We’ve talked before about how hard companies are trying to reach out to fans via Facebook, and how they are desperately trying to use the website to promote their brands. With the way that the social network is expanding and diversifying the ways companies reach users, it is easy to see how this could soon turn into a robust way to increase brand awareness.
With this in mind, The Facebook Index (or the Social Index) is comprised of the companies who have the most “likes” on Facebook. It is interesting noting how these companies perform against the market baseline, and whether or not those with the most likes have any correlation with performance.
Business Section: Investment Ideas
The results are overwhelmingly bullish. On average, these stocks have increased in value by 17.1%, with Monster Beverage Co. (MNST) taking the lead with a 60.04% gain. McDonalds performed the worst, dropping 6.6%.Listed below, and in the index widget here, are the top nine stocks by likes on Facebook, listed in order of performance year-to-date. Accompanying the descriptions are the total likes for the company as well as what the firm has been up to lately.
1. Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Market cap at $12.99B, most recent closing price at $73.73. The stock price has increased 60.04% YTD. The energy drink giant has 17.6 million likes and has outperformed all brands in its field during 2012.
2. Walt Disney Co. (DIS, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Operates as an entertainment company worldwide. Market cap at $86.13B, most recent closing price at $48.19. The stock price has increase 29.51% YTD. The company has 10.9 million likes and recently had its family of television networks added to DirecTV.
3. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Operates retail stores in various formats worldwide. Market cap at $247.61B, most recent closing price at $73.18. The stock price has increase 24.12% YTD. The retail leader has 17.7 million likes and has recently been embroiled in a bribery scandal involving Mexican officials.
4. Starbucks Corporation (SBUX, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Operates approximately 16,858 stores, including 8,833 company-operated stores and 8,025 licensed stores. Market cap at $40.66B, most recent closing price at $53.61. The stock price has increased 17.28% YTD. The company has 31 million likes and just announced plans to build a $172 million manufacturing plant in Georgia.
5. Limited Brands, Inc. (LTD, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Operates as a retailer of women's intimate and other apparel, beauty and personal care products, and accessories in the United States and Canada. Market cap at $13.41B, most recent closing price at $46.05. The stock price has increased 15.44% YTD. The company has 19 million likes and recently reported a seven percent sales increase for the month of June.
6. The Coca-Cola Company (KO, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Distributes, and markets nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. Market cap at $174.34B, most recent closing price at $77.28. The stock price has increased 12.02% YTD. The beverage company has 45.2 million likes and is set to announce its second quarter earnings on Tuesday, July 17th.
7. Viacom, Inc. (VIAB, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Market cap at $24.97B, most recent closing price at $47.31. The stock price has increase 4.18% YTD. The company has 35.7 million likes and is currently in negotiations to resolve an ugly dispute with DirecTV over broadcast rights to its channels.
8. Nike Inc. (NKE, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products for men, women, and children worldwide. Market cap at $43.07B, most recent closing price at $93.97. The stock price is down 1.84% YTD. The firm has 9.7 million likes and just signed NBA #1 draft pick Anthony Davis to an endorsement deal.
9. McDonald's Corp. (MCD, Earnings, Analysts, Financials): Operates as a foodservice retailer worldwide. Market cap at $93.79B, most recent closing price at $92.29. The stock price is down 6.65% YTD. The fast-food company has 21.2 million likes and signed on to be the official restaurant sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Written by Dan Connelly
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Analyze These Ideas: Getting Started
- Read descriptions for all companies mentioned
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Dig Deeper: Access Company Snapshots, Charts, Filings
- The Coca-Cola Company (KO, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Walt Disney Co. (DIS, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Viacom, Inc (VIA, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Nike Inc. (NKE, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Starbucks Corporation (SBUX, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- McDonald's Corp. (MCD, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Limited Brands, Inc. (LTD, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT, Chart, Download SEC Filings)
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