Tag: Facebook

All Facebook related articles are found here. Educative, informative and written clearly.

  • Is Facebook Stock Good to Buy Now?

    Is Facebook Stock Good to Buy Now?

    Is Facebook Stock Good to Buy
    If you are able to put the policy aside, the answer to the question from the subtitle is NO.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Facebook stock gained 1.03% on Friday, 1st Nov 2019, and rose from $191.65 to $193.62. It has won 3 days in a row. FB is FANG stock and had a strong third-quarter earnings report. Over more than one decade Facebook stock rose almost 600%. There were bad and good times for this social network giant. The question is will FB continue to gain or it will pause.

    Is Facebook Stock Good to Buy

    Zuckerberg’s company’s market cap is $525 billion, the company has a huge assortment of platforms Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and every day attracts more and more users. In recent years its advantage for marketers and advertisers persists extremely valuable. Maybe today more than ever.  More than 2.2 billion people use its services every single day.  

    Is Facebook Stock Good to Buy Right Now?

    Do you know what is interesting? This giant is still growing. All of these make it favorable to the investor who knows to respect the low price of the stock. Currently, it is $193.62, at that price the stock was traded on Friday, 1st Nov 2019.

    The company’s earnings potential showed in its Q3 earnings report that earnings per share surged 20% to $2.12, and was estimated by experts at $1.91 earlier. Facebook had to pay penalties and everyone knows why but the company earned $8.38 per share. Investors don’t lose faith so easily. The company’s P/E ratio is 23. 

    That follows two quarters of decreasing Facebook earnings but as we mentioned the company had important legal expenses. But if you exclude those expenses Facebook had 5 quarters in a row with a wide margin.

    Revenue grew a faster 29% to $17.65 billion. 

    Facebook management warned again of a notable revenue deceleration in the fourth quarter, with a more reasonable deceleration that will continue during the next year.

    You should view the FB stock as a long-term investment because it looks like a fantastic opportunity. The current price isn’t high, which is great for investors with a large horizon. If you are seeking strong returns, Facebook is the right choice for you. But even with great performances, history has shown that it is hard to beat the market with brands, with popular companies. So, think about that.

    The summary of Facebook stock:

    for the past 30 days, the high stock price was $198.09, and low was $173.09.
    during the past 3 months high was $198.09 and low was $173.09.
    52 week FB highs were $208.66 and low $123.02.

    During the last trading day, the stock changed 2.21% from a day low at $189.91 to a day high of $194.11. Volume dropped in the last trading day on Friday by -20.39 million shares. As a result, 21.31 million shares purchased and sold for about $4 125.76 million. Facebook Inc is a strong buy candidate with a potential gain of 1.03%.

    Is FB stock undervalued?

    Why do we are sure? To have a clear sense of stock value just make a comparison with similar companies. For example, let’s compare FB stock with McDonald’s. McDonald’s reported adjusted revenue growth of almost 6% last quarter and Facebook grew revenues 27%. So, yes FB stock is undervalued. McDonald’s stock was traded at $193.94 on Friday

     

    Having all this in mind, we can say that FB stock is undervalued, it cannot be traded at the same valuation as McDonald’s. There is no sense.

    Yes, Facebook had security problems and still has to improve them. But after they finish it the focus will be on increasing profits. Facebook could clearly turn back into 40%-plus revenue growth and a 20%-plus profit growth company.

    The price of $205 and more is real. This at $193 isn’t.

     

  • Big Market Players Are on Schedule

    Big Market Players Are on Schedule

    Big Market Players Are on Schedule
    The earnings reports season is continuing. So far companies’ earnings were better than awaited.

    by Guy Avtalyon

    Big market players are on the schedule this week.

    UPDATE 30/10/2019

    GE shares rose more than 11% after the company’s earnings report and beat analyst expectations. General Electric also boosted its cash flow for the year.
    Apple and Facebook each topped market expectations after the closing bell on Wednesday. Their stocks rose in after-hours trading.
    Apple posted earnings of $3.03 per share opposite to analysts’ expectations of $2.83 per share. Revenue was $64 billion and it was expected the $63 billion.
    Facebook also topped expectations with earnings at $2.12 opposite to the $1.91 forecast. Revenue was $17.65 billion vs. $17.37 billion forecasted.

    UPDATE 29/10/2019 

    Alphabet (GOOGL) didn’t match earnings expectations in Q3 2019. The earning is$10.12 per share and was expected $12.42.
    Alphabet shares dropped by 4% as the company failed expectations for earnings per share, but recovered and set at around 2%.
    The rest in the company’s report was almost as investors expected.

     

    It is time for the big market players to reveal reports for the fiscal fourth-quarter earnings.
    For example, Tesla stock reported a surprising profit and it’s stock price rose, but the Twitter stock fell. Last week about 21% to $30.75 on Thursday.  Among 168 S&P 500 companies that have reported earnings until Thursday morning, 80.4% hit or overcome analyst expectations.

    The companies have reported revenue hits about 62% of the time this season. This week we are waiting for several big players to raise the numbers.

    Monday, October. 28

    First is the Alphabet (GOOGL) on Monday (today). It has come under increased regulatory supervision, but shares stand good at 20%. Wall Street is predicting earnings of $12.28 a share on sales of $40.3 billion.

    Big Market Players Are on Schedule

    Wednesday, October. 30 is a day for a really big market players

    Apple stock (AAPL) has been up 54% in 2019. Recently the company announced that the new generation of iPhones went better than expected. The demand for new models increased and Apple has grown service offerings. For example, Apple Pay and Apple TV+ produced a lot of gains.

    We will see. Wall Street is predicting earnings of $2.83 a share with sales of $259 billion.

    Facebook is on schedule on Wednesday too. The market hasn’t paid much attention to regulatory concerns. Facebook shares (FB) have increased by 42% in 2019. Forget how Zuckerberg was grilled In US Congress and what did AOC ask him and Mark’s eye-rolling and constant sipping from a bottle with water.

    Wall Street estimates call for earnings of $1.90 a share and sales of about $17.4 billion.

    Facebook is followed by General Electric. Its stock (GE) could rise 23% this year, but it is down for 21% in a one-year period. The truth is that investors will keep attention on cash flow, debt reduction, and debt from legacy insurance liabilities. Wall Street estimates call for earnings of 12 cents per share and purchases of $28.9 billion.

    Big Market Players Are on Schedule

    Friday, November. 1 is reserved for Exxon Mobil (XOM).

    The company earnings have been spent on projects in the Permian Basin and in other countries. Goldman Sachs recently reported that earnings for the whole energy division should jump in 2020. Exxon Mobil stock increased by 1.3% during this year but decreased by 12% in a one-year period. For Q3 2019, Wall Street estimates earnings of 67 cents per share on trades of $60.9 billion.

    Bottom line

    As we know, good companies are delivering on-going earnings and revenue extension of at least 25%. For a long time, Facebook undoubtedly achieved that, the FB stock went higher and higher. Will Facebook get back to the winning trends?

    There’s a lot of skepticism toward Facebook’s future. Its new privacy-focused strategy might depress revenue growth. At the same time, an investigation, regulation, and legislation could restrict Facebook’s vigor. The same may happen to FANG stocks: Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google. Really big market players.

  • The Best Time to Add Crypto Asset to Your Portfolio – BTC breaks $10,000

    The Best Time to Add Crypto Asset to Your Portfolio – BTC breaks $10,000

    The best time to add crypto in your portfolio
    A digital currency similar to bitcoin called crypto-asset could be a good pick to trade

    By Guy Avtalyon

    If you missed getting bitcoin, this is the best time to consider and add this crypto asset to your portfolio. This crypto asset has a  powerful recovery in 2019: Bitcoin.  We can see on the BTC charts and from the market, bitcoin is now one of the best assets since it recovered at $10,000 again in 2019. It happened last month and it looks like it will stay there or climb more. 

    Bitcoin grows approx 163% this year. Most importantly, this time the basics are different. 

    Can you see that frenetic fight among banks, technology, and financial companies? Everyone wants to develop the blockchain. 

    We already wrote about  Facebook, but there are more. Google, Square, Goldman Sacha are also the companies that invested in projects to provide a mass adoption of blockchain.

    Bitcoin’s new rally could be more powerful than ever. How is that possible? The crypto traders and investors already know what creating of own crypto may cause on the market. Twitter is on its way to include bitcoin and other cryptos into its payment, Square. It is the question of the moment. We will not wait so long to see that.

    Facebook announced its plans to introduce its own cryptocurrency, Libra. 

    Fidelity already offers to its traders to trade BTC. Amazon is very close to offering the same possibility but at the same time, they are developing their own crypt asset.

    Moreover, crypto asset-backed ETFs are preparing to enter the market. That will be a really new investment class.

    What is crypto-asset?

    It is a digital currency similar to bitcoin and based on blockchain technology. How things look now, it will enter a bull market. This new asset is getting strong popularity!

    This hype can be compared with the time of Internet adoption.

    In the beginning, it was treated as a fancy freak. Do you remember that time? Okay, someone can, but someone hadn’t been born in that time. The point is that the introduction of the Internet gave a chance to many companies to be created. For example, Google or Amazon, and many others came later. The mentioned companies are among the top market listed firms.

    And now, we are witnesses of the creation of the new crypto-assets based on blockchain technology.

    Maybe this is a chance for you to add crypto assets in your investment portfolio. Yes, the crypto market is volatile. But it is a chance for traders to make a profit.

    Bitcoin is a volatile investment, that the truth. From $20,000 in December 2017, it dropped at a bit above $3,500 next year. It was almost a $17,000 decrease. But this year Bitcoin is doing well. It recorded (and still do) steady climbing in value. Now it is traded around $10,000. Who didn’t sell bitcoin at $3,700 can make a nice profit now.

    How can you as ordinary investors get in on this the most profitable odds? How can you enter the crypto asset market?

    If this is an unknown field for you, you should find some guidance, you have to find some trusted expert to guide you through the market volatility to the possibilities.

    Why is this so important?

    Let’s say, you don’t have a lot of knowledge about crypto assets. So, how could you profit from them without that? You can find more than 2,000 assets in the market whose total value is about $250 billion.

    Which crypto asset to trade? How to pick?

    Wild value fluctuations happen and you may stay confused where to invest. Don’t worry, everything will be more clear very soon.

    The best part is that even the investors with most suspicious can see now that crypto is here to stay. It will not go anywhere or totally disappear. The technology behind digital assets is even more firm.

    Traders-Paradise wants to give a few examples of the crypto assets which you should buy.

    On the top is Bitcoin. BTC should be a central asset in your portfolio. If you still don’t hold it, it is the time to include this asset to generate really high profits because the prices will grow. So, the time to buy is NOW. 

    You have to pick the most future proof coin.  Some will tell you it is Binance Coin, issued by Binance exchange.  The price of BNB tokens will be a good test. Stay informed about it. 

    Some others will suggest it is NEO. It will finally expand to add other cryptos and fiat. It can be one of the most interesting and hopeful purchases. Or Stellar! The guarantee plus is a connection to IBM.  Further, Ethereum. You will never go wrong with Ethereum. And also, there are Litecoin, Dash, Ripple, Monero, Bitcoin cash, etc.

    Bottom line

    If they sound like investments you would like to have in your portfolio, what are you waiting for? 

    Never mind.

    You have to know that some of the biggest world companies are establishing blockchain. But the most important is that the number of companies is increasing. The power of crypto assets to make money is unquestionable. 

    Take your place on time.

     

  • Facebook’s Libra – Is it Cryptocurrency at all?

    Facebook’s Libra – Is it Cryptocurrency at all?

     

    Facebook’s Libra - Is it Cryptocurrency at all?
    The doubts due to Facebook “Project Libra” are understandable because it looks Libra won’t be decentralized as a regular cryptocurrency.

    Facebook’s Libra could be the new digital currency. Facebook finally announced its cryptocurrency plans. “Project Libra,” a new variety of digital money created for Facebook’s apps and social network users. That means we would be able to make purchasing and send the currency Libra on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Also, MasterCard, Uber, and Spotify should give such a possibility.

    Some other merchants are involved too.

    But, Libra isn’t as decentralized as a regular cryptocurrency. Hence we can talk about trust in new crypto. We all know that crypto is all about trust.

    Satoshi Nakamoto wrote about the Bitcoin system. “The root problem with conventional currency is all the trust that’s required to make it work. The central bank must be trusted not to debase the currency, but the history of fiat currencies is full of breaches of that trust.”

    The basic sense of using crypto is that we don’t trust financial authority.

    Libra is a totally Facebook project. Facebook experts created the blockchain and selected the associates that will handle it. Libra wallets will be installed in Facebook apps.

    What does it mean?

    The trust in Facebook’s Libra

    After all, we experienced it? Don’t we? Facebook has a lot of problems with trust. But let’s stay with Libra.

    Libra is announced as crypto, which should mean full decentralization. That is the power of cryptocurrencies. But Libra will be under Facebook’s control, under the control of one of the most powerful companies in the world. Can we still talk about the essence of crypto nature if Libra scores success in the future? From our point of view, it may be the end of one of the most important characteristics of cryptocurrencies – decentralization.

    Further, this new crypto operates via licensed blockchain which will cause that the right to mine Libra will have only companies included in Libra Association. So, what we have there? Libra Association as a central bank? The developers tried to explain that as an intention to avoid Libra to use so much power needed for bitcoin mining. The nice intention, but at the same time, it will provide the Libra Association in controlling the currency’s stability supported by a reserve of bonds and liquid money.

    The implementation of blockchain technology has sense. It will provide clear transactions fast.

    But, here is the point where the matter of trust in Facebook’s Libra arises.

    If you don’t trust your local central banks, why should you trust Mastercard?

    Libra will change its nature. It will not be permissioned forever, says the separated document, where the further plans are revealed. Libra Association will be open to more members. After five years, Libra would switch to the permissionless mode. That would happen after some problems with scalability have been solved. Can you point any example that blockchain has ever gone from permissioned to permissionless? This explanation looks more like buying time to solve the problem in the hope that the future will bring new solutions in technical improvements. That promise seems like a trick. Why?

    When you start using the centrally managed blockchain you must face that users will not trust you.

    This promise is actually selling the fog

    Why? Unlike Bitcoin and other public blockchains, only foundation members will be permitted to run a node.

    Facebook’s ambitious plan to bring cryptocurrency to the masses is recognized, and we don’t have a problem with that. But we have plenty of reasons to be skeptical. Why they are launching this crypto knowing that the problem of trust will arise? On what they are counting? Yes, they promise that the problem with centralized crypto will be solved later. So, if they are aware of it and know how to solve, why this rush? Guys, fix it, you already have a trustworthy model, just implement it.

    Facebook did not present specifics regarding when and how users will get ahold of the currency. All we have is the executive’s confirmation it will first be shared on Messenger and WhatsApp in 2020.

    The company also said something about a new digital wallet called Calibra. The digital wallet will be managed by Facebook as a separate subsidiary. It will have the possibility for users to store and spend Libra.

    Calibra won’t be accessible to the people for months

    Moreover, this digital wallet will not show you the value in Libra currency, the value will be displayed in your local fiat. The design will be similar to Venmo.

    According to David Marcus, who is on the head of Project Libra for Facebook, one of the main goals is to approach to 1.7 billion people globally who don’t have access to the banking system.

    “It’s an anomaly that the Internet has no protocol for money,” Marcus said.

    “You’ll see banks on this between now and next year, because if we bring on another billion people, they’ll need savings accounts, loans, and things banks are very good at,” Marcus says. Facebook also plans to reduce money transfer fees and transaction fees through Calibra.

    As a conclusion, it is very questionable if the Libra is cryptocurrency at all. It will have a very strong connection with the fiat. Moreover, it is backed by a reserve of low-risk assets to avoid volatility, as Facebook’s representatives explained. These “low-risk assets” are actually fiat: dollar, euro, Swiss coin.

    The point is that we can transfer our dollars or whatever to Libra, but the amount will ever be shown in given fiat, never in Libra. So we couldn’t talk about true crypto. It is digital money only because it is not tangible.

    And there is a wallet named Calibra where the Libra is supposed to be stored.

    Behind this, according to some experts, this system could provide Facebook access to extremely large financial information. Having Facebook’s reputation on our mind, can we trust that such information will not be misused? With very strong reason we have some doubts.

    On the other hand, we are dealing with the most powerful company in the world.

    Is it worth to take part?

    Libra can be useful for purchasing via FB apps and associates. We all can expect some discounts or something similar for users in order to promote the new digital money. And the other powerful participants are in play, as we mentioned above. So, for short term or periodical used, Libra is useful. As a long-term investment, we are not sure. But we are very sure that Facebook’s Libra is a manifestation of banks’ blemishes.

    Images Credit: Libra Association official website

  • Project Libra: Facebook’s new currency based on a blockchain

    Project Libra: Facebook’s new currency based on a blockchain

    3 min read

    Project Libra is the internal name for Facebook’s plan to launch its own cryptocurrency. For now, it is known that it should be a stablecoin backed by government currency.

    Facebook has still to state those plans about Project Libra openly. But media news about its crypto aims has risen over the past half year or so. Now, since the information is secret, we have part of them. The very well-known part is that Facebook has been planning ways of how to capitalize on blockchain technology.

    Did you update your WhatsApp? Do it now!

    Former PayPal president David Marcus is on the head of the team that has to build this asset-backed crypto. As far as we know, that crypto will be made to operate within Facebook’s messaging infrastructure such as WhatsApp, FB Messenger, and Instagram.

    Facebook has planned blockchain long time ago

    Facebook will represent plans about Libra this summer, as it is assumed. Mark Zuckerberg has already talked to Bank of England governor Mark Carney.

    The discussion was about the potentialities and risks involved in launching a crypto-currency.

    Facebook has also asked details and advice on regulatory issues from the US Treasury.

    Facebook’s plan is to launch a full payments network including Visa, Mastercard,  payments processors such as First Data as well as large e-commerce merchants. This social network asked them to support the launch with $1 billion in investments collectively.

    Facebook is trying to involve these firms in order to provide support and strengthen a stablecoin that will be connected with the payments network.

    The main goal is to eliminate credit card fees for merchants. Also, to avoid the volatility of bitcoin and ether.

    Facebook is also in consultations with money transfer firms like Western Union because it tries to find cheaper and faster alternatives for people who don’t have bank accounts.

    How will Facebook’s Libra work?

    Project Libra
    Will we have a new icon after Project Libra finished?

    Facebook aspires to design a cryptocurrency that gives secure ways of making payments, notwithstanding users have or not have a bank account.

    They are expecting to upset the other networks by cutting financial limits. The new Libra is good for competing with banks and decreasing user’s costs. The point is that this project will provide people to change dollars and other foreign currencies into its stablecoin. That’s why the arrangement with other banks is necessary.

    In the next several weeks a group of co-founders would launch the Swiss-based association in the coming weeks, as it is expected.

    Meanwhile, Facebook bans all cryptocurrency ads.

    According to the Financial Times, it is still unclear how Facebook’s cryptocurrency will be issued, stored, and transferred.

    Libra will be valued on a fiat

    Geneva’s commercial register displays Libra Networks was registered on May 2 with Facebook Global Holdings as a stakeholder. Reuters first reported the development.

    You would like to know which money app to use in 2019

    The LLC is attempting to develop software and infrastructure connected with investment activities and data analysis. Among other services, there are some relating to finance and technology, according to the register.

    Facebook has not yet confirmed the foundation of Libra Networks.

    What we know is Facebook Global Holdings is a stockholder in the new company and it will, according to Reuters, “provide financial and technology services and develop related hardware and software, plans submitted on the Swiss register reveal.”

    More about Project Libra

    Facebook’s shift to crypto has been gradual and constant. Facebook’s latest move, was the hiring of two Coinbase compliance managers. That happened on May 14.

    Blockchain expert David Gerard said that Facebook would get access to important spending data by creating its own payment system.

    The question is why Facebook needs that, instead to use some conventional payment platform.

    Garrick Hileman, a researcher at the London School of Economics, said the Libra project could be one of the most important developments in the short history of cryptocurrencies.

    He estimated that around 30 million people use cryptocurrencies. And Facebook has 2.4 billion monthly users. So, just count!

    You may also like to read how Apple Is Not a Tech Company Anymore

    risk disclosure

  • Bitcoin is ready for the next big move

    Bitcoin is ready for the next big move

    3 min read

    Buying Bitcoin with bank account

    The Bitcoin price is $7.979, at the moment of writing this post. That is lower for 0,593842%  than the opening price this day.

    The furious rise in Bitcoin price in the past few weeks was exciting for the majority of the crypto world. But at the same time confusing also.

    Bitcoin is ready for the next big move

    For many of them, Bitcoin awakes memories on its fantastic heights at the end of 2017 when Bitcoin hit its record high of $19,783.21 on December 17.

    This new Bitcoin rally brings new peaks level to many companies. For example, several crypto-tied penny stocks recorded new peaks too.

    For example, the shares of MGT Capital Investments Inc. rose by 15% on Tuesday 9, May. This company is ranked as one of the biggest U.S. based Bitcoin miners.

    On Tuesday the company stated that it is thinking to give its cryptocurrency mining sector extra chance. The statement came after Bitcoin’s price increased expanded the mining profitability.

    Bitcoin mining, is it profitable 2

    This company had its highest market cap in December 2017 when it reached $350 million.

    That was in any sense the golden era for crypto.

    Almost at the same time, one UK company added the word ‘blockchain’ in its name rose its shares for nearly 400%.

    With the hope that such time is coming, traders and investors gave a chance to other similar companies such as Grayscale Bitcoin Trust BTC or Riot Blockchain Inc.

    The price of their shares rose in the past few weeks.

    The Bitcoin price is likely to go far up from $8,000 and it will come very fast.

    Will this word become another buzzword?

    The word that can increase importance and market value? That will be interesting to see.

    Anyway, Bitcoin increased by 60% in only two weeks.

    Nevertheless, many investors are not convinced that this rally has both legs. This price climb seems to fast for them.

    On the other side of the expert’s opinion are the other group of investors. Bulls! They insist that BTC has already reached its bottom price and all we can expect is this ‘çrypto-king’ is going to rise.

    Bitcoin touched the bottom when it fell below $6,000. The crypto expert Dave the Wave called it the “ideal buying zone”.

    However, traders were panicked and we saw a violent selloff. For smart people, it was time to buy.

    Previously, Bitcoin was in that buy zone for two years. It was 2014 and 2015, and almost one year between 2012 – 2013.

    The penny-stock companies recognized an open space to conquer.

    On the other side, the rumors about the possibility the biggest companies to adopt crypto fell in the water after the Consensus 2019 conference.

    Loving eBay formally denied such news.

    But Facebook hired two ex-Coinbase experts. At least one of them is connected with Facebook’s blockchain venture.

    Jeff Cartwright moved from Coinbase in March after five years at the cryptocurrency exchange. According to Cartwright’s LinkedIn profile, he entered Facebook this month. He will serve as a policy and compliance manager.

    It isn’t a secret anymore that Facebook has plans about blockchain and cryptocurrency. The details are secret, of course. As the secret is the true role of Cartwright because Facebook spokesperson Elka Looks refused to comment ” on personnel’.

    And, however, there is the third part – the media.

    Just to illustrate, for example, CNBC removed Bitcoin widget last month. But now, the situation is totally twisted. They have almost in every single show a segment about Bitcoin. Weird!

    And Microsoft uses Bitcoin, as we heard.

    Okay, Bitcoin owners use Microsoft, right?

    So, on Monday 14, May, the company revealed a project that, would give you the possibility to control your own credentials, autonomous of all companies. The new project is based on the technology that supports Bitcoin, blockchain.

    That will be interesting to see, of course, if you like to take such responsibility.

    Digital identity is the most exciting dream for every blockchain fans. The idea behind is that we all could have absolute, faultless access to all kinds of apps by creating mobile credentials. For now, the keys are in the hands of Facebook or Microsoft.

    Enthusiasts support this idea because it can be a blessing for privacy. No one could track your activity on the internet. And that is the core of blockchain and Bitcoin as well.

    Proponents also say it would help to stop hackers. Honestly, it would be harder for hackers to approach users data because all of them would be stored in one place or in a decentralized digital configuration.

    But we are still a far away from that.

    Until then, keep your eyes on the growth of Bitcoin.

    The future is interesting and promising.

     risk disclosure

  • Apple Is Not a Tech Company Anymore

    Apple Is Not a Tech Company Anymore

    2 min read

    Apple Is Not a Tech Company Anymore

    by Gorica Gligorijevic

    The logic behind is: If Apple is high-tech Warren Buffett wouldn’t invest. Since he or his Barclay Hathaway is the major investor in the iPhone and Apple is producing iPhones for the customers, Apple is a consumer products company. Period!

    I’m not a postman. I’m a post-delivery specialist.

    If Tim Cook, the Apple chief executive, needs some mantra to keep going, it’s okay.

    To keep going what? Cook is on his way to persuade Wall Street in that.

    Apple has to solve that puzzle. It is or it isn’t a high-tech company.

    “We believe that technology should be in the background, not the foreground, and that technology should empower people to do things and help them do things they couldn’t do otherwise,” said Cook, after Berkshire shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.

    So, Apple has been absorbed into the Silicon Valley swamp, without its willingness. C’mon!

    Apple Is Not a Tech Company Anymore 1
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Well, when Cook was asked by CNBC about Warren Buffett’s rising investment in Apple, Cook shot the Silicon Valley.

    Tim Cook, Apple CEO

    He said: “(Buffett) has been very clear. He didn’t invest in technology companies and companies he didn’t understand.

    He’s been totally clear with that. And so he obviously views Apple as a consumer company.”

    He should bite his lip.

    Because we all know the old proverb: At the end of the day, money talks.

    It’s not rocket science to find what really is hiding behind these words.

    Put the logic aside, but the statement is right.

    It looks the Apple is in hot water.

    Let the cat out of the bag.

    It isn’t a secret that many companies cannot meet the new EU legislation (GDPR) to guard individual privacy. Or they are struggling with them.

    Big tech companies are under attack. The regulators in the EU demand severe new legislation to protect privacy.

    That crashed tech’s attempts to use the user data in a dishonest way.

    They have to create new business standards.

    The General Data Protection Regulation became law everywhere in the EU last year. It means every company is obliged to receive permission before gathering any data online.

    Cook adored the new EU regulation last year. He has been one of the most vociferous proponents of new regulations. It isn’t a wonder.

    “We’re in the tech industry,” Cook admitted. “But we work at that intersection of technology and the liberal arts and the humanities. And so we make products for people, and so the consumer’s at the center of what we do.”

    Facebook and its users have a major influence on Cupertino.

    Apple Is Not a Tech Company Anymore 2

    Facebook is at the end of iPhones software.

    Apple gets practically all of its earnings by selling iPhones. They are developing the hardware in Cupertino and write the codes. But Facebook’s apps Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp are the most popular iOS downloads. So, Facebook is entered on the software end.

    The Wall Street Journal published the social media titan is in communications with Mastercard, Visa, and First Data Corp.

    What is it all about?

    It is all about a payments system. The aim is to modify Facebook features into a living ecosystem.

    So, what one could ask?

    This arrangement could make physical hardware trivial.

    Apple needs to shift its business from hardware to software in order to satisfy investors.

    At first place Buffett.

    They have to venture other market forms and rebrand.

    But still, as it matches even more engaged inside our gadgets, can Apple honestly pretend to be anything else than a high-tech company?

    Despite this strange high-heavy separation, Cook has to persuade Wall Street that Apple is remodeled.

    The iPhone is a high margin sales. And it is a low margin business.

    If Cook manages to rebrand Apple as a consumer products company, the prizes would be amazingly large.

    Apple shares trade at a 17.47 multiple of trailing earnings. The P/E ratio is 20.07.

    Best consumer products companies like Procter & Gamble and Colgate Palmolive get multiples closer to 25. If Apple traded at an alike P/E the stock would bring $296.

    For now, Apple is a puzzle. It is a famous franchise.

    We all love their goods. But we have to say, the iPhone isn’t growth.

    People love Apple products. But the iPhone is no longer a growth industry, because, at the same time, we want fresh gadgets. And cheaper too.

    Moreover, we think even if Apple stays as high-tech company Warren Buffett will not step out.

    risk disclosure

  • Twitter is implementing the new tool

    Twitter is implementing the new tool

    1 min read

    Twitter New Tool for Fake News

    Twitter will launch a new tool for users. The aim of this new tool is to protect users from deceiving by fake news. By using this new tool users will be able to flag inappropriate political content. The reason behind this is the new European Parliament elections that will be held next month.

    With this new tool, Twitter plans to protect voters.

    Twitter is one of three social networks that are under public pressure to take a bigger role in protecting this democratic process. Also, they are asked to help in lowering social and political tensions.

    According to Reuters, the European Commission in its March report on the three tech giants on Tuesday said the companies still fell short of their pledge to curb the spread of fake news.

    “Today, we are further expanding our enforcement capabilities in this area by creating a dedicated reporting feature within the product to allow users to more easily report this content to us,” Twitter said in a blog.

    Twitter users who see a tweet with deceptive news will be able to report them.

    It will be possible by clicking on a drop-down menu. All you have to do is to select “It’s misleading about voting”. After that, you have to pick the option that describes how the tweet is misleading or deceiving. Submit the report to Twitter and voila…

    What is misleading or deceiving information?

    For example, telling voters to vote via a text message, email or phone call, identification requirements, the announced date or time of an election.

    The new Twitter tool will be accessible from April 29 to a week after the May 23-26 European parliament elections.

    But the EU isn’t the lonely place where this tool will be available.

    Twitter will run it in India too.

    The general elections will be held in India on Thursday.

    Previously, Facebook revealed tools designed to clamp down on political involvement ahead of the European Parliament vote scheduled for May.

    From the end of March, political ads have a “paid for by” disclaimer. That tools provide users access to a public database that shows who paid for the ad.

    So, everyone can see who paid, how much and the structure of the visitors according to gender, age or area.
    All information will be cached for seven years.

    Don’t waste your money!

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  • Facebook Accused of Behaving Like ‘digital gangsters’

    Facebook Accused of Behaving Like ‘digital gangsters’

    2 min read

    Facebook Accused of Behaving Like ‘digital gangsters’
    UK parliamentary commission has accused Facebook to act as a ”digital gangsters”.

    After 18 months, 73 witnesses, 4,350 questions, and innumerable hours of testimony, British lawmakers presented a finding on Facebook’s year. Direct from hell.

    A report from this UK body has taken direct aim at Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, accusing him of “contempt.”

    A UK parliamentary committee published a report on Monday, 02/18/2019, accusing Facebook of putting profit over privacy, misleading lawmakers, and being a “digital gangster” that considers itself above the law.

    British politicians also said democracy was “at risk” from foreign countries trying to influence UK elections through social media ads.

    The new report by British lawmakers is brutal to Facebook and it’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg. They said that Facebook “intentionally and knowingly” obstructed U.K. data privacy and anti-competition laws. And that’s why it urgently needs to be regulated and investigated.

    Facebook has shown the arrogant and dishonest face.

    Mark Zuckerberg refused to present himself to the committee.

    To cite the report:

    “Facebook seems willing neither to be regulated nor scrutinized…

    Facebook intentionally and knowingly violated both data privacy and anti-competition laws …

    We consider that data transfer for value is Facebook’s business model and that Mark Zuckerberg’s statement that ‘we’ve never sold anyone’s data’ is simply untrue.”

    In the 108-page document, lawmakers called for the making of an independent regulator for social media sites and a mandatory code of conduct that. If someone breaches it, their suggestion is – “large fines.”

    Mark Zuckerberg continually refuses to show the leadership and personal responsibility that should be expected from someone who sits at the top of one of the world’s biggest companies, says the committee.

    Damian Collins, chair of the committee, said on the committee’s website: “Mark Zuckerberg continually fails to show the levels of leadership and personal responsibility that should be expected from someone who sits at the top of one of the world’s biggest companies.”

    This was, however, not the only reason why British politicians accused Facebook of behaving like “digital gangsters” in the online world.

    “Companies like Facebook should not be allowed to behave like ‘digital gangsters’ in the online world, considering themselves to be ahead of and beyond the law,” the report said.

    “We are open to meaningful regulation and support the committee’s recommendation for electoral law reform,” Karim Palant, Facebook UK public policy manager, was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

    But, something has to be noted, the problem is bigger than just one company. Google and YouTube, which are barely mentioned in the report, play almost as important a role in the dissemination of misinformation online. And they are happy to profit from it. As the information commissioner, Elizabeth Denham has warned, we are now being sold political ideas online with the same techniques that are used to sell shoes and holidays.

    Buying the wrong ideas is less obvious than the pain of old-fashioned shoes. The political sale is much more easily made.

    There is a paradox of the amazing effectiveness of Facebook and YouTube when it comes to the distribution of ideas.

    Some people trust what they find there.

    The online channels, seem to offer intimacy to their users. But this fake intimacy is, in reality, a place where people can be more manipulated than ever before. Well, the advertisers know much more about us than they could before we entered it.
    But, Facebook wants you to know that it is turning. Its ads tell you so. Its PR hires tell you so.

    “While we still have more to do, we are not the same company we were a year ago,” Karim Palant, U.K. public policy manager at Facebook, said.

    But the report requests for significant changes to the way the UK regulates its elections and technology, including:

    • Stricter rules that will force tech firms to take down illegal content on their site
    • A code of ethics that defines “harmful content”
    • An independent regulator to oversee enforcement of that code
    • New laws around political advertising online

    The UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright will head to the US this week to meet with the heads of major tech firms, including Zuckerberg. Wright wants to talk about dangerous content online.

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