Groupon Inc (GRPN) and Investing in Technology: Apple Inc. (AAPL), eBay Inc (EBAY)

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)

The quintessential adult technology firm. A little stodgy, a little boring, especially compared to its flashier rivals. And Steven Ballmer and Bill Gates are never going to make anyone say, “Mmm…sexxxy.” But it does make some money. Last year’s operating margin was almost 30%. Not many firms, much less older, mature ones, can say that.

The firm’s stock has trended down for the year and it sort of mystifies me. A good chunk of that is going to be the strong 3.31% dividend yield taking money out of the shares and giving it directly to investors, though. I’ll never say that’s a bad thing. The board has also raised the dividend 15% this year. Microsoft should be a core part of any tech-oriented investment strategy.

Apple

This is the stock that breaks my rule. Apple had the good fortune to be led for years by an actual genius who was also charismatic as hell. Steve Jobs could break the rules because he was that one-in-a-million corporate leader who understood things others didn’t. A large part, in my opinion, of the firm’s recent stock trouble is because Tim Cook isn’t Steve Jobs. That’s not his fault.

I think Apple is a great investment now. The company continues to make money, and the stock is suffering through a decline made more by hype than results. Year-over-year the shares are down 19.1%, and from the peak in September down 37.3%. Get some now and hold on while it recovers. You can take advantage of the sellers who respond to the hype if you can buy and hold. Heck, it even offers a 2.31% dividend as a bonus.

So for now, Groupon getting rid of Mason, however nice he seems to be, is the best possible thing that could have happened to the company. Leonsis is definitely an adult and has a good record of making companies work. I have some doubts about how long he and Lefkofsky will sit in the hot seat, and I figure they’ll get to work identifying a new CEO sometime this year. Still, as I said, it’s a sign that the adults are in charge. Here’s hoping it makes Groupon investable again.

The article Groupon and Investing in Technology originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Nate Wooley.

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