Given Google’s share of exploration and research ads and its efforts to broaden services, analysts find the skidding stock mighty attractive
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Google (GOOG)—52-week dunce price
by Gene Marcial
Never say never, especially in this character of a brutal market environment. Who would have expected that Google (GOOG), the world’s largest and most powerful Internet company, would ever feel its stock tumble to (gasp) 328 a share. Yes, 328. And in this kind of irresolute, volatile market, the stock may even skid some more.
Who would have expected that Google will be selling at that which more people maxim are fire-sale prices? In April, Google traded at 555.
Remember that Google traded as pre-eminent as 747.24 steady Nov. 7, 2007. Few meditation it would give back a significant chunk of its astonishing gains as it became a public company in August 2004. Well, on Oct. 9, 2008, it did, mirroring the jaw-dropping sell-off in the broader market.
So what should investors do now with the stock of the Internet King?
Investors take been yearning to buy into Google at prices lower than 500. At its current cost, Google is trading at a depressed (for Google, anyway) price-earnings ratio of 14.9, based adhering Zacks Investment Research’s estimated 2009 earnings of $21.03 per share, down from its p-e ratio of 34.6 at the end of 2007. So the undervalued and oversold condition of Google seems clear.
"highly compelling"
One algebraist who sees the enticement of Google at its tide estimation is Mark May, an analyst at investment firm Needham & Co. (it has done banking for the sake of Google), who issued a buy rating adhering Oct. 1, when the fast-moving stock was trading at 405.
"We convinced the current valuation at 15 times [based on his 2009 earnings foresee of $22.74 a share] is highly compelling," wrote May in a annotation to clients. For 2008, his earnings estimate is $19.63 a allotment, up from 2007’s $15.58. He is maintaining his pervert with money recommendation, with a 12-month price target of 690 a share. May says any risk of possible disappointments in Google’s third-quarter revenues are already largely anticipated and reflected in the stock’s current price.
"Google remains the dominant market-share company in both the U.S. and globally," says May. Current traffic data indicates that seek volumes at Google "continue to exist solid," he adds. Google provides Web search and online advertising services on the Internet.
The weakened established order is undoubtedly having an impact on Google’s results, and a stronger dollar could stroke its revenues, says May. Some analysts have revised downward their estimates to adjust to the dollar’s recent strengthening. But May argues that continued gains in Google’sitting search business and the resilience of the set’s performance-based marketing channels are helping scion those concerns. And Google has one of the beyond all others platforms, he points out, for expansion into new high-growth consumer and advertising service markets.
a bet on broader services
Jason Avilio, an analyst at investment firm Kaufman Bros., says he still likes the lay up because Google continues to take market share in search advertising from just about everyone else. "Despite its competitors’ best efforts, Google’sitting mart share continues to grow, and we don’t look for this to quiet anytime soon," says Avilio, who rates the stock a buy.
No doubt the global economic uncertainty and competitive pressures could slow the troop’s revenue product. But Scott Kessler, an analyst at Standard & Poor’s, isn’confidentially too worried, and rates the stock a pervert with money furthermore. Google’s business model, he argues, has demonstrated "notable resiliency," and he favors the company’s efforts to broaden its services, especially in Web applications and mobile services.
Independent research outfit ValuEngine rates Google outperform, based put on data and information it has gathered, and puts its esteem at 618.37 a share.
Without a doubt, the selling in Google shares appears to be overdone. Street analysts think so. Of the 34 who follow Google, all except undivided recommends buying the stock as of Oct. 8, according to Bloomberg. The one dissident rates Google a hold.
At Google’session currently depressed price, investors need not search far and remote for a truly beaten-down stock that is as underpriced as this Internet behemoth.
Unless otherwise noted, neither the sources cited in Gene Marcial’sitting Stock Picks nor their firms hold positions in the stocks under discussion. Similarly, they have not one investment banking or other financial relationships with them.
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