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The widow of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi says in a lawsuit that surveillance software built by the Israeli surveillance company NSO Group was used to spy on her messages in the months leading up to her husband's death.

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

As we’ve noted this week, shares of Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) have just returned to fresh all-time highs, while those of Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) are also soaring this year. But they’re not the only tech titans to be giving tech investors something to cheer about. Alphab

(RTTNews) - Foxconn, Apple's key iPhone assembler with major operations in China, is planning to venture into making of electric vehicles, BBC reported following an interview with chairman and boss Young Liu.

Designed to provide broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Blend category of the market, the SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is a smart beta exchange traded fund launched on 04/15/2015.

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for investors, with many companies' stocks reaching record heights during the COVID-19 pandemic, then crashing back down in 2022 amid an economic downturn. This year has been a time of recovery for many companies as the drastic highs a

You can safely say that Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) CEO Warren Buffett knows a thing or two about investing on Wall Street. Since he became CEO in 1965, he's overseen a greater than 4,100,000% increase in Berkshire's Class A shares (BRK.A). On an annualized bas

Shares of Take-Two Interactive ( NASDAQ:TTWO ) have been incredibly hot this year, now up 33% year-to-date. As excitement over the company's upbeat quarter fades, investors who missed the run may have another chance to give the underestimated video game stock a second look. Indeed, the company is well on its way to returning to profitability. With a strong quarter in the books, impressive mobile assets that will help diversify the firm away from its less-frequent blockbusters, and a Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) release that's as close as ever (there were some hints at a potential 2024 launch), Take-Two stock has arguably never looked timelier. Despite the hot run, I'm staying bullish on the name ahead of what could be a huge year for the $23.2 billion game developer. Take-Two Interactive's Latest Quarter Draws in a Crowd Take-Two's latest quarter was decent, but the impressive guidance and clues over a GTA VI release captured the investors' hearts. The company technically missed on earnings, with fourth-quarter EPS coming in at $0.59, just below the $0.68 analyst consensus, and sales came in at a sound $1.4 billion, just ahead of the $1.31 billion to $1.36 billion guidance. I guess you could say the quarter was mixed, but given the low bar going into the number and confident commentary from management, the sudden surge in the stock shouldn't have come as a shock. Indeed, Take-Two has been a "sleeper" pick (or two-hit wonder) in the gaming space for quite some time, and there's no guarantee that GTA VI will be a success. That said, the company's track record of delivering high-rated hits speaks for itself. So, if a 2024 launch of the hit game is in the cards, TTWO stock may finally be ready for its much-awaited next leg higher. Of course, it would have been nicer to hear management give some firm deadlines. Given how many video games have been delayed, though, Take-Two may be wise to minimize the time pressure on its software developers. The business of game development may entail high stress and time pressure, but Take-Two has a formula that's worked out well. In that regard, investors should continue to be patient with Take-Two as it approaches the finish line with one of the most-anticipated video games of this decade. Take-Two Looks Like a Hot Takeover Target as VR Gaming Grows in Popularity Apple's ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) Vision Pro headset reveal hogged the headlines in recent weeks, and for good reason. Virtual and augmented reality may very well be the next big medium for not just work, but play. Indeed, one can't help but notice the emphasis Apple placed on gaming at WWDC 2023. As Apple better caters to game developers, I do think studios, Take-Two included, will be more open to making the leap into virtual-reality gaming. Undoubtedly, a fully-immersive GTA title that's VR-enabled may be one of the holy grails of spatial computing. Though such a title is still many years away, I view Take-Two as a powerful company that could help a company like Apple turn its VR or AR headset into a profound success. As consolidation across the gaming industry continues, I'd not be surprised if Apple or some other big-tech firm with a foot in the door of spatial computing or "the Metaverse" doesn't look at Take-Two as an attractive takeover target (although regulatory hurdles could block such a deal from happening). Regardless, this doesn't change the fact that Take-Two stands out as one of the potential winners of a multi-year transition into 3D worlds. Apple's Vision Pro could be a great next-generation gaming device if enough developers commit over the coming years. In the meantime, Apple is laying out the red carpet for the gaming crowd to bring new releases to the Mac, with a tool to help port PC games to macOS. Mac gaming is a great start before Apple jumps into the deep end with Vision Pro gaming. Is TTWO Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? Turning to Wall Street, TTWO stock comes in as a Strong Buy. Out of 19 analyst ratings, there are 15 Buys and four Hold recommendations. The  average Take-Two stock price target is $150.74, implying upside potential of 9.9%. Analyst price targets range from a low of $120.00 per share to a high of $165.00 per share. The Bottom Line on TTWO Stock There are a lot of things to get excited about going into 2024. GTA VI may finally launch, and as Apple Vision Pro goes on sale, the floodgates to VR gaming could open. When big developers like Take-Two are comfortable announcing big-budget VR titles, though, remains to be seen. It could take many years. For now, TTWO stock seems attractive for a potential GTA VI launch in a year or two. Further, its attractiveness as a takeover target also can't be ignored. At writing, the stock trades at 4.1 times price-to-sales (P/S), well below the software industry average. Disclosure 

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

China's e-commerce platforms are competing fiercely in the country's first major shopping festival after the pandemic, offering steep discounts to entice frugal consumers in more worrying signs for an economy struggling to build momentum.

Microsoft Corp shares rose to a new record high close on Thursday as market optimism about the prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped buoy the technology giant to a record market capitalization of $2.59 trillion.

The NASDAQ 100 After Hours Indicator is down -6.42 to 15,179.06. The total After hours volume is currently 102,313,091 shares traded.The following are the most active stocks for the after hours session: Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) is -0.15 at $126.96, with 3,546,567 shares traded. A

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq surged on Thursday to close at their highest in 14 months, as investors cheered economic data that fueled bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its aggressive interest-rate hike campaign.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq surged on Thursday to close at their highest in 14 months, as investors cheered economic data that fueled bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its aggressive interest-rate hike campaign.

Unity Software ( NASDAQ:U ) rallied 17% when Apple ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) announced a partnership with the video game engine maker during the reveal of its spatial computer Apple Vision Pro. The sudden spike may very well be the start of a sustained rally to much higher levels as Unity looks to recover some of the ground it lost during the devastating crash of 2022. I am bullish on Unity stock. Undoubtedly, Unity is a big name in the world of video game development. It helps power many impressive 3D games on a wide range of platforms. Indeed, it makes sense to view Unity as some sort of software "pick-and-shovels" play for a potential AR/VR push that could come as early as next year once Apple Vision Pro goes on sale in the U.S. market. Gaming will be just one main draw of spatial computing. The other will be immersive experiences that are sure to be rich with digital 3D assets. Apple Vision Pro and Unity May be a Match Made in Heaven For now, Apple Vision Pro with Unity technology looks like the perfect match that could help developers create enough apps (yes, including the elusive "killer apps") to make Apple's spatial computer a must-buy on day one, even at $3,499. Understandably, there were many groans and laughs when the pricing details were unveiled. However, I think the pains of the Apple fans were due to the hit that their wallets would take rather than groans of missing out on the new, potentially-revolutionary technology. Apple seems smart to give developers the tools (and time) to ensure the Apple Vision Pro succeeds. Indeed, many firms have tried but failed to break into the realm of VR, AR, or the Metaverse with their own headsets. Apple's headset is not cheap, but it may be of great value considering the type of cutting-edge hardware and software needed to make next-generation immersive experiences possible. As Apple Vision Pro and its app store succeed, I believe so too will Unity. Unity Stock: 52-Week High is Still Within Reach At its worst, shares of U lost around 88% of their value from peak to trough. As the tides turn and we learn more about Unity's involvement with Apple and its latest headset, it's hard to stay downbeat on Unity. Although its 52-week high, just shy of $60 per share, may not be touched anytime soon, I do think many are underestimating the potential of its partnership with Apple. Some skeptics may be inclined to dismiss the device over its price or spatial computing as a whole. Still, Apple has a pretty good track record of turning anything it touches into gold, and the firms it teams up with tend to prosper profoundly. It will take time, perhaps years, for spatial computing to mature. The first Apple Vision headset is undeniably expensive, but the tech will improve, and prices should fall with time. Next year's Vision Pro model may be miles behind a non-Pro version that launches after it, especially at the rate Apple Silicon is improving. For now, Unity stands out as an innovative company that may very well be the Nvidia ( NASDAQ:NVDA ) of the AR/VR world. Only time will tell if VR/AR, spatial computing, and the Metaverse will experience another euphoric surge. Regardless, I do think it will be hard not to be enthused after trying an Apple Vision Pro in stores next year. Earlier this year, innovation investor Cathie Wood bought a big chunk of Unity shares. She's all about disruptive innovation, and I think she'll look very smart if the Apple-Unity partnership pays off in a year or two. Is Unity Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? Turning to Wall Street, U stock comes in as a Moderate Buy. Out of 14 analyst ratings, there are seven Buys, six Holds, and one Sell rating. Nonetheless, the  average Unity Software stock price target is $39.67, implying downside potential of 3.4%. Analyst price targets range from a low of $16.00 per share to a high of $66.00 per share. The Bottom Line on Unity Shares Unity stock seems too hot to handle following its vertical surge on the Apple Vision Pro partnership announcement. Still, I think the stock has more room to run as it kicks off what could be a rush to tech stocks with skin in the AR game. Disclosure

The U.S. telecom stocks fell under pressure earlier this month, thanks in part to Amazon's ( NASDAQ:AMZN ) potential move to bring its disruptive impact to the wireless scene. Indeed, the most disruptive name in mega-cap tech is back at it, with the likes of Verizon ( NYSE:VZ ) and T-Mobile ( NASDAQ:TMUS ) that appear to have fallen within Amazon's crosshairs. According to a Bloomberg report, the e-commerce and cloud behemoth is reportedly working on adding wireless services at a reduced or complimentary perk for Prime members. Undoubtedly, including such services could act as another heavy weight on the shoulders of the already-ailing telecom companies while taking Prime subscription growth to the next level. Prime has already been one of the best value subscriptions for Amazon's avid users, and the perks seem to just keep piling up! Mobile connectivity could be the biggest perk yet, even if users need to pay a small nominal fee (around $10/month) to get it. Whether Amazon's foray into wireless upends the industry remains to be seen. Indeed, Amazon spokesperson Brad Mattinger denied his firm is negotiating with wireless carriers to bring the service to Prime. New Tech Could Cause the "Commoditization of Data" to Accelerate The Amazon wireless news seems to have really caused investors to sour on all things telecom. This raises the question -- are wireless services a mere commodity that any tech-driven firm can offer? As tech improves and the cost of data becomes cheaper, I do think the answer gravitates toward "yes." It's not just mega-cap tech titans that could devalue the cost of various telecom services. Satellite connectivity has advanced considerably in recent years. With Elon Musk's Starlink offering internet coverage via satellites in space, the so-called "space race" could take on a whole new meaning, and traditional telecom companies with tons invested in infrastructure could be the ones to be left behind. Indeed, it's too early in the game to conclude that telecom carriers are bound to falter in this new tech-driven era. Regardless, I do believe it's a good idea for companies like Verizon or T-Mobile to consider spending more time and money thinking about how the Internet will be delivered in the distant future. Perhaps that future isn't so distant if you've had a chance to test out Starlink's impressive low-latency Internet! The Wide Moat Protecting the Telecoms Could Erode Quickly From Here It's not so easy to start up your own telecom company. Considerable infrastructure costs have allowed many telecom firms to pay very generous dividends as wide economic moats protected cash flows from technological disruption. However, that era may be coming to an end if companies like Starlink look to change how and where we get our data. Further, wireless services may be viewed as just another service for the mega-cap tech companies to add to their arsenals to further bolster their service revenues. Indeed, it certainly seems like mobile data could be the new streaming through the eyes of companies like Amazon or Apple ( NASDAQ:AAPL ), a firm that brought satellite internet connectivity via its Emergency SOS feature (which allows the newest version of iPhones to send emergency messages via communication satellites when there is no cell signal). While satellite internet is definitely novel, I'm not so sure shareholders of traditional telecom companies need to hit the SOS button quite yet. Satellite connectivity could be the future, but it's still in the early innings. Further, there are challenges that could prevent Amazon from bringing telecom services to Prime in the nearer term. The company needs to ink a deal with existing carriers, which could be no easy task, especially if carriers recognize what it could mean to do a deal with Amazon. Call it "a deal with the devil," if you will. The American telecom scene is competitive, but it could take many years before satellites and Prime perks drive down the price of data at an accelerated rate. As spatial computing (think VR and AR) become more commonplace, demand for fast, low-latency data could surge, and that's a good thing for the telecom scene as a whole. When it comes to Verizon stock, shares have arguably priced in the worst. The stock is coming off a fresh multi-year low at $34 and change. Yes, there are headwinds, potentially secular ones. But the ~7.0 times trailing price-to-earnings multiple just seems to factor in none of the positives and all of the negatives. How Do Analysts View These Stocks? Using TipRanks' comparison tool pictured below, we can see that AMZN and TMUS are rated as Strong Buys on Wall Street, while VZ stock sports a Moderate Buy rating. TMUS has the highest upside potential, according to analysts, with 35.1% expected in the next 12 months. VZ and AMZN have upside potential of 25.6% and 8.8%, respectively. The Takeaway It's a worrying time to be a telecom investor. Nevertheless, though the future is uncertain, I think most of the fear is already baked into telecom shares at this juncture. Satellite connectivity and Prime wireless are interesting but may be a long way off from becoming mainstream. In that regard, the telecoms still look more than investable as they sag on recent woes. Disclosure

The main U.S. stock indexes touched multi-month highs on Thursday as Treasury yields slid after a slew of economic data pointed to easing price pressures, offsetting concerns about the Federal Reserve sticking to a hawkish monetary policy.

Wall Street's main indexes inched higher on Thursday as megacap stocks rose on lower Treasury yields, lifting investor sentiment soured by Federal Reserve's hawkish comments on interest rate hikes this year.