RIMM Versus Apple Year-To-Date (RIMM, AAPL)

Shares of Research In Motion RIMM continue to get hammered today, hitting a fresh 52-week low. The stock is down $2.22, or 4.84%, to $43.37. The stock is now down 50.8% from its 52-week high of $88.08. Comparing the year-to-date performance of RIMM and Apple AAPL is telling. In 2010 shares of RIMM are down 34.23% versus a 13.70% gain for Apple. Cleary, investors believe RIMM is coming under immense pressure from competitors in the smartphone market. RIMM has long-dominated the corporate market, but now that stronghold is under threat from iPhone and Android-based devices. Shares of RIMM may look "cheap" at just 7.3 times forward earnings, but that forward multiple is likely to contract as RIMM's earnings erode even further.