The technology industry is full of household-name giants, but the two that seem to loom largest are Apple and Google. There’s no need to figure out who will win; you can play them both with technology exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The battle for dominance often leads both companies down interesting and new paths.
Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is a powerhouse, with revenue growing 25% annually and earnings faster than that. However, its share price is leaving something to be desired. Ben McClure for Minyanville suggests that as Google gets bigger, huge growth becomes more and more difficult. [Telecom And Tech ETFs Work As a Team.]
One way Google is trying to grow is by buying into other areas. The most recent move is into the women’s fashion industry with Boutiques.com. Boutiques is a relaunch of so-called visual search shop Like.com, which Google acquired in August, says Scott Moritz for The Street. [Why Tech ETFs Deserve Another Look.]
Both Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google are rejoicing these days on one front: not even a recession and high unemployment can outweigh the desire for the latest gadget, whether it’s an iPhone, Droid or a Blu-Ray player. For that reason, Apple was recently given an outperform rating by an analyst who cited the company’s stock rising 30% since August.
Elizabeth Woyke for Forbes reports that in the Apple/Google rivalry, Apple isn’t blinking. Its combination of high-margin devices coupled with consistently huge sales means that it makes more money than anyone else in the mobile industry, says one analyst.
Choosing the ventures that will be successes and failures is a tough prospect, and the fact is that these days, both companies can seem to do little wrong. This rivalry is a perfect example of the benefits of ETFs: you can ride the technology sector and reap the rewards both companies deliver with these ETFs:
- iShares S&P North America Technology (NYSEArca: IGM): Apple 10%, Google 4.9%
- Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLK): Apple 11.6%, Google 6.1%
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.