Tag Archives: amzn

Morgan Stanley Light On Tech But Likes Amazon, Microsoft, Comcast

Amid the sell-off in growth technology stocks in early 2016, Morgan Stanley still likes tech names with plenty of free cash, dividends, improving profit margins and rising market share. In a research report Wednesday, Morgan Stanley said its top tech picks include Comcast ( CMCSA ), T-Mobile US, Microsoft ( MSFT ), Amazon.com, Qualcomm ( QCOM ) and IBM. Morgan Stanley, though, is underweight on the technology sector overall, preferring utilities, financials and health care. “Relative to the broader market, we’ve seen more technology growth stocks with contracting multiples than any time in the last 10 years,” said analyst Adam Parker in the report. He also noted: “Since the (2008) financial crisis, technology stocks with improving margins have strongly outperformed those with high sales growth but no margin expansion.” Here’s what Morgan Stanley likes in some tech stocks: — T-Mobile ( TMUS ). “Competition in the wireless industry is intense,” but T-Mobile continues gain share with its Uncarrier-branded promotions vs. rivals. — Comcast. The cable TV firm has pricing power and invests wisely in broadband infrastructure and NBCUniversal, says Parker. — Amazon ( AMZN ). Its “retail and cloud businesses are both inflecting … which we see leading to higher than expected profitability,” wrote Parker. — Microsoft. It’s getting a boost from “real top-line drivers,” says Parker, citing its Azure public cloud computing business, data center share gains and Office 365 subscriber growth and pricing. — IBM ( IBM ). While IBM is the only large cap U.S. tech stock with institutional ownership at five-year lows, Parker says investors under-appreciate “an accelerating transformation to a more analytics- and cloud-friendly business.” — Qualcomm. “We are overweight as we think recent concerns regarding the royalty and chip businesses are overblown,” said Parker, who expects improving licensing fees in China.

Yahoo Drafts E-Sports To Take On Google YouTube, Amazon.com Twitch

Yahoo ( YHOO ) is adding competitive video gaming to its sports offerings, as professional gaming — or e-sports — continues to cross over to the mainstream. The company on Wednesday announced the launch of Yahoo Esports, an online channel devoted to online video gaming, including expert commentary and interviews with top players. The service will also feature articles, scores, team rosters, schedules, player rankings, calendars and statistics. According to research firm Newzoo, global e-sports revenue will rise 42% to $463 million this year. ESPN in January announced its own foray into e-sports. The popularity of e-sports is rising as an increasing roster of corporate sponsors launch new events. In a display of the industry’s growing allure, Amazon.com ( AMZN ) bought video-game-streaming company Twitch for more than $1 billion in 2014 . The epicenter for electronic sports competition is South Korea, but pro video game tournaments are catching on in the U.S. and bringing competitive video gaming to a global audience. Platforms with live and on-demand broadcasters include U.S.-based Twitch and Google YouTube (a division of Alphabet ( GOOGL )) along with China’s YY ( YY ). “We’re approaching our coverage of e-sports with the same tenacity and professionalism we always have with Yahoo Sports, News and Finance,” Bob Condor, sports media vice president for Yahoo, said in the company’s news release. “We’ve gone out and assembled an experienced and innovative content team that will cover e-sports from every angle.” At launch, Yahoo Esports will focus its coverage around “League of Legends,” “Dota 2,” “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” “Heroes of the Storm,” and “Street Fighter V.” Additional titles will be added over time. Yahoo Puts Hopes In Mavens Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo is facing competition for advertising from Facebook ( FB ), Alphabet, Netflix ( NFLX ), Snapchat and Pinterest, while Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is under fire from investors who are inpatient for profits and want to oust her from her job. The beleaguered Web portal recently hired three investment banking firms to evaluate potential bids for the sale of its core Internet operations. The company has said it is looking at its strategic options and has been cutting costs, including laying off 15% of its staff — about 1,600 jobs — and closing several offices overseas. Mayer’s turnaround plan for the company includes continued investment in what the company calls “Mavens” — mobile, video, native ads and social businesses — where its ad revenue is growing. Mayer recently said that Yahoo’s consumer products division going forward will consist of three global platforms — Search, Mail and Tumblr — and that it will focus on four vertical markets: news, sports, finance and lifestyles. On Monday, Yahoo also said that it may have to write down the goodwill  value of Tumblr, more than two years after spending $1.1 billion to buy the microblogging site. Yahoo said earlier that it took a $230 million impairment charge related to Tumblr. Yahoo stock was up a fraction in midday trading in the stock market today , near 33. Stock in Facebook, Alphabet, Amazon.com and Netflix were all down at least a fraction in midday trading Wednesday. Image provided by Shutterstock .

Apple Stock Retakes Critical Level As Market Surges

Loading the player… Apple ( AAPL ) made a critical move in the stock market today as the major indexes notched solid gains. The consumer tech giant is set to unveil new products at its March 21 spring media event. Some analysts speculate that Apple will roll out a small-screen iPhone and a smaller-screen iPad Pro. Shares jumped 4% to 100.53 in slightly below-average turnover, retaking the key 50-day moving average. Apple hasn’t traded above that level in nearly three months. The move also puts Apple back above the 100 price level. It’s a good sign for Apple to be coming off of its recent lows, but it’s also good to remember that its 50-day line is sloping downward as Apple’s overall performance over the last several months has trended lower. The stock is currently trading about 25% below its all-time high, reached last April. Apple is currently battling a federal order to assist the FBI in unlocking an encrypted iPhone connected to the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif. Meanwhile, Facebook ( FB ) is continuing higher as it bounces back from a breach of its 50-day line about a month ago. The stock is now trading 6% below its high. Google owner Alphabet ( GOOGL ) was able to retake its 50-day line, rising 3.5% in above-average volume Tuesday. Alphabet is about 8% below its high. Microsoft ( MSFT ) tried to retake its 50-day line and closed the session right at that level. Other recent attempts to retake that level met resistance. Microsoft is 7% below its peak. Amazon ( AMZN ) is 16% below its high. The e-commerce giant was able to retake its 200-day line last week. Image provided by Shutterstock .