Tag Archives: technology

Why You Should Watch FB, GOOGL, AMZN Ahead Of Earnings

Loading the player… Three top tech stocks are trading very near buy points as handles have formed on their bases: Facebook ( FB ), Google owner Alphabet ( GOOGL ) and Amazon ( AMZN ). And with each company reporting earnings in the coming weeks, these stocks deserve a watchful eye. JPMorgan noted Thursday that while FANG stocks (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix ( NFLX ) and Google/Alphabet) have somewhat underperformed so far this year, their fundamentals are still solid. After rising nearly 18% from its February low, Facebook was trading 3% below a 117.09 buy point Thursday as it dipped less than 0.1%. If and when the stock breaks out, look for heavy volume, which signals institutional support. A catalyst for a Facebook breakout could be the company’s quarterly earnings report on April 27. Earnings are projected to jump 48%, marking a third straight quarter of faster growth. Revenue is also expected to rise 48%, a slowdown from the prior quarter’s 52% growth. Alphabet was trading 2% below a cup-with-handle buy point of 777.41, and closed down 1%. It’s 6% below its high reached in early February. Alphabet reports quarterly results on April 21. Analysts expect earnings growth of 23%, slower than the last quarter’s 28% gain. Revenue is estimated to climb 17%, slightly slower than the 18% gain it saw in Q4. Facebook and Alphabet are both members of the IBD 50 list of leading stocks and earn a highest-possible IBD Composite Rating of 99. Amazon has an 81 Composite Rating. The stock is trading 2% below a 603.34 buy point and 15% below its late December high. Shares fell 1.8% Thursday. The e-commerce giant’s bottom line is projected to skyrocket 583% when it issues its quarterly report in a couple of weeks. That would mark a second quarter of accelerating growth. The top line is estimated to climb 23%, faster than Q4’s 22% rise. Meanwhile, the fourth FANG stock, Netflix, is trading more than 20% below its high set in early December. Shares, which have been hitting resistance at the critical 200-day moving average, dipped 0.4% Thursday. Netflix reports its quarterly results on April 18.

Will Microsoft Stock Keep Outperforming Apple?

Image source Microsoft. Most consumers and industry observers would probably agree that Apple has been a more successful business than Microsoft in the last few years. After all, Apple has been

3D Printing Industry Grew 26% In 2015, Slower Than Previous Year

During a challenging year, revenue from 3D printers and services still rose 26%, to $5.16 billion, in 2015, says researcher with the Wohlers Report. Still, that’s marks a slowdown from 35% growth during the previous year, to $4.1 billion. Wohlers estimates the market for 3D printers and services will approach $10 billion in 2017. The 2015 growth rate was well above that reported by the two industry leaders: 3D Systems ( DDD ) and Stratasys ( SSYS ). 3D Systems reported 2% revenue growth in 2015, to $666 million. At Stratasys, revenue fell 7% to $696 million. Shares of Stratasys and 3D Systems were crushed in 2015, as both posted disappointing earnings quarter after quarter. Investors now appear to be returning for another look. 3D Systems has climbed 165% since marking its low of 6 on Jan. 20. It was trading near 16 Thursday afternoon, down a fraction. Stratasys is up 83% from its January low of 14.88. It was trading near 27 Thursday, little changed from its previous close. Analysts have continued to take a cautious tone on the two stocks, not fully convinced of a full-scale rebound, though 3D printing technology is being increasingly embraced by corporations, governments and universities. Wohlers said there were 62 manufacturers that sold industrial-grade 3D printers with a value above $5,000 last year, up from 49 in 2014.