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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11957019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="morgan-stanley" source="Orion">Morgan Stanley</keyword> on Thursday named Activision Blizzard a top pick for 2022 among non-FAANG stocks. </li><li>The investment firm said the company's pipeline of upcoming games should help drive the stock up by nearly 50% from current levels. </li><li>Morgan Stanley addressed upcoming releases as Activision Blizzard is embroiled in a sexual harassment lawsuit in California. </li></ul>Upcoming games for the <keyword id="11957080" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="call-of-duty" source="Orion">Call of Duty</keyword> and Diablo video-game franchises will be key to driving <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Activision Blizzard</a> stock by up nearly 50% from current levels, Morgan Stanley said Thursday. The investment bank called itself "aggressive buyers" of Activision shares, which are down so far this year, and labeled the stock as a 2022 top pick outside of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-faang">the FAANG group </a>of technology sector heavyweights: Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google. Activision Blizzard shares have lost about 13% since the start of the year through Wednesday's session.Its base case call is for the stock to increase to $120, which would be a 48% increase from Wednesday's closing price of $80.81. "We look to September where we hope for continued favorable "Call of Duty: Vanguard" reviews, hopefully positive reviews on "Diablo II: Resurrected" leading to strong sales around the 9/23 launch … setting the stage for investors to begin to better appreciate the pipeline potential and path to $4.00+" of per-share earnings, said Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak in a research note. Activision Blizzard joins <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/uber-stock">Uber</a> and <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/comp-stock">Compass</a>, a real estate technology company, in Morgan Stanley's list of top non-FAANG picks after addressing key investor debates surrounding each stock. For Activision Blizzard, a major issue is a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-accuses-activision-of-shredding-evidence-in-lawsuit-2021-8">sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the company by the state of California</a> in July following a two-year investigation. Several Activision executives have left the company, including J. Allen Brack, who was the head of Diablo studio Blizzard Entertainment. Morgan Stanley said it remained optimistic about the company's pipeline with the Blizzard Diablo and Overwatch franchises on track for new releases in 2022 and 2023. It said game development teams are large, often with hundreds of people, and that those upcoming games specifically have been in development for years."In our view, this speaks to how a significant number of developers would need to leave in order to meaningfully derail the development process." As well, Activision Blizzard earlier this month said the June launch of Blizzard's Burning Crusade Classic marked the start of what it plans to be a significant <a href="https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/activision-blizzard-announces-second-quarter-2021-financial">18-month period for content releases</a>. The investment bank said Activision's outlook increased its confidence that either "<keyword id="11957081" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="diablo-iv" source="Orion">Diablo IV</keyword>" or "Overwatch 2" are set for release in 2022. The firm also foresees the Call of Duty franchise maintaining its leadership position even in the face of headwinds of lower engagement as more businesses and activities open up during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Activision is top non-FAANG tech stock with new Diablo and Call of Duty games in the pipeline, says Morgan Stanley

<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock"></a><ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="167018" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Activision-Blizzard">Activision Blizzard</keyword> turned in a strong fourth quarter and gave upbeat guidance for Q1 2021.</li><li>The company posted $2.4 billion in GAAP revenues beating its own estimates by $400 million.</li><li>First person shooter "<keyword id="321546" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Call-of-Duty">Call of Duty</keyword>" sustained 100 million monthly active players, while online role-playing game "World of Warcraft" increased net bookings by 40%.</li></ul><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Activision Blizzard</a> stock spiked as much as 12% on Friday after the company announced strong quarterly results driven by the coronavirus stay-at-home audience.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/older-people-playing-more-video-games-than-ever-coronavirus-2020-12">More people are playing video games than ever</a> before due to lockdowns and closures of competing entertainment venues.In fact, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-game-industry-revenues-exceed-sports-and-film-combined-idc-2020-12">video game industry revenue exceeded sports and film revenue</a> for the first time in 2020, and gaming companies are taking advantage.Activision Blizzard posted GAAP net revenues of over $2.4 billion for the quarter that ended in December, more than $400 million above its expectations.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-in-new-liquidity-bubble-carson-block-gamified-trading-2021-2?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingestgest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Famed short-seller Carson Block says a new type of liquidity bubble is feeding the wild swings in day-trading favorites like GameStop - and warns that stocks have become a fragile 'game.'</a>Much of the revenue growth came from the company's blockbuster "Call of Duty" franchise."2020 was a record year for the "Call of Duty" franchise, in which premium and free-to-play experiences across platforms sustained more than 100 million monthly active players and drove franchise net bookings to approximately double the year-ago level," Activision Blizzard wrote in an <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210204006054/en/">earnings press release</a>.The company's Blizzard unit also outperformed in 2020, buoyed by the now 17-year-old "World of Warcraft" MMORPG. The game saw strong engagement, increasing net bookings by 40% year-over-year in large part due to the continued success of Classic-a retro version of the now nearly decades-old game.Activision Blizzard outperformed in terms of earnings as well in the quarter, posting GAAP earnings per share of $0.65, which beat analyst estimates by $0.08. However, net income fell in the quarter to $507 million from $525 million in the year-ago period.Despite the net income drop, CEO Bobby Kotick was pleased with the year's results."In a year filled with adversity, our extraordinary employees were determined to provide connection and joy to our 400 million players around the world," said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard."They accomplished this as well as generating record financial results for our shareholders. Under difficult circumstances, but with the same conviction and focus, they will continue to do so in 2021," Kotick added.Read More: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-spacs-wallstreetbets-yolo-gamestop-cciv-ghiv-retail-trading-investing-2021-2?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingestgest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Here's how one SPAC-focused Reddit group is trying to prevent pump and dumps as retail traders throw markets into turmoil</a>.Activision Blizzard also revealed a strong outlook for 2021 in their most recent <keyword id="517674" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="earnings-report">earnings report</keyword>. The company expects full-year adjusted sales to be $8.45 billion, slightly above Wall Street's average estimate of $8.31 billion, according to data from Refinitiv IBES.Activision Blizzard also increased its dividend to $0.47/share annually, a 14.6% increase from the prior dividend.Overall, analysts are bullish on Activision Blizzard's prospects. The company boasts 36 "buy" ratings, four "neutral" ratings, and zero "sell" ratings from analysts. KeyBanc even raised its price target on the stock to $120 from $102 after the earnings report.

Activision Blizzard spikes 12% as the gaming giant gives strong guidance following a surge in holiday sales

<ul><li>The video game industry will see outsized demand over the next year, and <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Activision Blizzard</a> is well-positioned to benefit, <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/db-stock">Deutsche Bank</a> said Tuesday.</li><li>The bank's analysts upgraded <keyword id="167018" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Activision-Blizzard">Activision Blizzard</keyword> shares to "buy" from "hold," and their new <keyword id="168082" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="price-target">price target</keyword> of $90 per share implies a 10% climb over the next 12 months.</li><li>Video games "are an attractive place to be invested" while consumers wait for a vaccine and the economy slowly rebounds, the team wrote.</li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Watch Activision Blizzard trade live here</a>.</li></ul><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Activision Blizzard</a> shares are increasingly attractive as the gaming industry enters a new stage of growth, <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/db-stock">Deutsche Bank</a> said Tuesday.Analysts led by Bryan Kraft upgraded the stock to "buy" from "hold" in a note to clients, citing a "rising tide" set to lift all video game publishers. The industry is among those thriving through stay-at-home orders and increased demand for tech. This year saw "a permanent structural increase" in the time and money spent on video games, as well as a shift from physical to digital sales, the team said.Yet companies' guidance and Wall Street estimates remain conservative, setting up the firms to surprise to the upside when they report third-quarter figures. "While we wait for a vaccine and eventual economic recovery to unfold, video games are an attractive place to be invested as they benefit from cyclical weakness and stay-at-home orders in the short term," the team said, adding positive secular growth trends can push earnings higher well into the future.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-picks-to-buy-investing-strategy-10-year-market-cycle-2020-10">A wealth advisor at a $12 billion firm explains why she's shifting into unloved bargain stocks for the next 7-10 year market cycle — and breaks down her 3 top picks</a>The bank also lifted its price target for Activision Blizzard to $90 per share from $75, implying the stock will climb roughly 10% from Tuesday's close over the next 12 months.The company's pipeline places it on track for strong profit growth and net bookings over the next two years, Deutsche Bank said. The popularity of last year's "Call of Duty" title created the franchise's largest-ever player base and tees up strong demand for "Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War" when it releases next month, according to the team.Highly anticipated debuts of "Overwatch 2" and "Diablo IV" will keep Activision Blizzard's momentum alive through 2022, the analysts added.Still, Deutsche Bank expects <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ttwo-stock">Take Two Interactive</a> to benefit the most from the industry-wide rally. The company, which boasts a portfolio including the "BioShock," "Grand Theft Auto," and "NBA 2K" franchises, has lower margins than competitors <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ea-stock">Electronic Arts</a> and Activision Blizzard. A robust content pipeline could significantly expand the publisher's margins over the next few years, the bank's analysts said.Activision Blizzard traded at $81.61 per share as of 12:15 p.m. ET Wednesday, up 39% year-to-date.Now read more <keyword id="31671" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="markets">markets</keyword> coverage from Markets Insider and Business Insider:<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-outlook-senate-elections-coronavirus-stimulus-recovery-morgan-stanley-2020-10-1029680168">The stock market's near-term fate could be decided by the tight Senate race as stimulus remains in limbo, Morgan Stanley says</a><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-news-today-index-reactions-bank-earnings-stimulus-talks-2020-10-1029679681">US stocks edge higher as investors mull bank earnings and sluggish stimulus progress</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/investing-ideas-how-to-diversify-away-big-tech-stocks-ubs-2020-10">UBS says investors need to diversify away from Big Tech — and shares 3 strategies that will them stay on top of the next phase of the market's recovery</a><div type="image" title="ATVI" height="1108" width="1446" msid="78666890" hostid="261"></div>

Activision Blizzard will surge another 10% as gaming enjoys a permanent demand bump, Deutsche Bank says

<ul><li>Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway wasn't immune from the 20% stock market sell-off in 2022.</li><li>The conglomerate's 48-stock portfolio only had 10 companies that saw gains in 2022.</li><li>These were Buffett's 10 best performing stocks owned by Berkshire Hathaway in 2022.</li></ul>Warren Buffett's <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/brk-b-stock">Berkshire Hathaway</a> was by no means immune to the stock market's crushing sell-off in 2022.Berkshire Hathaway did see its own stock gain in 2022, rising 3% compared to the <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/s&amp;p_500">S&amp;P 500's</a> <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-news-today-sp500-ends-year-down-20-percent-2022-12">near-20% decline</a> as the conglomerate's oil and gas investments benefited from surging commodity prices.But Berkshire also owns a 48-stock portfolio that was worth just under $300 billion as of September 30. Of those 48 stocks, only 10 names saw gains in 2022. Meanwhile, its largest position, <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/aapl-stock">Apple</a>, fell 27%. The worst performing stocks owned by Berkshire Hathaway in 2022 included <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/nu-stock">Nu Holdings</a> and <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/snow-stock">Snowflake</a>, which both sank 57%.Despite the losers, Buffett still saw some big gains in Berkshire's stock portfolio. Some of the best performers have been owned by Buffett for decades, like <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ko-stock">Coca-Cola</a>, while others were added to the portfolio in recent years, like <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/tmus-stock">T-Mobile.</a>These were the 10 best performing stocks owned by Berkshire Hathaway in 2022. The list also includes a Berkshire holding value as of September 30, and is according to <a href="https://whalewisdom.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data from Whale Wisdom</a>. 10. Johnson &amp; Johnson<div type="image" title="johnson and johnson" height="1000" width="2000" msid="96746490" hostid="261" sizebytes="34956"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/jnj-stock">JNJ</a> 2022 Performance: 3.3% Berkshire Holding Value: $53.4 million9. Markel Corporation<div type="image" title="trader, NYSE" height="1000" width="2000" msid="96746491" hostid="261" sizebytes="144530"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/mkl-stock">MKL</a> 2022 Performance: 6.7% Berkshire Holding Value: $507 million8. The Coca-Cola Company<div type="image" title="coca cola bottles in plastic packaging" height="1250" width="2500" msid="96746492" hostid="261" sizebytes="98408"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ko-stock">KO</a> 2022 Performance: 7.4% Berkshire Holding Value: $22.4 billion7. The Kraft Heinz Company<div type="image" title="kraft heinz" height="600" width="1200" msid="96746493" hostid="261" sizebytes="79154"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/khc-stock">KHC</a> 2022 Performance: 13.4% Berkshire Holding Value: $10.9 billion6. Activision Blizzard<div type="image" title="Blizzard activision booth at E3" height="1000" width="2000" msid="96746494" hostid="261" sizebytes="206190"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">ATVI</a> 2022 Performance: 15.0% Berkshire Holding Value: $4.5 billion5. T-Mobile US<div type="image" title="T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas." height="1000" width="2000" msid="96746495" hostid="261" sizebytes="151972"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/tmus-stock">TMUS</a> 2022 Performance: 20.7% Berkshire Holding Value: $703.3 million4. Globe Life<div type="image" title="Globe Life Logo" height="600" width="1200" msid="96746496" hostid="261" sizebytes="9162"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/gl-stock?miRedirects=1">GL</a> 2022 Performance: 28.6% Berkshire Holding Value: $633.5 million3. McKesson<div type="image" title="McKesson Corporation" height="1500" width="3000" msid="96746497" hostid="261" sizebytes="545028"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/mck-stock">MCK</a> 2022 Performance: 50.9% Berkshire Holding Value: $1.1 billion2. Chevron<div type="image" title="Chevron gas station" height="1499" width="3000" msid="96746498" hostid="261" sizebytes="151690"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/cvx-stock">CVX</a> 2022 Performance: 53.0% Berkshire Holding Value: $23.8 billion1. Occidental Petroleum<div type="image" title="Three oil and gas industry derricks" height="1000" width="2000" msid="96746499" hostid="261" sizebytes="50204"></div>Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/oxy-stock">OXY</a> 2022 Performance: 117.3% Berkshire Holding Value: $11.9 billion

These were Warren Buffett's 10 best performing stocks held by Berkshire Hathaway in 2022

<ul><li>Despite the <keyword id="11898248" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sp-500" source="Orion">S&amp;P 500</keyword>'s 2021 gain of about 30%, there were plenty of member <keyword id="11893878" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="stocks" source="Orion">stocks</keyword> that lost money for investors.</li><li>Low interest rates and a growing economy weren't enough to boost the 70 S&amp;P 500 stocks that generated negative returns in 2021.</li><li>These were the 10 worst-performing S&amp;P 500 stocks in 2021, according to data from Koyfin.</li><li><a href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/4np/10-things-opening-bell?utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest%3Futm_source%3Dmarkets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_source=markets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up here for our daily newsletter, 10 Things Before the Opening Bell</a>.</li></ul>With the S&amp;P 500 on track to generate a total return of more than 30%, 2021 has been a strong year for investors.Historically low interest rates, a continued economic expansion, and record earnings helped drive most S&amp;P 500 stocks into positive territory, with some of the <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/top-10-best-performing-sp500-stocks-2021-devon-marathon-oil-2021-12">top performing stocks jumping as much as 200%.</a>But there were still about 70 stocks within the popular index that generated negative returns in 2021, including casino stocks and high-fliers from 2020 that have since consolidated their gains.These were the top 10 worst-performing S&amp;P 500 stocks in 2021, according to data from <a href="https://koyfin.com">Koyfin,</a> and based on December 28 closing prices.10. Fidelity National Information ServicesTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/fis-stock">FIS</a> Market Capitalization: $66.6 billion 2021 Performance: -21.7%<div type="image" title="fis chart" height="538" width="633" msid="88571500" hostid="261"></div>9. Wynn ResortsTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/wynn-stock">WYNN</a> Market Capitalization: $10.0 billion 2021 Performance: -23.3%<div type="image" title="Wynn chart" height="497" width="631" msid="88571503" hostid="261"></div>8. IPG PhotonicsTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ipgp-stock">IPGP</a> Market Capitalization: $9.1 billion 2021 Performance: -23.7%<div type="image" title="IPG chart" height="497" width="625" msid="88571504" hostid="261"></div>7. Citrix SystemsTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ctxs-stock">CTXS</a> Market Capitalization: $12.0 billion 2021 Performance: -25.0%<div type="image" title="CTXS chart" height="497" width="627" msid="88571505" hostid="261"></div>6. ViatrisTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/vtrs-stock">VTRS</a> Market Capitalization: $16.5 billion 2021 Performance: -25.6%<div type="image" title="Viatris chart" height="495" width="633" msid="88571507" hostid="261"></div>5. MarketAxess Ticker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/mktx-stock">MKTX</a> Market Capitalization: $15.8 billion 2021 Performance: -26.9%<div type="image" title="MarketAxess Chart" height="500" width="629" msid="88571508" hostid="261"></div>4. Activision BlizzardTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">ATVI</a> Market Capitalization: $51.8 billion 2021 Performance: -28.0%<div type="image" title="Activision Blizzard chart" height="495" width="624" msid="88571509" hostid="261"></div>3. Las Vegas SandsTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/lvs-stock">LVS</a> Market Capitalization: $28.8 billion 2021 Performance: -36.6%<div type="image" title="Las Vegas Sands chart" height="503" width="629" msid="88571510" hostid="261"></div>2. Global PaymentsTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/gpn-stock">GPN</a> Market Capitalization: $39.2 billion 2021 Performance: -36.9%<div type="image" title="Global Payments chart" height="506" width="634" msid="88571511" hostid="261"></div>1. Penn National GamingTicker: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/penn-stock">PENN</a> Market Capitalization: $8.4 billion 2021 Performance: -42.9%<div type="image" title="Penn National stock chart" height="499" width="636" msid="88571512" hostid="261"></div>

These were the 10 worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500 in 2021

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6379089" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="communications">Communications</keyword> stocks represent companies in a sector that includes the phone, <keyword id="6357247" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Internet">internet</keyword>, and <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword> industries.</li><li>Communications stocks belong to both stable dividend-paying firms and volatile up-and-comers.</li><li>Investors can minimize risk by buying communications-focused ETFs and index funds.</li></ul>In 2020, communications became more important than ever. Entering an era of remote work and play, people turned to communications technology of all kinds. Internet and cell phone service, video conferencing, video games, and streaming services were the lifeline that allowed us to muddle through - even thrive - in a challenging year.But even before the coronavirus, communications was a key area to invest in, populated by some of the biggest names in the corporate world, and dealing with services used by millions every day. The communication services sector represents about 10% of the S&amp;P 500. It's so important for keeping everyday life running that the U.S. government classifies it as "critical infrastructure."Here's what you should know about how to invest in communications stocks, what the risks are, and what rewards you might anticipate.<h2>What is the communications sector?</h2>Communications stocks are shares of companies that facilitate interaction in some way. These companies might operate land-based or cellular phone lines, broadband internet, wireless internet, and satellite communications.Companies in the media, entertainment, interactive gaming, information creation, and information distribution businesses also belong to the communications sector.If this sounds like a highly diverse group - well, it is. And it only recently became so.It happened due to the widely used <a href="https://www.msci.com/documents/1296102/11185224/GICS+Methodology+2020.pdf/9caadd09-790d-3d60-455b-2a1ed5d1e48c?t=1578405935658">Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS)</a>. The GICS, jointly created by Standard &amp; Poor's Dow Jones and Morgan Stanley Capital International, provides a way for investors to categorize and analyze stocks. In September 2018, GICS changed its index methodology and reorganized the communications sector.Basically, it expanded the existing <keyword id="67974" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="telecommunications">telecommunications</keyword> sector to become a broader communications services sector. Stalwart telephone and traditional media stocks were suddenly in the same category as upstart, growth-oriented internet and info-tech companies. Still, a common thread among these companies is their reliance on subscription fees and advertising revenue.<h2>Why invest in communications stocks?</h2>It's difficult to characterize communications stocks. Since the category change, the sector has become one that offers something for every investor. Overall, communications is now better described as a growth sector - one likely to offer greater potential for appreciation than the market overall. It's also now more cyclical, or dependent on economic trends - likely to function better in boom times and during bull <keyword id="31671" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="markets">markets</keyword>. Still, depending on which specific stock you're talking about, your reason for investing in a communications company might have more to do with earning a reliable dividend than attempting to capitalize on trendy growth. Many of the individual telecom blue-chip companies might well retain their defensive-stock nature - their ability to perform well in both prosperous and recessionary times. <h2>Types of communications stocks</h2>To help make sense of the broad new communication services sector, let's break it down into subsectors. We've highlighted some key players in each, though many could be categorized under more than one sub sector because of their diversified suite of services.<div type="image" title="industries in the communications sector" height="1539" width="2500" msid="80414303" hostid="261"></div><h3>Diversified telecommunication services</h3>This category consists of broadband, fiber-optic cable, and internet service providers.Key players: Lumen Technologies (LUMN), AT&amp;T (T), Verizon Communications (VZ), Globalstar (GSAT), Bandwidth (BAND), Consolidated Communications Holdings (CNSL), Anterix (ANTX)<h3>Wireless telecommunication services</h3>This category is made up of cellular or wireless communications service providers.Key players: T-Mobile U.S. (TMUS), Telephone and Data Systems (TDS), Boingo Wireless (WIFI), Gogo (GOGO)<h3>Media</h3>Media companies earn revenue from advertising, broadcasting, cable &amp; satellite service, and print or electronic publishing.Key players: Charter Communications (CHTR), Comcast (CMCSA), Dish Network (DISH), Fox (FOX), Nexstar Media Group (NXST), ViacomCBS (VIAC), Discovery Communications (DISCA), Fluent (FLNT)<h3>Entertainment</h3>Companies in this sector work on movie and television production, distribution, and screening; music production and distribution; entertainment theaters; sports; streaming entertainment content; mobile gaming applications; and at-home educational software.Key players: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Live Nation Entertainment (LYV), Electronic Arts (EA), Activision Blizzard (ATVI), AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC),Netflix (NFLX), Walt Disney Company (DIS)<h3>Interactive media &amp; services</h3>These companies profit from pay-per-click advertising, search engines, social media, social networking platforms, online reviews, and online classifieds.Key Players: Interactive Corp (IAC), Alphabet (GOOG), Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR), Yelp (YELP), Pinterest (PINS), Yandex (YNDX), Angie's List (ANGI)Fast fact: Communications equipment makers are classified as part of the information technology (IT) sector. While some communications companies do provide equipment, they aren't considered part of the IT sector because the GICS looks at the activities that produce more than 60% of a company's revenue when deciding how to classify it. Surprisingly, Zoom Video Communications (ZM) is classified as an IT stock.<h2>The advantages of communications stocks</h2>There are a variety of reasons for investors consider communications companies.<ul><li>Performance. Over the last 12 months (Jan. 6, 2020, through Jan. 4, 2021), the S&amp;P Communication Services Select Sector index, which includes all the stocks in the communications sector, returned 23.22%. By comparison, the S&amp;P 500 index returned 14.4%. </li></ul>The index only goes back to September 2018 due to the communications category shift, so it's harder to describe this sector's long-term performance. However, when S&amp;P created its new index, it backtested it to December 21, 2007. It found that the sector returned 9.9% annualized over the next 10-ish years, through May 16, 2018. Over that same period, the S&amp;P 500's annualized return was <a href="http://www.moneychimp.com/features/market_cagr.htm">7.25</a>%.<ul><li>Income. The growth companies in this sector help drive its returns. But the value companies provide investors with investment income. Verizon and AT&amp;T, for example, both pay rich dividends, and have a long history of doing so. </li><li>Diversification. Many companies in this sector earn revenue from diversified services. Comcast is a great example; it makes money from broadcast television, cable television, broadband service, satellite service, movies, and theme parks.</li></ul><h2>The downsides of communications stocks</h2>Of course, no type of stock is without drawbacks. Those that are characteristic of communications include:<ul><li>Regulatory risk. This industry is subject to government regulation, which can affect performance. For example, changing privacy laws poses a threat to communications companies that rely on using consumer data to tailor advertising and recommendations.</li><li>Operational risk. While many communications stocks thrived during the pandemic, others took a beating - especially those in the entertainment, recreational, and travel field. Disney's theme parks, which account for about 30% of the company's revenue <a href="https://www.morningstar.com/articles/978014/pandemic-hits-communication-stocks-in-different-ways">according to Morningstar,</a> have been closed or operating at limited capacity since the first quarter of 2020. Live Nation Entertainment, parent of Ticketmaster, took a big hit as governments banned large gatherings, including concerts, festivals, and live sports. </li><li>Lack of differentiation/competitiveness. Some communications companies struggle to stand out because their services strike their customers as commodities. Among streaming services, lack of customer loyalty and the ease of switching providers resulted in a 41% churn rate for 1Q 2020, <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-2021-outlook-for-the-us-tme-industry.pdf">according to consulting firm Deloitte</a>. Vulnerability to technological change can also be an ongoing challenge.</li></ul><h2>How to invest in communications stocks</h2>You can buy individual shares or fractional shares of communications stocks through the usual brokerage channels - either online or apps, such as E*TRADE, Robinhood, SoFi Invest - or the traditional full-service firms, like Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Fidelity, and Vanguard. Of course, investing in an individual communications stock is riskier than investing in a communications industry ETF (sector risk) or index fund.These are some of the biggest. Some of them also offer exposure to other sectors, such as utilities or information technology. So be sure to read the fund breakdown and strategy, to make sure you're getting the pure play you want.<ul><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/communication-services-select-sector-spdr-fund-us81369y8527" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Communications Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLC)</a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/vanguard-communication-services-index-fund-etf-shares-us92204a8844" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX)</a></li><li><a href="https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/profile/VTCAX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX)</a> </li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/fidelity-msci-communication-services-index-etf-us3160928731" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM) </a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/defiance-5g-next-gen-connectivity-etf-us26922a2895" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Defiance 5G Next Gen Connectivity ETF (FIVG)</a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/first-trust-nasdaq-technology-dividend-index-fund-us33738r1187" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund (TDIV)</a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/invesco-sp-smallcap-utilities-communication-services-etf-us46138g4091/nav" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Invesco S&amp;P SmallCap Utilities &amp; Communication Services ETF (PSCU)</a></li></ul><h2>The financial takeaway</h2>Communications stocks are shares in companies in the communication services industry - a huge sector that includes phone, internet, satellite, media, entertainment companies.They represent well-established, dividend-paying companies as well as more volatile up-and-comers.Since communications stocks can belong to both defensive and growth-oriented companies, individual investors can get the most bang for their buck, and minimize risk overall‚ by investing through communications-focused ETFs and index funds.The communications sector is an exciting place to be right now. The companies it includes provide the services that are fundamental to our everyday lives. And the COVID-19 lifestyle shifts might make us permanently more reliant on communications companies, even once the pandemic is behind us. <h2>Related Coverage in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/investing-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Investing</a>:</h2><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-in-dividend-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to invest in dividend stocks, a low-risk source of investment income</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-in-penny-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-cyclical-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What are cyclical stocks? High-profit but volatile stocks whose prices rise and fall as economy grows and declines</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/growth-investing-definition-strategies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is growth investing? A strategy that focuses on high-growth companies in hopes for significant investment returns</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/passive-investing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Passive investing is a long-term wealth-building strategy all investors should know - here's how it works</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-defensive-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What are defensive stocks? Stocks that provide stability to your portfolio regardless of whether the economy is up or down</a></h3>

How to invest in communications stocks, a sector that's huge, highly diversified, and growing - offering something for almost every type of investor

<div title="Page 1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Blizzard Entertainment</div></div></div><ul><li><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Activision</a>'s stock was trading down the past week over fears that Epic's new mega-hit "Fortnite" may be taking away users and monetizing power from Activision's "Call of Duty" games.</li><li>Jefferies analyst Timothy O'Shea says that's a short-term concern, and Activision has "vast opportunities" to monetize its audience in the long term.</li><li>He says Activision is laying the groundwork to emulate Disney by finding a way to monetize its user base.</li><li><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Watch Activision's stock move in real time here.</a></li></ul><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Activision</a>'s stock has slumped recently, but it is poised to reverse that by unlocking the secret sauce that has made Disney so successful all these years - finding a way to monetize its large user base. Disney is the master at getting individuals and families from its amusement parks and cruises, as well as its fan base from franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, to keep coming back to its parks, the movie theaters and its stores to buy merchandise. Disney has found <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/disney-stock-price-streaming-service-could-be-worth-25-billion-2017-10-1006347966">the secret to monetizing its consumers</a>, and it could eventually do that for its planned streaming video service. Activision is along the same path, Timothy O'Shea, an analyst at Jefferies, wrote in a note to clients. With its 385 million active users, it has a "vast opportunity to more deeply monetize its audience," he said. Activision has already made plans to <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/activision-blizzard-stock-price-will-outperform-as-it-moves-into-mobile-gaming-2018-1-1014149137">pivot to mobile gaming</a>, <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/competitive-video-games-taking-globe-by-storm-5-companies-could-win-2018-3-1018659844">develop its eSports segment</a>, such as its widely-successful Overwatch League, and find ways to bring that content back to the consumer through products, sponsorships and advertising."We continue to believe ATVI is building a Disney-style entertainment business for the 21st century, but with higher margin," he adds.O'Shea believes the opportunity is larger for Activision than most content providers because the company's users are a deeply engaged group, spending around 50 minutes with its content per day.Activision's stock was trading down 6.41% in the past week over "short-term" pressures due to rival Epic Games' mega-hit, "Fortnite," which is said to be taking away users and monetizing power from Activision's "Call of Duty" games. O'Shea that there is evidence to support this case,but believes that this will not last long given its Disney play. He also sees the current weakness as presenting better buying opportunity for investors.<div title="Page 1">"We are predisposed to aggressively buy the dip given there is no change to our positive long-term stance on ATVI," he wrote.O'Shea maintained his price target to $86 per share, with a "Buy" rating.Activision's stock was down 1.75% on Thursday at $70.36 per share. It was still up 9.49% for the year.<h2><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/activision-blizzard-stock-price-will-outperform-as-it-moves-into-mobile-gaming-2018-1-1014149137">Read more about how Activision's pivot to mobile may be its best bet yet.</a></h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Markets Insider</a></div></div></div></div></div> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-jay-z-and-diddy-made-millions-off-of-cheap-alcohol-zack-omalley-greenburg-2018-3">How Jay-Z and Diddy used their fame to make millions off of 'cheap grapes'</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

Activision is taking a page from Disney's playbook to turn its video games into gold mines

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Mike Coppola/Getty Images</div></div></div><ul><li>Esports represents a massive growth opportunity for companies, a Bernstein analyst said.</li><li>The sports category has a large fan base, which can number half a billion in a few years.</li><li>Companies stand to make lots of money for appealing to this large and growing market.</li></ul>There is a massive growth opportunity in the realm of competitive video gaming, known as esports, and it could make some well-heeled tech companies even richer.Esports has a large and engaged following that is under-monetized, Todd Juenger, a Bernstein analyst, said. He believes this could present an attractive revenue opportunity for companies and investors alike.In the US alone, esports viewership already outnumbers NHL viewers, and its projected to surpass the number of MLB viewers by 2020, Juenger says. Globally, esports draws an active viewership of 143 million, and that number shoots up to 307 million if you count occasional viewers. Juenger expects that number to explode to 250 million active viewers and over half a billion occasional viewers by 2021.<div title="Page 3">With the rising popularity of esports, some companies are jumping on the bandwagon to appeal to this large and growing segment, Juenger says.Here are five companies that will likely reap massive profits from the overlooked sport:<h2>Activision</h2>Ticker: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">ATVI</a>Esports' Impact: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">Activision Blizzard</a> is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the esports boom thanks to the success of its recently-launched Overwatch League, a professional esports league for the widely popular video game "Overwatch." The league's ascendance has helped catapult the esports category into the mainstream.There is significant potential to generate revenues and profits from the league via sponsorships, advertising, and media rights, Juenger says. He believes the league's continued success would deliver "many multiples" of cash flow in the long run.<div title="Page 2"><div><div>"Overwatch League represents a rare opportunity for public market investors to become equity owners in a professional sports league, at an early stage," Juenger wrote.</div></div></div><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/atvi-stock">You can view Activision's stock price in real time here.</a><h2>Electronic Arts</h2>Ticker: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ea-stock">EA</a>Esports' Impact: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ea-stock">Electronic Arts</a> will likely see the reward from its esports play "over time," as Juenger describes the gaming company's esports approach as more "grassroots." There will be an "incremental monetization opportunity over time," he said, as EA leverages its partnerships with sports leagues, such as FIFA, and TV networks, like Disney, to mutually promote and engage audiences at sports events, as well as their respective video games.<a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/ea-stock">You can view EA's stock price in real time here.</a><h2>Nvidia</h2>Ticker: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/nvda-stock">NVDA</a>Esports' Impact: While the cryptocurrency rush has propped up the chipmaker's shares, gaming still makes up over 50% of <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/nvda-stock">Nvidia</a>'s business. That business has grown 33% over the past few years, Juenger notes. There are some long-term, secular trends that are driving the gaming market and demand for the highly sought-after chips will not dissipate soon, he says.<div title="Page 2"><div><div>"We see the engagement levels around this trend as having the potential to both bring new users into the installed base, particularly new users that are young and of relatively high income," Juenger wrote.</div></div></div><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/nvda-stock">You can view Nvidia's stock price in real time here.</a><h2>Microsoft</h2>Ticker: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/msft-stock">MSFT</a>Esports' Impact: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/msft-stock">Microsoft</a> has seen gaming and "mixed reality" - which blends virtual reality with real life - as one of its growth opportunities. The tech company is making a play on the esports market through a combination of acquisitions, such as Beam and PlayFab, as well as internal "organic" development. The company has built esports studios within its physical stores and has run its own esports competitions. With the use of its Azure cloud platform, gaming software and hardware, and mixed reality push, it can be a "major player in the market," Juenger says.The company's planned Mixed Reality Headsets should also serve as a catalyst for Microsoft's Windows platform and Xbox businesses while also driving revenue and profits.<a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/msft-stock">You can view Microsoft's stock price in real time here.</a><h2>Sony</h2>Ticker: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/sne-stock">SNE</a>Esports' Impact: <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/sne-stock">Sony</a>'s PlayStation 4 has some of the biggest esports names, such as Street Fighter V and Gran Turismo Sport. The company is making a hard pivot toward esports by partnering with competitive-gaming event producer ESL and launching its own PlayStation tournaments.Juenger sees an opportunity for Sony to synergize its TV channel, new programs, and PlayStation Vue around esports.<a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/sne-stock">You can view Sony's stock price in real time here.</a><h2><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ea-stock-price-gets-boost-from-fifa-madden-players-crowding-into-live-services-2018-1-1014703042">Read more about how EA benefits from FIFA and Madden players' newest obsession.</a></h2></div>Get the latest Microsoft stock price<a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stock/MSFT-Quote"> here.</a> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-outlook-for-bitcoin-and-ethereum-2018-2"> Goldman Sachs investment chief: Bitcoin is definitely a bubble, Ethereum even more so </a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

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