Group 1 - AppLovin is positioned strongly in various economic climates due to its data-driven and AI-native features [1] - There is a shift in marketing spend from linear television to more engaging platforms like mobile applications and CTV [1] - The analyst, Michael Del Monte, has over 5 years of experience in equity analysis and a macro-value-oriented approach to investment [1]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock markets have experienced a significant bull run in 2023, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite increasing by 13.7%, 23.9%, and 43.4% respectively [1] - Year-to-date, the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite have advanced 11.5%, 20.2%, and 21.6% respectively [1] - The Federal Reserve has initiated its first interest rate cut since March 2020, reducing rates by 50 basis points, with the potential for another cut later this year [2] Stock Performance - Five large-cap stocks have provided triple-digit returns year-to-date: AppLovin Corp. (APP), Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (SFM), Tenet Healthcare Corp. (THC), and Vistra Corp. (VST) [1][3] - These stocks have strong earnings and revenue growth potential for the remainder of 2024, supported by positive earnings estimate revisions in the last 60 days [1] Company Highlights AppLovin Corp. (APP) - AppLovin has a Zacks Rank of 1 and reported a 76% year-over-year revenue increase in 2023, with a 41% rise in adjusted EBITDA [4] - In Q2 2024, AppLovin experienced a 44% year-over-year revenue jump and a 286% increase in net income [4] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for AppLovin are 35.2% and over 100% respectively for the current year [5] Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) - Palantir holds a Zacks Rank of 2 and has seen growth in its commercial business alongside government contracts, driven by its AI initiatives [8] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Palantir are 24.2% and 44% respectively for the current year [9] Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (SFM) - Sprouts Farmers Market has a Zacks Rank of 1 and is focusing on product innovation and competitive pricing to cater to consumer preferences [12] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Sprouts are 9.6% and 18.7% respectively for the current year [13] Tenet Healthcare Corp. (THC) - Tenet Healthcare has a Zacks Rank of 1, with revenue growth driven by increased patient admissions and strategic acquisitions [14] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Tenet are 1.4% and 53.6% respectively for the current year [15] Vistra Corp. (VST) - Vistra holds a Zacks Rank of 2 and is expanding its clean electricity generation assets through acquisitions [17] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Vistra are 18% and 33.2% respectively for the current year [18]

SoundHound AI - SoundHound AI employs an AI voice platform using speech-to-meaning and deep-meaning-understanding technologies to process speech in real time, understand intent, and respond to complex queries [2] - The company initially gained traction in the automotive industry, with several automakers using its technology for vehicle voice assistants, and has since expanded into the restaurant sector, partnering with operators and fintech companies like Toast and Olo [2] - SoundHound recently acquired Amelia, a conversational and generative AI platform, enabling it to enter industries such as healthcare, retail finance, and insurance, creating cross-selling and upselling opportunities [3] - If SoundHound becomes the standard in AI voice technology, it has the potential to be a high-growth stock [3] SentinelOne - SentinelOne specializes in endpoint security, protecting networks and devices like smartphones and computers through its AI-powered Singularity Platform, which monitors, predicts, and eliminates threats, and can "rewind" systems to pre-attack states [4] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the global IT outage caused by CrowdStrike, as its smaller size allows it to capture market share without needing to displace the industry leader significantly [4] - SentinelOne recently secured a multiyear deal with Lenovo to provide endpoint security across new PCs and offer upgrades to existing Lenovo hardware, while also collaborating to build a new managed detection and response (MDR) service [5] - The company's revenue grew 33% year-over-year in Q2, and its forward price-to-sales ratio of 7.5 makes it a bargain compared to larger peers, with potential for significant growth [5] AppLovin - AppLovin has benefited significantly from the AI revolution, particularly after launching its Axon 2 AI-based advertising solution, which has driven a surge in software platform revenue [6] - Traditionally focused on mobile gaming, AppLovin's Axon 2 has attracted mobile app companies, leading to a 75% increase in software platform revenue in Q2, while rival Unity Software's ad business declined by 9% [6][7] - The company trades at a forward P/E ratio of 24.5 and a PEG ratio of 0.5, indicating it is undervalued, with potential for further growth if it extends its solution beyond the mobile gaming market [7] Industry Trends - The AI revolution continues to drive growth in tech companies, with smaller players like SoundHound AI, SentinelOne, and AppLovin showing significant potential to outperform larger competitors [1][6] - Cybersecurity remains a critical focus, with SentinelOne leveraging AI to address endpoint security and capitalize on industry disruptions [4][5] - The advertising and mobile app sectors are undergoing transformation, with AI-driven solutions like AppLovin's Axon 2 gaining market share at the expense of traditional players [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - AppLovin's stock has seen a significant increase in value following a bullish recommendation upgrade from UBS analyst John Hodulik, indicating strong investor interest and positive sentiment towards the company's growth potential [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Upgrade - UBS analyst John Hodulik upgraded AppLovin's rating to a buy with a price target of $145, a notable increase from his previous neutral rating with a $100 price target [2]. - Hodulik highlighted the company's encouraging medium-term revenue growth and modest valuations, suggesting effective management performance [2]. Group 2: Revenue Growth Expectations - AppLovin's improved return on ad-spend (ROAS) compared to competing channels is expected to support a 20-30% growth in software revenue from gaming alone [2]. - Following a strong second quarter performance that exceeded analyst expectations, multiple analysts have raised their price targets for AppLovin, anticipating robust growth [3]. - Projections indicate that AppLovin's net income for 2024 is expected to increase more than threefold year-over-year to $3.44 billion, driven by a 35% rise in revenue [3].

Core Insights - AppLovin shares reached a record high as the company capitalizes on mobile gaming and digital advertising markets [1][2] - The stock has seen a V-shaped recovery since December 2022, supported by strong trading volume [1][3] - AppLovin's shares have surged over threefold since the beginning of the year, driven by demand for its AI-powered AXON advertising technology [2] Technical Analysis - A bars pattern suggests a price target of around $200, indicating potential for further gains [5] - Key retracement levels to monitor include $112, $88, and $55, which may serve as support and buying opportunities [4] - The stock's price has more than doubled from its low last month, following a pullback towards the 50-week moving average [3] Market Sentiment - The recent bullish trend is accompanied by overbought conditions, as indicated by the relative strength index (RSI) reading above 70 [3]

Steven Cress is VP of Quantitative Strategy and Market Data at Seeking Alpha. Steve is also the creator of the platform’s quantitative stock rating system and many of the analytical tools on Seeking Alpha. His contributions form the cornerstone of the Seeking Alpha Quant Rating system, designed to interpret data for investors and offer insights on investment directions, thereby saving valuable time for users. He is also the Founder and Co-Manager of Alpha Picks, a systematic stock recommendation tool design ...

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PM ImagesAPP's High Growth Investment Thesis Remains Valid, Despite The Balance Sheet Headwinds We previously covered AppLovin (NASDAQ:APP) in May 2024, discussing why we had rated the stock as a Buy then, attributed to its robust performance metrics, excellent gaming advertising partnerships, and upcoming entry to other in-app advertising markets from FQ2'24 onwards. Combined with its high growth prospects and raised consensus forward estimates, we believed that the stock might continue to offer excell ...

AppLovin Corporation (APP) has been one of the standout performers in 2024, with its stock price surging by an impressive 116.6% year to date. This rise has significantly outpaced the 13% rally seen in the industry.As of the last trading session, the stock closed at $86.31, close to its 52-week high of $93.7. APP is trading above its 50-day moving average, indicating a bullish sentiment among investors. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchAPP's performance is notably stronger than its competitors in the ...

Boy Wirat Introduction The stock of AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP), a tech entity with growing clout in the advertising ecosystem has been on fire through much of 2024. On a YTD basis, when its peers from the Nasdaq have only notched double-digit gains, APP has surged ahead, by a whopping 112%! Despite a strong year of alpha by APP's stock, we feel this story still has legs and choose to go with a BUY rating. YCharts Why The AppLovin Story Is Worth Getting Behind AppLovin's comprehensive software platfor ...