So far this year, 43 companies have made their publicly traded debuts. As a whole, IPOs have experienced a solid year thus far, raising nearly $7 billion YTD and averaging returns of 22%. Last week alone, seven companies issued IPOs, including four companies trading at valuations of over $1 billion. Among them were popular online retailer Esty, which specializes in selling handmade goods, and high-frequency trading firm Virtu Financial (VIRT).
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Spoiled By Oil
In what has otherwise been a tumultuous year for the oil industry, some good news emerged this week as crude oil prices hit a new 2015 high. Since its $110 per barrel price in June 2014, Brent crude prices have crashed to below $50 per barrel; however, as of Wednesday, Brent crude bucked recent trends and ended the day at $64 per barrel. Unfortunately, this good news came at a cost.
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When Bubbles Don't Burst
On March 2, 2015 the Nasdaq Composite Index, more commonly referred to as the NASDAQ, closed above 5,000 points for the first time in fifteen years. As this occurred, Wall Street trading floors swelled with the collective anxiety of investors who had observed the same milestone during the Dot-Com era (in March 2000). Only two days after the NASDAQ eclipsed 5,000 on March 9th, the tech-oriented index began its dramatic collapse.
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Google Continues Its Microsoft Beat Down
Surprise, Google (GOOGL) is yet again redefining an established tech industry: this time it’s the PC market. Glassdoor's recently rated "top company" has announced its newest product: the Google Chromebit, which transforms all modern televisions and monitors into Chromebook computers. And the best part about Chromebit is... it's affordable!
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More Disruptive Than Apple
Modern consumer tech is entirely devoted to developing products that are smaller, thinner, and faster. For example, Millions of people line up every year to get the newest iPhone, which is often a slimmer "upgraded" version of the prior model. As consumer electronics continue this trend, tech manufacturers are faced with a puzzling reality: they must grow sales and heighten product differentiation; the only problem is corporations tend to struggle with innovation.
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Has Amazon Lost Its Swagger?
Amazon (AMZN) was once considered the top online retailer; however, since Alibaba's (BABA) recording breaking IPO, Amazon has been overshadowed by the Chinese e-commerce giant. With naturally higher profit margins, revenue growth, and earnings growth, it’s not hard to see why Alibaba is suddenly a Wall Street darling, and why Amazon has been neglected.
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When Billionaires Clash
Ever since Alibaba (BABA) had its record-shattering U.S. IPO, it appears the Chinese e-commerce giant and its American competitor, Amazon (AMZN), are destined for a Wall Street showdown. In an unpredictable market, with many potential outcomes, I will focus on two questions: 1) can Amazon convert its R&D investments into positive quarterly reports and 2) will Alibaba continue to build upon its momentum and run Amazon out of American markets?
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