Top 3 Cloud Stocks:Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Verint Systems Inc. (VRNT) And Palo Alto Networks Inc. (PANW)

The push for the cloud is gaining momentum with FBR Capital Markets, Daniel Ives, remaining confident that king of software, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), remains well positioned to benefit from the ongoing push. During an interview on Bloomberg, Ives reiterated that the gains achieved in 2014 were just tip of the ice bag of what investors should expect in 2015. The analyst also remains bullish on Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE:PANW) as the company continues to be the end to end player on the cyber security space with Verint Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:VRNT) turning out to be a good pick on big data analytics.

“Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) on the large-cap side really leveling Nadella’s doing on the cloud and mobile; it was a great 2014. I think it is just the tip of the ice bag for what is going to happen in 2015. […] So there is a lot of fuel in the engine with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT),” said Mr. Ives.

The internet space has become a dangerous place to operate in, seen by the recent wave of hack attacks that have forced a number of companies to seek cyber security services. Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE:PANW) is slowly turning out to be one of the biggest beneficiary of companies pursuing services to secure the servers and data stored on the cloud.

 The recent hack attacks have prompted a number of companies to start analyzing their security metrics with most of them increasing funding to their IT departments as one of the ways of fending off any future attacks.Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE:PANW) is poised to gain a great deal from companies seeking cyber security solutions in 2015 something that should  translate to improved revenues.

“They are really the end to end next gen platform player that could be a winner also a good 2014. What we are seeing on cyber security from enterprise and government is a surge in spending. I think that is really the one that is going to seal a lot of benefits from IT budgets,” said Mr. Ives.

On big data analytics, Verint Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:VRNT) remains the top pick for Ives. The analyst believes the stock is under-loved at the back of the ongoing push by companies to secure their networks from cyber-attacks. The analyst expects the stock to enjoy massive movements going forward as planning continues on the big data trend.

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