Author Archives: Scalper1

Europe Seeks To Regulate Content On Netflix, Other Streamers

European regulators on Wednesday proposed a new set of rules that would force Netflix ( NFLX ), Amazon ( AMZN ) and other streaming video services to offer more local content in individual countries as well as finance local productions. The proposed regulations are seen as a way to level the playing field for national broadcasters, which already are required to financially support local content production. France and other European companies also want to ensure that their local movies and TV shows aren’t drowned out by Hollywood blockbusters and other imports. Netflix has objected to the measures, saying that such quotas would harm consumer choice. Netflix is already producing local language content to attract subscribers in Europe. Earlier this month, it debuted the French political drama “Marseille,” starring Gerard Depardieu. And soon it will stream an Italian crime drama series, “Suburra.” The European Commission’s proposals must be approved by the European Parliament and individual member states, a lengthy process that could result in significant changes to the proposals. In a written statement to the European Commission, Netflix said the proposed rules are “potentially detrimental to the sustainability of existing and new business models.” Local content quotas and demands that local content be prominently displayed would hurt the personalization of online services, Netflix said. Netflix investors shrugged off the European proposals. Netflix stock was up 2%, near 100, in afternoon trading on the stock market today. Netflix shares have been up since Monday when it announced that its exclusive deal to stream new Walt Disney ( DIS ) movies in the pay-TV window in the U.S. will begin in September. Under the pact, signed three and a half years ago, Netflix will become the exclusive U.S. pay-TV home of the latest films from Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Pixar. The agreement starts with 2016 theatrical releases, which include “Zootopia,” “The Jungle Book,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Finding Dory” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” RELATED: Netflix Gaining In Europe, But Faces Regulatory Mandates

Why Apple, Alibaba Lead 6 Hot Tech Stocks You Should Be Watching

Loading the player… From new products and partnerships to key chart moves, here’s a look at six top tech stocks you should keep an eye on today: Apple ( AAPL ), Alibaba ( BABA ), Netflix ( NFLX ), Facebook ( FB ), Microsoft ( MSFT ) and Google owner Alphabet ( GOOGL ). Apple Apple is working on its answer to the Amazon Echo and Google Home personal-assistant speakers, according to a report from The Information on Tuesday. The report says Apple will unveil the device at its developers conference in mid-June. Shares are on track for a four-day win streak, up 1.6% intraday on the stock market today , with the stock’s volume tracking higher than average on Wednesday. Apple is nearing the 100 price level, which the stock gapped below after the company’s quarterly earnings report missed expectations. Alibaba Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has revealed that the SEC is investigating its accounting practices in relation to its consolidation policies, transaction practices and operating data from Singles Day, its biggest shopping day of the year. Shares are plunging 6.1% in heavy volume, breaching the 50-day line. Shares are now trading 17% below their 52-week high. Netflix Netflix is rising amid fresh reports that the European Union is seeking to require a quota for local content on streaming platforms. And this week, Netflix announced it will be the exclusive host of new Disney films, beginning in September. Shares climbed above the 50-day line in Tuesday’s session and are continuing 2.2% higher today in fast trade. The stock is now 24% below its all-time high. Facebook And Facebook, which re-entered buy range in Tuesday’s session, is retaking its 10-day line in above-average volume today, rising 0.2%. The stock is now trading just 2% below its all-time high. Microsoft Microsoft is nearing its 50-day line after retaking its 200-day line in Tuesday’s session. Shares are now 7% below their late-December high and up 1.5% Wednesday. Alphabet Alphabet is rallying 0.8%, also nearing its 50-day line after taking its 200-day line Tuesday. It’s trading 8% below a flat base buy point at 791.05.

Tesla Model 3 ‘Execution Risk’ Leads To Stock Price Downgrade

The complexity and steepness of the Model 3 production ramp planned by Tesla Motors ( TSLA ) is likely to bring big challenges and increased risks, says one analyst who lowered his expectations for the electric car maker. “We are tempering our delivery forecast to account for a slower Model 3 ramp,” wrote RBC Capital Markets analyst Joseph Spak, who lowered his price target on Tesla to 242 from 252. Tesla shares were up 1%, near 221, in afternoon trading on the stock market today . In February, Tesla hit a nearly two-year low of about 141. Tesla said it plans to deliver 500,000 Model 3 sedans by 2018 and deliver 1 million by 2020. “We are all for setting aggressive internal and supplier goals, but as an investor, we believe these targets should be moderated,” Spak wrote. “We were always below Tesla’s vehicle delivery targets of 500,000 by 2018 and 1 million by 2020, but after speaking with industry contacts and reconsidering our model, we are tempering our delivery forecast to account for a slower Model 3 ramp,” he said. The ramp and scale of Tesla’s Model 3 is significantly larger than those for previous models. The starting price for the all-electric Model 3 is $35,000. “In the interim, the Tesla story is about manufacturing, and execution risk is elevated,” Spak wrote. “For the investor with long-term horizons, the ramp is less of a concern. For others, expect a choppy ride with sentiment a large driving factor.” To help accelerate the production ramp, Tesla raised $1.4 billion in capital in a secondary offering, adding to the $1.44 billion in cash and equivalents on the balance sheet as of March 31. Spak forecast a Tesla cash burn of about $1.8 billion this year and $1.3 billion in 2017. By 2018, he estimates, Tesla will have used up its cash supply, suggesting additional capital raises are likely needed. “For now we put another $1 billion equity raise in 2017,” Spak wrote.