Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: Zipreality, Trulia, Google and Amazon

CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Features: Zipreality (Nasdaq:ZIPR-Free Report), Trulia (NYSE:TRLA-Free Report), Google (Nasdaq:GOOG-Free Reporthttp://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp/?ALERT=zrmodule&ADID=ZACKS_PFP_TOP_ZRMODULE&skip_rpt_name_check=skip_rpt_name_check&t=GOOG) and Amazon (Nasdaq:AMZN-Free Reporthttp://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp/?ALERT=ZR_LINK&adid=PR_BB&d_alert=rd_final_rank&t=amzn).

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"The Internet of Things"

The internet of things is a phrase that is thrown about a lot lately. What does that mean? Some point to an specific network, or a sector that has the ability to give users large amounts of information on a specialized topic.

Investors are best served to look at a company that is covered by research analysts. That way, they can rely on the Zacks Rank to tell them if the outlook is getting better or worse. The Zack Rank is designed to tell you what the recent opinion of analysts are, so companies that don't have a lot of research coverage like RSSS do not have a rank. That said, investors should still keep names like that on their radar.

When there is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) like Zipreality (Nasdaq:ZIPR-Free Report) we know that earnings estimate have been moving higher. The opposite is true for Trulia (NYSE:TRLA-Free Report) which has a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell). Investors would be wise to wait to see analysts increase earnings estimates which would push the stock to a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or higher.

The Internet Of Things

The success of companies like Google (Nasdaq:GOOG-Free Reporthttp://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp/?ALERT=zrmodule&ADID=ZACKS_PFP_TOP_ZRMODULE&skip_rpt_name_check=skip_rpt_name_check&t=GOOG) and Amazon (Nasdaq:AMZN-Free Reporthttp://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp/?ALERT=ZR_LINK&adid=PR_BB&d_alert=rd_final_rank&t=amzn) was based on the need for information and products. But as the internet has evolved, specialized players have become the "internet of things."

One might wonder why Lexis Nexis was able to stay a profitable business while Google provided a wide ranging index of information. The answer is simple. The specialization of the type and source of information that Lexis Nexis provides allows the company to continue to prosper.

Others would point to one off sellers of specialty items that are not found on Amazon, yet the "Everything Store" is still able give most consumers what they want. Is there room for others? The simple answer is yes, and that is evident via the many acquisitions that Amazon has made over the years including Zappos.

Conclusion

While the internet has evolved, the best bet is that it will continue to do so. Hyper-specialization will allow small and niche players to compete against companies and services that have already reached critical mass in terms of size.

Investors would be wise to leverage the Zacks Rank when they look at opportunities that claim to be the internet of real estate, medical information or a specific retailer. That way, you can see quickly if the near term prospects are rosy or dim.

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