The Tech industry is the stock market's hottest, most profitable sector, but it can be a roller coaster ride. Companies with great ideas can end up going nowhere, and some that dominate today will be sold at fire-sale prices in five years. Sure things can become sore things very rapidly. Nothing But Net provides the knowledge and insights you need to understand what's really hot, to know what's not, and to outperform other investors consistently and decisively. Famous for his smart, savvy, and unique approach to Tech stock investing, Mark Mahaney provides his ten proven rules for succeeding as a long-term Tech stock investor--explaining everything he's learned during almost twenty-five years of analyzing internet stocks, including: ● Why revenue growth and customer metrics--not earnings--are what matter most to Tech investors ● How to invest--not trade--in the great growth opportunities that lie ahead ● How to determine when high valuations are a warning sign and when they signal an opportunity Nothing But Net provides powerful advice for the next two decades--lessons you can start applying today and use for years to come.
Legendary analyst Mark Mahaney has been covering internet stocks on Wall Street since 1998, with Morgan Stanley, American Technology Research, Citibank, RBC Capital Markets, and Evercore ISI. Institutional Investor magazine has ranked him as a top Internet analyst every year for the past 15 years, including five years as number one, and he has been ranked by the Financial Times and StarMine as the number-one earnings estimator and stock picker. In addition, TipRanks has placed Mahaney in the top one percent of all Wall Street analysts in terms of single-year stock picking performance.
To my knowledge, there aren't many books out there that focus on Internet stocks specifically, which is partly why I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 3.
Much of what it says could also be applied to any growth stocks. It's a bit shallow and the tone is a little grating at times, but it's a decent primer.
My biggest gripe would be that some of the examples of good calls have become what are currently terrible calls in the new high interest-rate environment, shedding 90% of their value. Mahaney does touch on interest rates in brief at the end, but ideally a book like this would have gone deeper on how growth companies' fundamentals might be hit by more normal interest rates than we've experienced over the past 20 years, or in other growth-impacting circumstances.
It feels line there's a more detailed book to be written on the same topic, but as a 5-hour read, this is a decent start.
A light book to learn more about Tech investing. The problem of the book is that it is mostly focused on the recent past (last 5 years) and provides very few examples of older picks from Mark. However it is still interesting to understand how one of the leading equity research analysts analyze companies and make its Stock Picks.
Investing in tech stocks is a great way to make money. And you can increase your chances of success by investing in high-quality companies. Your best bet is a company with consistent revenue growth of 20 percent or more, product innovation, a big TAM, a customer-centric approach, and excellent management. Be prepared to play the long game!
---
Search for companies that generate at least 20 percent revenue growth.
According to Mahaney, there are three financial metrics that tech investors should focus on: revenue, revenue, and revenue.
To understand why revenue is so important, let’s compare two tech companies – eBay and Netflix. You can probably guess which one Mahaney considers to be the better investment.
It certainly isn’t eBay! eBay failed as a long-term stock. It was profitable over a long period, but from an investor’s standpoint, that’s not good enough. eBay wasn’t able to maintain consistent, premium growth. In a 10-year period, the share price stayed exactly the same – not great.
Let’s compare that to Netflix. While it hasn’t been consistently profitable, Netflix was very successful in another area: it managed to sustain premium revenue and subscriber growth for years. This is strong evidence that it’s a great stock.
Here’s a simple rule for tech investors: search for companies that generate at least 20 percent revenue growth. It should be consistent growth, for at least five to six consecutive quarters. This suggests that the companies are both high-quality and high-growth. Good past performance is a reliable indicator of good future performance.
Let’s go back to Netflix for a moment, as there’s another useful lesson for investors here. Apart from the sustained growth we mentioned before, what did the company do that was so special?
Netflix successfully implemented growth curve initiatives, or GCI. A GCI is a step taken by a company to drive growth. It might be a new product launch, a price increase, or an expansion into a new geographic market. Netflix did all of these things, and it did them well – leading to a dramatic increase in revenue. As a result, its stock soared.
Those are two simple things a tech investor can keep in mind when choosing a stock. Look for companies with successful GCIs. And make sure the companies are generating around 20 percent revenue growth.
However, it’s worth remembering that revenue growth is only an indicator of high quality. It’s a result, not a cause. If you want to identify a good stock from the get-go, you need to know what causes high quality. According to Mahaney, there are four key drivers.
We’ll explore each of these next so you know exactly what you should be looking for.
---
The first two key drivers of revenue growth are product innovation and total addressable market.
Let’s look at the first two key drivers of revenue growth – product innovation and total addressable market.
Let’s start with product innovation, which is a little easier to understand and identify. The great thing about being an investor in tech stocks is that you’re probably already a consumer of many of these companies.
You can spot product innovation for yourself, and you can experience the benefits directly. Think of the annual release of a new, improved iPhone, for example – or the launch of the Amazon Kindle. The benefits of these innovations are clear.
Another advantage of product innovation is that it tends to be a “repeatable offense.” A company that comes up with a couple of impressive products is usually able to produce more.
Why is innovation a good thing? Exciting, innovative products can generate new revenue streams, as well as enhance existing ones. And more revenue means better stocks.
Let’s move on to the second driver of revenue growth: total addressable market, or TAM for short. Just like product innovation, TAM should be at the top of an investor’s mind when picking stocks.
A big TAM means greater opportunity for premium revenue growth, as well as an increase in scale with associated benefits. For example, when a company grows to a significant scale, it’s more likely to have competitive moats – in other words, a unique edge over its rivals. Essentially, the company with scale is the winner. And it all starts with having a large TAM.
Once again, we can use Netflix as an example of a company that got it right. Netflix started off as a DVD rental service. Then it introduced streaming – an exciting product innovation that also increased the company’s TAM. Netflix was able to expand internationally.
And it continues to expand, thanks to the global rise of smartphones. An increasing number of people use their smartphone as their main screen, so there’s reason to be optimistic about Netflix’s potential market expanding even further.
There are various ways for a company to increase its TAM, and they’re not always easy to identify. But a significant international presence is always a good sign. Google stood out right from the start because of its success across international markets.
---
Steer clear of fads, do your research, and stay humble.
You just completed the little tech stocks crash course – now you can invest with more confidence!
But wait! Before you rush off to buy shares, here are some final nuggets of wisdom.
First, don’t be scared off by a tech stock just because it seems expensive. When you’re buying tech stocks you also have to account for growth. Over time, high growth rates can transform what was initially an expensive stock into a reasonable stock – making it a worthwhile investment.
And, according to Mahaney, there’s still good reason to be optimistic about tech stocks. He’s been analyzing tech stocks for longer than anyone else on Wall Street – almost 25 years – and he’s still excited about the internet sector’s growth opportunities. But he also has a word of advice to anyone who’s new to stocks. If you’re one of the millions of new investors who got into stocks during the COVID-19 crisis, listen closely.
Avoid day trading, and steer clear of meme stocks. A meme stock is a stock that’s popular with millennial traders. It’s more about hype than the company’s fundamentals.
Day trading on these kinds of stocks can be fun. January 2021 was a thrilling time for many traders. Gamestop shares skyrocketed by 1,900 percent before correcting down by 90 percent the following month.
The problem with trading, though, is that it’s essentially like gambling in Vegas – you can have fun and make money, but you can also lose big-time. You’re much better off researching high-quality companies and investing instead.
And that brings us to our final point: research. Do your homework. Before investing in a tech company, assess it carefully using the criteria we’ve discussed. Of course, even then you’ll get it wrong sometimes. It happens to everyone – even the experts. Mahaney’s own mistakes have taught him to stay humble, and it’s an attitude he recommends to any investor.
So, if you think you’ve found the next Amazon, go for it! Just do your research, prepare for some possible bumps in the road, and have fun.
Investing in tech can be rewarding – and not just financially. Mahaney has found it immensely satisfying to watch the growth of the tech industry. Whatever comes next, it’s bound to be exciting.
I was hoping this would be another Lessons from the Titans. Instead it was more CNBC.
Overall, the book was highly disappointing and not worthwhile. The case studies weren't really case studies. The frameworks greatly benefited from hindsight bias. Mahaney tried to capture Buffet and Lynch's writing but instead came across as highly dislikable. In my opinion, the book greatly hurts his credibility. Admittedly, the book is meant for retail investors but so are Lynch's and yet I still find much wisdom in his novels.
For any professional investors this book is one of those you rent, skim, and put back on the shelf. For aspiring investors, there are at least 50 books I'd recommend before this one. In 5-10 years this will be yet another forgotten investment book.
This book helps me to think thoroughly about how to value tech stocks. It answered some of my questions about why the PE/PS was so unreasonable and the stock price is still rising. It opened my mind to look at a stock from different angles. I especially like the humble way the author explains everything, pains and gains, they are life, they are real, and they are worth to read! Definitely recommend.
Strongly recommend reading this. Touches on a lot of the theories, but this is much more of a "look inside" for what to expect. Absolutely PACKED with case studies and examples which all help to give you a wealth of investing experience in a very short amount of time. Absolutely loved it.
*A fascinating, albeit occasionally unfocused, look at the inner workings of Silicon Valley's titans*
The book offers readers a rare glimpse into the decision-making processes and corporate cultures that have propelled the tech industry's biggest success stories. As someone with a keen interest in both business strategy and technology, I found the book's insider perspective particularly illuminating.
The author expertly highlights several key insights that explain the success of today's tech giants. The focus on high-growth companies—those consistently achieving at least 20% annual revenue growth—provides a clear blueprint for identifying potential winners in the space. This emphasis on sustained growth over quick profitability is a refreshing counterpoint to more traditional investment advice.
Among the most memorable anecdotes is the revelation about Google's unconventional hiring practices, including the preference for candidates who had attended Burning Man. (Absurd, right?) This speaks volumes about the company's prioritization of creative thinking and cultural fit beyond mere technical qualifications—a strategy that clearly paid dividends as the company grew.
The book's analysis of Meta is particularly insightful, detailing how M. Zuckerberg's unwavering commitment to long-term vision—evident in numerous earnings calls—has enabled the company to weather significant storms and emerge stronger. This section offers valuable lessons on the importance of strategic patience in an industry often fixated on quarterly results.
Another compelling is the deep dive into Amazon's customer-obsessed philosophy. The author convincingly argues that this singular focus has been the cornerstone of Amazon's expansion from online bookstore to global technology behemoth.
Where the book falls slightly short is in offering specific, actionable investment recommendations. While the principles outlined are sound, readers looking for concrete portfolio advice may be left wanting more.
Nevertheless, "Nothing but Net" remains a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the DNA of successful tech companies or improving their approach to tech investments. The author's blend of anecdotes, analysis, and industry context makes for an engaging journey through the landscape of modern technology giants.
Self-described as the “oldest Internet analyst,” Mark Mahaney has consistently ranked among the top Wall Street stock analysts (TipRanks currently has him as the #23 analyst out of nearly 9,000). His book, NOTHING BUT NET, lists a handful of investing truths learned from several decades picking and rating Internet stocks, from the Dot-com bubble to the COVID pandemic. Mahaney, now an analyst at the investment bank Evercore ISI, writes for an intended audience of long-term retail investors, and does not presume previous investing acumen. He offers several tokens of wisdom: • Investing involves losing money and investors must learn to tolerate setbacks. • Find companies that offer compelling customer value propositions (e.g., Amazon and Netflix as historical examples). • High quality companies innovate well, have large market opportunities, and have capable management teams. • High quality stocks can often become dislocated amidst sharp selloffs that belie the fundamental valuation of the company. • Trading around the end of quarters during earnings releases is risky, and not sustainable for long-term investors. • While profit matters, revenue growth (specifically 20% “premium” growth or higher) is most important. • Focus on the “total addressable market” – this can enhance a company’s revenue flow through economies of scale, unit economic advantages, competitive moats, and network effects. In providing these lessons, Mahaney cites his experiences of predicting (and missing) the rise of certain Internet stocks (e.g., Amazon, Netflix, Doordash, Chewy, and Booking, to name a few). While Mahaney’s recipe for successful stock picking worked for many of these stocks, the trajectory of these stocks in the aftermath of the pandemic (many of which have fallen well off their highs) shows that there is rarely a static template for stock analysis. Long-term investing requires constant reassessment of a company’s current outlook and prospects, where what worked in the past may not always work in the future. Mahaney’s career trajectory is a case example of how one of Wall Street’s most clairvoyant analysts beat the market by picking promising companies that met his criteria for success, now made accessible for a popular audience.
As a tech investor, I very much enjoyed reading Mark's stories and recounting of the start and evolution of the tech giants of today and nodding my head in agreement.
Good investing lessons that growth stock investors know or should know.
Thanks to Mark for distilling out the wisdom learned from his many years of covering tech as one of the best analysts around. I hope he will keep it updated.
I enjoyed the book because it contains more than just technical financial jargons. Mark showed both his wins and losses in his investing years. If you recently learned about the internet space, this book is helpful to understand the historical performance of some names like AMZN, GOOGL, META, NFLX, etc. If you have looked at this sector for quite sometimes, the lessons can be repetitive or “obvious,” but I still think you can still enjoy the humor Mark put into his book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I think there is a lot of survivorship bias in this book. It takes the most successful internet companies in the world and applies 20/20 hindsight to try to explain their success. If one were to go back in time and apply the lessons suggested in this book, would she really be able to pick the winners? Or if we do it today, can we pick the winners of the next decade? I doubt it.
Great explanations based on fundamentals of how to invest in tech stocks, well illustrated by practical examples. Only negative comment is that it is a bit much Netflix and Amazon but other than great approach.
Easy to read book about investing in technology stocks and where to pay attention to. Very good lessons about focus on fundamentals, the long run, and dislocated high quality (DHQ).
I loved this book. I wish I had read it earlier, because I think I would be wealthier today if I had. This book offers great advice on what to look for in a winning stock.
-specifics related to the tech industry analysis (types of companies, location specific advantage etc) -no analysis framework (types of companies, revenue models, key line items in financials etc) -no commentary on zeitgeist (Fundraising, Old IT outsourcing, WEB 3.0 etc)
I could go on but there is no point in listing what could've been there.
To conclude : A basic (growth) investing book; rather good one at that (with MAANG + Uber & Lyft examples as it is a 'tech stocks' book).