2017 was a strong year for big-cap stocks, as Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google all handily beat the returns delivered by the NASDAQ. James Cakmak, Internet Analyst at Monness, Crespi, Hardt, was with us to deliver his tech stock outlook for 2018.
The past year delivered remarkable returns for big tech stocks, and Cakmak says the momentum will continue into 2018. Despite financial success, he sees headline risks persisting for Facebook, Amazon, and Google as regulatory scrutiny looms. The analyst names Amazon as the "most politically savvy" tech company, saying they are getting closer to the government as agencies adopt AWS and cities try become the location of choice for its new headquarters.
Facebook has made an aggressive move forward with its video strategy as it looks to diversify its revenue from traditional ads. Cakmak weighs in on whether Facebook Watch will be the next big way for them to bring in revenue.
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
