5 Top-Ranked Media Stocks To Enrich Your Portfolio In 2H19
Zacks Investment Research | Jul 02, 2019 09:43PM ET
Media companies enjoyed a smooth ride in first-half 2019. This is reflected in the solid performance of the Invesco Dynamic Media ETF (PBS), which has returned 19.3% on a year-to-date basis compared with the S&P 500’s growth of 16.9%.
Expanding original and fresh content, rapid adoption of alternative distribution channels for broadcast and cable programming, strong demand for high-quality video, and the binge-viewing trend are driving growth.
Media companies are offering skinny bundles, which are helping them keep pace with new consumption patterns and attract customers. Moreover, the momentum in advertising revenues is expected to continue, owing to major sporting events like European Games and Women’s World Soccer despite stiff competition from Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Facebook (NASDAQ:FB).
Further, political ad spending is expected to increase in the second half of 2019 — due to the 2020 U.S. Presidential election — which bodes well for media companies.
Our Picks
Here, we pick five media stocks that offer good investment opportunities in the second half of 2019. These stocks either sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see Roku, Inc. Quote
Beijing-based iQIYI (NASDAQ:IQ) has returned 42.5% year to date. The Chinese online media company now has more than 100 million subscribers.
iQiYI’s content portfolio strength is expected to expand subscriber base. Reportedly, the company is planning to spread its international presence for further growth opportunities.
This Zacks Rank #1 stock delivered average positive earnings surprise of 19.82% in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss has narrowed from $1.64 to $1.38 per share for 2019 over the past 60 days.
iQIYI, Inc. Sponsored ADR Price and Consensus
Camarillo, CA-based Salem Media Group (NASDAQ:SALM) has returned 14.4% on a year-to-date basis.
Salem Media is a radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher specializing in Christian and Conservative content. The company is also foraying into television through a deal with Trinity Broadcasting Network, announced in May.
The company is investing in its agency digital initiative, Salem Surround, which is expected to drive local digital revenues.
This Zacks Rank #1 stock delivered average positive earnings surprise of 40.18% in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has surged 55.6% to 14 cents over the past 60 days.
Salem Media Group, Inc. Price and Consensus
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Santa Monica, CA-based Entravision Communications (NYSE:EVC) has a Zacks Rank #2. The company is a popular name among Hispanics, and provides Latino data and digital services to advertisers. Notably, expansion into Mexico, Argentina and Colombia are expected to further boost advertiser base.
Entravision’s increasing digital advertising solutions portfolio is a major growth driver. The company is also expected to benefit from continued higher spending by advertisers on digital audio.
The company delivered average positive earnings surprise of 138.89% in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has rallied 25% to 25 cents over the past 60 days.
Entravision Communications Corporation Price and Consensus
Shaw Communications’ (NYSE:SJR) wireless business, which covers almost half of the Canadian population, is benefiting from an increasing subscriber base and improving average revenue per unit (ARPU). Moreover, the company’s initiative to deploy 700 MHz and 2500 MHz spectrums further improves the network quality.
Shaw Communications recently acquired 11 paired blocks of 20-year 600 MHz spectrum across its wireless operating footprint. The acquisition is expected to not only improve the company’s current LTE service, but also help it affordably offer 5G service in the long haul.
This Zacks Rank #2 stock delivered average positive earnings surprise of 19.92% in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2019 earnings has increased 12.2% to $1.10 over the past 30 days. The stock has returned 13.3% year to date.
Shaw Communications Inc. Price and Consensus
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