4 Internet Stocks To Buy Now

WebMD and Lending Club’s recent earnings have the internet stocks on my radar. These companies reported solid earnings and in both cases the stocks moved higher afterwards. While certain sectors of the economy struggle, these companies continue to perform.

We are early in the year, but 2016 has been a rough one if you have any link to oil prices. Fortunately for internet companies, they will not be directly affected by the oil sector and so far 2016 hasn’t been too bad for the space. If conditions were to worsen and the entire economy started to see a slowdown there would be a risk to the stocks. Until then, let’s stick with these performers.

WebMD Health (WBMD – Snapshot Report) is a Zacks Rank #2(Buy) that provides health information services to consumers, physicians and other healthcare professionals. The company aims to provide valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information.

WebMD has a market cap of $2 Billion and a Forward PE of 31. The company sports a Zacks Style Score of “B” in growth, but “D” in value. Because this valuation is in question short sellers have piled in with 19% of the stock short, giving the company a 7.5 short ratio and short squeeze potential. The company’s valuation is something investors have questioned in the past and exceeding earrings expectations is a catalyst for the stock price.

On February 23rd the company reported Q4 earnings of $0.60 a share versus the  $0.57 expected. Revenue came in slightly higher for the quarter at $192 Million versus the $191 expected. In addition, the company went on to guide fiscal year 2016 revenue $685-705 Million versus $694 Million. Traffic on the website reached 201 million unique users per month, generating almost 4 billion page views for the quarter, increases of 6% and 7% from the prior year period.

The stock surged almost 5% higher after the numbers. It looks poised to take out all time highs above $60.

The earnings beat isn’t much of a surprise as this makes its fifth EPS upside surprise in a row.  Looking at the chart below, we see stock performance has followed company performance and will likely push to all time highs.