble 6% after Wall Street analyst's downgrade

Shares in Cree dropped 6 percent Thursday after an analyst's downgrade. The news helped erase gains that had pushed Cree to a new 52-week high earlier of $33.60 this week and boost shares overall 45 percent this year.

 Cree scores chip patent victory; its LEDs light up Sheetz

Shares in Cree moved higher Wednesday after news that the company scored a patent victory in a dispute over semiconductors. Plus: Cree's LEDs glow at Sheetz.

 Cree stock surges to 52-week high, up 45% this year

Shares in LED and semiconductor firm Cree rose to a new 52-week high on Tuesday and are up nearly 45 percent so far this year with most analysts rating it as a 'strong buy" or "buy."

 In the news: AT&T fined; Cree's hotel deal; Grifols lab closing; IBM storage effort; Bioptigen moves

Inside the Bulldog Blog: AT&T is fined $700,000; Courtyard by Marriott picks Cree LEDs; Grifols is closing Raleigh lab; IBM expands storage efforts; Bioptigen moves to bigger location

 In the news: Lenovo's India plans; Cree at Best Buy; Israeli startup in RTP; SciQuest; Peak 10

Inside the Bulldog Blog: Lenovo plans India expansion; Cree LED bulbs at Best Buy; an Israeli tech startup is moving to Triangle; SciQuest adds new service; Peak 10 beefs up cloud.

 Cree sees profits rise, beats Street - again

The LED maker reported net income above Wall Street's expectations for the first quarter of 2013.

 Key tech earnings to benchmark economy's pulse

IBM, Cree, and Intel are scheduled to report earnings on Tuesday as more than 400 companies plan to release quarterly financials throughout the week. Read what analysts have to say about these three.

 Nortel 'lies;' Nexxus raises $6M; Cree lights Senate; new Centice device; Honda Aircraft

Inside the Bulldog Blog: Lies alleged in Nortel fraud trial; Nexxus in Charlotte raises $6M; Cree LEDs light up U.S. Senate; Centice unveils testing device; Honda Aircraft's $20M building.

 Smart Online change; Cree warranty; HyperBranch trial; Mi-Co customer; FairPoint names CMO

Inside the Bulldog Blog: Smart Online's top executive resigns; Cree offers 10-year warranty; HyperBranch completes trial signup; Mi-Co customer cuts data costs; FairPoint hires chief marketing officer.