GAFAM Stocks
Posted:GAFAM Stocks
Are you considering investing in GAFAM stocks? We’ll examine why some investors like GAFAM stocks and how they use them to navigate the tech sector. Throughout their history, GAFAM stocks have weathered varied market conditions, making them a potentially attractive addition to investment portfolios
If you are interested in long-term or short-term investment strategies, you might consider investing in GAFAM stocks. We’ll explain why these industry leaders are worthy of your consideration.
What Are GAFAM Stocks?
GAFAM is an acronym representing the five largest US tech stocks traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. GAFAM stocks are also to be found in top 10 largest holdings of the S&P 500 Index:
GAFAM Stocks are:
- Google (Alphabet): GOOG
- Apple: AAPL
- Facebook: FB
- Amazon: AMZN
- Microsoft: MSFT
GAFAM is very similar to another stock acronym, FAANG, which swaps Microsoft for Netflix. GAFAM excludes Netflix as it is a smaller company than the others, with a market cap of around $225bn.
Understanding GAFAM Stocks
The tech stocks within GAFAM have considerable market influence within their sectors:
- Google (Alphabet): Online operations. IPO 2004
- Apple: Mobile and desktop systems: IPO 1980
- Facebook: Hosting and social media services; IPO 2012
- Amazon: Consumer services distribution; IPO 1997
- Microsoft: Software solutions; IPO 1986
Each of these companies leads in their sector and because of their size, can drive the stock market overall. GAFAM stocks have massive market capitalizations and represent 17.5% of the value of the entire S&P 500. When stocks within GAFAM don’t perform well, it can affect the entire market.
Interestingly enough, only one founder remains as the CEO of their company. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg is the only remaining founder who still plays an active role in their company. Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon in Feb 2021. Many original founders of these companies still sit on the respective company boards and advise on key decisions.
Naturally, these five tech companies are also the largest tech lobbying spenders. Facebook leads this lobby effort at $10 million in spending in 2020. With tech regulation looming, all five companies have a vested interest in policy emanating from Washington.
GAFAM
GraniteShares GAFAM ETPs provide exposure to the equal weight to following companies: Alphabet, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft
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GAFAM vs. FAANG
GAFAM stocks all belong in the technology sector, while FAANG includes Netflix. These companies are the five most valuable businesses in the US, and they are global leaders and influencers.
GAFAM has a joint market cap of approximately $4.5 trillion as of March 2021. Apple and Microsoft have market caps well over $1 trillion. And Apple is the first company to reach a market cap of over $2 trillion in 2020. Amazon and Alphabet both have market caps of over $900 billion.
Netflix vs. Microsoft
Netflix has a market cap of about $228 billion as of March 2021. Netflix is the 36th most valuable company globally, but its market cap is significantly much smaller than Microsoft and the other GAFAM stocks. Netflix is 21st on the S&P 500 while Microsoft is 2nd. While its market cap is less, the company is included in FAANG because of its dramatic growth and appeal among investors over the last five years.
Microsoft’s other advantage over Netflix is its diversified business prospects. While Netflix is bound to the streaming market, Microsoft is involved in various end-markets, diversifying its revenue mix.
How to Invest in GAFAM Stocks
Until very recently, investors were mostly limited to trading stocks or options on individual GAFAM stocks. Investors looking for broader exposure were limited to strategies such as technology ETFs or index funds that included exposure to many more companies than just FATANG.
If you’re interested in GAFAM exchange-traded products (ETPs), only one company offers a range of products on FAANG, GAFAM and FATANG stocks. Graniteshares ETPs are “pure play” investments, meaning that they are not diluted with unrelated stocks. Graniteshares ETPs follow equally weighted indexes that rebalance quarterly. Graniteshares family of ETPs allows investors to go long or short the GAFAM indices or even 3x leveraged.
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