The analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence —who track some 2,000 companies in finance, retail, energy, technology, and more—have identified 50 worth watching carefully in the year ahead. When building the list, they considered factors such as growth prospects, management changes, and planned releases of noteworthy products and services. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was important, of course, as were growing sales of electric vehicles, the transition to clean energy, China’s increasing regulatory scrutiny, power shortages, and opportunities in the metaverse. Financials
Abrdn
With a new name, image, and CEO, the U.K. investment company is at a turning point years after the fruitless 2017 merger of Standard Life Plc and Aberdeen Asset Management Plc. Pretax profit may double in 2022 from a restated £240 million ($324 million) for 2020, according to Bloomberg Intelligence estimates, as a revenue-driven consensus for growth over that period does not reflect the potential for savings. Strategies focused on wealth management and Asia expansion brighten Abrdn Plc’s outlook. —Sarah Jane Mahmud Financials
Aegon
After years of weak profit, the Dutch insurer is in need of a transformation. It will likely have to either sell or reinsure much of its Transamerica unit’s U.S. variable-annuity business. That would reduce Aegon NV’s exposure to the risks of rising interest rates and falling stock prices and give it cash to prop up the balance sheet. A decision could come by June. —Charles Graham TMT
Airbnb
The market continues to underestimate the online travel-service company’s brand advantage and the strength of its long-term-stay business—20% of nights booked, its fastest-growing reservation category. Bookings could exceed analysts’ expectations by $2 billion to $4 billion (3% to 7%) in 2022, and Airbnb Inc.’s unmatched direct site traffic and repeat customers will allow it to boost profits by cutting back marketing outlays. —Matthew Martino TMT
Alphabet
YouTube ad sales are on track to top $35 billion in 2022, and parent Alphabet Inc.’s cloud revenue is headed toward $25 billion as the company continues to diversify its sales exposure. Sure, data privacy regulations remain a risk to Google’s core search business, but connected TV augurs well for further YouTube upside. —Mandeep Singh Materials
Aluminum Corp. of China
With power shortages cutting into supplies, earnings in 2022 for China’s largest state-owned aluminum maker will depend on higher pricing. Production limits and a carbon neutral push are expected to slow annual output growth to 1.3%, from 5.1% in […]
