2017 was a strong year for big-cap stocks, as Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google all handily beat the returns delivered by the NASDAQ. James Cakmak, Internet Analyst at Monness, Crespi, Hardt, was with us to deliver his tech stock outlook for 2018.
The past year delivered remarkable returns for big tech stocks, and Cakmak says the momentum will continue into 2018. Despite financial success, he sees headline risks persisting for Facebook, Amazon, and Google as regulatory scrutiny looms. The analyst names Amazon as the "most politically savvy" tech company, saying they are getting closer to the government as agencies adopt AWS and cities try become the location of choice for its new headquarters.
Facebook has made an aggressive move forward with its video strategy as it looks to diversify its revenue from traditional ads. Cakmak weighs in on whether Facebook Watch will be the next big way for them to bring in revenue.
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Spain's government has fined Airbnb 64 million euros or $75 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals. The consumer rights ministry announced the fine on Monday. The ministry stated that many listings lacked proper license numbers or included incorrect information. The move is part of Spain's ongoing efforts to regulate short-term rental companies amid a housing affordability crisis especially in popular urban areas. The ministry ordered Airbnb in May to remove around 65,000 listings for similar violations. The government's consumer rights minister emphasized the impact on families struggling with housing. Airbnb said it plans to challenge the fine in court.
Roomba maker iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but says that it doesn’t expect any disruptions to devices as the more than 30-year-old company is taken private under a restructuring process. iRobot said that it is being acquired by Picea through a court-supervised process. Picea is the company's primary contract manufacturer. The Bedford, Massachusetts-based anticipates completing the prepackaged chapter 11 process by February.
Serbia’s prosecutor for organized crime has charged a government minister and three others with abuse of position and falsifying of documents related to a luxury real estate project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The charges came on Monday. The investigation centers on a controversy over a a bombed-out military complex in central Belgrade that was a protected cultural heritage zone but that is facing redevelopment as a luxury compound by a company linked to Kushner. The $500 million proposal to build a high-rise hotel, offices and shops at the site has met fierce opposition from experts at home and abroad. Selakovic and others allegedly illegally lifted the protection status for the site by falsifying documentation.
