I haven’t written about Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN ) in a long time, years in fact, despite the fact that I consider it to still be one of the more dynamic disruptors in the global economy; a reflection ofMax Greve is a graduate of Northwestern University with a quadruple major in History, Economics, Political Science, and International Studies. Max is a full-time writer and in addition to stock market trends also writes articles on government, current events, macroeconomic trends, and last but not least, the ong ...

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's stock is considered a bargain compared to its peers in the "Magnificent Seven" group, despite facing increased risks and challenges [1][10][14] Group 1: Company Overview - Alphabet is the parent company of major brands including Google, YouTube, Android, and Waymo, with advertising accounting for approximately 75% of its total revenue in Q1 [3][4] - The company has shown strong financial performance, with a net income growth of 46% in Q1, positioning it favorably among its peers [12] Group 2: Market Position and Risks - Alphabet's advertising revenue is cyclical, and there are concerns about potential economic downturns affecting ad budgets, although Q1 showed a 10% year-over-year growth in Google Search and YouTube ads [4][6] - The rise of generative AI technologies poses a threat to Google Search, but Alphabet has integrated AI features and continues to grow revenue at a double-digit pace [6][7] Group 3: Valuation and Comparison - Alphabet's forward earnings are priced at 17.6 times, making it the cheapest stock in the "Magnificent Seven," compared to Meta Platforms at 26.3 times [10][12] - Despite trading at a discount due to various narratives, Alphabet's financials suggest it should be valued higher than its current market price [13]

I am a full-time analyst interested in a wide range of stocks. With my unique insights and knowledge, I hope to provide other investors with a contrasting view of my portfolio, given my particular background.If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via a direct message on Seeking Alpha or leave a comment on one of my articles.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AMZN, GOOG either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this articl ...

Core Insights - Gabelli Funds will host its 17th Annual Media & Entertainment Symposium on June 5, 2025, at the Harvard Club in New York City, focusing on industry dynamics, current trends, and business fundamentals [1] - The symposium will include discussions on Sports Investing, Media & Telecom Regulatory issues, and Advertising Panels, providing a platform for attendees to engage with leading companies in the media ecosystem [1][3] - A webcast option will be available for those unable to attend in person, ensuring broader access to the discussions and insights shared during the event [1] Presenting Companies - Notable companies participating in one-on-one meetings include Atlanta Braves Holdings, AMC Networks, Lionsgate Studios, Churchill Downs, Nexstar Media Group, Genius Sports, Reservoir Media, Gray Television, Rogers Communications, Live Nation Entertainment, Sinclair Inc., Sportradar Group, TEGNA Inc., TKO Group, and The E.W. Scripps Company [2] Panel Discussions - The symposium will feature several panel discussions, including "Sports Investing: Ways to Play," a TV Bureau of Advertising (TVB) Panel, and a Media & Telecom Regulatory Expert Session led by former FCC Commissioner Rob McDowell [3]

Core Insights - MercadoLibre has experienced a significant stock increase of 42% in the early months of 2025, making it the largest stock position in the portfolio of the analyst [1] - The company has shown strong performance due to two consecutive excellent earnings reports, reversing previous concerns about profitability [3][4] Financial Performance - The fourth-quarter report highlighted impressive revenue growth during the holiday season, alleviating margin concerns [4] - In the first quarter of 2025, the e-commerce marketplace sold 28% more items year-over-year, while total payment volume (TPV) increased by 43% [5] - The credit portfolio grew by 75% to $7.8 billion, and operating margin expanded by 70 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2024 [5][6] Future Growth Catalysts - The e-commerce marketplace and Mercado Pago payment platform are still in early stages of growth in key markets, indicating potential for further expansion [7] - The credit card segment presents a significant opportunity, with current adoption rates in Brazil being low despite recent growth [8] - The MELI+ subscription service and advertising revenue are also identified as areas for potential high-margin growth, with ad revenue increasing by 50% year-over-year [8] Valuation Perspective - Despite the stock's recent rise, it is considered a better value today compared to previous years, with improved profitability and lower P/E ratios [7][10] - Key growth rates are accelerating, with total payment volume growth in the first quarter of 2024 being 35%, which is now eight percentage points slower than the current rate [9]

Roku posted solid first-quarter results, topping $1 billion in revenue and narrowing its losses. The company posted a loss of 19 cents a share on a diluted basis, which beat Wall Street forecasts and showed improvement from the year-earlier’s loss of 35 cents. Revenue also nipped expectations, coming in at $1.02 billion, up 16% from the same period in 2024. As media and tech companies offer a glimpse of how advertising and electronic goods are holding up in a turbulent economy, Roku looks to be a company w ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported flat net revenue year over year for Q1 2025, impacted by the exit of the German business, which led to a 10.9% decline in the International segment, while the U.S. business grew by 1.6% [28][29] - Gross margin for the quarter was 30.7% of net revenue, influenced by various factors including a refund related to duty calculations and increased costs from suppliers accelerating inventory imports due to tariff considerations [30][32] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $106 million, representing a 3.9% margin on net revenue, with the U.S. segment also achieving a 3.9% adjusted EBITDA margin [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. business showed a positive growth of 1.6%, while the International segment experienced a decline due to the exit from Germany [28][29] - Advertising revenue was reported at 12.6%, down from the previous quarter, as the company shifted focus from experimental spending to scaling established channels [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a significant divergence between actual demand and consumer sentiment, indicating that demand remained strong despite negative headlines [44] - Suppliers have been cautious about raising prices due to competitive pressures, with many opting to defer price increases to maintain market share [45][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue gaining market share through disciplined execution and deepening partnerships with suppliers, while reallocating resources towards higher ROI areas [25][27] - The closure of the German business and a reduction in the technology team were strategic moves to enhance focus on new product development and improve financial returns [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the current economic environment, emphasizing the resilience and flexibility of the company's platform [27] - The company is focused on controlling costs and optimizing supplier relationships to mitigate the impact of tariffs and other economic pressures [87] Other Important Information - The company has a strong capital structure with $1.4 billion in cash and equivalents, and $1.8 billion in total liquidity, positioning it well for future investments [35][24] - The company is exploring new initiatives in advertising and physical retail, with plans for additional store openings [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of Easter and pricing dynamics - Management acknowledged timing mismatches due to Easter and the leap year, affecting revenue comparisons, but noted strong underlying demand [44] - Suppliers are wary of raising prices, focusing instead on maintaining competitiveness in a challenging market [45][46] Question: Pricing strategies on other platforms - Suppliers are generally cautious about raising prices across platforms, focusing on optimizing their business in a competitive environment [56] Question: CastleGate's impact on gross margin - Management indicated that the rush to utilize CastleGate resulted in a gross margin headwind in Q1, but future benefits are expected from increased CastleGate fees and improved product availability [61][63] Question: Tariff dynamics and supplier burden - The company clarified that the burden of tariffs primarily lies with suppliers, who are encouraged to remain competitive to avoid passing costs onto consumers [68][74] Question: Future tariff impacts and supplier flexibility - Management highlighted the diversification of suppliers across multiple countries, which provides flexibility in response to changing tariff conditions [86][87] Question: Advertising strategy and consumer messaging - The company is focused on optimizing marketing spend for profitable growth, with plans to leverage advertising to enhance consumer value perception [90][92]