6 Internet Stories Cantor Fitzgerald Analysts Are Following

In a report published Friday, Cantor Fitzgerald analysts discussed six Internet stories they are following.

Twitter: CFO Discusses Issues, Google Search Results Update

Twitter Inc TWTR's CFO stated at an investor conference this week that he's still not seeing the benefit from organic growth, seasonality, or growth initiatives.

The analysts commented that innovation at Twitter continues at a "brisk pace" as tweets are beginning to show up in Google Inc GOOG GOOGL mobile search results. The deal should generate "meaningful" traffic from logged-out users and provide short-term monetization opportunities. However, it is unclear if this will help the company boost its user growth and retention over time.

Related Link: DISH Network Executive Explains Why Apple Was Unlikely To Release A TV

April Traffic Data Positive For Facebook

April U.S. multi-platform traffic data from comScore showed a "healthy" start to the second quarter viewer/user growth. Facebook Inc FB now dominates digital time spent online at 18.5 percent.

Shutterfly Outperforming Peers

Paid click data from comScore showed that paid click volume for Shutterfly, Inc. SFLY was up 10 percent in April, outperforming its competitor Snapfish whose paid click volume was down 31 percent over the same time period.

According to the analysts, if the growth is sustained over the near-term, this will be viewed as a positive trend for the company's second quarter performance.

Tripadvisor Acquisition

Tripadvisor Inc TRIP announced this week it will acquire Australia based restaurant reservation site Dimmi.

The analysts noted the acquisition "makes strategic sense" as the company continues to bolster its presence in the restaurant booking space outside of the U.S.

Dish's Sling TV Expands To Android

Sling TV, a subsidiary of DISH Network Corp DISH is now available on the Android TV platform.

The analysts argued that Sling TV is a real content bundle that should help Google's efforts in the space as Google hasn't had "much luck" with TV efforts historically.

Yahoo's Tax Free Spinoff Of Alibaba Called Into Question

An IRS Senior Reviewer stated that the agency is considering changes to the rules concerning spinoffs, which puts into question Yahoo! Inc. YHOO's tax-free spinoff of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd BABA.

The development creates a "cloud of uncertainty" around Yahoo and its ambitions, according to the analysts. The uncertainty pressured shares this week but under a worst case scenario, varying tax treatments of the proposed SpinCo yields a $16 per share negative impact to the analysts $60 fair value.