Despite a 77% gain in 2010, Arbitron is at the top of a list of five media stocks that columnist Frank Byrt at TheStreet.com says are “worth a look” for investors in 2011. Other stocks on the list include News Corporation, Viacom, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable.
Byrt notes that media stocks as a group were up 29% on average in 2010 – the second best of any sector for the year. Moreover, he expects that rate of growth to continue in 2011. That’s due to the improving economy and “the prospect of more advertising revenue” this year.
Looking specifically at Arbitron, TheStreet.com writer calls it “essentially the scorekeeper for the increasingly complex media industry.” He seems, however, to think it is a big player in television ratings as well as radio.
“It’s a sure thing in the eyes of analysts, as all four that follow the company rate it a buy,” the article noted.
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RBR-TVBR observation: The really smart money bought media stocks in 2009, when they were really beaten down. This columnist is right though that the recovery in ad spending which began in 2010 is almost certain to continue this year, so Wall Street is likely to look more favorably on the sector.
