Intel (INTC) is reportedly encountering difficulty in signing up programming deals for its upcoming online TV service, with major media companies such as Disney (DIS), Time Warner (TWX), Viacom (VIA), News Corp (NWS) and Comcast (CMCSA) yet to sign on. Pressure from cable TV providers such as Time Warner (TWC) is one reason, as is a fear of damaging the current lucrative ecosystem that the content and service providers enjoy. [View news story]
History is full of industries that try to protect their monopolies. It is only a matter of time. The market always wins if the government stays out of the business. The cost of cable TV is getting higher and is much higher than it needs to be for the consumer. They will eventually realize this and vote with their pocket books and their feet.
Amazon (AMZN) -1.9% and eBay (EBAY) -2%, following markets lower, after ChannelAdvisor reports same-store-sales growth declines for clients relying on the companies in May. Amazon's growth rate fell to 25.8% (its lowest over the last 12 months) from 30.6% in April, and eBay's fell to 16% from 20.5% (auctions -18%, fixed-price +16%, Motors +30%). The numbers also aren't great for Google (GOOG), which is seeing rising e-commerce ad competition and has been tweaking its strategy: sales from search ads -0.8%, and comparison shopping (e.g. Google Shopping) +0.3%. comScore puts total U.S. e-commerce growth in the 14%-15% range. [View news story]
Why should we be surprised? These results are a sign of a very weak economy propped up and awash in cheap money and misguided monetary policy. There is no real GDP growth dispute what is reported in the News. Unemployment is north of 15% not 7.5% as the government would have us believe. Real business and consumer taxes are killing growth. We all know this and still we look at these accounting results and try to make good investment decisions. It is all a waste of time.
I guess the NSA will pass this comment on to the IRS. I already hear a knock at my front door. Dispute this we must stay in the game. It is the only one we have. I still like Google more than Amazon and Ebay which is really mostly retail in nature. Sooner or later the government will run out of other people's money, policies will change and common sense will make a comeback.
YouTube's (GOOG) mobile ad sales have tripled over the last 6 months and about a quarter of its 1B users now watch videos on handheld devices, boasts sales VP Lucas Watson. The yanking of an ad-free YouTube app from iOS 6, and Google's subsequent release of an ad-featuring iOS app, likely have much to do with the jump. But so does soaring traffic: Nielsen estimates at least 70M U.S. smartphone users accessed YouTube apps in March, +42% Y/Y; international growth is probably higher. Last fall, Nomura estimated YouTube, whose short-form material is more mobile-friendly than Netflix and Hulu's fare, will yield $3.2B in 2013 revenue. Wedge Partners sees 20%-25% of YouTube's ad sales now coming from mobile. [View news story]
I always thought YouTube was a highly under valued app for Google. It is a wealth of information and a great source of product reviews which do motivate me to purchase items, however I don't believe that Google gains a commission on the resulting purchases. Never the less it is as important to me as the search function.
Motorola (GOOG) intends to introduce a new smartphone called the Moto X in October as it seeks to pull itself back into the top tier of mobile device makers. The handset will be made by Flextronics (FLEX) at a plant in Texas that will employ 2,000 people by August. The Moto X will incorporate two processors to conserve battery life, and include sensors to help it better understand the needs of the user. [View news story]
Not sure what is article is reporting. It telling you nothing about the Moto X except that it has two processors that uses less power. The link to smartphone takes you to Bloomberg TV which promotes the Samsung galaxy 4 over the latest iphone release.
The only take way here is that smartphone technology sector is evolving rapidly and is very competitive. No one has a clue where it is going.
Flextronics (FLEX) stock link shows a stock pop presumably on the potential for increased sales of the MOTO X whose features are not reported nor compared to the galaxy 4 or the iphone.
So... This is just a Google press release of the MOTO X.
Ford (F) says it will close its plants in Australia in 2016 as a strong aussie and high labor costs weigh heavily on the Australian manufacturing sector's ability to compete with cheap imports. The closures are expected to result in the loss of some 1,200 jobs. [View news story]
Sorry to read it is not just the USA that has lost its way heading toward the socialism dark side. Hopefully it will be temporary and free world will find its way back to a better socioeconomic place. Socialism always fails everywhere it was tried. It is just a matter of time.
In what could be a win for PayPal (EBAY), Google (GOOG) is shutting down Checkout in 6 months to focus its online payments efforts on Wallet. Though Google will still handle payment processing for developers selling on Google properties (Play, Chrome Web Store, Offers Marketplace), 3rd-party merchants using Checkout and lacking an internal processing solution will have to find an alternative. The announcement comes a week after Google announced several new Wallet features, including new developer APIs and an option to attach money to Gmail messages. [View news story]
I have used Ebay since its inception in the late 90s. I use PAYPAL all the time. I was sorry to see it acquired by Ebay. It should have gone public. Electronic payments and electronic banking is much harder than it looks to implement securely. PAYPAL has more experience and an established base in E commerce. Smart phone E commerce have a ways to go before I will use it for electronic payment transactions.
It is good to see Google enter the space, however, I think they they should use their cash to acquire some small cap start up companies that can help them quickly gain experience in electronic banking and electronic payment security. Companies like the European Elephant Talk Communications (ETAK). They should look to banks and consumers in Europe which are further along in smart phone eCommerce than in the USA.
However it is in its early stages of development world wide. It is something that should be watched but not necessarily used. It will make cell phones truly and electronic wallet when it matures.
I am long GOOG and ETAK. Do not have a position in Ebay.
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
Long term everyone over 60 will be dead. This market has not been trading with a long term perspective. In an inflationary economy such as this anyone of these stocks are better than cash.
What is wrong with 97% in ad revenue even if your statement is true? Regardless it is not ad revenue anyway. It is search. There is a big difference. Search make Internet activity useful and more friendly. Without it the Internet would not be the dynamic environment it is. It cannot be pirated. You don't have to pay for it directly. Unlike Microsoft products it is not a once every few years purchase with new computers.
Intel Drops An Atomic Bomb On ARM's 'Abomination' [View article]
It is about time that Intel uses its financial and intellectual assets to expand into other sectors of the consumer electronics space. They are the 900 lb gorilla in the space and should begin to act as such. Maybe they can do something that could move the needle beyond $27 for the stockholders. I think the change in management was long overdue. Perhaps Intel can become a growth company again.
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
This is a good article. The arguments show incite into the companies' business models and are simply explained. It is even hard to argue with the conclusion based on company fundamentals. However, I do not like Microsoft which I owned several times in the past decades. I haven't made any real money going long on Microsoft since the 80s. Microsoft Trades poorly in the market. It is stuck is a trading under $35. I do not believe that Microsoft management supports the best interests of its stockholders and consumers. This is the reason I believe it trades that way despite all the apparent locked up value this article presents.
The invisible sentiment of the stock market maybe wrong in the short term but over time it is rarely wrong. Microsoft's management is self centered and NOT growth oriented. I believe that Google still is a better value even at the high PE. Market sentiment is not sure what to make of Apple's current management with the death of Steve Jobs and that is why the stock is struggling. Apple has a certain cache and product pipeline that keeps its margins high. The market is trying to determine if this still applies going forward. I like Apple and owned it in the past, but will not take a current position in it until this issue is resolved by the market.
Less than a 50/50 chance is gambling. 60/40 and 90/10 is measured risk/return. 100% is insider trading. We all like the latter but don't tell the SEC. This is reserved for Congress and those in the shorts of government.
That doesn't exactly answer the question. Given the assumption that both companies' forward earnings estimates remain unchanged AAPL maybe undervalued. On the other hand perhaps the market is discounting Apple's future earnings stream negatively. I don't share that opinion, but I reluctant to start a new position in this market propped up by artificially low interest rates and bogus government economic statistics.
For now my opinion on Google is unchanged until year end. I am long Google and have no position in Apple. I am definitely not listening to guys with cowboy hats trying to figure out what to do with their 10 shares of Google.
Google (GOOG) spent $291M on acquisitions and asset purchases in Q1, the company discloses in its latest 10-Q. Among other things, that figure covers Google's $125M purchase of Channel Intelligence from ICE, and its acquisitions of startups DNNResearch and Talaria. The disclosure comes as Google's $12.5B purchase of Motorola Mobility looks more and more questionable, given Motorola's dismal sales and legal setbacks, and the fact Motorola's IP hasn't done much yet to halt Apple's legal war against Android OEMs (even if the market share impact has been limited). [View news story]
There is nothing wrong with acquisitions when a company is flush with cash. It is no different than R&D spending. Microsoft did it for years before it started paying dividends. Google should have done it earlier. They had a chance to buy twitter when it was just a start up and passed.
Automobile sales in western China are expanding twice as fast as in the nation's wealthier coastal cities, according to China-based auto analysts. The development plays well into Ford's (F) strategy after the automaker invested to set up plants in the region capable of producing more than one million vehicles a year. [View news story]
I wonder if Ford has similar labor union issues in China that it has in America? What is the real cost of a Ford in China?
I'll put it on the calendar to short the stock in 20 months on the earlier comment. Thanks for the heads up.
So what valuation should $10.36 quarterly in earnings have in today's potentially inflationary market? Should I sell all my Google and buy Gold or maybe Hersey bars? Please... give me some direction other than "buy low and sell high".
What Do Amazon, Alibaba, Facebook And Mozilla Have In Common? [View article]
Competition is a good thing. It makes all companies try harder to make the end user happy. Investors on the other hand must watch, read and research the facts separating the truth from individual opinion. In the tech sector we must stay tuned to the changing landscape and mood of the consumer and adjust our portfolios constantly.
I suppose that is what this article implies. But then many of us already know that. The value added here is what the players in the sector are doing. This article could be a tad stronger here. There is little new information on Alibaba, Facebook (FB) and Mozilla's contribution to the mobile sector.
Long Google. Sold my positions in Amazon and Microsoft long ago. Never really considered Facebook, Alibaba, Mozilla as an investment opportunity. This article does not change my opinion going forward.
Intel (INTC) is reportedly encountering difficulty in signing up programming deals for its upcoming online TV service, with major media companies such as Disney (DIS), Time Warner (TWX), Viacom (VIA), News Corp (NWS) and Comcast (CMCSA) yet to sign on. Pressure from cable TV providers such as Time Warner (TWC) is one reason, as is a fear of damaging the current lucrative ecosystem that the content and service providers enjoy. [View news story]
Amazon (AMZN) -1.9% and eBay (EBAY) -2%, following markets lower, after ChannelAdvisor reports same-store-sales growth declines for clients relying on the companies in May. Amazon's growth rate fell to 25.8% (its lowest over the last 12 months) from 30.6% in April, and eBay's fell to 16% from 20.5% (auctions -18%, fixed-price +16%, Motors +30%). The numbers also aren't great for Google (GOOG), which is seeing rising e-commerce ad competition and has been tweaking its strategy: sales from search ads -0.8%, and comparison shopping (e.g. Google Shopping) +0.3%. comScore puts total U.S. e-commerce growth in the 14%-15% range. [View news story]
I guess the NSA will pass this comment on to the IRS. I already hear a knock at my front door. Dispute this we must stay in the game. It is the only one we have. I still like Google more than Amazon and Ebay which is really mostly retail in nature. Sooner or later the government will run out of other people's money, policies will change and common sense will make a comeback.
YouTube's (GOOG) mobile ad sales have tripled over the last 6 months and about a quarter of its 1B users now watch videos on handheld devices, boasts sales VP Lucas Watson. The yanking of an ad-free YouTube app from iOS 6, and Google's subsequent release of an ad-featuring iOS app, likely have much to do with the jump. But so does soaring traffic: Nielsen estimates at least 70M U.S. smartphone users accessed YouTube apps in March, +42% Y/Y; international growth is probably higher. Last fall, Nomura estimated YouTube, whose short-form material is more mobile-friendly than Netflix and Hulu's fare, will yield $3.2B in 2013 revenue. Wedge Partners sees 20%-25% of YouTube's ad sales now coming from mobile. [View news story]
Motorola (GOOG) intends to introduce a new smartphone called the Moto X in October as it seeks to pull itself back into the top tier of mobile device makers. The handset will be made by Flextronics (FLEX) at a plant in Texas that will employ 2,000 people by August. The Moto X will incorporate two processors to conserve battery life, and include sensors to help it better understand the needs of the user. [View news story]
The only take way here is that smartphone technology sector is evolving rapidly and is very competitive. No one has a clue where it is going.
Flextronics (FLEX) stock link shows a stock pop presumably on the potential for increased sales of the MOTO X whose features are not reported nor compared to the galaxy 4 or the iphone.
So... This is just a Google press release of the MOTO X.
Ford (F) says it will close its plants in Australia in 2016 as a strong aussie and high labor costs weigh heavily on the Australian manufacturing sector's ability to compete with cheap imports. The closures are expected to result in the loss of some 1,200 jobs. [View news story]
In what could be a win for PayPal (EBAY), Google (GOOG) is shutting down Checkout in 6 months to focus its online payments efforts on Wallet. Though Google will still handle payment processing for developers selling on Google properties (Play, Chrome Web Store, Offers Marketplace), 3rd-party merchants using Checkout and lacking an internal processing solution will have to find an alternative. The announcement comes a week after Google announced several new Wallet features, including new developer APIs and an option to attach money to Gmail messages. [View news story]
It is good to see Google enter the space, however, I think they they should use their cash to acquire some small cap start up companies that can help them quickly gain experience in electronic banking and electronic payment security. Companies like the European Elephant Talk Communications (ETAK). They should look to banks and consumers in Europe which are further along in smart phone eCommerce than in the USA.
However it is in its early stages of development world wide. It is something that should be watched but not necessarily used. It will make cell phones truly and electronic wallet when it matures.
I am long GOOG and ETAK. Do not have a position in Ebay.
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
What is wrong with 97% in ad revenue even if your statement is true? Regardless it is not ad revenue anyway. It is search. There is a big difference. Search make Internet activity useful and more friendly. Without it the Internet would not be the dynamic environment it is. It cannot be pirated. You don't have to pay for it directly. Unlike Microsoft products it is not a once every few years purchase with new computers.
Intel Drops An Atomic Bomb On ARM's 'Abomination' [View article]
Is Google Worth That Much More Than Microsoft? [View article]
The invisible sentiment of the stock market maybe wrong in the short term but over time it is rarely wrong. Microsoft's management is self centered and NOT growth oriented. I believe that Google still is a better value even at the high PE. Market sentiment is not sure what to make of Apple's current management with the death of Steve Jobs and that is why the stock is struggling. Apple has a certain cache and product pipeline that keeps its margins high. The market is trying to determine if this still applies going forward. I like Apple and owned it in the past, but will not take a current position in it until this issue is resolved by the market.
Less than a 50/50 chance is gambling. 60/40 and 90/10 is measured risk/return. 100% is insider trading. We all like the latter but don't tell the SEC. This is reserved for Congress and those in the shorts of government.
Google's Phony Beat [View article]
For now my opinion on Google is unchanged until year end. I am long Google and have no position in Apple. I am definitely not listening to guys with cowboy hats trying to figure out what to do with their 10 shares of Google.
Google (GOOG) spent $291M on acquisitions and asset purchases in Q1, the company discloses in its latest 10-Q. Among other things, that figure covers Google's $125M purchase of Channel Intelligence from ICE, and its acquisitions of startups DNNResearch and Talaria. The disclosure comes as Google's $12.5B purchase of Motorola Mobility looks more and more questionable, given Motorola's dismal sales and legal setbacks, and the fact Motorola's IP hasn't done much yet to halt Apple's legal war against Android OEMs (even if the market share impact has been limited). [View news story]
Automobile sales in western China are expanding twice as fast as in the nation's wealthier coastal cities, according to China-based auto analysts. The development plays well into Ford's (F) strategy after the automaker invested to set up plants in the region capable of producing more than one million vehicles a year. [View news story]
I am long Ford... I am happy things look better.
Google's Phony Beat [View article]
So what valuation should $10.36 quarterly in earnings have in today's potentially inflationary market? Should I sell all my Google and buy Gold or maybe Hersey bars? Please... give me some direction other than "buy low and sell high".
Google's Phony Beat [View article]
What Do Amazon, Alibaba, Facebook And Mozilla Have In Common? [View article]
I suppose that is what this article implies. But then many of us already know that. The value added here is what the players in the sector are doing. This article could be a tad stronger here. There is little new information on Alibaba, Facebook (FB) and Mozilla's contribution to the mobile sector.
Long Google. Sold my positions in Amazon and Microsoft long ago. Never really considered Facebook, Alibaba, Mozilla as an investment opportunity. This article does not change my opinion going forward.