The quarterly reports released over the past couple of days have shown quite a bit of bad news. However, there are a few companies whose reports are really getting investors excited. Today, I'll tell you about the 5 stocks that have investors, including me excited for the future and why!
I have to admit, when Facebook (FB) first launched its IPO, I was definitely a skeptic. Then again, although I love to follow IPOs, I never actually put my own money into them. With that said, after watching the stock drop in the beginning and start to gain shortly thereafter, I decided to buy a few shares of my own. To this day, I couldn't be more happy with that decision. Especially today, considering that I read about their quarterly report and listened to their conference call this morning. Facebook blew mobile ads out of the water and showed some pretty impressive signs of growth in the streaming video space. All in all, the in the 4th quarter of 2014, the company was able to produce $3.85 billion in revenue with more than half of the total in net income!
Thermo Fisher Scientific
When you look at my portfolio, most of what you'll see is tech stocks. Every once in a while however, I like to venture into other industries. So, in early 2013, I decided to put a little money into Thermo Fisher (TMO). The company has definitely had its ups and downs since then, but overall, I've definitely seen gains. Today, those gains increased in momentum on a strong earning report. Earnings in Q4 were $1.99 per share, up 39% year over year and beating analysts expectations by $0.05 per share.
Cullen/Frost Bankers
In mid-2013, I started to find interest in Cullen/Frost (CFR). Strong reports quarter after quarter definitely caught my eye. Unfortunately, I was deterred from the stock throughout late December and early January as it fell pretty hard, but after their strong quarterly report, I think we're going to start seeing some gains. So, I actually got my hands on a few shares earlier today. With earnings at $1.11 per share, a strong increase from Q4 last year, I'm pretty excited to see where the stock goes moving forward.
UnitedHealth Group
This is one that I'm upset to have missed. I remember hearing the name UnitedHealth (UNH) a year or two ago, but for some reason, I decided against buying shares. What a bad move that was! The stock has had solid upward momentum over the past year, and that momentum is expected to continue following a better than expected earning report. UnitedHealth Group produced $1.55 per share according to their Q4 earning report published on the 22nd; 5 cents per share more than analysts expected. So, as you can imagine, I'll be dipping my hands into that bucket as well!
Amazon
Now I've got to be honest here. I've had Amazon (AMZN) stock in the past, but after quarter upon quarter of losses, I decided to abandon ship. I'm not ready to buy back in, but after learning more about their Q4 earnings, I'd have to say I'm impressed. Their report shows that for the first time since I've been following them, Amazon was finally able to produce profits. Sure, they're modest profits, but it's something that shows investors the company is starting to move in the right direction. So, what did the company earn? In Q4, Amazon produced a net income of $214 million. Like I said above, I'm not yet ready to buy back in, but I am happy to see a profit and will definitely be watching Amazon more closely moving forward.
Final Thoughts
The stocks mentioned above are the stocks that have me most excited. What about you? Is there anything in your portfolio that produced an exciting earning report and solid projections moving forward? Let me know in the comments below!
Hi Joshua, any thoughts on where you think AMZN is headed? Just hit a high in intraday trading today. Thanks!
Amazon is obviously doing good short term. I'm still not convinced long term. I think I'll have to see another profitable quarter before I pump my own money into it.
I think that's where you and I gamble. While I've always found interest in short term profits. I like to put my own money into assets where I believe long term gains are achievable. I can definitely see how tons of people are making a bit of change off of AMZN in the short term though.
Nevertheless, it was a gamble. I don't like AMZN as a long-term investment because I don't think the company's value proposition is convincing.
I agree with you, to some extent. I sort of took a gamble on an AMZN $310 Jan 17 Call a month or so ago, and it really paid off. Certainly gains to be made on these types of stocks.
My pleasure Trevor. Personally, I like to take a more calm approach to investing. 1 good earning report just isn't enough for me to want to start investing. I hope that AMZN generates an even better report next quarter, but I still have my doubts.
Good to know, thanks!
Some good ideas here, thanks. Added a few new stocks to my portfolio.
Awesome, I'm glad my post helped!