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Cloud stocks | Top cloud companies to invest in 2020
Cloud stocks have soared in 2020. Here's a list of the top cloud computing companies and how to invest in them.
Twenty years ago, the cloud was just a fluffy thing in the sky. The only thing stored there was rainwater and maybe the odd daydream.
Nowadays, the cloud is a huge digital infrastructure that companies build applications on. That’s right!
The cloud lets you safely store 183,402 photos of your pet dog, it lets you catch up on The Great British Bake Off or read your emails from the other side of the world.
Cloud computing companies have really taken off. Companies like Microsoft are building applications that exist entirely in the cloud. Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the use and growth of some of these companies, with more people working from home than ever before.
The sky’s the limit with these cloud-based opportunities, and the rising valuation of cloud computing companies shows this.
List of best-performing cloud stocks in 2020
Below are 10 of the biggest cloud stocks of 2020 with their performance since 1 January 2020 up to the time of writing. We go into the first five in more depth below.
| Company | Ticker | Performance year to date |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom Video Communications Inc. | ZM | 635.64% |
| Fastly Inc. | FSLY | 339.01% |
| DocuSign | DOCU | 185.41% |
| Amazon | AMZN | 62.34% |
| Apple | AAPL | 45.92% |
| Salesforce | CRM | 45.10% |
| Adobe Inc. | ADBE | 42.62% |
| Zendesk Inc. | ZEN | 29.53% |
| Microsoft | MSFT | 27.20% |
| Slack Technologies Inc. | WORK | 17.30% |
Finder survey: Would Brits consider investing in cloud computing stocks?
53% of people we surveyed said they already invest in cloud computing stocks or would consider investing in cloud computing stocks.
| Response | |
|---|---|
| I would consider it | 46.49% |
| Not sure | 26.94% |
| I wouldn't consider it | 20.48% |
| I already invest in this | 6.09% |
Source: Finder survey by Censuswide of Brits, December 2023
The top five cloud computing stocks in more depth
Some of the companies here owe some of their success to the coronavirus pandemic, while some saw a hit during this time and have bounced back.
1. Zoom
If you hadn’t heard of Zoom before the pandemic, you certainly will have now, especially if you were the one tasked with setting your grandparents up on it over the phone. Nevertheless, let’s explain for those who’ve never taken part in several hundred Zoom quizzes.
Zoom is a video conferencing platform. In the increase of remote working and distance education during the coronavirus pandemic, there was a huge increase in the use of Zoom and similar products. It was also used for online socialising with loved ones while in lockdown.
As a result, its stock performed really well throughout the first six months of 2020.
2. Fastly
Fastly is one of those companies that work behind the scenes of ones that you know. It works on optimising websites and apps to help make them fast and secure. It works with well-known companies such as The New York Times, Pinterest, Boots, Deliveroo and Wayfair, among many (many!) more.
Fastly was in the news in mid-2020, with social media app TikTok one of its largest clients. Fastly faced some issues in the US when President Donald Trump signed an order to ban TikTok in the US. The stock dropped during this period, but Trump then approved a deal that allowed TikTok to remain in the US, seeing its stock recover.
3. DocuSign
You’ll have come across DocuSign if you’ve recently moved house or signed a new tenancy or work agreement. It’s software that lets you sign contracts or agreements from anywhere in the world on your mobile phone.
Again, COVID-19 accelerated the use of electronic signature platforms like DocuSign due to the forced removal of physical paperwork and drop off in face-to-face interactions. On top of all the automation and ease of use, it saves a lot of trees (2.5 million since 2003). This is one for you green heads out there!
4. Amazon
We’re sure you don’t need us to explain what Amazon is, but for those who haven’t been online before, welcome to the Internet. Strange that this is one of the first articles you’ve come across but, anyway.
Amazon is one of the most popular technology companies. It’s best known for its online store where you can buy pretty much anything.
Amazon also offers digital streaming services and cloud storage and owns companies like audiobook retailer, Audible and home automation company, Ring, among others.
With high-street retailers closing during the lockdown, people turned to Amazon for their shopping, which led to the stock price increasing during this time.
5. Apple
Here’s another company that probably doesn’t need explaining. Apple is a multinational technology company that sells electronics including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and more. As a result, its iShare price has been the fruit of its labour.
Apple saw a crash in its share price during the stock market crash at the end of March 2020, but it has since bounced back.
Investing in Cloud Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
There are ETFs that bundle together cloud computing companies into ONE type of investment, allowing you to get more diverse spread of companies, without the faff of investing in each one. Some of the stocks mentioned above will be included in the holdings of these ETFs.
- First Trust Cloud Computing ETF (SKYY)
- Global X Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU)
- WisdomTree Cloud Computing Fund (WCLD)
- Wedbush ETFMG Global Cloud Technology ETF (IVES)
Compare investment platforms
To buy stocks in any of the companies listed above, you’ll need to sign up to an investing platform. Here they are!
The ETFs mentioned above will also be listed on some of these platforms.
Table: sorted by promoted deals first
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