Whether you just stumbled across this article or you were specifically searching for AR/VR investment opportunities, one thing is for certain, VR is expected to be big business over the next few years and if you’re reading this you are probably looking to make a smart move with your capital.
“2016 should be the year virtual reality finally realizes its mass market potential”
If you are keen to the stock exchange chances are you haven’t heard much hype about investments in VR for many reasons. It’s human nature to be comfortable taking a certain degree of risk when we are younger in life, but then to have that urge diminish in our older, and generally wiser years. It makes more sense for young people to take greater risks, the prospect of early retirement or luxurious lifestyles is a thought that is commonly entertained by the younger generations. But what incentive would a 70 year old have to risk their entire nest egg, especially on something they have viewed their entire life as science fiction? Not only is VR not yet fully understood by the masses (according to fool.com “2016 should be the year virtual reality finally realizes its mass market potential”)
, but even if you did want to invest in VR via the stock market, where do you put your money? Unfortunately for beginning investors, it really isn’t a clear cut, black and white situation when trying to put your money directly towards virtual reality so below I will go over a few of the investment opportunities in the AR/VR industry.
Stock Symbol – Name – Risk level
FB – Facebook – 155
Facebook owns Oculus which makes the popular HMD’s Oculus Rift and Gear VR
SNE – Sony – 180
Sony of course owns Playstation which will be releasing their “Project Morpheus” later this year.
GOOGL – Google – 142
Google, or Alphabet, was the creator of Google Cardboard and although that may only have a small influence on this stock, it isn’t going to hurt it and Google isn’t stopping there! (See Jump)
MSFT – Microsoft – 135
Microsoft is a latecomer to the VR scene only recently partnering with Oculus to release the Rift with Xbox controllers. A jump in Oculus sales could lead to a small bump in MSFT stock!
AMD – Advanced Micro Devices – 299
AMD is a company that has fully embraced the inevitability of VR and they are making sure they have the hardware to cater to the AR/VR consumer market!
NVDA – NVIDIA – 179
NVIDIA has been working closely with VR hardware producers to make sure their graphic drivers are VR capable. Oculus has officially recommended the NVIDIA GTX 970 in the hardware requirements.
GPRO – GoPro – 325
GoPro might be a surprising candidate here, but seeing as the GoPro cameras have remained the industry standard for 360 video, not to mention GoPro has more plans in the works for professionals in this niche!
60% of people in a a recent poll conducted by Benzinga predict that a that the market will become bearish in 2017. Right now could possibly be your best opportunity to make a decent return with fairly low risk, and a potential for huge gains!
Personally I have purchased shares of GoPro, Amazon, Fitbit, Pandora, and Netflix. I was going to jump on AMD but the price spiked recently so I am holding out on that. I would have Google shares but Alphabet stock is pretty pricey at $720 or so a share.
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