Internet companies are looking good going into the third quarter earnings season. Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) and Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP) are among the companies reporting this week. Analysts at Cantor Fizterald say so far, internet stocks are performing quite well.
Internet stocks outperformed the markets last week
Cantor Fitzgerald analysts Youssef Squali, Naved Khan and Kip Paulson issued their eWeekly report with a preview of this week’s upcoming earnings reports and a look at Internet stocks as a whole. Thanks to strong results from Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), their Cantor Internet Index outperformed the broader market last week.
Between Oct. 18 and 24, the index increased 1.7%, compared to the S&P 500’s increase of 1.1%. Year to date, the index is up 50.6%, compared to the S&P 500’s 22.9%. According to sub-segment, marketing increased 2.9%, driven by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and AOL, Inc. (NYSE:AOL). Commerce rose 4.3% thanks to Amazon, while subscriptions increased 1.9%.
Facebook reports tomorrow
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) will release its latest results tomorrow after closing bell. Cantor Fitzgerald is expecting to see revenue of $1.9 billion, a 47.8% increase year over year. They’re expecting earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $1 billion with a 53.7% margin. Those numbers compared to FactSet consensus of $1.9 billion in revenue and $1 billion in earnings.
Cantor Fitzgerald expects to see 54% ad revenue growth and continued growth in mobile revenue. They believe mobile will make up 48% of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s overall revenue for the third quarter, which they project will amount to about $801 million. They continue to rate the social network as a Buy with a $40 per share price target.
Shares of Facebook declined 1% in midday trading.
LinkedIn reports today
LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) reports earnings today after closing bell. Cantor Fitzgerald is projecting that the social network will post revenue of $389 million with earnings of $97 million. That’s compared to FactSet’s consensus of $385 million in revenue and $90 million in earnings.
The analysts believe LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) will continue its trend of having one of the highest growth rates in the Internet segment. The growth rate has been driven by the company’s “differentiated offering and superior value proposition for recruiters, premium members and advisors.”
They continue to rate the company as a Buy with a $250 per share price target. Shares declined less than 1% in midday trading.
Yelp reports today
Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP) also reports today after closing bell. Cantor Fitzgerald expect strong results from the company as well. They’re looking for upside from the company’s local ad revenue, which they believe will soar 70% year over year. That’s pretty consistent with previous quarters. They’re estimating third quarter revenue of $59.3 million and earnings of $9.7 million. That’s close to FactSet’s consensus.
Cantor Fitzgerald sees Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP) as having a “massive” opportunity in local online advertising, particularly because the number of players with “scale, brand, network effect and solid execution” is so limited. They believe Yelp will be one of the main beneficiaries over time.
The firm continues to rate Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP) as a Buy with a $47 per share price target. Shares fell 2% in midday trading.
