Here at Blue Chip Growth we’re wrapping up another stellar year. This looks to be the eighth time in the last ten years that we’ve beaten the market. All told, the stocks on our Buy List are up more than 240% since 1998, which is nearly three times better than the rest of the market.
One of the reasons we’ve been so successful at Blue Chipis that we’ve been able to spot important new technologies that have radically altered the business landscape. We made big profits in companies like Dell, Cisco and Microsoft right as these companies were hitting their stride.
When I look at the tech universe today, perhaps the most revolutionary company is Google (GOOG). I’ve recommended shares of the search engine giant in my Blue Chip service for over two years, and we’ve more than doubled our money. The good news is that I expect to see even more gains in the weeks and months ahead.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “Big deal, Louie, everyone recommends Google!” And that’s true. However, what I want to tell you about today is the effect that Google is having on the business environment. Most investors don’t understand how important this is. Google is changing so much of what we do, from how we shop to how we communicate. It’s what I like to call the Googleconomy, and understanding it will help you prosper in the years ahead.
I’ll give you a perfect example. When Google decided to go public, the company ignored the traditional Wall Street path and instead decided on a Dutch auction style IPO. Lots of companies could have done this, but before Google, no one tried. Google simply changed the rules.
Now let’s look at where we are. One of the most dynamic stocks on the market following in Google’s footsteps is InterContinental Exchange (ICE), which is an online futures exchange also recommended in Blue Chip. You can trade everything from commodities like natural gas and electricity, to gold, silver and even the weather within this exchange. ICE’s business has been red-hot lately. The company should earn about $3.40 a share this year which is a nice jump over the $2.40 it made last year. For 2008, I think ICE could easily make $5 a share. That’s the kind of growth I like!
Even though Google and ICE are in different businesses, Google’s ascendancy changed the rules, and that certainly helped ICE grow its business. I currently rate InterContinental Exchange a buy for moderately aggressive investors up to $191 a share.
Another example of Google’s influence can certainly be seen in Apple’s iPhone. Of course, Apple was first, and Google is countering with its own Google Phone. But Apple is moving to stay ahead of where the market is going, and that seems to be controlled by Google. Google is so important it’s as if the company is looking over everyone’s shoulder, and that helps innovation. Apple has been one of our most successful investments in the history of Blue Chip Growth. I recommended it three years ago, and we’re sitting a nice profit of 560%. Apple is a great buy for moderately aggressive investors up to $179.
Google’s impact is starting to be felt even in areas you wouldn’t normally consider. Just this week, the company announced that it’s going green. Google has a huge bank account, so a green acquisition is a very real possibility. Forbes notes:
Co-founder Sergey Brin hinted that Google might invest in or acquire other clean-tech companies. He said Google likely will license the technologies, but the goal is not to have huge margins. The goal is to replace dirty energy.
The company has already embarked on several clean-tech initiatives. It developed energy-saving technologies to power and cool its massive data centers around the world and erected a 1.6-megawatt solar panel at its headquarters. Google also supports plug-in hybrid vehicle technology and is part of a consortium of tech companies that advocates energy-efficient computers and servers.
One of my favorite green contenders, which is also recommended in my Blue Chip Growth Buy List, is SunPower Corporation (SPWR). The stock soared 15% yesterday after Hewlett-Packard awarded it a contract for 5,000 solar panels. The company also received $190 million from Morgan Stanley to implement its solar initiatives. I rate SPWR a moderately aggressive buy up to $126.
