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Today we are watching…
1. Appleย (#apple)
The App Store. Itโs an Apple investorโs pride and joy, and it turned over more than half a trillion dollars last year in billings and sales, according to the company on Monday. Big Tech business models are heavy on โsynergies and flywheels.โ In the case of Apple, you canโt get iOS or many of the goodies on the app store if you donโt get Apple hardware first, i.e. an iPhone. The most popular apps on the App Store appear to be retailing apps for Target and Best Buy, plus travel apps for Expedia and United. $500 billion is a big number, but investors still think thereโs hidden earnings as Apple still doesnโt disclose its Apple Music revenues. The shares could have more to run yet!
2. AstraZeneca (#azn)
The race for a cure isnโt won, but Oxford University and drug-maker AstraZeneca are quite far out in front. The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and France are shelling out a combined $843 million for their stage II/III vaccine which promises to prompt cells to create proteins which will attack coronavirus if it tries to enter the body. The United Kingdom gets the vaccine first, so investors might feel inclined to bet on Britainโs FTSE 100 index for a rebound ahead of competing economies around the world. The stock price for AstraZeneca has also benefitted from this, but more companies will be needed in the effort to get these vials around the world. Weโve got more on this to come!