Google (GOOGL) faces more competition from Apple, Facebook and others in online ads, but the company is not in danger of losing its lead. That’s the conclusion from Eric Sheridan, an analyst for UBS Securities, in a research report released late Monday. “Over the past few months, investors have become increasingly concerned about Google’s positioning in the worlds of digital advertising and mobile computing given the rising/sustained strength of
Apple (AAPL) could quadruple its total addressable market over the next five years as it expands into new markets, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said in a bullish research report Monday. Huberty reiterated her outperform rating on Apple (AAPL)stock and raised her price target to 160 from 133. She said Apple needs to be evaluated as a “platform company,” rather than a tech hardware firm. Other tech platform companies include Google (GOOGL) and Facebook (FB), she said. Microsoft (MSFT) and Oracle (ORCL) also fit that bill, she points out.
Samsung took the wraps off its new mobile payment system at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, while eBay’s (EBAY) PayPal said it would acquire startup Paydiant, whose digital wallet technology is being used by major retailers. PayPal, which eBay plans to spin off, will reportedly pay about $280 million for Wellesley, Mass.-based Paydiant. Mobile payments is a crowded space, with Apple (AAPL), PayPal and Google (GOOGL) among those aiming to win.