On Tuesday in Cupertino, California, the world watched as
Apple (
NASDAQ: AAPL,
Stock Forum)CEO Tim Cook unveiled the tech giant's newest products.
As you probably know, Apple is the biggest company on the planet, based on market cap. As of June, it had more than $160 billion in cash (including cash equivalents and marketable securities) on its balance sheet.
That's a bigger cash balance than the market cap of 480 companies in the S&P 500 index.
Apple's electronics have dozens of tiny parts inside of them – most of which are made by outside companies. The company also uses vendors to sell its products. And hundreds of companies sell its accessories – like colorful phone and tablet covers.
In short, every new product Apple launches affects hundreds (if not thousands) of companies.
For example, if a chipmaker is no longer manufacturing products for Apple, there is a good chance its stock will get crushed. If a company gets a new contract to supply Apple with software or equipment, there is a good chance its stock will soar.
I've read several stories about which companies will be the biggest beneficiaries – and losers – following Apple's major event. But there is one company that's been left off all of these lists.
And this under-the-radar stock could see huge gains over the next 12 months.
Let me explain...
Apple's latest products include the new iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch, a "smartwatch."
The even bigger news was Apple's new mobile payment system, Apple Pay. This system will make it easier, faster, and safer to make purchases. Apple clients can store their credit or debit card information on their mobile device. Once this data is stored, you will never need to use a credit card again. With just one swipe of your mobile phone, you'll be able to purchase anything.
Apple says there are already more than 200,000 retailers set up to use this online payment system.
And one of the biggest beneficiaries of this massive trend is payment-processing giant First Data.
First Data provides secure payment and processing to more than 6 million merchants, operates in more than 70 countries, and processes more than $1.8 trillion in payments each year.
And it's the company that will provide the underlying technology for Apple Pay.
First Data is owned by private equity giant
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts (
NYSE: KKR,
Stock Forum), which we recommended in my
Small Stock Specialist newsletter two years ago. We're up almost 100% on our position (including dividends).
KKR is invested in dozens of companies. But First Data is the biggest investment the company has ever made. It bought First Data for $27.5 billion in 2007. To put that in perspective, KKR has a market cap of just $9.4 billion today. And KKR invested another $3.5 billion in First Data three months ago to help reduce interest payments and build up the company's balance sheet.
As a private company, First Data is flying beneath the radar of most investors. But it's one of the premier players in what is likely to become a game-changing trend.
In five to 10 years, we may never need to carry a wallet again. All of this information will be stored on our mobile phones – protected by fingerprint and eye scanners, which will be available on almost every future mobile device. It will be almost impossible for criminals to steal this information.
The recent Apple Pay announcement is great news for KKR. Even without the mobile-payment trend, the stock is still attractive. Shares are trading at just nine times forward earnings. Plus KKR pays a huge dividend – 8% over the past 12 months.
KKR has massive upside potential from current levels. The stock is cheap, growing faster than the overall market, and could see huge profits from First Data... which is great news for KKR shareholders.