Target Corporation: Will the Internet Power TGT Even Higher?

Target stock needs its e-commerce side to keep growing like a weed

Target Corporation (TGT) CEO Brian Cornell recently revealed some details about his plans to beef up the company’s online presence and spur increased e-commerce revenue.

And in the long run, this could help paint a more bullish picture for Target stock.

Last month, TGT reported fourth-quarter earnings, revealing 34% growth in e-commerce sales during the holiday shopping season. Investors were pleased with the results as a whole, sending Target stock more than 10% higher ever since.

Cornell’s decision to spend upward of $1.4 billion on improving the TGT website and mobile shopping experience clearly paid off, with full-year e-commerce revenue growing 31% over 2014. Sure, that’s not quite as well as he’d originally hoped, predicting 40% improvement. But Target’s 34% e-commerce growth in Q4 was more than quadruple the 8% increase reported by key retail rival Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) and also ahead of the 26% increase reported by e-commerce big dog Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN).

Cornell has said that TGT will spend approximately $2 billion in 2016 to further improve the company’s digital capabilities and make shopping online an easier, more pleasant experience for consumers.

Continued spending in this area could help TGT maintain steady e-commerce growth … but that doesn’t necessarily mean Target stock will benefit.

Alphabet Inc: Google’s Project Fi Is Loose, Watch Out! (GOOGL, GOOG)

Google's wireless service boasts competition-killing features and rates

Alphabet Inc (GOOGL, GOOG) announced in an official blog post Monday that its Project Fi wireless service has exited the invitation-only beta period and the service is now open to everyone in the U.S.

Last May, after several years of rumors, speculation and debate, Google finalized arrangements to set itself up as a mobile virtual network operator.

Simply put, an MVNO is a reseller of cellular phone services, and in the case of Project Fi, customers will utilize a combination of network and data services from both T-Mobile (TMUS) and Sprint (S).

In this regard, Project Fi is the first MVNO to offer customers the benefit of simultaneous cell service from two of the nation’s top four carriers. Even better, the price for Project Fi is surprisingly low, and in most cases significantly less than comparable voice and data plans from other carriers.

Apple Inc.: AAPL Tests Virtual Reality Waters With View-Master

It's late to the game, but can AAPL repeat history in the virtual reality market?

Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple Inc. (AAPL) is now selling the View-Master virtual reality headset, a modern-day iteration of the clunky reddish-orange goggles that amazed us as kids. The difference, though, is that instead of sticking a cardboard circle into the front, you’d stick in your iPhone.

The View-Master is the Apple store’s first retail virtual reality offering. However, the View-Master has been available as a sturdy upgrade to Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL, GOOG) Google Cardboard virtual reality headset since February of last year when it was revived through a partnership with Mattel, Inc. (MAT) — the company responsible for developing the original View-Master in 1939.

Some investors have been wondering, though, if AAPL has what it takes to dominate the virtual reality marketplace against competitors such as Facebook Inc (FB), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and Samsung (SSNLF), which are well ahead of Apple in the race to the top of the VR mountain.

Yelp Inc (YELP) Stock’s Only Value: Takeover Target

YELP shares only seem to rise when takeover rumors surface

Yelp Inc (YELP) stock has dropped more than 60% over the past year, which includes a 30%-plus hammering so far in this young 2016. Opinions on Wall Street about Yelp stock run the gamut from conservative to downright ridiculous, and a number of analysts have revised or reaffirmed their ratings and price targets in the wake of this year’s selloff.

Considering the abysmal performance history of Yelp stock alongside a number of other challenges — which include excessive complaints regarding unfair and inaccurate business ratings, and steep competition from tech behemoths such as Facebook Inc (FB) and Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL, GOOG) Google Maps — the Yelp stock landslide isn’t likely to end anytime soon.

Apple Car Development Hits Speed Bumps (AAPL)

Zadesky's resignation isn't the only challenge facing the Apple Car

After the close of the markets last Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that 16-year Apple Inc. (AAPL) veteran Steve Zadesky had announced his intention to leave the company in the very near future, although a specific date for his departure was not revealed. Zadesky, who has been the head of the Apple Car project for more than two years, is apparently resigning for purely personal reasons.

While AAPL still has not formally confirmed the existence of its electric vehicle efforts, Project Titan has apparently been expanding at a rapid rate, with management approving an increase in the size of the project team to roughly 1,800 people. The current goal of Project Titan is to have a finished version of the all-electric Apple Car ready for consumers by the year 2019.

With Zadesky’s resignation looming, some have begun to question the viability of a complete Apple Car within the next few years. These concerns aren’t entirely based on the coming lack of Zadesky’s input, but also on the mounting reports about current status and conditions within Project Titan.

According to Stuff:

“Sources say that employees are struggling without ‘clear goals for the project,’ and that some of management’s deadlines are too ambitious to hit in the expected timeframes.”

However, those concerns are not shared by Dieter Zetsche, the Chief Executive of Daimler AG (DDAIF) and head of Mercedes-Benz. In a visit to Silicon Valley earlier this month, Zetsche stated that progress on the Apple Car has advanced further than he had originally anticipated.

This is in stark contrast to his comments last February, when he likened the notion of AAPL building an electric vehicle to Mercedes-Benz building a smartphone:

“If there were a rumour that Mercedes or Daimler planned to start building smartphones then they (Apple) would not be sleepless at night. And the same applies to me.”

Amazon Stock’s Next Big Catalyst — Ocean Shipping?

AMZN's new delivery method will disrupt more than just BABA

Last week, it was reported that international e-commerce giant Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) had successfully registered as an ocean freight forwarder in the U.S.

Officially, it’s Amazon China that is listed as a licensed freight forwarding service provider by the Federal Maritime Commission, which will open the door to countless suppliers and vendors across Asia to begin shipping their wares via Amazon’s logistics network.

This move is another step forward for AMZN in its goal to control every step of the delivery process.

The notion of shipping via ocean freighters won’t be attractive for domestic retailers, but Amazon stock owners should be giddy about the prospects it represents.

There are hoards of Chinese retailers who will jump at the chance to ship their goods directly with Amazon and get them into its fulfillment centers. As David Morris of Fortune explained:

“As a freight forwarder, Amazon wouldn’t be putting its own ships in the water. Instead, it would be selling existing capacity, and managing the shipping process. An international Amazon freight service could oversee a products’ (sic) journey from ramp the (sic) at a Chinese factory all the way to an American warehouse.”

Amazon’s efforts to create its own delivery and distribution network will eventually pay off, and a worldwide logistics infrastructure will mean never again having to rely on a third-party to fulfill Amazon.com orders.

Further, such expanded capabilities will strengthen Amazon’s ability to compete with Chinese-based e-commerce retailer Alibaba (BABA), which has been taking steps to expand operations in the U.S.

Why Paychex (PAYX) Stock Should Be in Every Investor’s Portfolio

Unheralded PAYX stock is poised for strong gains in 2016

Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) isn’t a company that’s typically on the tongues of stock analysts and investors, but it sure is this year. PAYX is beating the pants off the market — and competitor Automatic Data Processing (ADP) — with 14% gains, and is trading at decade-plus highs.

But better yet for new money: This payroll and human resources provider looks set to be among 2016’s most exciting stocks.

Investors can thank a strengthening job market, solid fundamentals and management’s innovative expansion efforts that include both acquisitions and new service offerings.

The November jobs report, which saw payrolls expand at a promising pace, implies general improvement in the state of the U.S. economy. That steady job growth — particularly for small- and medium-sized companies –has helped PAYX remain at the top of the payroll services industry. A strengthening job market means more employers will require payroll processing services, as well as human resources assistance.

Plus, confusion and complications involving Obamacare have been a boon for Paychex stock.

2015 marked the first year in which non-payroll services accounted for more than $1 billion in revenue, as an increasing number of PAYX clients require assistance navigating the new, often-complicated health insurance reforms.