Facebook wants to take over the display advertising on its larger-than-life social network. In the process, it will stop using Microsoft (MSFT) to display the majority of advertising at what is becoming one of the most heavily-trafficked pieces of Internet real estate globally.

Is Microsoft angry? It should be -- every time the world's largest software company crafts some small way to try and compete with Internet advertising leader Google (GOOG), the rugs gets pulled from under it.

Continue reading Facebook Boots Microsoft Display Ads

Facebook Boots Microsoft Display Ads originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

How are readers finding the news? Well, increasingly, the answer is Facebook. The social networking site, which boasts well over 350 million registered users, is now the fourth largest referral source of traffic to online news destinations. Almost a year ago, only 0.5% of traffic to news and media sites came from Facebook. Today, that level is 3.5%, according to data from Web analytics firm Experian Hitwise.

Only Google (GOOG), Yahoo! (YHOO) and MSN (MSFT) send more traffic to news sites. Google News, a subset of the search engine giant, failed to keep pace with Facebook, despite the fact that it exists specifically to send Internet users to media outlets. Only 1.39% of referrals came from this source.

Continue reading Facebook Grows as a Source for News

Facebook Grows as a Source for News originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You have to love Mark Cuban. The guy basically hasn't stopped chattering about tech and business since selling Broadcast.com to Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) for billions at the height of the dotcom boom almost a decade ago. Although opinionated, much of what comes out of Cuban's mouth is prescient or garbage. The NBA aside, Cuban's latest foe is none other than Google Inc. (GOOG). The company that promises to "do no evil" is being called a "vampire" by the billionaire blabbermouth. How touching.

Continue reading Google a Vampire in Cuban's Eyes

Google a Vampire in Cuban's Eyes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Internet search behemoth Google (GOOG) is looking for ways to help ward off cyberattacks, and it appears that they have turned to the National Security Agency (NSA).

According to the Washington Post, an agreement between the two is being finalized. The agreement would help Google with its recent "corporate espionage attack" that it believes originated in China. This attack targeted the company's computer networks. The alliance would help Google, and its users, from any future attacks.

Continue reading Google to Team Up with the National Security Agency

Google to Team Up with the National Security Agency originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Google to Get on the App-Store Bandwagon?

Google to Get on the App-Store Bandwagon? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Yesterday was a good day for Baidu (BIDU), the Chinese Internet search portal, after some Wall Street analysts noted that the departure of Google (GOOG) from China could "benefit Baidu tremendously."

BIDU has traded well in the United States, hovering in the upper reaches of the $380 region -- but GOOG's decision to operate in China without censoring local search results after recent cyber attacks pushed BIDU as high as $470 before the stock settled into the lower $400s.

Continue reading Baidu.com Could Benefit from Google's Misfortunes

Baidu.com Could Benefit from Google's Misfortunes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Roughly a third of all mobile users download ringtones and 40% change them on a frequent basis (according to a study from Ipsos MediaCT). More importantly, ringtones are a lucrative source of revenues for mobile carriers and content owners.

To keep up the innovation, the next phase in the market is actually video ringtones. And this is the focus of Vringo, which has filed to go public.

Continue reading Vringo Wants to Ring Up an IPO

Vringo Wants to Ring Up an IPO originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft (MSFT), the tech giant behind the Windows operating system, whose colleagues include Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), IBM (IBM), and Yahoo! (YHOO), issued Q2 numbers after the bell on Thursday. Revenues increased 14%, and diluted earnings per share went up well over 50% to 74 cents.

In terms of expectations, Earnings.com says 59 cents was the number to beat. Obviously, the company had no problem doing that. As the news outlets have been reporting, Windows 7 was the big driver of the quarter's success.

Continue reading Microsoft Q2 Earnings Jump, Aided by Windows 7

Microsoft Q2 Earnings Jump, Aided by Windows 7 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The three major social media sites have been pushing new tools out to their user communities aggressively over the past year. Each company has its own set of rumors, from IPOs to being on both sides of an acquisition. While the ultimate 2010 aims of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn may not have been revealed to us yet, it is clear that all three are looking for ways to beef up revenue and demonstrate long-term viability.

Whether or not Facebook goes public this year, it's still pointed toward that ultimate goal. The 350-million member social network is focused on finding new sources of revenue and gaining better penetration into those it already has. Even if it's more than a year away, it's never too soon to start shoring up your financial statements for an IPO. The latest new feature from Facebook, which has been announcing enhancements fairly rapidly over the past few months, is targeted directly at advertisers, underscoring the importance that the company's attaching to revenue growth.

Continue reading Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Release New Features with Revenue Implications

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Release New Features with Revenue Implications originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Facebook Unfriends IPO for 2010

Facebook Unfriends IPO for 2010 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• American Express Co. (AXP) doubled its bottom line in Q4 while its provisions for losses fell.
• Blockbuster Inc. (BBI) warned of weakness in Q4 and lowered its guidance, sending shares lower.
• Coach Inc. (COH) better-than-expected Q2 earnings were accompanied by sales growth, but shares fell.
• Comerica Inc. (CMA) posted a smaller-than-expected Q4 loss, sending shares to a 52-week high.
• CSX Corp. (CSX) posted Q4 earnings that topped estimates but its revenue fell short of expectations.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: American Express, Coach, GE, Google, IBM, McDonald's ...

Earnings Highlights: American Express, Coach, GE, Google, IBM, McDonald's ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google (GOOG) proudly posted its fourth-quarter numbers on Thursday after the bell, probably assuming it would see a bid once the market digested its performance. But it didn't happen. Instead, the market sold the company on what I would call a very good report. Are you getting the feeling that the bullish sentiment on Wall Street is fading away?

The search giant, feared by both Microsoft (MSFT) and Yahoo! (YHOO), among others, said it made $6.79 per share on a non-GAAP basis. Which means management grew the bottom line by a more than respectable 33%. According to our earnings preview, the market was looking for $6.43.

Continue reading Google Delivers in the Fourth Quarter

Google Delivers in the Fourth Quarter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Stocks Headed for a Mixed Start

Before the Bell: Stocks Headed for a Mixed Start originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A big player in the tech sector is ready to report today. Google (GOOG) will publish Q4 results later this afternoon. Traders and investors alike get super excited when the search behemoth tells the world how it's doing.

I think the company will show that it's doing quite well. According to Earnings.com, expectations peg the per-share profit at $6.43. If that number is hit, then the growth rate will be a solid 26% (last year at this time, Google made $5.10 per share). Of course, most people aren't interested in hitting the projected stat, they want management to rise above it and demonstrate true earnings power.

Continue reading Google's Q4 Is Here: What Should We Expect?

Google's Q4 Is Here: What Should We Expect? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google (GOOG) closed at $580.42. GOOG is expected to report Q4 EPS on January 21. GOOG February option implied volatility is at 33, March is at 30, above its 26-week average of 28, according to Track Data, suggesting larger near term price movement.

Russell 2000 (IWM) overall implied volatility at 24; 26-week average is 29.

Financial Select Sector (XLF) overall volatility at 24; 26-week average is 30.

Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Google February Volatility Elevated at 33 into EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's something many of us thought would never happen: Apple Inc. (AAPL) teaming up with Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) for, well, anything. The mighty Google Inc. (GOOG) is the common enemy. How so? Check out the embedded Google services on the Apple iPhone.

With internet search on mobile devices becoming the soup du jour in tech circles, whoever wins mobile search on the iPhone is due some greatness. So far, Google has been there. With Google's Android mobile operating system becoming more and more of a perceived competitor to the iPhone, Apple probably wants Google off the iPhone. It makes logical sense, and it would not be the first time that Microsoft's has cozied up to Apple.

Continue reading Apple to Join Forces with Microsoft to Fend Off Google?

Apple to Join Forces with Microsoft to Fend Off Google? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google (GOOG) has been kind of harsh with its Chinese web presence recently (with good reason), and now the world's largest information company (like that?) may not want to see two new smartphones that feature its Android operating system released in China. Why? Because the future of anything-Google in China is in jeopardy at the moment. In other words, Google's "do no evil" motto is finally catching up to it in the world's largest country by population -- but also one of the most repressed as its economy continues expanding.

Continue reading Google Stops Launch of Two Phones in China

Google Stops Launch of Two Phones in China originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A new book, The Prince of Silicon Valley, chronicles the dealmaking of the IPO king of the 1990s: Frank Quattrone. He made a fortune as he helped more than 100 tech companies go public, which included marquee names like Cisco (CSCO), Netscape and Amazon.com (AMZN).

But those days seem quaint. In fact, the tech IPO market has been a backwater for the past decade, even though there have been some big deals -- like the offerings of Google (GOOG) and Salesforce.com (CRM).

Continue reading Are Tech IPOs Passe?

Are Tech IPOs Passe? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The New York Times (NYT) has been struggling to figure out the web, which has led to a debate over whether to charge for electrons that has spanned years. Well, the Times seems likely to take the plunge, hoping to replicate the successes of the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal ... except, of course, that the Wall Street Journal is famous for not really delivering profits. Fortunately, the new pay wall is expected to look more like the Financial Times than the Wall Street Journal. The New York Times is considering a "metered" system. Visitors will be able to read a certain number of articles free before being required to subscribe.

A friend of Arthur Sulzberger, according to New York Magazine's Daily Intel, said that the final word could come in a few days, a sentiment corroborated by a newsroom source who said that the plan could be announced within weeks. Yet, plans need to be implemented, so it could take months for the Times to begin charging for content.

Continue reading New York Times Online Business Model Could Be Only Days Away

New York Times Online Business Model Could Be Only Days Away originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The German government recommends using browsers other than Internet Explorer until Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) provides a patch to fix a critical security flaw that allowed a cyber attack against Google Inc. (GOOG).

In a statement posted on its website, Germany's Federal Office for Information Security warned that attacks by hackers "cannot be fully prevented," even if users run Microsoft's browser in safe mode.

Continue reading Stay Away from Microsoft's Browser, Warns German Government

Stay Away from Microsoft's Browser, Warns German Government originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.