Netflix, Facebook and other techs remain red hot

By Paul R. La Monica

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Silicon Valley may not like many of President Donald Trump's policies, especially his proposed ban on immigration. But investors in tech stocks don't seem too concerned.

Maybe it's despite Trump, or because of Trump -- after all, he is also promising to stimulate the economy with tax cuts, more government spending on infrastructure and fewer regulations -- many big tech stocks are on fire this year.

The so-called FANG stocks of tech, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google, have all soared in 2017.

Facebook is up nearly 20%. Amazon has gained 12%. Netflix is up 14%. And Google parent company Alphabet is up 7%.

And don't forget Apple. It's the best performer in the Dow this year, rising 20%. Fellow Dow component Cisco is up more than 13% too.

All six stocks are part of the Nasdaq, which has gained 8% and has outperformed the Dow and S&P 500.

The solid performance of these companies has helped push the Nasdaq to within spitting distance of topping the 6,000 mark for the first time ever.

How long will it take for the Nasdaq to get to 6,000? That probably will depend on earnings. Most tech companies reported solid results for the fourth quarter and have issued good guidance for the first quarter and 2017.

While many investors are obsessed with news from Washington (and what's popping up on Trump's Twitter accounts) these tech giants should keep doing well regardless of the political landscape since they are leaders in their respective industries.

"There are some meaningful fundamental drivers in the market right now," said David Jilek, chief investment strategist at Gateway Investment Advisers. "It's not just the Trump rally."

Just look at Netflix, for example. The stock rose Monday after UBS analyst Doug Mitchelson upgraded it to a buy.

He boosted his subscriber targets for the company -- and said that even though Trump's new FCC chair may eliminate Net neutrality rules that now help Netflix, he's not overly concerned that regulatory changes will hurt Netflix or other techs too severely.

There's also the fact that other Trump policies -- particularly tax reform -- could boost tech stocks substantially.

If Apple, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Cisco and other large techs with a lot of cash overseas are allowed to bring the cash back, or repatriate it, at a lower tax rate, they may invest more in R&D, buy back stock, boost dividends or acquire more companies.

And at the end of the day, as long as investor sentiment about Trump remains strong -- CNNMoney's Fear & Greed Index continues to show signs of Greed in the market -- then big tech stocks and other blue chips should continue to lead.

"This is still the most hated bull market ever but we're not seeing any signs of that trend turning," said Scott Colyer, CEO & chief investment officer of Advisors Asset Management.

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