| Stock | Price | 52 Week Range | Marketcap | EPS | Dividend Yield | Chart (24H) | Sector | Employees | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.00 | 0.00% | 0 | 6 years ago | ||||
 Alphabet Inc. GOOG | $177.94 | 2.15T | 8.95 | 0.48% | Communication Services | 181,269 | 3 hours ago |
All-in-one entertainment hubs are your best bet. In today’s digital age, the landscape of internet companies has drastically evolved. Gone are the days when being merely a search engine or connectivity provider was enough. To hit it big in the modern market, businesses must transition into comprehensive entertainment conglomerates that attract a broad spectrum of consumers. Companies that offer a synergy of services—news, gaming, social networking, and more—are continually showing robust sales and earnings growth. If you’re looking for investment opportunities that promise significant returns, keep reading.
The largest of these internet companies have successfully made this transition, and their performance in the Portfolio Grader proves the effectiveness of this strategy. Their ability to stay ahead of the curve is evident in the strong sales and earnings growth they consistently display. This article highlights three major players—AOL, Google, and Yahoo—who have successfully transformed into multi-faceted internet titans. Each of these companies has been endorsed by Portfolio Grader rankings owing to their remarkable financial performance and upward-trending analyst estimates.
Editor's Note: Analysis and insight for this article were originally sourced sourced from our friends at InvestorPlace Media
AOL (AOL) – From Connectivity to Entertainment Powerhouse
Several years ago, AOL was perceived as an outdated relic from the early internet era. However, its transformation over the past decade has been nothing short of spectacular. Since being spun off from Time Warner, AOL has metamorphosed into a formidable Internet and mobile entertainment company.
Today, AOL isn’t just about email and dial-up connections. The company has diversified into providing an array of entertainment, news, and gaming services designed to keep users engaged within its ecosystem. By broadening its service offerings, AOL catches the eye of consumers with eclectic tastes and requirements, thereby securing a stronghold in the digital entertainment market.
Analysts have consistently underestimated the improvements at the company. In recent weeks, they have been scrambling to raise their estimates for the rest of 2013 and 2014 as AOL’s performance continues to surpass expectations. The stock has been a “buy” or “strong buy” in Portfolio Grader for the past year and continues to showcase fundamentals that earn it a “B” grade.
Let’s not overlook the metrics that matter to savvy investors. AOL’s robust strategy to complement its internet access services with myriad entertainment options makes it a compelling buy. For anyone eager to reward their portfolio, AOL should definitely be on the watchlist.
Analyst Ratings for AOL
| Consensus Rating | Average Price Target | Current Price | Potential Gain | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hold | $43.00 | $32.00 | 3.34% | 5 |
Summary of Analysts’ Outlook
Analysts covering AOL have a generally conservative outlook with a hold rating. The consensus is that the stock will perform in line with market indices. The average price target suggests a slight increase of about 3.34% from the current price of $32.00. This outlook may indicate that analysts do not see significant improvements in AOL’s fundamentals, which could justify a more optimistic rating.
Google (GOOG) – Dominating the Digital World
Google started as an ambitious search engine, but today it stands as an omnipotent mobile and Internet information, and entertainment conglomerate. The company isn’t confined to its search roots; it offers a myriad of services like news, browser utilities, YouTube, and a highly integrated ad network.
One notable achievement is Google’s domination in the mobile market with its Android operating system, which fiercely competes with Apple’s iPhone. This tight grip on the mobile OS market has provided Google with a solid foundation to build further advancements and services, enhancing its comprehensive ecosystem. By constantly rolling out new services and products to attract and retain users, Google has shown its commitment to staying at the forefront of the digital age.
These strategic diversifications have translated to substantial revenue and profit growth for Google. This has not gone unnoticed, earning the company a favorable “buy” rating from the Portfolio Grader.
Google continues to innovate relentlessly, expanding its service offerings while maintaining high product quality. This ongoing evolution signifies boundless future profitability, making Google an indispensable addition to any investment portfolio.
Analyst Ratings for Google
| Consensus Rating | Average Price Target | Current Price | Potential Gain | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | $200.50 | $186.78 | 7.35% | 9 |
Summary of Analysts’ Outlook
Analysts are optimistic about Alphabet Class C (GOOG), with a consensus rating of Strong Buy. The average price target is $200.50, which represents a potential 7.35% gain based on the current price of $186.78. This outlook suggests that the majority of analysts see the stock as having significant growth potential over the next 12 months.
Yahoo (YHOO) – Reinvention and Market Resurgence
The story of Yahoo is one of significant reinvention. Once considered a failing giant, Yahoo turned the tide by acquiring Tumblr and enhancing its entertainment portfolio. This strategic acquisition alone brought over 100 million users into Yahoo’s domain, substantially broadening its user base and engagement levels.
Yahoo isn’t merely confined to blogging; it operates one of the premier sites for sports coverage, fantasy leagues, and financial news. These verticals attract a hefty stream of users, making Yahoo’s platforms highly trafficked and leading to increased ad revenues.
Adding to its accolades, Yahoo has consistently defied analyst expectations by delivering four consecutive positive earnings surprises. Such impressive performance has been duly recognized, earning Yahoo an “A” rating in the Portfolio Grader, making it a strong buy.
The comprehensive reinvention and high market ratings place Yahoo as a solid, enticing investment option. Investors looking for a company with a proven track record of defying the odds and a strategy focused on growth and engagement should strongly consider adding Yahoo to their portfolios.
Analyst Ratings for Yahoo
| Consensus Rating | Average Price Target | Current Price | Potential Gain | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — |
Summary of Analysts’ Outlook
Unfortunately, there is no specific information about analyst ratings and forecasts for Yahoo at this time. The provided sources cover analyst ratings and forecasts for other stocks but do not mention specific details for Yahoo.
In a world where the Internet and entertainment landscape changes fast, those companies staying ahead of the curve stand to generate significant growth. These three internet titans—AOL, Google, and Yahoo—have showcased incredible transformations, making them formidable players in the entertainment, information, and connectivity spaces. Their strong financial metrics and upward-trending analyst estimates position them as excellent investment opportunities for those seeking high-reward returns.
Source: InvestorPlace Media, article published on May 28, 2013