Operating at the Intersection of Technology and the Capital Markets
Tag: Software
It should come as no surprise that the Healthcare Services and Technology industries will drive jobs growth for the foreseeable future. We examined figures published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics which we believe are directionally correct even through we do not completely agree with BLS data classification methodologies. Non-hospital Healthcare services (shaded in yellow) … Continue reading Healthcare and Technology To Enjoy Fastest Jobs Growth
Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft each grew headcount in 2020 with all but Alphabet accelerating headcount growth. Big Tech has a hunger for software engineers, architects, designers and data scientists. These skilled employees are working to scale sophisticated cloud platforms, applications and services that increasingly leverage advanced automation and analytics powered by artificial intelligence/ … Continue reading Big Tech’s Hunger For Talent
MicroStrategy (tkr: MSTR), founder and CEO Michael Saylor has consistently promoted Bitcoin for the past year plus. There is hardly a business network nor crypto-dedicated YouTube channel that hasn't had Mr. Saylor on to promote Bitcoin as MSTR has stockpiled more of the digital currency than any other public company. So what about MSTR's core … Continue reading Is Michael Saylor Running A Software Company Or A Bitcoin Fund?
We caution investors to not get ahead of themselves by anticipating a return to "normal", 2019 revenue growth rates in 2021. Most Software companies have a significant Subscription revenue component. Given that Subscription bookings activity slowed for most every Enterprise Software company in 2020, this will translate to slower reported Subscription revenue growth over the … Continue reading Software Revenue Growth Will Be Muted for Many in 2021
From Bubble valuations to zombie companies to Cleantech, 2021 is likely to deliver more of the excesses of 2020. Barring a negative event out of left field, it will take a meaningful interest rate hike and/or corporate tax increase to derail the asset bubble of 2020 that bled into equities, fixed income, home values, lumber, … Continue reading 2021 Outlook: The Froth Will Continue
Technology companies are accelerating share repurchase activity in the face of economic uncertainty and record high share prices. This runs counter to our preference which is to invest for long-term growth. Apple (AAPL) spent $72 billion on share repurchases in the fiscal year ended September 30th, up from $67 billion last year. AAPL cash flows. … Continue reading Share Repurchase Activity Is Accelerating at The Expense of Investing for Growth
For our inaugural CEO Hall of Fame class we selected CEO Hall of Fame members largely based upon their contribution toward building their respective companies as well as creating long-term shareholder value. Our selection process included a variety of quantitative and qualitative elements including financial operating performance, total stock returns, longevity, innovation, corporate governance and … Continue reading The CEORater CEO Hall of Fame Class of 2020
Not unlike other Technology companies, capital markets-focused FinTech companies have benefited in recent years from the Fed's persistent low interest rate policy and from the Trump tax cuts. The difference between this FinTech cohort and many Bay Area Enterprise Software companies is that this FinTech group generates meaningful cash flow (29% median Operating Cash Flow … Continue reading Capital Markets FinTech Companies Generate Cash for Your Investment Dollar
Rather than differentiate its product from Microsoft Teams, Slack Technologies is using the courts to compensate for its lack of creativity. Admittedly is it not easy to compete with Microsoft. This is especially true when your product is an undifferentiated horizontal offering. Rather than compete in the courts (Slack Files EU Competition Complaint Against Microsoft), … Continue reading Compete On the Playing Field. Not In Court.
Short-term greed has gripped some of the world's largest Technology companies. A number of CEOs and Boards are guilty of trading long-term innovation and customer value for short-term share price support. Innovative companies (we provide examples), have bucked the buyback trend. Record high corporate debt levels have funded record share buyback activity in recent years. … Continue reading Binging On Buybacks At Innovation’s Expense
