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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Amazon, Alphabet, Facebook, Apple and Netflix
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –August 9, 2019 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Amazon Inc. (AMZN - Free Report) , Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) , Facebook, Inc. , Apple Inc. (AAPL - Free Report) and Netflix Inc. (NFLX - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Antitrust Review, Presidential Election Cloud FAANG Outlook
On Jul 23, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) opened a broad antitrust review on big tech companies. Though, DoJ did not announce names of any company, shares of Amazon Inc., Alphabet Inc. and Facebook, Inc. fell nearly 1%.
DoJ will investigate online platforms that dominate Internet search, social media and retail services. Attorney General William Barr has moved strongly against big tech firms, pointing at their expanded market power and enormous consumer data that they control.
Notably, President Trump has regularly criticized Amazon and raised allegations against Facebook for producing biased opinions on Grand Old Party politicians. He also agreed with tech investor Peter Thiel’s assessment that “Google should be investigated for not working with the U.S. Government on a cloud project.”
Earnings Analysis
Shares of Facebook, Apple Inc., Amazon, Netflix Inc. and Google lost 1.3%, 0.6%, 1%, 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively, immediately after the DoJ’s announcement. However, most FAANG members posted encouraging second-quarter earnings numbers. Only Amazon and Netflix’s shares declined after they released results.
Alphabet posted second-quarter earnings of $14.21 surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.49. The growth in earnings resulted from high revenues and strong growth in advertising and cloud technology. Alphabet’s shares surged nearly 10% after the report. (Read More: Alphabet Surpasses Q2 Earnings & Revenue Estimates)
Apple reported third-quarter fiscal 2019 earnings of $2.18 per share that beat Zacks Consensus Estimates by 3.8%. The iPhone maker benefited from robust performance of the Services segment along with higher sales of Mac, iPad and Wearables. Apple shares were up by 4.2% after the earnings were declared. (Read More: Apple Surpasses Q3 Earnings and Revenue Estimates)
Facebook reported better-than-expected earnings as a result of a rise in new users in the Asia-Pacific region especially India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Earnings came in at $1.99 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9 cents.
Notably, the social-media giant is set to pay $5 billion as fine and submit new products and services for FTC review. Facebook shares gained 1.1% after earnings results were announced. (Read More: Facebook Q2 Earnings Beat, Revenues Up on User Growth)
Netflix reported second-quarter earnings of 60 cents per share beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents. However, revenues lagged the consensus mark and management’s guidance of $4.93 billion, standing at $4.92 billion.
The company lost nearly 130,000 paid subscription against the expected growth of 0.3 million. Shares of Netflix plunged 10% after these results. (Read More: Netflix Q2 Earnings Beat, User Addition Disappoints)
The exception to the group, Amazon, reported second-quarter earnings of $5.22 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents. The impact of foreign exchange brought down sales. Amazon’s shares were down less than 2%. (Read More: Amazon Q2 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Beat)
FAANG stocks that include Google’s parent Alphabet, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Apple have gained 12.5%, 41.2%, 19.4%, 13.7% and 26.2%, respectively, on a year-to-date basis. Alphabet’s stock has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), whereas Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Apple stocks have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Presidential Elections Impact FAANG Stocks
Trump had earlier accused big tech for being biased and dominating. Now, with the presidential elections knocking on the door, the antitrust investigation plays a crucial role. Politicians are banking on antitrust probes to attract voters by calling for restraints on major tech firms.
Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and other politicians are voicing their opinion on breaking up big-tech firms like Amazon, Facebook and Google. Warren believes that smaller firms are not getting funds as Amazon, Facebook and Google compete in a “kill zone” eating up all new ventures. She disclosed her plan of breaking up the biggest tech companies if she is elected as the president.
On the other hand, if Trump is re-elected, the prevailing trade war with China will cloud the prospects for Apple. Shares of Apple have tumbled a little from the 10% hike in tariff plan on Aug 1.
Conclusion
The antitrust investigation may impact the stocks in the long run, but will not dampen performance in the near future. Facebook and Google provide free services to billions daily and until any big replacement comes in, users will unhesitatingly keep using them. However, the 2020 presidential election campaigning is putting pressure on the DoJ to review and present reports immediately. As both parties are banking on antitrust issues for election, a fear of major companies splitting is lurking over the FAANG stocks.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Amazon, Alphabet, Facebook, Apple and Netflix
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –August 9, 2019 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Amazon Inc. (AMZN - Free Report) , Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) , Facebook, Inc. , Apple Inc. (AAPL - Free Report) and Netflix Inc. (NFLX - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Antitrust Review, Presidential Election Cloud FAANG Outlook
On Jul 23, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) opened a broad antitrust review on big tech companies. Though, DoJ did not announce names of any company, shares of Amazon Inc., Alphabet Inc. and Facebook, Inc. fell nearly 1%.
DoJ will investigate online platforms that dominate Internet search, social media and retail services. Attorney General William Barr has moved strongly against big tech firms, pointing at their expanded market power and enormous consumer data that they control.
Notably, President Trump has regularly criticized Amazon and raised allegations against Facebook for producing biased opinions on Grand Old Party politicians. He also agreed with tech investor Peter Thiel’s assessment that “Google should be investigated for not working with the U.S. Government on a cloud project.”
Earnings Analysis
Shares of Facebook, Apple Inc., Amazon, Netflix Inc. and Google lost 1.3%, 0.6%, 1%, 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively, immediately after the DoJ’s announcement. However, most FAANG members posted encouraging second-quarter earnings numbers. Only Amazon and Netflix’s shares declined after they released results.
Alphabet posted second-quarter earnings of $14.21 surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.49. The growth in earnings resulted from high revenues and strong growth in advertising and cloud technology. Alphabet’s shares surged nearly 10% after the report. (Read More: Alphabet Surpasses Q2 Earnings & Revenue Estimates)
Apple reported third-quarter fiscal 2019 earnings of $2.18 per share that beat Zacks Consensus Estimates by 3.8%. The iPhone maker benefited from robust performance of the Services segment along with higher sales of Mac, iPad and Wearables. Apple shares were up by 4.2% after the earnings were declared. (Read More: Apple Surpasses Q3 Earnings and Revenue Estimates)
Facebook reported better-than-expected earnings as a result of a rise in new users in the Asia-Pacific region especially India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Earnings came in at $1.99 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9 cents.
Notably, the social-media giant is set to pay $5 billion as fine and submit new products and services for FTC review. Facebook shares gained 1.1% after earnings results were announced. (Read More: Facebook Q2 Earnings Beat, Revenues Up on User Growth)
Netflix reported second-quarter earnings of 60 cents per share beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents. However, revenues lagged the consensus mark and management’s guidance of $4.93 billion, standing at $4.92 billion.
The company lost nearly 130,000 paid subscription against the expected growth of 0.3 million. Shares of Netflix plunged 10% after these results. (Read More: Netflix Q2 Earnings Beat, User Addition Disappoints)
The exception to the group, Amazon, reported second-quarter earnings of $5.22 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents. The impact of foreign exchange brought down sales. Amazon’s shares were down less than 2%. (Read More: Amazon Q2 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Beat)
FAANG stocks that include Google’s parent Alphabet, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Apple have gained 12.5%, 41.2%, 19.4%, 13.7% and 26.2%, respectively, on a year-to-date basis. Alphabet’s stock has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), whereas Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Apple stocks have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Presidential Elections Impact FAANG Stocks
Trump had earlier accused big tech for being biased and dominating. Now, with the presidential elections knocking on the door, the antitrust investigation plays a crucial role. Politicians are banking on antitrust probes to attract voters by calling for restraints on major tech firms.
Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and other politicians are voicing their opinion on breaking up big-tech firms like Amazon, Facebook and Google. Warren believes that smaller firms are not getting funds as Amazon, Facebook and Google compete in a “kill zone” eating up all new ventures. She disclosed her plan of breaking up the biggest tech companies if she is elected as the president.
On the other hand, if Trump is re-elected, the prevailing trade war with China will cloud the prospects for Apple. Shares of Apple have tumbled a little from the 10% hike in tariff plan on Aug 1.
Conclusion
The antitrust investigation may impact the stocks in the long run, but will not dampen performance in the near future. Facebook and Google provide free services to billions daily and until any big replacement comes in, users will unhesitatingly keep using them. However, the 2020 presidential election campaigning is putting pressure on the DoJ to review and present reports immediately. As both parties are banking on antitrust issues for election, a fear of major companies splitting is lurking over the FAANG stocks.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 7 breakthrough stocks now>>
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.