Top Tech Analysts Say Buy Technology Now for Big Run to the End of 2013

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By Lee Jackson Updated Published
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With a slew of tech headlines hitting the tape over the past few weeks, many firms on Wall Street have become more vocal about the potential for tech outperformance, not only the rest of this year, but all the way through 2014 as well. Capital expenditure (capex) budgets are expected to be stronger, and needed infrastructure additions and changes are on the drawing board for government and the private sector.

The theme at Deutsche Bank is literally go big or go home. The tech team is focusing on the powerhouse names, and investors would be wise to take a strong look now before the sector, which has underperformed the rest of the S&P 500 this year, really starts to take off. Here are some of the top large cap tech names to buy from Deutsche Bank.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) lit a firestorm this week with its release of the iPhone 5C and 5S models. Many analysts were very disappointed in the higher pricing without a contract. However Apple did announce a new deal with Japanese carrier DoCoMo and one with China Mobile is expected soon as well. Deutsche Bank has a low $480 target, which may be set to rise. The Thomson/First Call estimate is at $530. Investors are paid a 2.4% dividend. With Apple sinking more than 5% yesterday, investors have a clear shot to take now to enter the stock.

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) met its number in the most recent earnings release, but forward guidance was tepid. Deutsche Bank thinks the guidance is from the old super conservative guidance playbook. The analysts see Cisco as a growing force in mobility, cloud computing and big data. Their price target for the stock is $28, the same as the consensus target. Investors are paid a 2.9% dividend.

Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) has been a huge benefactor in the strong uptick in the travel and lodging industry. While the company has some structural challenges to face, the CEO was very upbeat at a recent Deutsche Bank conference and said earnings estimates for the rest of the year are on track. Deutsche Bank has a $66 price target for the stock, and the consensus is at $60. Investors are paid a 1.0% dividend.

F5 Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV) has been all over the board in the past year, trading in an almost 45-point range. Analysts around Wall Street in addition to Deutsche Bank are very positive on core growth accelerating in the second half of 2013 as data center orders build. Deutsche Bank has a $100 price objective and the consensus target is $96.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) has become a services powerhouse since its exit from the personal computer business. The company operates in five segments: Global Technology Services, Global Business Services, Software, Systems and Technology, and Global Financing. This diverse array of business lines has generated huge profits and should continue to help the company grow long into the future. Deutsche Bank has a $225 price target, while the consensus price target for the iconic company is $217.50. Investors are paid a 2.1% dividend.

Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ: PSMI) is a lesser known name that is a top stock to buy at Deutsche Bank. The company recently released a new radio frequency (RF) switch specifically designed for broadband cable systems. With HD content exploding, this could be a huge home run for the company. Deutsche Bank has a $14 price target for the stock, and the consensus is posted at $14 also.

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) still has the dominant position in the mobile chip industry and has benefited largely because of its first mover advantage in the smartphone revolution. The company’s performance has been spectacular in the past two years, with revenue and profits averaging 32% and 29%. While not leveraged to networking, its dominance makes the stock a core holding. The Deutsche Bank price target is $78, and the consensus target is $75. Investors are paid a 2.1% dividend.

Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ: STX) recently said to no one’s surprise that data growth is the big mover in hard disc drive (HDD) demand. The majority of this growth is expected to come from the cloud, which the company believes will represent 60% of HDD demand by 2020. Management believes demand for data will average a compounded annual growth rate of 40% during this period, reaching 6 zettabytes by 2020. Deutsche Bank has a $53 price objective, and the consensus target is $46. Investors are paid a very solid 3.9% dividend.

TripAdvisor Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) is another Internet travel stock to buy. Its recent customer survey revealed that while U.S travelers are not planning to increase their travel budgets next year, they are planning to travel more frequently. Many are planning to stay closer to home and take the chance to discover the sights America has to offer. The Deutsche Bank target is at $74, and the consensus rests at $73.

Now may be a good time to review portfolios to see if they have a solid weighting of large cap technology stocks. Investors can always go the exchange traded fund (ETF) route to gain exposure to the sector. The Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSEMKT: XLK) or the i Shares U.S Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: IYW) are both excellent vehicles to help cover the sector with one trade.

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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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