Top Active Technology Stocks: AAPL, HPQ, INTC, MSFT, ORCL

PUBLISHED: 04 Oct 2012 @ 18:33 | Comments (0) | More info about Ed Liston

Technology sector is looking gloomy today and I am going to put the blame on Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman. Whitman sounded a caution against the coming year for the company. The effect of the announcement is evident on the company stock which is trading in red in an otherwise green market. Outlook is not so rosy for other tech giants such as Intel and Dell as well. But on the other hand, Google and Apple seem to be busy touching new highs. With all this excitement, let’s see what’s shaking the tech sector today:

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL): The stock is trading at $668.10, down 0.50 percent from its previous close of $671.45. However, this minor aberration is not going to have much impact on the company’s status as the biggest corporate house in the world. The stock has been trading in the range of $666.77 and $674.25 in the current trading session whereas in the past 52 weeks it has been oscillating between $363.32 and $705.07. The company currently commands $626.84 billion in market capitalization. While Apple is still basking in the glory of iPhone 5, there are rumors that it would be releasing iPad Mini soon. However, the company chose to remain silent on this issue. Equity analysis firm Sterne Agee reiterated its buy rating for the stock and has given it the price target of $840. The stock is trading above its short term 20 days moving average price of $660.12 and looks bullish despite today’s minor hiccup.

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ): Hewlett Packard has some bad news to share. Its CEO spelled out her turnaround plan for the company and declared that the tech giant would go through a rough patch in 2013. Though she also tried to placate the market by claiming that next years viz. 2014 and 2015 are expected to be better for the company, the market still does not feel satisfied. As the result, the company stock is trading 0.27 percent down at $14.87. The stock touched its 52 weeks low price of $14.24 in the current trading session. HP stock is about 50 percent down from its 52 weeks high price of $30. It is also trading below its 20 days moving average price of $14.88 and long term 50 days moving average price of $15.09. Analysts have responded with estimate cuts and rating downgrade for the company. J.P. Morgan has cut its price target for the stock from $22 to $19.

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC): Intel has been going through rough patch from quite some time and is looking to reposition itself in changed tech scenario. The company has been suffering due to the decline in PC market and is now hard pressed to adapt itself to emerging mobile computing trend. Intel stock is currently trading at $22.43, down 0.53 percent from its previous close of $22.55. The stock has traded in the range of $21.67 and $29.27 in the past 52 weeks and has Price Earnings ratio of 9.54. RBC Capital has reiterated its Sector Perform rating for the stock and has set its price target at $24. The stock is trading slightly below its 20 days moving average price and 50 days moving average price of $22.47.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT): Unlike its peers, this stock is trading marginally higher at $29.88. The stock has oscillated in the range of $29.57 and $30 in the current trading session, while in the past 52 weeks, it has traded in the range of $24.30 and $32.95. The company’s current market capitalization stands at $250.41 billion. Microsoft recently received rating downgrade from RBC Capital. Its new rating is Sector Perform, down from Outperform. Its new price target has been set at $33. The stock is trading above its long term 50 days moving average price of $29.82. Microsoft is currently working on its new operating system Windows 8, which is likely to be released later this year.

Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ:ORCL): The stock has positive ratings from the analysts, however, today it is trading in the red territory. Oracle stock is currently at $31.81, 0.03 percent down. The stock commands the Price Earnings ratio of 15.81 and has beta of 1.47. Oracle has Overweight rating from Piper Jaffray, whereas William Blair has rated the stock an Outperformer. Piper Jaffray has set the price target for the stock at $36.50. The stock is trading slightly below its 50 days moving average price of $31.84.

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