Kodak finds a life preserver

The digital camera revolution left film maker Eastman Kodak (EK) in the dust. Two years ago, its stock traded above $29. It now changes hands at $2.80. Each new quarter seems to bring worse results and more lay-offs.

To make up for some of the lost ground, Kodak has gone into the consumer printer business, probably hoping that its brand will help drive sales. It is a risky move. HP (HPQ) and a number of other large PC and consumer electronics companies are in essentially the same business.