Top Companies Presenting at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference

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By Lee Jackson Updated Published
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In what has become an industry-leading conference, Goldman Sachs once again is holding its annual Communacopia conference. For the 22nd year, the conference will attract the top names in telecommunications, media cable companies and the Internet. Last year the main theme of the conference was the convergence across all of these powerful sectors. It is very likely, after a tremendous year of growth and change in those industries, convergence is again front and center among those attending.

With virtually every company with any influence in the sectors represented at the conference presenting, we looked through the names that may prove to be the most interesting for investors going forward. With huge structural changes emerging, and a healthy cross-pollination between companies for content production, packaging and delivery, the face of communication and entertainment continues to evolve as they are seemingly becoming one. Here are some of the top names appearing at the conference. A solid presentation could give these stocks an immediate lift.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) has continued to expand its U-verse package for entertainment delivery. The Thomson/First Call price target for the stock is $38, and investors receive a large 5.2% dividend.

AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) supplies niche programming that continues to gain traction with viewers. The consensus price target is $77.

Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA) has everything from content to delivery, after its purchase of NBC Universal. The consensus price target for the largest cable company in the United States is $51. Investors are paid a 1.8% dividend.

The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (NYSE: IPG) is an interesting name to attend. Formerly known as monster advertising agency McCann-Erickson, it is an integral cog in the entertainment and media machine. The consensus price target is $17.20. Investors receive a 1.7% dividend.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: LGF) has cranked out some of this year’s top movie box office hits. With the follow up to “The Hunger Games” scheduled for a Thanksgiving release, the company may end the year on fire. The consensus price target is $34.

News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) boasts a cable-leading news operation and a host of additional entertainment properties. The consensus target for the stock is $17.30.

Pandora Media Inc. (NYSE: P) has been on fire the past 90 days. The company recently completed a very successful secondary stock offering. The consensus price objective for the stock is $24.

Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA) is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ and ENCORE pay-TV networks. Recently spun off from Liberty Media Corp. (NASDAQ: LMCA), the company may soon be a takeover candidate for a larger entity hungry for content. The consensus target is set at $24.

TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO) is the company that brought DVR recording to millions of Americans. The consensus target for the stock is $15.

Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) said recently it is willing to take on more debt to make the right acquisition. That acquisition could be another cable company. The consensus price target is pegged at $126. Investors are paid a 2.3% dividend.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) continues to expand its fiber optic to the house FiOS offering. Like its chief rival, AT&T, the increase in bundled services that include content, phone and Internet is providing strong revenue. The consensus price objective is $54, and investors are paid a stellar 4.4% dividend.

The convergence so talked about at the conference quickly is becoming a reality for the American consumer. In just 15 short years, technology has totally transformed the way we communicate, are entertained and exchange data. The next 15 years could be even more dynamic. Many of the stocks at the Goldman Sachs conference figure to be a big part of that new dynamic.

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About the Author Lee Jackson →

Lee Jackson has covered Wall Street analysts' equity and debt research and equity strategy daily for 24/7 Wall St. since 2012. His broad and diverse career, which included a stint as the creative services director at the NBC affiliate in Austin, Texas, gives him unique insight into the financial industry and world.

Lee Jackson's journey in the financial industry spans over 30 years, with nearly two decades as an institutional equity salesperson at Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and Morgan Stanley. His career was marked by his presence on the sell side during pivotal Wall Street events, from the dot.com rise and bubble to the Long Term Capital Management debacle, 9/11, and the Great Recession of 2008. This is a testament to his resilience and adaptability in the face of market volatility.

Lee Jackson’s practical financial industry experience, acquired from a career at some of the biggest banks and brokerage firms, is complemented by a lifetime of writing on various platforms. This unique combination allows him to shed light on the intricacies and workings of Wall Street in a way that only someone with deep insider experience and knowledge can. Moreover, his extensive network across Wall Street continues to provide direct access for him and 24/7 Wall St., a privilege few firms enjoy.

Since 2012, Jackson’s work for 24/7 Wall St. has been featured in Barron’s, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Business Insider, TradingView, Real Money, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Benzinga, and other media outlets. He attended the prestigious Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and has a degree in broadcasting from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

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