Are Facial Recognition Stocks Staring You in the Face?

You may have seen the term 'facial recognition' in the new recently, for several different reasons. Facial recognition is the technological process automatically identifying a person from a digital image or a video, by comparing comparing facial features to an extensive facial database. 3D facial recognition is the latest trend, which is more accurate and can be used with profiles of faces. Facial recognition systems are employed by law enforcement, national security governmental agencies, casinos, banking, mobile devices, and even social media.

A Slap in the Facial Recognition Industry

Facebook (FB), which utilizes facial recognition, was criticized by the German government which outlaws such usage, since facial recognition is now mentioned in Facebook's latest privacy policy. A year ago, Facebook removed the software for European users, but wants to reactivate it again. And just a couple months ago, Congress pressured Google (GOOG) to leave out facial recognition software in the 'Google Glass' smart glasses.

Through the Looking Glass of Facial Recognition Stocks

According to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, ther are about a dozen stocks involved in facial recognition technology, with some having it as a small part of their business and a few pure plays. Some of the other major players include 3M (MMM), which has the Cogent BioTrust biometric logon software and the CAFIS facial recognition authentication system, Apple (AAPL), which has the iPhoto software Faces and the Polar Rose facial recognition company, and Safran (SAFRY), which owns L-1 Identity Solutions.

As for companies that are more pure plays, there is Nxt-ID, Inc. (NXTD), a Shelton, Connecticut company which provides biometric solutions for the law enforcement facial recognition markets. The company has MobileBio FaceMatch, a modular facial recognition system for smartphones, tablets, laptop, and desktop computers, and 3D FaceMatch Biometric Identity Systems, which combines 3D facial recognition, 2D facial recognition, and optional fingerprint biometrics. This very low cap stock generated a loss of three cents a share for the latest quarter.

To access a free list of all the companies with some involvement in the facial recognition industry, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. Although there are many privacy issues, this is a growth industry of the future.

Disclosure: Author owns AAPL.

By Stockerblog.com

Top Facial Recognition Stocks

Consumer advocates and privacy activists may not like it, but it looks like facial recognition is here to stay. Just a week ago, Facebook (FB) announced that it had purchased facial-recognition technology company Face.com, a three year old business based in Israel. Investors are taking a closer look at this industry, and according to WallStreetNewsNetork.com, there are a dozen facial recognition companies to choose from.

There are several large players with facial recognition as a small portion of the business including 3M (MMM), with the Cogent BioTrust biometric logon software, and the CAFIS system which can integrate facial recognition authentication. Apple (AAPL) has the iPhoto software Faces. A couple years ago, Apple purchased the Sweden based Polar Rose facial recognition company for $22 million.  Google (GOOG) is also involved in facial recognition, including its use of PittPatt technology to allow Picasa to add name tags to pictures.

Safran SA owns L-1 Identity Solutions (SAFRY), one of leaders in the face recognition arena. The company provides facial biometric technology to casinos and the gaming industry. L-1 has such products as FaceEXPLORER, a mugshot booking solution, FaceIt® Argus, a security checkpoint face screening system, and the ABIS® System FaceExaminer that analyzes, searches and identifies faces of wanted subjects taken from poor quality surveillance video. Safran trades at 23 times earnings.

AuthenTec (AUTH), a seecurity and identity management company, produces the TCEFC1 TouchChip module used with the Mobile Offender Recognition and Identification System known as MORIS. The stock trades at 29 times forward earnings. 
WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has turned up a list of over ten companies involved in facial recognition. The free list can be downloaded, sorted, and updated.

Disclosure: Author owns AAPL.

By Stockerblog.com