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Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix,and Google have all posted over-expectation results in Q1. In this article, we will discuss each one and see what the prospects are for the future. The biggest tech giants in the world continue to influence the US stock market in a meaningful and that is why a closer look at their performance is required.
Strong numbers in Q1, but will it last?
We begin with Facebook, which had posted gains up 63% YoY in Q1, with a profit of $1.69 per share. Despite the recent debacle with Cambridge Analytica, the social media company continues to perform better than expected. The main source of income had been from ads, estimated to have generated $11.8 billion. We should see if the company will manage to maintain the same level of performance in the next few months since their reputation could begin to show signs of weakness.
Amazon also performed better than expected in Q1, the revenue beating expectation by $2 billion, which is a 43% increase compared to Q1 2017. What is worth to mention here is the fact that this is the fifth consecutive quarter with over-expectations returns. The trend could continue in 2018, due to the fiscal reforms implemented at the end of 2017, which will make corporations to pay smaller taxes.
Apple had been also popular among those who trade stocks. It also exceeded expectations, the profit per share in Q1 being $2.73, better than $2.67 estimated by analysts. Despite the fears related to the iPhone X low demand fears, the stock was on the way up, driven by earning and news that showed Warren Buffett had bought new Apple stocks, increasing its exposure.
Netflix impressed in the first quarter of 2018 with 2 million new subscribers. People who trade stocks had been paying attention to Netflix, despite the fact that the earnings per share are much smaller as compared to the other companies discussed above, being located at $0.64.
Finally, but not least, the parent of Google- Alphabet had a good quarter as well, with a 23% increase in revenues. The earning per share came higher than the expected $9.28, at $9.93.
The US stock market is expected to be supported by the performance of these tech giants, the only problem being the current geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. Also, rising US yields could make bonds increasingly attractive.
Not being big dividend payers, I only own Apple. I always get a little leery when a few companies start dominating the market capitalization of the market. I’m not much of a tech visionary, so it will be interesting to see how these companies maintain what they have and grow. Tom
Tom @ Dividends Diversify recently posted…Are You The “Maaster” of Your Money?
Hi DD,
One thing about tech is that the titans of the day can become the dwarfs of tomorrow. It’s happened over and over and I agree it will be interesting to see which of these companies continue to grow or become irrelevant.