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This infographic shows that cloud computing is a major factor in the minds of IT executives. There are several ways to play the cloud computing wave with companies that are on my Watch List.

Google [stckqut]GOOG[/stckqut]

Google Inc. (Google) is a global technology company focused on improving the ways people connect with information. The Company generates revenue primarily by delivering online advertising. As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s business was focused on areas, such as search, advertising, operating systems and platforms, and enterprise. Businesses use its AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the third parties that comprise the Google Network use its AdSense program to deliver relevant advertisements that generate revenue. In June 2011, it launched Google+. In September 2011, the Company acquired Zagat. In May 2012, Google acquired Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. As of January 2012, over 90 million people had joined Google+. In April 2011, the Company acquired PushLife. On July 31, 2012, it acquired marketing start-up Wildfire. In September 2012, it acquired VirusTotal and Nik Software. (This text is from Google).

Akamai [stckqut]akam[/stckqut]

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (Akamai) provides content delivery and cloud infrastructure services for the delivery of content and applications over the Internet; ranging from live and on-demand streaming video capabilities to conventional content on Websites, to tools that help people transact business and reach out to new and existing customers. The Company provides private content delivery networks, Internet-based delivery of applications, such as store/dealer locators and user registration, software distribution capabilities, real-time ad targeting solutions, content targeting technology and enhanced security features. It offers application and cloud performance services, solutions for digital media and software distribution and storage, Website optimization services, network operator solutions, online advertising-related services and other specialized Internet-based offerings. In March 2012, the Company acquired Cotendo, Inc. In September 2012, the Company acquired FastSoft Inc. (This text is from Google).

Amazon [stckqut]amzn[/stckqut]

Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon.com) serves consumers through its retail Websites and focuses on selection, price, and convenience. The Company’s four customer sets include consumers, sellers, enterprises and content creators. It also manufactures and sells Kindle devices. It offers programs, which enable sellers to sell their products on its Websites and their own branded Websites and to fulfill orders through it. We serve developers and enterprises of all sizes through Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides access to technology infrastructure. In addition, it generates revenue through other marketing and promotional services, such as online advertising, and co-branded credit card agreements. The Company operates in two segments: North America and International. In June 2012, the Company acquired the publication rights from Avalon Books to over 3,000 backlist titles predominantly in the Romance, Mystery and Western categories. (This text is from Google).

eBay [stckqut]ebay[/stckqut]

eBay Inc. (eBay) is a global commerce platform. The Company enables commerce through three reportable segments: Marketplaces, Payments and GSI Commerce (GSI). These segments provide online platform, services and tools to help individuals and small, medium and large merchants globally to establish online and mobile commerce and payments. In addition, through X.commerce, it has created an open source platform, which provides software developers and merchants access to its applications programming interfaces (APIs), to develop software and solutions for commerce. As of December 31, 2011, it had more than 100 million active users transacting on its sites, millions of merchants using one or more of its platforms, and a developer community with more than 800,000 members using its APIs. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired Brands4friends and GittiGidiyor. In May 2012, PRIMEDIA announced that it completed the acquisition of eBay’s Rent.com subsidiary. (This text is from Google).

The above infographic was not created by me. It was originally found on CloudTweaks. It is my belief that CloudTweaks owns the copyright to that image and all of its rights. It is recreated here simply for the convenience of my readers but they are encouraged to click through to the original site to see the full details of the infographic.

 

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Company name CARBO Ceramics Inc.
Stock ticker CRR
Live stock price [stckqut]CRR[/stckqut]
P/E compared to competitors Good

MANAGEMENT EXECUTION

Employee productivity Good
Sales growth Good
EPS growth Good
P/E growth Poor
EBIT growth Good

ANALYSIS

Confident Investor Rating Good
Target stock price (TWCA growth scenario) $59.7
Target stock price (averages with growth) $69.68
Target stock price (averages with no growth) $72.62
Target stock price (manual assumptions) $62.92

The following company description is from Google Finance: http://www.google.com/finance?q=crr

CARBO Ceramics Inc., is a supplier of ceramic proppant. The Company is a provider of software, and consulting services, spill prevention, containment and geotechnical monitoring. The Company sells its products and services to operators of oil and natural gas wells and to oilfield service companies. The Company’s products and services are primarily used in the hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and oil wells. The Company primarily manufactures five ceramic proppants. CARBOHSP and CARBOPROP are proppants designed primarily for use in deep oil and gas wells. CARBOHSP ceramic proppants manufactured by the Company is used primarily in the fracturing of deep oil and gas wells. CARBOLITE, CARBOECONOPROP and CARBOHYDROPROP are lightweight ceramic proppants. CARBOLITE is used in medium depth oil and gas wells. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company generated approximately 79% of its revenues in the United States and 21% in international markets.

 

Confident Investor comments: At this price and at this time, I think that a Confident Investor can confidently invest in this stock. Most of the fundamentals of this company are good, in fact the company ranks as a Good company, but there are some concerns with the price of the stock.

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Company name salesforce.com, inc.
Stock ticker CRM
Live stock price [stckqut]CRM[/stckqut]
Confident Investor Rating Poor

The following company description is from Google Finance: http://www.google.com/finance?q=crm

Salesforce.com, inc. is a provider of enterprise cloud computing and social enterprise solutions. The Company provides a customer and collaboration relationship management (CRM), applications through the Internet or cloud. Cloud computing refers to the use of Internet-based computing, storage and connectivity technology to deliver a variety of different services. The Company delivers its service through Internet browsers and mobile devices. It markets its social enterprise applications and platforms to businesses on a subscription basis, primarily through its direct sales efforts and indirectly through partners. In January 2011, it acquired Heroku, Inc. and DimDim, Inc. In May 2011, the Company acquired Radian6 Technologies Inc. In September 2011, the Company acquired Assistly. In August 2012, the Company acquired Buddy Media.
Confident Investor comments: I am removing Salesforce from my Watch List. They were not profitable in their last earnings period.At this price and at this time, I do not think that a Confident Investor can confidently invest in this stock. It is not possible to confidently invest in a company that is not currently profitable.

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Company name Coach, Inc.
Stock ticker COH
Live stock price [stckqut]COH[/stckqut]
P/E compared to competitors Fair

MANAGEMENT EXECUTION

Employee productivity Poor
Sales growth Good
EPS growth Good
P/E growth Poor
EBIT growth Good

ANALYSIS

Confident Investor Rating Fair
Target stock price (TWCA growth scenario) $55.24
Target stock price (averages with growth) $73.91
Target stock price (averages with no growth) $64.83
Target stock price (manual assumptions) $59.09

The following company description is from Google Finance: http://www.google.com/finance?q=coh

Coach, Inc. (Coach) is a marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men. Coach’s product offerings include women’s and men’s bag, accessories, business cases, footwear, wearables, jewelry, sunwear, travel bags, watches and fragrance. The Company operates in two segments: Direct-to-Consumer and Indirect. Accessories include women’s and men’s small leather goods, novelty accessories and women’s and men’s belts. Women’s small leather goods, which coordinate with its handbags, include money pieces, wristlets, and cosmetic cases. Men’s small leather goods consist primarily of wallets and card cases. Novelty accessories include time management and electronic accessories. Key rings and charms are also included in this category. Business Cases assortment is primarily men’s and includes computer bags, messenger-style bags and totes. Footwear is distributed through select Coach retail stores, coach.com and about 1,000 United States department stores.

 

Confident Investor comments: At this time, I think that a Confident Investor can cautiously invest in this stock as long as the price is correct. Most of the fundamentals of this company are good but there are some concerns. I will be removing this stock from my Watch List.

 

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Company name Capital One Financial Corp.
Stock ticker COF
Live stock price [stckqut]COF[/stckqut]
P/E compared to competitors Good

MANAGEMENT EXECUTION

Employee productivity Fair
Sales growth Fair
EPS growth Good
P/E growth Good
EBIT growth Good

ANALYSIS

Confident Investor Rating Good
Target stock price (TWCA growth scenario) $88.55
Target stock price (averages with growth) $171.68
Target stock price (averages with no growth) $191.15
Target stock price (manual assumptions) $74.56

The following company description is from Google Finance: http://www.google.com/finance?q=cof

Capital One Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries offer a range of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through branches, the Internet and other distribution channels. It has three segments: Credit Card, which consists of its domestic consumer and small business card lending, national small business lending, national closed end installment lending and the international card lending businesses; Consumer Banking, which consists of branch-based lending and deposit gathering activities for consumers and small businesses, national deposit gathering, national auto lending and consumer home loan lending and servicing activities, and Commercial Banking, which consists of its lending, deposit gathering and treasury management services to commercial real estate and middle market customers. On January 7, 2011, it acquired the credit card loan portfolio of Hudson’s Bay Company.

 

Confident Investor comments: At this price and at this time, I think that a Confident Investor can confidently invest in this stock.