There are several reasons why recent technology IPOs have flopped, ranging from evil investment banking activity to unsustainable business models (and the two aren’t mutually exclusive, either). But, as the trend continues, and investors get more fed up, the older, more established tech companies look better, safer, and cheaper. For tech investors, why pay high prices for uncertainty when they can buy into tech’s equivalent of a blue chip?
A changing landscape
Technology stocks have long been associated with high risk and high reward. Getting in on a hot tech IPO was the way to play tech in the 90s, before it all came crashing down. As time goes on, and the strong sustainable firms have revealed themselves, it makes less and less sense for a tech investor to focus on IPOs. For those who chase the high-growth technology market, there are now options that are without the risky and unpredictable elements of the industry.
Introducing all the companies you know…
Yesteryear’s IPOs are today’s best tech investments – or, at least the ones that are still traded are. A company like Amazon
Amazon, as you are aware, did quite well. So did Google and eBay
…and the new guys
People have been complaining about IPO flop after flop when it comes to technology. Just look at the business models, and compare them to their predecessors.
Facebook
Groupon
Even if they were real businesses
Let’s say Facebook and Groupon didn’t have totally, completely, obnoxiously awful business models, to be fair. At this point in time, if I want to invest in the Web, I would rather pay 13.5 times earnings for a company with established, functioning business models and a massive presence on the web. That’s Google’s forward P/E. Or, better yet, I would much rather pay Apple’s
Why would I even consider paying 33 times earnings for Facebook, when it hasn’t been able to succeed in the mobile arena, and its advertisers are publicly questioning its efficacy? Sure, Groupon is only 11 times forward earnings. But tell me this, when is the last time you wanted to invest in a company who consistently has to restate their wonky earnings reports, and has had sequential quarterly sales growth come to an almost standstill? I wouldn’t pay three times earnings for a company on that path.
Sure, the tech IPOs have had their individual day of blunders and little mishaps but, perhaps people aren’t buying into these companies like they used to simply because there are far better options available in the space.
As for Apple and Facebook, our analysts have provided you with a more detailed vision of the future of these companies. Read the premium reports, linked above, to see the opportunities and hurdles that lie ahead for both firms.