Google Inc (GOOGL) Has The Best Benefits

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By Jordan Faigen

It may not be a surprise, but Google (GOOGL) has been ranked as the number one place to work to receive the best compensation and benefits.

Google in the News

Career website, Glassdoor, has just released its ranking of the top 25 American companies with the most desirable compensation and benefits. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has taken the top place with perks such as gourmet meals and free bikes for on-campus transportation.

In addition to its alluring culture, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is also preparing for its next groundbreaking innovation. The company is reportedly working on a 7-inch tablet that utilizes Project Tango, a 3D space modeling technology. It’s very possible that these experimental tablets will be distributed at the company’s annual developer conference next month. The potential applications of such a device include real-time maps of surroundings for navigation, advertising, entertainment and even ecommerce.

A Financial Expert’s Opinion

Motley Fool contributor, Tim Beyers, recently spoke highly of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and its influence throughout society. Beyers noted, “Google is putting more Chromebooks in the hands of workers and students, and taking a chunk of Apple and Microsoft sales in the process”. Everyday, buyers are getting used to purchasing and using cloud-based computing, including Google’s cloud model. Beyers added, “According to new data from NPD (via The New York Times), Chromebooks account for about 25% of low-cost laptops sold in the United States. Sound crazy? Check Amazon.com. Three of the top 10 most popular laptops priced under $500 are Chromebooks from Acer and Samsung.” Beyers even posed the question, “Do you see the cloud model replacing the typical install-and manage PC model? With Google’s influence this could very well be a possibility.

Tim Beyers’s Past Recommendations

Beyers’ Google recommendations, as well as other technology stock recommendations, have helped him earn the number 21 spot out of 3216 bloggers, with a +15.6% average return per recommendation and a 67% success rate of recommendations.

In May of 2012, Beyers recommended BUY Google noting the rise of Google’s internet browser, Chrome. Beyers noted, “Even as the Mac had defied a slowdown in the global PC market, Chrome has risen in popularity. The implication? Mac users are using Chrome at least as much as (or perhaps even more than) Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s native browser”. Beyers added, “Why would any Mac user choose Chrome? Because Google’s browser is always going to be better at running the code that makes Google’s various apps function.” Following this recommendation, Google’s stock went from $307.35 to $557.51 (at the time of Beyers’ next recommendation in April of 2014). Beyers’ successful Google recommendations have helped him earn a +7.2% average return on the stock.

Beyers has also earned a solid average return recommending Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO), the latest being in February of this year. At the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, CEO Marissa Mayer used celebrities Cecily Strong, Kenan Thompson and Katie Couric, to introduce new Yahoo features and new content. Beyers noted, “The strategy at Yahoo! — which had been banner ads and a lot of aggregation, and search had been a big part of it — that is changing dramatically.” Due to the new content focus, Beyers pointed out that, “it’s the first time in a while that it’s OK to get excited about Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO)” Beyers’ four Yahoo recommendations have helped him earn a +7.8% average return on the stock.

However, Beyers has struggled somewhat outside the Internet sector, earning a less impressive return recommending United Continental Holdings (UAL). On May 18, Beyers advised investors to “avoid United Continental Holdings Inc (NYSE:UAL)”, noting, “customer satisfaction – or lack thereof – seems to be the principal issue”. Beyers also pointed out that, “United’s recent business performance suggests that a portion of unsatisfied fliers are seeking better seats elsewhere. The carrier last month reported nearly $500 million in losses in the first quarter. Delta and American each reported hundreds of millions in profits over the same period.” However, the stock has started to climb, leaving Beyers with a -7.5% average return on the stock.

On the other hand, Beyers has seen major success recommending automobile company Tesla (TSLA). In June of last year, Beyers advised BUY Tesla calling it “one of the market’s best investment opportunities”. At the time, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s production was up and the stock had tripled and Beyers believed that it could get better. Beyers argued, “If CEO Elon Musk succeeds, today’s $11 billion market cap will become a distant memory in 10-15 years. Instead, Tesla will rank near what Ford ($59 billion) and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) ($47 billion) command as of this writing. Not bad as far as investment opportunities go, right?” Based on this recommendation, as well as his five other Tesla recommendations, Beyers earned a +46.6% average return on the stock.

Jordan Faigen covers financial markets and the latest stock market news. She can be reached at [email protected]

 

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