DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Why Korea Is Beating Other Asian Stock Markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Frances Yoon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

South Korea’s stock market is the best performer in Asia and one of the top indexes in the world so far this year. Photo: yonhap/ShutterstockShould a slowing economy lead to a weak stock market? Not judging by the performance of South Korea’s benchmark index this year. The country’s stock market is the best performer in Asia and one of the top indexes in the world so far this year. The Kospi Composite Index has risen more than 11% since Jan. 1, fueled by a rally in the shares of big technology companies such as Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc., which together account for a fifth of the index.

☆ U.K. Blocks Microsoft’s Bid for Activision, a Blow to the Tech Giant
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( David Mccabe | Kellen Browning | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

British antitrust regulators on Wednesday blocked Microsoft’s plans to acquire the video game giant Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, a significant hurdle for what would be the largest consumer tech acquisition since AOL bought Time Warner two decades ago. The Competition and Markets Authority in Britain said in a statement that Microsoft’s proposal “failed to effectively address the concerns in the cloud gaming sector.”The decision bolsters an effort by the Federal Trade Commission to block the acquisition and is a red flag for big technology companies trying to make large deals despite increasing government scrutiny over whether they abuse their power to hurt rivals and consumers. “Microsoft already enjoys a powerful position and head start over other competitors in cloud gaming and this deal would strengthen that advantage giving it the ability to undermine new and innovative competitors,” Martin Coleman, the chair of a panel that conducted an investigation for the C.M.A., said in a statement.

☆ Big Tech beats: Microsoft & Alphabet post strong earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBig Tech beats: Microsoft & Alphabet post strong earningsHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC. Edmund Lee, The New York Times, and Alex Kantrowitz, Big Technology, joins the show to discuss earnings from Alphabet and Microsoft.

☆ Technology’s year of efficiency faces it first major test: overcoming declining earnings expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Technology's year of efficiency faces its first major test this week as big technology earnings kick into high gear. Across the information technology sector, earnings are expected to decline 15.1% year over year, according to FactSet data. The setup for technology stocks It's hard to pinpoint one specific problem denting earnings expectations this season. Heading into the second quarter, many technology companies already face lowered earnings expectations, with analysts lowering earnings estimates for the information technology sector in the first quarter by 6.5% in aggregate, according to FactSet data. "We plan on being either not in any of these names or hedged or short some of them going into earnings season," Niles said.

☆ Futures slip as investors brace for tech earnings, economic data
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Market heavyweights including Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) and Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), whose shares have supported markets this year, are scheduled to report results this week. Whether the rally continues could depend on the companies beating already-lowered first-quarter estimates. Of the 88 S&P 500 companies that reported results through Friday, nearly 76% beat analysts' first-quarter profit estimates, as per Refinitiv IBES data, above the long-term average of 66.3%. ET, Dow e-minis were down 80 points, or 0.24%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 9 points, or 0.22%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 19.5 points, or 0.15%. The regional bank, whose shares have sunk 88% this year triggered by the U.S. banking crisis, is set to report results after market closes on Monday.

☆ A.I. could serve as the next major catalyst for these cybersecurity stocks. Here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

While a major headache for customers and businesses alike, the emergence of sophisticated AI attacks could serve as a major boon for cloud companies operating in the cybersecurity space. For many years, cybersecurity cloud companies have harnessed AI and machine learning to stop attacks, monitor suspicious activity and protect businesses. .IXIC YTD mountain Nasdaq Composite so far this year As investors dip back into the technology sector, cybersecurity stocks across have risen across the board, with the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) up about 7.5% this year. Cybersecurity providers CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks are up 25.6% and 38.5%, respectively, year to date. "The basket of cloud and cybersecurity stocks offers something for everyone," Eyal said.

The logo of German software group SAP is pictured at the headquarters of SAP (Schweiz) AG in Regensdorf, Switzerland January 22, 2021. Revenue from SAP's lucrative cloud business grew 24% year-on-year, broadly in line with consensus. For the year, SAP expects non-IFRS operating profit in the range of 8.6-8.9 billion euros, 200 million euros less than before. Cloud revenue forecast is seen down by 1.3 billion euros to between 14 and 14.4 billion euros. "Underlying guidance is essentially unchanged, although updated to reflect the disposal of Qualtrics," Jefferies analysts wrote in a client note.

☆ Alphabet will ultimately lose this chatbot war: CIC Wealth's Malcolm Ethridge
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAlphabet will ultimately lose this chatbot war: CIC Wealth's Malcolm EthridgeAlex Kantrowitz founder of 'Big Technology,' and Malcolm Ethridge, CIC Wealth executive vice president, join 'Closing Bell' to discuss their thoughts on Alphabet, what Alphabet's news means for the company's ambitions, and more.

Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) fell 2.5% after the video-streaming pioneer beat analysts' earnings estimates for the first quarter but offered a downbeat forecast. The two-year Treasury yield , most reflective of short-term rate expectations, hit a one-month high of 4.29% and the 10-year yield hit a four-week high as traders scaled back expectations of rate cuts later this year. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee and New York President John Williams are set to speak later in the day. Earnings from regional banks were mixed, with Citizens Financial Group Inc (CFG.N) falling 2.4% after its first-quarter results missed estimates. Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL.N) rallied 20.4% after the regional bank posted stronger-than-expected earnings and said its deposits had stabilized after the March banking crisis.

☆ Futures retreat as Treasury yields rise, Tesla slides
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) slipped 1.6% after the video-streaming pioneer beat Wall Street earnings estimates for the first quarter but offered a downbeat forecast. ET (1800 GMT), and investors will scrutinize it for impact on the recent banking crisis on economic activity. ET, Dow e-minis were down 165 points, or 0.48%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 25.5 points, or 0.61%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 120.75 points, or 0.92%. Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL.N) rallied 15.5% after the regional bank posted stronger-than-expected earnings and said its deposits had stabilized after the March banking crisis. Shares of banks First Republic Bank (FRC.N), Zions Bancorporation (ZION.O) and Pacwest Bancorp (PACW.O) rose between 1.1% and 4.1% in premarket trade.

J&J (JNJ.N) shares fell 2.8% after the healthcare conglomerate cautioned investors over the lingering impact of inflation-driven costs this year. Goldman (GS.N) shares dropped 1.7% after the Wall Street firm's profit fell 19% as dealmaking and bond trading slumped. The early quarterly results from S&P 500 companies come as investors have been bracing for a gloomy reporting season, fearing the economy may be on the cusp of a downturn. S&P 500 company earnings are expected to have declined 4.8% in the first quarter from a year earlier, according to Refinitiv IBES data as of Friday. The S&P 500 posted 28 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 66 new highs and 143 new lows.

☆ Tech ripped higher to start the year. Here's how the pros are trading the sector in the new quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

After the worst year for tech since 2008 , many investors questioned whether the market could move higher in the new year without the sector's cooperation. Names such as Apple , Microsoft and Amazon gained about 27%, 20% and 23% in the first quarter, respectively, as yields pushed lower. Amid this backdrop, Alphabet shares gained 17.6% in the first quarter as the company launched it's Bard chatbot rival. Not all investors view big tech so optimistically heading into the new quarter. Much of the surge in tech stocks stems from the oversold conditions created during 2022's carnage, positioning many of these stocks for a bounce, Meeks said.

☆ 12 crypto projects supporting AI development as mega-cloud giants like Amazon dominate the space, according to a research analyst
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"Despite the seemingly smooth progress of AI development, there are underlying challenges and bottlenecks that must be addressed. His recent report points to crypto projects that are developing decentralized machine learning compute networks. Crypto projects lowering the barrier to AIThere are five main stages in the development of AI, according to the report. The two crypto projects that currently have the ability for this are gensyn and together however their blockchains are not yet live. Both of the above tasks aren't as strenuous as model training, so more crypto projects can support them.

☆ Social media apps are all starting to look the same. Here are the 4 biggest consequences of that and why creators will only get more rich.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Alex Kantrowitz | Big Technology | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He writes that every social media app is unleashing the same pool of content, and one app will win. Social media feeds are melting together. This week, let's look at four key ways the growing homogenization of social media will likely play out:1. And though the U.S. has more to debate on its advisability, he's spot on regarding how the state of social media will factor. But when the format appears on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, that type of standardization is appealing.

☆ What is ChatGPT, and should we be afraid of AI chatbots?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Raphael Sanis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool that caught big technology companies off guard. It became a viral sensation as users created songs, poems, and essays. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops — delivered daily to your inbox. Loading Something is loading. It can write code and even poems — but it can also get things wrong.

☆ Investor Jenny Harrington says this financial stock is a 'safer trade' than Big Tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investor Jenny Harington said she sees a clearer earnings story in Charles Schwab than big technology names that others have rushed back to this year. Meta shares have gained more than 70% so far this year but, after slumping 64% in 2022, is still more than $100 below where they ended 2021. Meanwhile, Palo Alto shares now trade above where they ended 2021 after climbing almost 38% this year to make up for 2022's 25% decline. "It's really, really, really hard to see where growth is coming," Harrington said. "For me, when you're saying, 'What's the safety trade?,' and I'm saying I don't like the mega-caps because I don't even know what their earnings really should be."

☆ Morgan Stanley believes this mega-cap tech stock has 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Amazon 's latest job cuts should help the company's profitability, Morgan Stanley said. His price target of $150 implies an upside of 52.9% over where the big technology stock ended Friday's session. The profitability of Amazon Web Services could be specifically helped given that it was one business area Nowak said he believed was targeted in the latest round. The first round was mainly targeted at lower-salaried roles, Nowak said, meaning the latest cuts can lead to higher average savings per employee. The stock has gained 16.8% since the start of 2023, regaining ground after tumbling nearly 50% in 2022.

☆ Biden kicks off 'Investing in America' tour: Here's what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBiden kicks off 'Investing in America' tour: Here's what to expectHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC. Mick Mulvaney, former White House chief of staff under President Donald Trump; Lydia Moynihan, New York Post; and Alex Kantrowitz, Big Technology founder debate tomorrow's biggest headlines.

☆ Apple, Microsoft Dominate U.S. Markets After FAANG Trade Fizzles
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Hardika Singh | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Apple has emerged as a haven in the stock market turmoil, bringing its weighting in the S&P 500 to 7.11%. The FAANG era is apparently over. The U.S. market is dominated by just two stocks now. The combined weighting of Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. in the S&P 500 has risen to 13.3%, the highest level on record, while the influence of other big technology stocks has waned of late. That is according to Strategas Securities data going back to 1990.

☆ Want an annual investment return of up to 12%? This 'boring' strategy's the way to go, investor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I know it sounds boring, but we do try and look at where we think things will be in three to five years' time. A discount rate is the rate of return used to discount future cash flows back to their present value. Desmond said the firm applies a discount rate of 8% across its portfolio, which remains constant across the entirety of a financial cycle. I think if you keep moving your discount rate around every day, your valuations get very, very sensitive and it can really just whipsaw you. Stick to the 'Steady Eddies' Desmond characterizes the firm's investment approach as "a bit boring."

☆ Tech stocks emerge as haven in sell-off fueled by bank worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Lewis Krauskopf | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Among the big tech stocks, Apple Inc (AAPL.O) has fallen 1.5% over that time, while Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) climbed 3.4% and Intel Corp (INTC.O) rose over 7%. Large tech stocks generally screen well on "quality" metrics, such as balance sheet strength and profit margins, heightening their allure when economic uncertainty arises, said Matthew Miskin, co-chief investment strategist at John Hancock Investment Management. Reuters GraphicsA swift tumble in Treasury yields is also helping boost tech stocks. Tech shares were pummeled in 2022 as the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate hikes drove up Treasury yields, hurting "long duration" assets such as tech stocks. The utilities sector (.SPLRCU) has climbed 1% since last Wednesday, consumer staples (.SPLRCS) has slipped 0.5%, while healthcare (.SPXHC) has dipped 1%.

☆ Google is bringing AI chat to Gmail and Docs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Google is deepening its push into generative artificial intelligence, introducing features Tuesday that will let users create text in Gmail and Docs using the company's AI technology. The company is testing the AI products and making them accessible for a limited number of users of Workspace, which includes Gmail and Google's productivity tools. Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, will discuss AI and productivity software at an online event hosted on LinkedIn on Thursday. Google said that later this year it plans to bring out additional AI features to Workspace, including formula generation in Sheets, automatically generated images in Slides and note-taking in Meet. Last month, Google said it will add AI features to its dominant internet search engine.

☆ A ban on TikTok is more likely as bipartisan support grows, says Platformer's Casey Newton
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailA ban on TikTok is more likely as bipartisan support grows, says Platformer's Casey NewtonBig Technology's Alex Kantrowitz and Platformer Editor Casey Newton join 'Closing Bell' to discuss bipartisan moves to regulate social media companies, the likelihood of a ban on TIkTok and the potential backlash of a TikTok ban.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Snap, Apple, Boeing and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple — Shares advanced more than 3% after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of the big technology stock as a buy. Credit Suisse — Shares were down about 1% after former top shareholder Harris Associates sold its entire stake in Credit Suisse, according to a Financial Times report. The Wall Street firm said the luxury housing market is struggling to stabilize, which will impact RH's business. The Wall Street firm said the derating of Emerson Electric is overdone. Domino's Pizza — Domino's Pizza shares advanced more than 4%.

☆ Goldman Sachs says Apple can rally more than 30% thanks to its services business
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Apple could get a big boost from its services business, according to Goldman Sachs. Ng said investors may be incorrectly focusing on slowing product growth, which masks what he sees as an opportunity for the company to expand its services business. He said improvements in the services business, paired with product innovation and growth in the base, should offset headwinds from reduced demand for phones, tablets and Macs. "The durability of Apple's installed base and the resulting revenue growth visibility from attaching more Services and Products is what underpins the recurring revenue - or Apple-as-a-Service - opportunity." Apple's services business should see an 11% compound annual growth rate through at least the end of fiscal 2026, Ng said, resulting in $117 billion in revenue compared with $78 billion in fiscal 2022.

Search resuls for: "Big Technology"

25 mentions found