Ebay is a great case in point about the current state of market
valuation and the lack of confidence in stocks in
general.
As of September, eBay's balance sheet was very strong, with over
3 billion in cash, representing about $2.50/share. Meanwhile,
their shares now trade at around $13 while analysts estimate
earnings of about $1.65 in 2009, which would mean no growth in the
year. That's a P/E of under 8 for a company that completely
monopolizes the online auction market along with owning the payment
powerhouse Paypal.
If analyst estimates are too high and frustration over eBay fees
are growing, the value is still exceptional. eBay faces no
threat of competition. Where else will you get a company that
is best in class and, really, the only company in its class.
For a decade, many have tried to compete and have not even come
close. Anyone who has tried online auction sites elsewhere
has witnessed that eBay's service is unmatched.
Despite issues that come with every monopoly - and let's be
honest it is a monopoly - eBay is so powerful they have a guy
peddling online courses on "How To Sell On Ebay" constantly on
American television stations. eBay even had a primary plot
role in the hit movie Transformers.
This is a stock that will double before they finally get anti
trust issues - and they will have to get anti trust issues at some
point being that they are a monopoly. But don't worry, nobody
will match them for a very long time as the 'online auction market'
is still a relatively new phenomenon.
As a person who works around information technology, I can tell
you that their service is as smooth and perfect as it gets.
If you try any of the small competing auction sites you will
understand the difference. It is an enormous
difference. With the bar being set so high to compete, the
only competition eBay has is internal. As long as they focus
on their core business, everything will be fine with this
stock.