Top Media and Gaming Ideas From Cowen for 2014

The Cowen best media and gaming ideas for 2014 is an eclectic mix of large cap and small cap names that offers a little something for every investor. While entertainment and media has changed drastically, and expanded in the past decade, the video gaming boom has continued to explode. Needless to say, technology and consumer demand should continue unabated, which should bode well for the top stocks to buy.

Here are the best ideas from Cowen for 2014:

Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB) is the top media pick at Cowen for 2014. The company’s domestic ratings remain stable, which Cowen expects will continue to support mid-single digit advertising growth next year. Plus the company will enjoy particularly easy comparisons in the first half as the first half of 2013 numbers were down 3.3% year over year. In addition, the analysts continue to think that as measurement of on demand and online viewing improves, Viacom should disproportionately benefit, as its young-skewing audience likely over indexes to those viewing methods, versus the other Big Media networks. Investors are paid a 1.5% dividend. The Cowen price target for this top pick for 2014 is $97. The Thomson/First Call estimate is $90. Viacom closed Friday at $84.16.

Glu Mobile Inc. (NASDAQ: GLUU) is the top pick in gaming, and a small cap stock investors’ dream with a tiny $304 million market cap. The company’s Deer Hunter 2014 has continued its strong post-launch performance through mid-December, maintaining an average top grossing rank in the United States of roughly 10 on the iPhone/Google Play, and it is hovering around the 20 rank on the iPad. Cowen has a $5 price target for the stock, and the consensus target is $4. Glu Mobile closed Friday at $3.90.

Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. (NASDAQ: FOXA) is another top network pick. The company’s Cable Network Programming segment produces and licenses news, business news, sports, general entertainment and movie programming for distribution through cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators and telecommunications companies primarily in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Its Television segment is involved in the broadcasting of network programming in the United States and the operation of 28 broadcast television stations, including 10 duopolies in the United States, which consist of 18 stations affiliated with the FOX Broadcasting Company and 10 stations affiliated with Master Distribution Service. Investors are paid a small 0.7% dividend. The Cowen price target is $40, and the consensus is posted at $39. The stock closed Friday at $34.30.

Discovery Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: DISCA) operates through three segments: U.S. Networks, International Networks and Education. It provides original and purchased content across various distribution platforms. The company owns and operates nine national television networks in the United States, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Military Channel, Planet Green, Discovery Fit & Health and Velocity. Discovery Communications also has interests in Oprah Winfrey Network, a pay-television network and website. The Cowen price target for the stocks is $94, while the consensus is at $92.50. Discovery ended last week at $87.75.

Electronic Arts Inc. (NYSE: EA) came back to life this year in a big way. The company develops, markets, publishes and distributes game software content and services for video game consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and electronic readers, and the Internet. It provides games and related content and services under the EA brand in various categories, including action-adventure, role playing, racing and first-person shooter games. From Madden Football to games like Monopoly, the strong EA brand has continued to grow over the years. Cowen has a $27 price objective, and the consensus is at $28. EA closed Friday at $23.54.

Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) is another top video game stock to buy. The company pushed out a new installment of its cornerstone Call of Duty franchise, called Ghosts, on November 5. The title was the top-selling game during the month. With new gaming consoles from Microsoft and Sony under the tree this year, the company can expect some strong sales on its top titles. The Cowen price target is $19, while the consensus figure is at higher at $21. The stock closed Friday at $17.87.

Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) is a top large cap media name to buy at Cowen for 2014. The company has scaled down under the leadership of CEO Jeff Bewkes. Gone is AOL, the online platform that acquired Time Warner in 2000 in a deal now considered one of the worst in corporate history. Discarded too is Time Warner Cable, the nation’s second-largest cable operator. Time Inc., the venerable magazine and publishing house, is next with a spin-off planned for 2014. Investors are paid a 1.7% dividend. The Cowen price target for the stock is $78, and the consensus is at $74. Time Warner closed Friday at $68.34.

One of the good aspects of media and gaming for investors is they do not go out of style. While gamers and viewers tastes may change, they continue to want new and better product. They also are willing to pay for the top entertainment product. This makes the challenge for the top companies never ending. Something that is hot today may be out of style in a heartbeat.