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The FAANG Stocks Explained

You may have heard about the FAANG stocks in news outlets and websites. What’s the deal about these stocks? Why are they so much of a buzz in today’s markets?

Read on to know more about these stocks.

FAANG

FAANG stands for the five most popular and best-performing tech stocks, which are:

  • Facebook – Formerly known as Facebook, it is an all-in-one social networking platform that doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
  • Apple – popular for its iPhone gadgets and other devices, this company always ensures it returns to growth even when sales slump
  • Amazon – Bezos doesn’t only want Amazon to be an e-commerce giant. Just look at the new ventures the company is entering.
  • Netflix – streaming business gained more attention and popularity, thanks to Netflix and chill.
  • Alphabet – Google’s parent company it’s more than just a search engine, for newbies.

These companies are tech giants, thanks to money managers who poured money into their stocks.

Big-name funds such as Soros Fund Management, Berkshire Hathaway, and Renaissance Technologies all put the FAANG stocks into their portfolio, categorizing them as growth and momentum stocks.

That’s not surprising, because these stocks gave investors best rate earnings. Each company is also making headways into new markets.

Market Influence

Each of the FAANG stocks trade on the NASDAQ exchange. The S&P 500 also tracks all these companies.

Now, the S&P is the most popular gauge for the broader market’s movements. The FAANG stocks make up 1% of the index.

But since these are heavyweights, their impact on the market is usually outsized, meaning there’s a lot of hype and investor enthusiasm for these companies.

To put it simply, any movement in the FAANG stocks is reflected in the index’s moves. And the index’s moves, in turn, reflect the market. Therefore, these stocks sport such a huge influence over the market.

NASDAQ

The NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) is a global electronic marketplace for buying and selling securities, as well as the benchmark index for U.S. technology stocks.

Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ was the world’s first electronic stock market, and it initially enabled investors to trade securities on a computerized, speedy, and transparent system.

History and development

NASDAQ began primarily as a trading platform for securities not listed on other markets, but it quickly expanded to include large multinational corporations, particularly from the technology sector.

This focus on tech companies has continued to this day, with the NASDAQ being home to major tech giants like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook. Its heavy tech orientation has given it a reputation as the technology index, often used as a barometer of the health and performance of the tech industry.

Market operations and structure

Unlike traditional stock exchanges, NASDAQ operates entirely through a network of computers and does not have a physical trading floor. This electronic setup allows for a faster trading process, which is a significant advantage in today’s fast-paced financial environment.

NASDAQ’s structure is also distinguished by its multiple market maker system, which contrasts with the single market maker typically found in other exchanges. This approach enhances competition and improves pricing for buyers and sellers.

NASDAQ composite and other indices

The NASDAQ Composite is an index of over 3,000 stocks listed on the NASDAQ exchange, including the world’s foremost technology and biotech giants.

It is a valuable indicator of the performance of stocks in these sectors. Alongside the Composite, NASDAQ operates several other indices, including the NASDAQ 100, which tracks the 100 largest non-financial companies based on market capitalization.

Impact and significance

NASDAQ is known for its rigorous listing requirements that emphasize a company’s technological capability and future potential rather than just its current financial strength.

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This forward-looking emphasis has made it a popular venue for raising capital, especially for emerging tech firms that may not yet be profitable but have growth potential.

Influence on global markets

As a leading global exchange, NASDAQ exerts significant influence on financial markets worldwide. Its movements are closely watched by investors as an indicator of technology and innovation health within the economy.

The NASDAQ’s performance can also have a broader economic impact, affecting global markets and investor sentiment.

Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.)

Facebook Inc was founded in 2004 and has since been the top social networking site. Facebook.com, which is the company’s primary business, lists more than two billion active users around the world.

The rebranding to Meta Platforms reflects its strategic shift towards building a comprehensive digital environment known as the “metaverse,” focusing on augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Its primary revenue stream come s from online ads, with some prominent subsidiaries like WhatsApp and Instagram.

Apple

This technology company is involved with the design and production of consumer electronics and computer software.

Apple is the oldest among the FAANG companies, and it’s currently the largest IT company in the world. It topped the $1 trillion mark in terms of market capitalization on August 2, 2018.

Its product lineup includes the iPhone, iPad, Mac computers, Apple Watch, and services such as the App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud. Apple’s influence is profound due to its innovation in product design and its ecosystem, which ensures customer loyalty and integration across its various platforms.

Amazon

This is a diversified technology company that has a lot of businesses, including ecommerce, consumer electronics, and cloud computing.

It started as an online bookstore in 1994, but it’s now the largest ecommerce retailer based on market cap. It’s market cap is currently over $1.8 trillion.

Its vast product offerings and pioneering work in fields like cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence have transformed how people shop and consume media.

The company’s business model includes a mix of e-commerce, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and various other ventures.

Netflix

Netflix is a medial provider that offers subscription-based online streaming of films and TV series. The company has also entered the content production industry.

In terms of market capitalization, the company is the smallest of the group. 

Alphabet

Google’s parent-company is Alphabet. It owns two classes of shares that are traded on the markets. Class A shares (GOOGL) grant you voting rights, which the Class C shares (GOOG) do not.

This is a well-diversified company that offers various online services, electronics, and software. Currently, its market cap is more than $850 billion.

Wrapping Up

Despite the fact that FAANG stocks are booming in the market today, you ought to still check out the risks of investing in them. Nonetheless, tech stock experts and investors all agree that these stocks have pretty much changed the landscape of the stock market tech sector.

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