Category Archives: Stocks

Airlines hammered

Many investors are scared right now as it is time for Halloween soon, but Halloween is not the reason. It`s something worse; the stock market.  S&P 500 and Nasdaq had their worst weeks since May 2012, but I don`t think it is a big surprise for someone in the market as this is highly expected.

AA

Russel 2000 is in a correction territory and DJIA has dropped down about 200 points in four days in a row, and that has not happened in years. Last time we saw volatility like this was in 2011. Equities are a scary thing for investors right now, and that is not because of the coming Halloween.

S&P 500 ended at around the 200 MA and that will be a very important level to watch for in the coming days/weeks. SPX declined 3,1% last week and are now trading 5,6% below its peak of 2019,26 a month ago.

Many sectors are starting to be oversold and this is a good opportunity for many to pick up stocks. Take a look at the oil price, which is declining every day now, trading below $90. The surplus for many in this oil sector is good, so they don`t complain with a price below $90, despite an break-even at $92.

Other sectors will benefit from the declining oil price. American Airlines will benefit from reduced fuel costs and the stock looks cheap. Fuel is the largest expense line for American Airlines and a decline in oil prices will have a huge impact to their bottom line.

On December last year, AMR Corp merged with U.S Airways. They are now the world`s largest airline; American Airlines Group (AAL). The shares doubled since they merged, but the stock have had a pullback which makes it interesting for investors as the fuel cost are making it more profitable.

AAL has delivered great results, have good cash flow levels and their revenue are increasing. They have high-capacity and a strong pricing power, and are expanding its network to China. Those routes is one of the most profitable routes worldwide and they will start to compete with Chinese airlines.

With around $10 billion in cash and possible buyback program, the earnings per share will increase to new highs. The forecast for earnings is $5,21 per share, and with a buyback program, this stock looks undervalued, and EPS would strengthen.

The stock slid -7,15% yesterday and looks cheaper and cheaper every day. Another airline stock to decline was United Continental Airlines (UAL), down 7,29% yesterday. The market trend indicator gave us a bearish reading on stocks and that`s for the first time in some time. If we fall below 1,800 on the S&P 500, the war will be over and the bears are the winners. What  investors are doing now, is jumping from one sector to another.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Shiny bull. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Shiny bull nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Shiny bull and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

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Yahoo! retirees

If I asked you what Google is, you would say; a search engine. If I asked you about Apple, Twitter or Facebook, I assume you know what it is. But what if I ask you what Yahoo! Is? What is it? A site with different things?

Yahoo logo

You know what ebay is, and you know what PayPal is, and after years saying they`re better together, they are splitting up. I think that is a smart thing to do, and people shouldn`t worry, because both companies have so far been a part of people`s life since they`re first day.

Elon Musk sold PayPal to eBay in 2003 and it was a great match. It became easy for people to process payments for eBay sales. This split is all about growth. You can imagine what PayPal can do in the digital wallet business if they don`t have to worry about eBay?

Right now you feel like you must have a PayPal account to shop on eBay, but you don`t. And here is the key. Later on this month, Apple will launch the new Apple Pay, and that will crash with eBay and PayPal`s mirrage. The mirrage is now over, and it`s a tricky divorce.

Now, people can pay a dozen different ways, like Apple Pay, Bitcoin or PayPal and so on. That`s fair. It`s up to the people to make a choice. It depends on where they have an account. I think many will sign up for the new Apple Pay system. They will revolutionize the digital business, and probably have a monopoly in the market, but what about Yahoo? What are they doing? What is it?

Yahoo! is not expanding. They are going in the opposite direction. They closed Yahoo Education yesterday, because, as they say, it is outside of their core experience. In addition; Users`needs are already well served by alternative online resources.

They will also shut down the Qwiki app, which automatically created short movies based on events from a user`s camera roll. They will shut down the app on November 1, but the Qwiki team will continue to innovate on a new digital media experience for Yahoo users.

Yahoo started about twenty years ago as a directory of websites that helped users explore the internet. They are still committed to connecting users with the information they`re passionate about, and their business has evolved and at the end of the year (December 31, 2014), they will retire the Yahoo Directory.

Yahoo still owns about 16% of Alibaba and Yahoo`s market cap is $40,3 billion, but the value can approach about $46 bilion. Their core business are generating only about $700 million.

The cash made by the Alibaba IPO are more worth than the company`s current market capitalization, and the company could be fairly priced with a multiplier of only 5.

The stock can move from here, and the pressure to merge with AOL has pumped the stock. I don`t think people will jump into this stock before they know more about what direction it will move. Yahoo moved up +0,57% yesterday. Price; $40,75.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Shiny bull. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Shiny bull nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Shiny bull and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

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GoPro Rally

GoPro went public a few months ago (june, 2014) and is up +154,3% only in three months. Up +10,8% yesterday. IPO price per share in june was $23, then the shares skyrocketed quickly to $70 per share. There has been some overenthusiastic investor activity and this stock might not look attractive to a fundamental investor.

GoPro Hero4

(Picture: GoPro Hero4)

I think that this is a sexy stock to have in a portfolio. It all began as an idea to help athletes self-document themselves engaged in their sport, and has become a widely adopted solution for people to self-document themselves engaged in their interests.

They transform the way consumers capture, manage, share and enjoy meaningful life experiences. it`s done by enabling people to self-capture engaging, immersive photo and video content of themselves participating in their favorite activities. Customers are some of the world`s most active and passionate people.

Not only athletes use GoPro cameras, as their products have fast become mainstream, and GoPro has enabled the world to capture and share its passions. In doing so the world in turn, is helping GoPro become one of the most exciting and aspirational companies of our time.

We saw a GoPro and Ambarella rally because three new cameras is launched. It`s new flagship «Hero4 Black camera» is the first model in GoPro`s lineup to support 4K video recording. It does so at up to 30fps.

It`s faster Wi-Fi, better low-light performance, an improved UI, and the ability to take 12MP photos at 30fps.

Hero4 Silver is the first model to sport a touchscreen that allows users to see their footage. They are also launching Hero that can record 1080p video at 30 fps. Hero could reel in first-time action camera buyers at a time when penetration rates are still relatively low. GoPro`s free video-editing software has been revamped.

The video processor supplier Ambarella rallied too. GoPro shares set a new high last week. GoPro`s guidance range of Q3 sales forecast is raised to the high end. Their growth prospects seems to be very good. The stock is in the middle range. Not cheap, nor is it expensive, with a multiple of 50 with a growth rate at 34%. I think many will jump in and buy on any dip, because the stock price is a bit crazy as the investors are focusing on the top-line growth. The revenue growth has been extremely impressive for GoPro so far, and they have a strong business model.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Shiny bull. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Shiny bull nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Shiny bull and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

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Ello is Anti-Facebook

There has been a lot of buzz about the anti-Facebook stance from the new start-up Ello. The new site does not accept advertising and have no data mining. At the moment, you can`t participate, unless you have an invitation to join the community.

Ello

(Picture: Ello logo)

Those Ello people do not like Facebook`s business model. They obviously don`t like to be a part of facebook as they feel they are the product, while the network is owned by advertisers. And this is exactly how they do it on Facebook.

They track every post you share with your friends, every friend you make on Facebook and the links you follow. All this is recorded while advertisers can buy the data and show you more ads. Ello obviously don`t like this, and belive they have a better business model.

The founder Paul Budnitz, which is also the founder of the cool bikes called Budnitz Bicycles, launched the site Ello earlier this year and say he has seen thousands of sign-ups an hour to Ello the last week, and it seems like this site is now taking off.

Ello is made by designers and they have a manifesto, which is;

Your social network is owned by advertisers.

Every post you share, every friend you make, and every link you follow is tracked, recorded, and converted into data. Advertisers buy your data so they can show you more ads. You are the product that’s bought and sold.

We believe there is a better way. We believe in audacity. We believe in beauty, simplicity, and transparency. We believe that the people who make things and the people who use them should be in partnership.

We believe a social network can be a tool for empowerment. Not a tool to deceive, coerce, and manipulate — but a place to connect, create, and celebrate life.

You are not a product.

How will Ello survive without advertising? Are people willing to pay for a subscription? It can be a site for artists and musicians as they have the problem with Facebook`s policy to use their pseudonyms as part of their profession.

But I don`t think that billions of people will run from site to site as a new one is launched. Ello will probably end up as a niche community for musicians and drag artists, among others, who want to use pseudonyms to protect themselves. Your friends on Facebook will still be on Facebook I think.

It`s ads and banners everywhere and the ads on Facebook and their data commercialization is not an issue people out there care enough about, so shareholders should stay calm and relax. People will stay and continue to be active on Facebook.

Ello is a mix between Facebook and Tumblr and I think it will be heavy to compete with Facebook right now. There are a lot of social networks out there and I feel that Ello is just another Google+, and If they didn`t make it, why should Ello? And do we need them all? In my eyes yes, but only if they have a product.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Shiny bull. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Shiny bull nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Shiny bull and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

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Microsoft & Minecraft

All the kids around me are sitting in front of their computers and playing games, and I don`t know what`s so funny with the game. I asked them yesterday, because you can`t win something and you are not competing with someone. So, why is it so funny?

The kids love the game and they play Minecraft. A free-to-build sandbox game, which is developed by the Swedish independent video game developer Mojang AB. The company is founded in May 2009 by Markus Persson in Stockholm.

Minecraft-logo

Markus Persson founded Mojang alongside his best friend Jakob Persèr, with Carl Manneh later brought in as a CEO. Whithin a year, the company grew to a size of twelve employees. In 2011, the founder of Napster and former Facebook president Sean Parker offered to invest in Mojang, but was declined. A year later, Mojang had accumulated revenues of over $80 million.

On September 15, 2014, Microsoft announced a deal to acquire Mojang for $2,5 billion in a deal to be made official by the end of the year. With the stakes in the company bought out, the three founders will leave the company.

Is that a problem?

Probably, because in my point of view, the «assets» is gone. I`m in doubt about Microsoft’s skills to take Minecraft to the next level. Do they have the right expertise to do that? I hope so, because if Microsoft do the right things, I think Mincraft can be the new virtual kind of the popular Danish plastic-bric-company; LEGO.

The private company LEGO is valued at $14,7 billion and they have great success. You can only imagine how the opportunities are for Microsoft? Really big I think. Minecraft has sold over 54 million copies across all platforms.

Microsoft’s new CEO Satya Nadella has made his first major acquisition since taking over the leadership after Steve Ballmer. Microsoft has been known to make some expensive acquisitions under Steve Ballmer, and many companies were later sold at a loss or absorbed into the company without unlocking new value.

I think Microsoft can boost sales of both Xbox and Minecraft. Microsoft will create new editions of the game and set up a film and merchandising franchise, but I see a little bit trouble in the long run because of the lack of the founder Persson.

Minecraft has been around for over four years now, and longevity and consistency in this business isn`t normally part of the equation. Games tend to be trendy, but Minecraft seems to be one of the few exceptions to this rule, and that`s probably why Microsoft see the potential in this game.

Back to our Danish friends in LEGO. Think about it. LEGO is still hot for the kids, and have been on the market since 1932! Can you belive that? A family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, which is the world`s largest toy manufacturer, surpassing Mattel, previously holding that position.

The word LEGO is derived from the Danish words «leg godt», meaning «play well». The word «lego» also means «I gather together» in Latin, and «I connect» or «I tie» in Italian. LEGO`s revenue in 2013 was $4,7 billion, while Mojang generated only $326 million the same year. That`s nothing compared to Microsoft’s $23 billion in the last quarter, so it would do little to move Microsoft’s share price, adding about $75 million a quarter to the top line and about $30 million to the bottom line.

But look at the iconic brand; LEGO. They have more than plastic lego bricks. They have grown to include factories throughout the world and have 11,755 employees (2013). In addition, they have built four amusement parks around the world, known as «Legoland».

Each park features large-scale Lego models of famous landmarks and miniature Lego models of famous cities. Legoland was first built in Lego`s home town Billund in Denmark. This was followed by Legoland Windsor in England, Legoland California in Carlsbad, US and Legoland Deutschland in Gunzburg, Gemany.

In addition, they opened Legoland in Winter Haven in Florida, and Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia. Now, they are planning to open a new Lego hotel in Asia. Merlin Entertainment is also planning to open several parks in Legoland Dubailand, Legoland Nagoya, and Legoland Korea. They have also opened four new Legoland Discovery Centres, which take the Legoland concept and scale it down to suit a retail park environment.

You can imagine what opportunities Microsoft have with this game, but do they have the culture to expand the brand?

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Shiny bull. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Shiny bull nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Shiny bull and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

 

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