RIM expects loss, significant layoffs

Struggling BlackBerry maker Research In Motion warned that it will have an operating loss in its current March-June quarter and said there will be significant layoffs this year. RIM also said it has hired JPMorgan and RBC Capital Markets to help evaluate strategies, including opportunities to partner with other companies and license software. RIM made no mention of a sale of the company, but CEO Thorsten Heins did not rule it out after RIM’s last earnings were released in March. “It’s a disaster,” said Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, who expects RIM to announce up to 5,000 layoffs. ... Sprint Nextel said it will shut down the Nextel network as early as June 30, 2013.