Special Situation: Say no to Roku

Article Excerpt

ROKU INC. $22 (Nasdaq symbol ROKU) is a U.S. video-streaming company. It produces a variety of digital media players that allow customers to access Internet-streamed video and audio services through their televisions. The stocks has jumped 57% since it first sold shares to the public at $14 on September 28, 2017. Rapid gains like that enhance the appeal of initial public offerings (IPOs). However, underwriters tend to allocate shares of “hot” IPOs like Roku to their favourite clients, mainly pension funds and other institutional investors. As a result, it’s very difficult for individual investors to buy shares at the offering price. Roku’s shares could continue to move up as momentum traders aim to capitalize on its spot in the broker/media limelight. However, it is competing with the world’s biggest tech giants, namely Amazon, Apple and Google. Even Facebook aims to grow in video streaming. We don’t recommend Roku. -Scott Clayton Clayton…