Courtesy of Benzinga.
In a report published Friday, Cantor Fitzgerald analysts discussed six Internet stories they are following.
Twitter: CFO Discusses Issues, Google Search Results Update
Twitter Inc (NYSE: TWTR)'s CFO stated at an investor conference this week that he's still not seeing the benefit from organic growth, seasonality, or growth initiatives.
The analysts commented that innovation at Twitter continues at a "brisk pace" as tweets are beginning to show up in Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) mobile search results. The deal should generate "meaningful" traffic from logged-out users and provide short-term monetization opportunities. However, it is unclear if this will help the company boost its user growth and retention over time.
Related Link: DISH Network Executive Explains Why Apple Was Unlikely To Release A TV
April Traffic Data Positive For Facebook
April U.S. multi-platform traffic data from comScore showed a "healthy" start to the second quarter viewer/user growth. Facebook Inc (NASDAQ: FB) now dominates digital time spent online at 18.5 percent.
Shutterfly Outperforming Peers
Paid click data from comScore showed that paid click volume for Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFLY) was up 10 percent in April, outperforming its competitor Snapfish whose paid click volume was down 31 percent over the same time period.
According to the analysts, if the growth is sustained over the near-term, this will be viewed as a positive trend for the company's second quarter performance.
Tripadvisor Acquisition
Tripadvisor Inc (NASDAQ: TRIP) announced this week it will acquire Australia based restaurant reservation site Dimmi.
The analysts noted the acquisition "makes strategic sense" as the company continues to bolster its presence in the restaurant booking space outside of the U.S.
Dish's Sling TV Expands To Android
Sling TV, a subsidiary of DISH Network Corp (NASDAQ: DISH) is now available on the Android TV platform.
The analysts argued that Sling TV is a real content bundle that should help Google's efforts in the space as Google hasn't had "much luck" with TV efforts historically.
Yahoo's Tax Free Spinoff Of Alibaba Called Into Question
An IRS Senior Reviewer stated that the agency is considering changes to the rules concerning spinoffs, which puts into question Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO)'s tax-free spinoff of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE: BABA).
The development creates a "cloud of uncertainty" around Yahoo and its ambitions, according to the analysts. The uncertainty pressured shares this week but under a worst case scenario, varying tax treatments of the proposed SpinCo yields a $16 per share negative impact to the analysts $60 fair value.
Latest Ratings for BABA
Date | Firm | Action | From | To |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 2015 | Bernstein | Initiates Coverage on | Outperform | |
May 2015 | Nomura | Maintains | Buy | |
May 2015 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Overweight |
View More Analyst Ratings for BABA
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