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Dernières nouvelles pour Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Stock

Apple

Apple is among the largest companies in the world, with a broad portfolio of hardware and software products targeted at consumers and businesses. Apple's iPhone makes up a majority of the firm sales, and Apple's other products like Mac, iPad, and Watch are designed around the iPhone as the focal point of an expansive software ecosystem. Apple has progressively worked to add new applications, like streaming video, subscription bundles, and augmented reality. The firm designs its own software and semiconductors while working with subcontractors like Foxconn and TSMC to build its products and chips. Slightly less than half of Apple's sales come directly through its flagship stores, with a majority of sales coming indirectly through partnerships and distribution.

Apple Inc

Huawei Technologies Co. is reportedly set to release its most advanced domestically made chip in the Mate 70 series, amid ongoing U.S. sanctions.
What Happened: The new chip will power select models in Huawei's Mate 70 lineup, which is expected to launch next week, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/huaweis-chip-advances-threaten-apple-in-china-165a1e9e?mod=tech_lead_story">reported</a> the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.
The launch comes as Huawei continues to increase its market share in China, where it has seen a rise in consumer demand.
In the third quarter of this year, Huawei's market share in China grew to 15.3% from 8.6% last year, positioning it as a significant competitor to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) in the high-end smartphone market.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41017367/huawei-riding-high-on-trifold-success-launches-revolutionary-laptop-powered-by-homegrown-chips-softw">Huawei, Riding High On Trifold Success, Launches Revolutionary Laptop Powered By Homegrown Chips, Software — China Ready To Break Free From US Tech Dependence?</a>
The new chips, produced by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation or SMIC, leverage advanced technologies to improve performance and power efficiency, allowing Huawei to compete more effectively with Apple's offerings.
&#8220;The Mate 70 will continue to put more pressure on Apple in China,&#8221; said IDC vice president Bryan Ma, according to the report.
Although Huawei's chips still lag behind Apple's in terms of power efficiency, he noted that the difference may not be significant as long as users can get through the day without worrying about charging, the report noted.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: This development coincides with an earlier report that suggested Huawei plans to begin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42105518/huawei-to-reportedly-take-on-nvidia-with-mass-production-of-new-ai-chips-by-2025-amid-us-restrictions">mass production of its new AI chip</a>, the Ascend 910C, in early 2025, despite facing major challenges from U.S. trade restrictions.
In May earlier this year, the Joe Biden administration <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/05/38682654/biden-administration-tightens-grip-on-chinas-huawei-revokes-key-export-licenses-from-us-chipmakers">canceled export licenses</a> for leading U.S. semiconductor companies such as Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) and Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), blocking them from providing essential chips to Huawei.
During the same month, a report from Counterpoint Research suggested that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39107001/after-apple-huawei-takes-on-samsung-in-race-to-become-worlds-top-foldable-phone-maker-report">Huawei surpassed</a> Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) in global foldable smartphone shipments for the first quarter of 2024.
Last month, U.S. lawmakers called on the Department of Commerce to take stronger measures against Huawei&#8217;s reported efforts to evade sanctions by using a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41368844/us-lawmakers-demand-tougher-action-on-huaweis-secretive-chip-network">covert network of semiconductor facilities</a>.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Apple shares increased by 0.02% to $228.56 in after-hours trading, following a 0.21% decline to $228.52 during Thursday's regular session, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40953906/huaweis-2-800-tri-fold-mate-xt-sparks-frustration-as-limited-stock-fails-to-meet-demand">Huawei&#8217;s $2,800 Tri-Fold Mate XT Sparks Frustration As Limited Stock Fails To Meet Demand</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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SSNLF

Apple Faces New Challenge As Huawei Advances Domestic Chip Tech In Mate 70 Series Amid US Sanctions: Report

Deepwater Asset Management's managing partner Gene Munster has weighed in on the implications of Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41616230/sundar-pichai-admits-doj-proposals-could-have-unintended-consequences-google-mapping-out-plan-b-in-c">regulatory challenges</a>, including the potential divestment of the Chrome browser.
What Happened: On Thursday, in an interview with CNBC, Munster highlighted the potential impact of a Chrome spin-off on Google&#8217;s search market share.
According to Munster, spinning off Chrome could reduce Google&#8217;s dominant 90% search market share in developed regions to approximately 80%.
This shift could significantly affect Google&#8217;s search growth, which has been averaging 10–14% in recent quarters, potentially dropping to low single digits or even negative in the short term.
He said, &#8220;People love Google, and they will slowly come back,&#8221; but the stock is down about 5% because this gets to the &#8220;core of half their business, which is search.&#8221;&nbsp;
Despite these concerns, he believes the likelihood of a Chrome spinout is low, citing a lack of precedent for such a move.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/42129847/apple-prepares-to-take-on-openais-chatgpt-google-gemini-live-with-llm-siri-in-2025-report">Apple Prepares To Take On OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT, Google Gemini &#8216;Live&#8217; With LLM Siri In 2025: Report</a>
Munster also pointed out that Google's search business forms a significant portion of its revenue and is also a critical pillar for its AI initiatives like Gemini. A drop in search market share could weaken Google's ability to compete with rivals such as ChatGPT-parent OpenAI.
He went on to speak about the interconnectedness of regulatory challenges, noting that the DOJ's scrutiny of Google&#8217;s search deal with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) could further damage the company's search business.
Earlier this year, a lawsuit uncovered that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42083150/googles-20b-search-deal-with-apple-faces-collapse-after-antitrust-ruling-what-it-could-means-for-both-tech-giants?itm_source=parsely-api">Apple received a substantial $20 billion</a> in 2022 to set Google as the default search engine on the Safari browser for iPhones.
For investors, the stakes are high. Munster warned that if such worst-case scenarios unfold, Google's stock could drop another 10–15%.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Tough day for Big Tech on the regulatory front. <a href="https://t.co/kPdWS6xD5T">https://t.co/kPdWS6xD5T</a>
&mdash; Gene Munster (@munster_gene) <a href="https://twitter.com/munster_gene/status/1859758359341301773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It Matters: The DOJ has been actively pursuing measures to dismantle Google&#8217;s search monopoly, demanding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42105079/googles-unlawful-behavior-stifles-market-entry-for-rivals-doj-says-alphabet-must-sell-chrome-to-end-search-monopoly">Google divest its Chrome browser</a>. This move is part of broader efforts to restore competition in the search market.
The DOJ has also suggested that Google might need to sell its Android operating system if other measures fail.
The impact of these legal actions has been significant, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42119020/alphabet-bleeds-over-120-billion-in-market-value-eyes-worst-day-in-10-months-after-doj-demands-google-chrome-sale">Alphabet&#8217;s market value</a> dropping by over $120 billion on Thursday, marking its steepest decline since January.
In response to the DOJ&#8217;s push, Perplexity AI&#8217;s CEO has also speculated about acquiring Chrome, while OpenAI is considering developing its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42130303/chatgpt-parent-openai-considers-building-its-own-web-browser-to-challenge-googles-search-monopoly-following-doj-push-to-break-up-chrome-dominance">own web browser to challenge</a> Google&#8217;s dominance.
Price Action: On Thursday, Alphabet's Class A shares fell 4.74%, closing at $167.63, while Class C shares dropped 4.56%, ending at $169.24. In after-hours trading, Class A shares declined an additional 0.42% to $166.93, and Class C shares decreased 0.38%, closing at $168.59, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42053801/alphabets-life-sciences-firm-verily-to-become-a-standalone-entity-disconnect-from-google">Alphabet&#8217;s Life Sciences Firm Verily To Become A Standalone Entity, Disconnect From Google</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Pixabay

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GOOGL

Google's Chrome Battle Goes Beyond The Browser: Gene Munster Outlines Wider Implications Of DOJ Going After The Search Giant

ChatGPT-parent OpenAI is reportedly considering developing a web browser to challenge Alphabet Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google&#8217;s dominance. This follows the U.S. Department of Justice's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42119020/alphabet-bleeds-over-120-billion-in-market-value-eyes-worst-day-in-10-months-after-doj-demands-google-chrome-sale">push for Google to divest Chrome browser</a>.
What Happened: OpenAI has discussed its plans with app and website developers, including notable names like Conde Nast, Redfin, Eventbrite, and Priceline, <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-considers-taking-on-google-with-browser">reported</a> The Information, citing people familiar with the development.
The idea is to develop a web browser that would integrate with its chatbot. The AI startup has also discussed or secured deals to power search features including travel, food, retail websites, and real estate.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42123646/google-anthropic-deal-in-jeopardy-as-us-justice-department-looks-to-snap-online-search-monopoly">Google, Anthropic Deal In Jeopardy As US Justice Department Looks To Snap Online Search Monopoly</a>
OpenAI has also been in talks to provide AI features for Samsung Electronics Co.'s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) devices, a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39711663/samsung-unveils-phones-with-gemini-ai-integration-but-hikes-prices-will-customers-budge">major partner of Google</a>, the report noted.
The ChatGPT-maker already has a partnership with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), according to which it powers the &#8220;Apple Intelligence&#8221; features on the company's new devices.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: Sam Altman-led OpenAI has already <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41663190/openai-rolls-out-chatgpt-search-google-shares-slide">ventured into the search</a> space with its SearchGPT product.
Meanwhile, Google's hold on the search market has come under scrutiny. On Thursday, DOJ argued that Google's control of Chrome is a form of antitrust monopoly.
Alphabet's shares fell more than 6% in Thursday morning trading in New York, witnessing its largest drop since January 2024.
This decline erased over $120 billion in market value, pushing Alphabet&#8217;s valuation below the $2 trillion mark.
At the time of writing, Alphabet's market capitalization was at $2.063 trillion, making it the fifth most valuable company in the world now following Nvidia Corp., Apple, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), and Amazon.com Inc.
Earlier this year an internal email from Microsoft surfaced, indicating that the company&#8217;s investment in OpenAI was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38582364/microsofts-fear-of-googles-ai-dominance-led-to-openai-investment-internal-email-reveals-were-multipl">motivated by fears</a> of lagging behind Alphabet&#8217;s AI advancements.
Since 2019, Microsoft has invested roughly $14 billion in ChatGPT-parent.
Price Action: On Thursday, Alphabet's Class A shares dropped 4.74%, ending at $167.63, while Class C shares decreased 4.56%, closing at $169.24. After hours, Class A shares fell another 0.42% to $166.93, and Class C shares slipped 0.38% to $168.59, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42105079/googles-unlawful-behavior-stifles-market-entry-for-rivals-doj-says-alphabet-must-sell-chrome-to-end-search-monopoly">Google&#8217;s &#8216;Unlawful Behavior&#8217; Stifles Market Entry For Rivals: DOJ Says Alphabet Must Sell Chrome To End Search Monopoly</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

MSFT

ChatGPT-Parent OpenAI Considers Building Its Own Web Browser To Challenge Google's Search Monopoly, Following DOJ Push To Break Up Chrome Dominance

NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) continues to dominate the artificial intelligence landscape, with CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer and Wall Street analysts reinforcing their bullish outlook following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42099904/nvidia-beats-q3-revenue-eps-estimates-supply-constraints-ding-stock-huang-says-age-of-ai-is-in-full-steam">the company&#8217;s stellar third-quarter earnings report</a>.
What Happened: &#8220;The demand is accelerating because the payoff is so great,&#8221; Cramer <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/21/demand-for-nvidia-products-isnt-letting-up-jim-cramer-says.html">said</a> on Thursday, citing CEO Jensen Huang&#8216;s assertion that customers earn five dollars for every dollar invested in Nvidia chips. 
This compelling return on investment, Cramer argues, makes Nvidia&#8217;s products essential for major tech companies. &#8220;That means they have no choice but to buy Nvidia's chips,&#8221; he said. 
The sentiment is echoed by Wedbush&#8216;s Dan Ives, who called the results a &#8220;jaw-dropper.&#8221; Ives predicts the Nasdaq could surge to 25,000, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42102642/nvidia-delivered-jaw-dropping-q3-earnings-says-dan-ives-this-is-the-fourth-revolution-playing-out-in-front-of-our-eyes">driven by an extraordinary multiplier effect</a> where &#8220;one dollar spent on GPU chips translates to an $8 to $10 impact across the tech sector.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/42127938/bitcoin-analyst-warns-of-4-6-flash-crashes-before-year-end-as-it-inches-closer-to-100k-thats-the-moment-altcoins-shoot-off">Bitcoin Analyst Warns Of &#8216;4-6 Flash Crashes&#8217; Before Year-End As It Inches Closer To $100K</a>
Why It Matters: Nvidia reported third-quarter revenue of $35.1 billion, up 94% year-over-year, with Data Center revenue alone reaching $30.8 billion. The company&#8217;s CFO Colette Kress projects gross margins will temporarily dip to the low 70% range as the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42102796/nvidia-projects-gross-margin-recovery-as-blackwell-systems-drive-unprecedented-ai-demand">new Blackwell systems ramp up production</a>.
Rosenblatt analyst Hans Mosesmann maintained a Buy rating while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42121003/nvidia-to-rally-more-than-50-here-are-10-top-analyst-forecasts-for-thursday">raising the price target</a> from $200 to $220. 
This optimism is reflected in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42121665/could-another-magnificent-7-stock-beat-nvidia-in-2025-poll-says-not-likely-27-pick-this-potential-winner">recent Benzinga poll</a>, where 48% of respondents believed Nvidia would continue to dominate the &#8220;Magnificent Seven&#8221; stocks in 2025, followed by Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) at 27%.
Huang describes this period as &#8220;the beginnings of two fundamental shifts in computing,&#8221; highlighting the transition to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42102796/nvidia-projects-gross-margin-recovery-as-blackwell-systems-drive-unprecedented-ai-demand">machine learning and AI&#8217;s emergence</a> as an industrial capability. The company projects fourth-quarter revenue of $37.5 billion, with Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) already planning AI computing clusters scaling to over 131,000 Blackwell GPUs.
Price Action: Nvidia&#8217;s stock has surged more than 196% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the broader market and its &#8220;Magnificent Seven&#8221; peers, including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) at 23.3% and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) at 11.4%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42124676/november-small-cap-surge-could-carry-into-decembers-santa-rally-historical-trends-suggest">November Small-Cap Surge Could Carry Into December&#8217;s Santa Rally, Historical Trends Suggest</a></li>
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Image Via Flickr
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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AMZN

NVDA

ORCL

TSLA

Jim Cramer Doubles Down On Nvidia: 'Demand Is Accelerating' As AI Customers 'Have No Choice' But To Buy Its Chips

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly developing a conversational AI-powered Siri to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Alphabet Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google&#8217;s Gemini Live voice assistant.
What Happened: The new version of Siri will leverage large language models to allow back-and-forth interactions with quicker and more advanced responses, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-21/apple-readies-more-conversational-llm-siri-in-bid-to-rival-openai-s-chatgpt">reported</a> Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Internally called "LLM Siri," the upgraded voice assistant is being tested as a separate app and will eventually replace the current interface on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41932289/ai-capabilities-plateauing-say-andreessen-horowitz-founders-echoing-concerns-of-openai-co-founder-ilya-sutskever?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI Capabilities Plateauing, Say Andreessen Horowitz Founders, Echoing Concerns Of OpenAI Co-Founder Ilya Sutskever</a>
Siri has long <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/04/32074627/alexa-vs-siri-amazon-and-apples-battle-to-make-worlds-best-personal-assistant-just-got-more-intense">lagged behind rivals</a> like Amazon.com, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Alexa, and Google Assistant in conversational capabilities. Now, Apple intends to close that gap using the power of AI.
The new assistant will be part of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39665558/apples-most-awaited-siri-ai-upgrade-will-not-come-until-2025-report">Apple Intelligence</a> and focus on user privacy while enabling ChatGPT-like features, including text writing and summarization.
Apple also plans to continue offering third-party chatbot integrations like ChatGPT and Gemini alongside LLM Siri.
The overhaul is expected to be announced alongside iOS 19 and macOS 16 in 2025, with a consumer rollout slated for spring 2026, the report noted.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: Last month, Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-10-20/apple-s-latest-ipad-mini-highlights-ai-advantage-sonos-considers-new-headphones-m2hkz4mn?srnd=undefined">reported</a> that Apple research showed that ChatGPT outperformed Siri by at least 25% in accuracy.
The standout feature between the two lies in ChatGPT's conversational design.
"Some at Apple believe that its generative AI technology — at least, so far — is more than two years behind the industry leaders," Gurman stated at the time.
However, the iPhone-maker is gradually catching up. Earlier, Apple CEO Tim Cook had said that the launch of Apple Intelligence was among the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/success-stories/24/10/41441641/apple-ceo-tim-cook-says-apple-intelligence-will-make-products-profoundly-different-new-ai-technol">most significant technology</a> releases in Apple&#8217;s history.
In October, Apple also reported fiscal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41666494/apple-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-installed-base-hits-new-highs-iphone-sales-rise-as-apple-in">fourth-quarter revenue</a> of $94.9 billion, surpassing analysts&#8217; projections of $94.56 billion.
During the earnings call, Cook said that the rapid adoption of iOS 18.1 compared to iOS 17.1 is a definite sign of users' <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41674713/apple-users-hungry-for-ai-tim-cook-says-ios-18-1-has-twice-the-adoption-rate-of-17-1-what-it-means-f">interest in Apple Intelligence</a>.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Apple shares rose 0.018% to $228.56 in after-hours trading, after a 0.21% drop to $228.52 in Thursday&#8217;s regular session, according to<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag"> Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42071334/apples-100-million-gamble-tech-giant-moves-to-lift-indonesias-iphone-ban">Apple&#8217;s $100 Million Gamble, Tech Giant Moves to Lift Indonesia&#8217;s iPhone Ban</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Unsplash

Apple Prepares To Take On OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google Gemini 'Live' With LLM Siri In 2025: Report

Apple Aims To Launch Siri Revamp In 2026 With More In-House AI

Over half of the Magnificent 7 stocks have outperformed the S&amp;P 500 in 2024 and all seven have produced higher five-year returns. Benzinga readers pick which Magnificent 7 stock could have the best 2025 and if anyone can catch Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), which continues to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42099904/nvidia-beats-q3-revenue-eps-estimates-supply-constraints-ding-stock-huang-says-age-of-ai-is-in-full-steam"> beat analyst estimates.</a>
What Happened: Nvidia stock is up 199% year-to-date in 2024 and could have more upside ahead according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/42119226/nvidia-analysts-see-stock-best-positioned-in-ai-not-worried-about-guidance-all-systems-go-for-blackwell-ramp">analyst price targets </a>after the company's third-quarter beat and raised guidance.
Benzinga recently asked readers if any of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/magnificent-seven">Magnificent 7 stocks</a> could post stronger stock growth than Nvidia in the next year.
"In 2025, which Magnificent 7 stock could outpace Nvidia in growth?" Benzinga asked.
The results were:
<ul>
<li>None – Nvidia will dominate: 48%</li>
<li>Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>): 27%</li>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>): 8%</li>
<li>Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>): 7%</li>
<li>Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>): 6%</li>
<li>Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>): 3%</li>
<li>Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>): 2%</li>
</ul>
The poll found the near-majority predicting Nvidia will have the strongest growth in 2025 and dominate the Magnificent 7 stocks once again.
Coming in second place, and the stock that could have the best chance to pass Nvidia according to readers, was Tesla at 27%. This might not be a huge surprise given Tesla's five-year return is the next closest to Nvidia's when looking at the Magnificent 7 stocks.
Here are the current year-to-date and five-year returns of the Magnificent 7 stocks:
<ul>
<li>NVDA: YTD +199.1%, 5-Year +2,634.2%</li>
<li>TSLA: YTD +38.2%, 5-Year +1,446.2%</li>
<li>AMZN: YTD +31.3%, 5-Year +125.5%</li>
<li>META: YTD +61.3%, 5-Year +181.0%</li>
<li>GOOG: YTD +19.7%, 5-Year +158.0%</li>
<li>MSFT: YTD +11.4%, 5-Year +176.2%</li>
<li>AAPL: YTD +23.3%, 5-Year +249.7%</li>
</ul>
Perhaps most surprising in the poll was Apple finishing last despite having the third-best stock performance over the last five years.
Compare the returns above to the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), which tracks the S&amp;P 500, which is up 25.3% year-to-date and up 90.4% over the last five years.
Meanwhile, the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#NASDAQ">MAGS</a>), which invests in the Magnificent Seven stocks, is up 55.7% year-to-date. The ETF has not been around for five years to track that performance. 
Are you buying when the CEOs of the Magnificent 7 are selling?
<ul>
<li>Stay in the know with our Insider Trades page — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">see when leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Jensen Huang are offloading their own shares.</a></li>
</ul>
Why It's Important: A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42093025/will-nvidia-deliver-a-blowout-beat-in-q3-poll-says-maybe-not-but-over-half-see-stock-clearing-150">recent Benzinga poll</a> asked readers to predict if Nvidia would beat, miss or meet earnings estimates in the third quarter.
The results were:
<ul>
<li>Meets expectations: 45%</li>
<li>Blowout Beat: 42%</li>
<li>Misses expectations: 13%</li>
</ul>
The majority of Benzinga readers expected the company to meet or beat the estimates from analysts. While more readers expected the company to meet estimates, 42% believed the company would beat estimates Wednesday.
Benzinga readers also predicted what an earnings beat could mean for Nvidia stock going forward.
&#8220;If Nvidia shatters expectations, how high could its stock go by the end of 2024?&#8221; Benzinga asked.
The results were:
<ul>
<li>$150 to $180: 55%</li>
<li>$180 to $200: 26%</li>
<li>Above $200: 18%</li>
</ul>
Nvidia shares traded down in after-hours Wednesday before reversing to the green in early Thursday trading. The stock is down 0.5% to $145.20 Thursday at the time of writing.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/08/40602271/ready-to-retire-on-a-single-magnificent-7-stock-poll-reveals-top-pick-and-its-not-apple" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ready To Retire On A Single Magnificent 7 Stock? Poll Reveals Top Pick —And It's Not Apple</a></li>
</ul>
The study was conducted by Benzinga from Nov. 19 through Nov. 20, 2024, and included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 128 adults.
Image: Unsplash

Exclusives

Trading Ideas

MAGS

Could Another Magnificent 7 Stock Beat Nvidia In 2025? Poll Says Not Likely, 27% Pick This Potential Winner

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Information Technology sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NVDA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$45.1K</td>
<td>174.0K</td>
<td>260.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SMCI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$36.3K</td>
<td>33.8K</td>
<td>43.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAPL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$227.50</td>
<td>$54.2K</td>
<td>14.2K</td>
<td>30.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSTR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$550.00</td>
<td>$31.2K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
<td>12.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$167.50</td>
<td>$38.5K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
<td>12.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CRM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$360.00</td>
<td>$138.9K</td>
<td>3.4K</td>
<td>3.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$136.00</td>
<td>$109.2K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RCAT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
<td>$26.0K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IONQ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
<td>$98.2K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DDOG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$27.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on November 22, 2024. Parties traded 4029 contract(s) at a $155.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.1K, with a price of $11.0 per contract. There were 174065 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 260113 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SMCI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on November 22, 2024. Parties traded 300 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.3K, with a price of $121.0 per contract. There were 33874 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 43077 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AAPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on November 22, 2024. Parties traded 217 contract(s) at a $227.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $54.2K, with a price of $250.0 per contract. There were 14297 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 30643 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MSTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 22, 2024. This event was a transfer of 50 contract(s) at a $550.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $31.2K, with a price of $624.0 per contract. There were 4751 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 12223 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SNOW (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on November 22, 2024. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $167.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.5K, with a price of $385.0 per contract. There were 1912 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 12121 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CRM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 29 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 142 contract(s) at a $360.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 13 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $138.9K, with a price of $977.0 per contract. There were 3442 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3041 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on November 29, 2024. Parties traded 473 contract(s) at a $136.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 26 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $109.2K, with a price of $231.0 per contract. There were 2543 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2546 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For RCAT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RCAT#NASDAQ">RCAT</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 29 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $8.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 14 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.0K, with a price of $130.0 per contract. There were 2673 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2236 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding IONQ (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IONQ#NYSE">IONQ</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 29 day(s) on December 20, 2024. Parties traded 390 contract(s) at a $28.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $98.2K, with a price of $252.0 per contract. There were 5055 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2096 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding DDOG (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDOG#NASDAQ">DDOG</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on November 29, 2024. Parties traded 227 contract(s) at a $150.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 32 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.0K, with a price of $119.0 per contract. There were 1101 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1472 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

DDOG

IONQ

MSTR

RCAT

SMCI

SNOW

10 Information Technology Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

To gain an edge, this is what you need to know today.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://thearorareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-11-21_08h52_20.png" alt="" style="width:624px" /></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nvidia Dips Aggressively Bought</h3>
Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/chart-analysis-stock-nvidia-earnings-nvda-mc-11212024">click here</a> for an enlarged chart of NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).
Note the following:
<ul>
<li>This article is about the big picture, not an individual stock.&nbsp; The chart of NVDA stock is being used to illustrate the point. As full disclosure, NVDA is part of The Arora Report&#8217;s ZYX Buy Model Portfolio.</li>
<li>The chart shows the dip in NVDA stock has been aggressively bought.</li>
<li>The chart shows that NVDA stock dipped into the support zone after earnings.&nbsp; The buying in NVDA this morning has been extremely aggressive as illustrated by the fact that NVDA traded as high as $149.40 vs. the prior high of $149.77.</li>
<li>The chart shows the NVDA bounced from the support zone to the resistance zone.</li>
<li>As of this writing, NVDA stock is very volatile.</li>
<li>In The Arora Report analysis, a tell for the stock market will be to see if NVDA stock breaks out or retraces back to the support zone.</li>
<li>Nvidia reported earnings better than the consensus numbers, better than some whisper numbers, but less than the top end of the whisper numbers.</li>
<li>Overheating was a big concern going into earnings.&nbsp; It appears that most of the overheating issues have been resolved.&nbsp; Here are the key points from Nvidia earnings:
<ul>
<li>Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, "The age of AI is in full steam, propelling a global shift to Nvidia computing."</li>
<li>Blackwell demand is likely to exceed supply in FY26.</li>
<li>Hopper demand is also very strong.</li>
<li>Nvidia is working on the next data center architecture that will improve production yields.</li>
<li>Nvidia expects enterprise AI, industrial AI, and robotics to continue to increase.</li>
<li>Nvidia beat on revenue.
<ul>
<li>Data center revenue and automotive revenue hit records.</li>
<li>Gaming revenue increased 15% from last year.</li>
<li>Professional visualization revenue increased 17% from last year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The fact that NVDA dips are being aggressively bought is helping the overall stock market.</li>
<li>Also helping the stock market this morning is Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) approaching $100K.</li>
<li>Sentiment is extremely positive.</li>
<li>Investors are buying stocks and cryptos with total abandon.&nbsp; If it was not for the positive seasonality and year end chase, this kind of reckless buying would have resulted in increasing the protection band because extreme positive sentiment is historically a sell signal.&nbsp; However, The Arora Report call remains to buy the dips because the year end chase is likely to trump all other factors.&nbsp; In year end chase, even bearish money managers aggressively buy stocks to keep up with their benchmarks.</li>
<li>Initial jobless claims came at 213K vs. 221K consensus.&nbsp; This indicates that the job market is very strong.&nbsp; This is another data point that shows that the Fed should not have been cutting interest rates as aggressively as it did. In the short term, the Fed's actions have poured gasoline over the fire to aggressively buy stocks and cryptos.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">First ICBM Fired</h3>
The first operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was developed by Russia in 1957, followed by development by the U.S. in 1959.&nbsp; To the best of our knowledge, Russia has fired the first ICBM in battle since its invention.&nbsp; This is Russia's response to Ukraine firing U.S. and British long range missiles on Russian territory.
In The Arora Report analysis, both Russia and Ukraine are escalating the conflict to gain an advantage before Trump stops the war.&nbsp; These developments have major implications for investors.&nbsp;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Problem For India</h3>
Gautam Adani is the most important industrialist in India.&nbsp; He is also very closely allied with India&#8217;s Prime Minister Modi.&nbsp; The U.S. Department of Justice has just indicted Adani for bribes in solar contracts.
The Indian stock market has fallen on the news.  In The Arora Report analysis, some foreign money is going to flow out of India on this development.  The Arora Report call has been to steadily take partial profits on India positions Fairfax India Holdings Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFXDF#OTC">FFXDF</a>), WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPI#NYSE">EPI</a>), iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMIN#BATS">SMIN</a>), and VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLIN#NYSE">GLIN</a>).  The Arora Report&#8217;s call yesterday evening was to take more partial profits on India positions.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Magnificent Seven Money Flows</h3>
In the early trade, money flows are positive in Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), and NVDA.
In the early trade, money flows are neutral in Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are negative in Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are positive in SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Momo Crowd And Smart Money In Stocks</h3>
Investors can gain an edge by knowing money flows in SPY and QQQ.  Investors can get a bigger edge by knowing when smart money is buying stocks, gold, and oil.  The most popular ETF for gold is SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>).  The most popular ETF for silver is iShares Silver Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLV#NYSE">SLV</a>).  The most popular ETF for oil is United States Oil ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin</h3>
Bitcoin is approaching $100K.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Protection Band And What To Do Now</h3>
It is important for investors to look ahead and not in the rearview mirror.&nbsp; The proprietary protection band from The Arora Report is very popular.&nbsp; The protection band puts all of the data, all of the indicators, all of the news, all of the crosscurrents, all of the models, and all of the analysis in an analytical framework that is easily actionable by investors.
Consider continuing to hold good, very long term, existing positions. Based on individual risk preference, consider a protection band consisting of cash or Treasury bills or short-term tactical trades as well as short to medium term hedges and short term hedges. This is a good way to protect yourself and participate in the upside at the same time.
You can determine your protection bands by adding cash to hedges.&nbsp; The high band of the protection is appropriate for those who are older or conservative. The low band of the protection is appropriate for those who are younger or aggressive.&nbsp; If you do not hedge, the total cash level should be more than stated above but significantly less than cash plus hedges.
A protection band of 0% would be very bullish and would indicate full investment with 0% in cash.&nbsp; A protection band of 100% would be very bearish and would indicate a need for aggressive protection with cash and hedges or aggressive short selling.
It is worth reminding that you cannot take advantage of new upcoming opportunities if you are not holding enough cash.&nbsp; When adjusting hedge levels, consider adjusting partial stop quantities for stock positions (non ETF); consider using wider stops on remaining quantities and also allowing more room for high beta stocks.&nbsp; High beta stocks are the ones that move more than the market.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Traditional 60/40 Portfolio</h3>
Probability based risk reward adjusted for inflation does not favor long duration strategic bond allocation at this time.
Those who want to stick to traditional 60% allocation to stocks and 40% to bonds may consider focusing on only high quality bonds and bonds of five year duration or less.&nbsp; Those willing to bring sophistication to their investing may consider using bond ETFs as tactical positions and not strategic positions at this time.
The Arora Report is known for its accurate calls. The Arora Report correctly called the big artificial intelligence rally before anyone else, the new bull market of 2023, the bear market of 2022, new stock market highs right after the virus low in 2020, the virus drop in 2020, the DJIA rally to 30,000 when it was trading at 16,000, the start of a mega bull market in 2009, and the financial crash of 2008. Please click here to sign up for a free forever <a href="https://thearorareport.com/generate-wealth-newsletter-benzinga">Generate Wealth Newsletter</a>.

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

Market Summary

General

$BTC

FFXDF

GLIN

SMIN

Nvidia Aggressively Bought, Russia Fires First Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Adani Indicted

In the fast-paced and highly competitive business world of today, conducting thorough company analysis is essential for investors and industry observers. In this article, we will conduct an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) in relation to its major competitors in the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry. Through a detailed examination of key financial metrics, market standing, and growth prospects, our objective is to provide valuable insights and illuminate company's performance in the industry.
<h3>Apple Background</h3>
Apple is among the largest companies in the world, with a broad portfolio of hardware and software products targeted at consumers and businesses. Apple's iPhone makes up a majority of the firm sales, and Apple's other products like Mac, iPad, and Watch are designed around the iPhone as the focal point of an expansive software ecosystem. Apple has progressively worked to add new applications, like streaming video, subscription bundles, and augmented reality. The firm designs its own software and semiconductors while working with subcontractors like Foxconn and TSMC to build its products and chips. Slightly less than half of Apple's sales come directly through its flagship stores, with a majority of sales coming indirectly through partnerships and distribution.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Apple Inc</td>
<td>37.66</td>
<td>60.78</td>
<td>9.02</td>
<td>23.83%</td>
<td>$32.5</td>
<td>$43.88</td>
<td>6.07%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co</td>
<td>15.02</td>
<td>1.25</td>
<td>0.96</td>
<td>2.34%</td>
<td>$1.23</td>
<td>$2.44</td>
<td>10.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NetApp Inc</td>
<td>24.16</td>
<td>27.21</td>
<td>4.10</td>
<td>23.9%</td>
<td>$0.38</td>
<td>$1.1</td>
<td>7.61%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Western Digital Corp</td>
<td>70.15</td>
<td>1.90</td>
<td>1.49</td>
<td>4.28%</td>
<td>$0.86</td>
<td>$1.55</td>
<td>48.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pure Storage Inc</td>
<td>115.25</td>
<td>11.23</td>
<td>5.78</td>
<td>2.52%</td>
<td>$0.08</td>
<td>$0.54</td>
<td>10.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Super Micro Computer Inc</td>
<td>12.84</td>
<td>2.76</td>
<td>1.04</td>
<td>6.68%</td>
<td>$0.4</td>
<td>$0.6</td>
<td>37.87%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eastman Kodak Co</td>
<td>7.84</td>
<td>0.45</td>
<td>0.48</td>
<td>1.34%</td>
<td>$0.04</td>
<td>$0.04</td>
<td>-2.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Turtle Beach Corp</td>
<td>47.87</td>
<td>2.93</td>
<td>0.88</td>
<td>3.3%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>59.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Immersion Corp</td>
<td>4.63</td>
<td>1.17</td>
<td>1.65</td>
<td>13.41%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.06</td>
<td>1323.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AstroNova Inc</td>
<td>17.31</td>
<td>1.19</td>
<td>0.73</td>
<td>-0.34%</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>14.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>35.01</td>
<td>5.57</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td>6.38%</td>
<td>$0.34</td>
<td>$0.71</td>
<td>167.76%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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 </style>By analyzing Apple, we can infer the following trends: 
<ul>
<li>
The current Price to Earnings ratio of 37.66 is 1.08x higher than the industry average, indicating the stock is priced at a premium level according to the market sentiment.
</li>
<li>
It could be trading at a premium in relation to its book value, as indicated by its Price to Book ratio of 60.78 which exceeds the industry average by 10.91x.
</li>
<li>
With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 9.02, which is 4.75x the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
With a Return on Equity (ROE) of 23.83% that is 17.45% above the industry average, it appears that the company exhibits efficient use of equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $32.5 Billion, which is 95.59x above the industry average, implying stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
Compared to its industry, the company has higher gross profit of $43.88 Billion, which indicates 61.8x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
The company is witnessing a substantial decline in revenue growth, with a rate of 6.07% compared to the industry average of 167.76%, which indicates a challenging sales environment.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732201225_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is an important measure to assess the financial structure and risk profile of a company.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
When evaluating Apple alongside its top 4 peers in terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights arise:
<ul>
<li>
As Apple is in the middle of the list in terms of the debt-to-equity ratio, it suggests that the company has a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87 compared to the other companies.
</li>
<li>
This position indicates a relatively balanced financial structure, where the company maintains a reasonable level of debt while also leveraging equity for financing its operations.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Apple, the PE, PB, and PS ratios are all high compared to its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry, indicating that the stock may be overvalued based on these metrics. On the other hand, Apple's high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and low revenue growth suggest that the company is efficiently utilizing its resources and generating strong profits, despite slower revenue growth compared to industry peers.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insights Into Apple's Performance Versus Peers In Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals Sector

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has demanded that&nbsp;Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s&nbsp;&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Google divest its Chrome browser to dismantle its monopoly on online search. This move is part of broader efforts to restore competition in the search market.
What Happened: Prosecutors have demanded that Google divest its Chrome browser and share search data with competitors to dismantle its monopoly on online search. These actions were proposed in a court filing on Wednesday.
The&nbsp;Department of Justice&nbsp;(DOJ) and state antitrust enforcers suggested that Google must also consider selling its Android operating system if other measures fail. The proposals aim to regulate Google for up to 10 years through a committee appointed by a federal court in Washington.
&#8220;Google&#8217;s unlawful behavior has deprived rivals not only of critical distribution channels but also distribution partners who could otherwise enable entry into these markets by competitors in new and innovative ways,&#8221; the DOJ&nbsp;said in a statement.
The DOJ&#8217;s filing expands on previous suggestions to end Google&#8217;s monopoly in the U.S., where it controls 90% of searches. The&nbsp;proposals include ending exclusive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42083150/googles-20b-search-deal-with-apple-faces-collapse-after-antitrust-ruling-what-it-could-means-for-both-tech-giants">agreements&nbsp;with companies</a> like&nbsp;Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) that make Google the default search engine on devices.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/11/42022443/ibm-disney-and-other-large-advertisers-return-to-elon-musks-x-after-a-year-long-boycott-we-super-appreciate?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBM, Disney And Other Large Advertisers Return To Elon Musk&#8217;s X After A Year-Long Boycott: &#8216;We Super Appreciate&#8217;</a>
Google has criticized these proposals as extreme, arguing&nbsp;they would harm U.S. consumers&nbsp;and businesses. A trial on these proposals is scheduled for April, but changes could occur with the incoming administration.
Prosecutors also recommend&nbsp;barring Google from re-entering the&nbsp;browser market for five years&nbsp;and from acquiring search or AI competitors. A technical committee would enforce compliance, with Google funding its operations.
Why It Matters: The DOJ&#8217;s latest move follows an August ruling that found Google <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/11/42053249/google-could-lose-chrome-browser-in-dojs-latest-antitrust-move">guilty of illegally monopolizing</a> the search market. The potential divestiture of Chrome could significantly impact Google&#8217;s business model, which heavily relies on its dominance in the search market.
Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas&nbsp;has even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42084064/perplexity-ceo-asks-if-ai-startup-should-acquire-google-chrome-following-dojs-antitrust-push-against-search-giant">speculated about acquiring</a> the Chrome browser, suggesting its potential value could reach $20 billion if a court-ordered sale occurs. This highlights the broader implications of the DOJ&#8217;s actions, which could reshape the competitive landscape in the tech industry.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42079954/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-defends-bings-rise-against-googles-search-dominance-says-openais-partnership-with-apple-is-incremental-for-even-us?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Satya Nadella Defends Bing&#8217;s Rise Against Google&#8217;s Search Dominance — Says OpenAI&#8217;s Partnership With Apple Is &#8216;Incremental&#8217; For Microsoft</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

Google's 'Unlawful Behavior' Stifles Market Entry For Rivals: DOJ Says Alphabet Must Sell Chrome To End Search Monopoly

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) holdings company MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) ended Wednesday as Wall Street&#8217;s second-most traded stock, as its large acquisitions of the world&#8217;s leading cryptocurrency piqued the market&#8217;s interest.
What happened: MicroStrategy recorded volumes of $33.27 billion, trailing only artificial intelligence (AI) juggernaut Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), according to data from TradingView.
In fact, at one point, MicroStrategy bettered Nvidia&#8217;s trading volume.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Wow <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MSTR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MSTR</a> is the most traded stock in America today.. to best <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> is crazy. It&#39;s been years since a stock has traded more than one of those two (it may have actually been <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24GME&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$GME</a> to last do it). It&#39;s also about double <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24SPY&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$SPY</a>! Wild times.. <a href="https://t.co/bUr8nycMX3">pic.twitter.com/bUr8nycMX3</a>
&mdash; Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricBalchunas/status/1859278500399620528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The Michael Saylor-led firm surpassed all other members of the &#8220;Magnificent 7&#8221; group, including Elon Musk's Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>).
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42079799/microstrategys-michael-saylor-to-advocate-for-bitcoin-investment-at-microsoft-board-meeting-offers-to-educate-rumble-ceo-with-the-strategy">Microstrategy&#8217;s Michael Saylor To Advocate For Bitcoin At Microsoft Board Meeting, Offers To Educate Rumble CEO As Well</a>
MicroStrategy accounted for nearly 64% of the trading activity of all Bitcoin-related equities on Wednesday. Additionally, funds tracking the daily performance of the MicroStrategy stock, like T-Rex 2X Long MSTR Daily Target ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTU#BATS">MSTU</a>), logged higher volumes than spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Senior Bloomberg ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas stated that the $50 billion volume clocked by the "Bitcoin Industrial Complex" was the same as the average daily volume of the UK stock market.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Bitcoin Industrial Complex crushed their record today with $50b in volume (for context that&#39;s same as ADV of entire UK stock mkt). <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MSTR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MSTR</a> alone was $32b of it. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MSTU&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MSTU</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MSTX&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MSTX</a> combined for $6b (which is more than all the spot btc ETFs, which were also elevated). What a scene. <a href="https://t.co/o63I8jr70T">pic.twitter.com/o63I8jr70T</a>
&mdash; Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricBalchunas/status/1859349948103524409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: The spike in volumes comes amid MicroStrategy&#8217;s aggressive Bitcoin-buying strategy.
Earlier this week, the firm <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42042019/bitcoin-buyer-spree-microstrategy-acquires-4-6b-in-btc-metaplanet-issues-11-4m-in-bonds-to-fund-purchases">announced an acquisition</a> of 51,780 Bitcoin for approximately $4.6 billion, one of its biggest purchases ever.&nbsp;
MicroStrategy currently holds 331,200 BTC, acquired at a total purchase price of approximately $16.5 billion, and worth over $31 billion at current market prices, <a href="https://bitcointreasuries.net/">according </a>to bitcointreasuries.net.
Price Action: Shares of MicroStrategy spiked 10% to close at $473.83 on Wednesday. Year-to-date, the stock was up nearly 584%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image via Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/42079984/dogecoin-bitcoin-left-in-the-dust-by-ai-meme-coin-goat-as-nvidias-q3-earnings-draw-near">Dogecoin, Bitcoin Left In The Dust By AI Meme Coin GOAT As Nvidia&#8217;s Q3 Earnings Draw Near</a></li>
</ul>

ETF Opportunities Trust T-Rex 2X Long MSTR Daily Target ETF

MSTU

Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy Takes Wall Street By Storm, Becomes Second-Most Traded Stock After Nvidia

Archegos Capital Management founder Bill Hwang was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 years in prison for fraud and market manipulation tied to the fund's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38718096/bill-hwangs-trial-begins-over-archegos-fund-collapse-what-to-expect">dramatic collapse in 2021.&nbsp;</a>
The Details: Hwang was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in New York to slightly less time than the 21 years prosecutors had sought in the case. 
Hwang's lawyers had asked that he be given no prison time at all and Hwang asked the judge on Wednesday to impose a sentence that would allow him to continue to serve society. He also said that he felt "deep pain" about what happened at Archegos, according to a Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-20/archegos-founder-bill-hwang-sentenced-to-18-years-in-prison?sref=TBDibEcD">report.</a>
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/24/11/42044642/trump-appears-frustrated-as-elon-musk-chimes-in-on-treasury-secretary-adds-more-names-to-a-list-of-potential-picks">Trump Appears &#8216;Frustrated&#8217; As Elon Musk Chimes In On Treasury Secretary, Adds More Names To Short List&nbsp;</a>
Hellerstein said Hwang's request for no jail time was "utterly ridiculous" considering the amount of money involved. 
"The amount of losses that were caused by your conduct are larger than any amount of losses I've deal with as a judge," Hellerstein said.
The judge also compared Hwang to FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who received a 25-year sentence for fraud.
"What was worse? Mr. Bankman-Fried's fraud or Mr. Hwang's fraud?" Hellerstein asked.
The jury found that Hwang directed Archegos staff to relay that the firm had large positions in companies such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>). Archegos actually invested heavily in a small group of stocks that could be more easily manipulated. 
The collapse at Archegos contributed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/11/29835374/troubled-lender-credit-suisse-flags-massive-loss-for-q4-as-it-speeds-up-turnaround-plans">to the demise </a>of Credit Suisse Group AG and rippled through Wall Street causing significant losses at Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), UBS Group AG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBS#NYSE">UBS</a>), Nomura Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NMR#NYSE">NMR</a>) and other banks.
Former Archegos CFO Patrick Halligan was convicted alongside Hwang earlier in 2024 and will be sentenced separately in January.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/41949068/bitcoin-could-reach-1-million-by-2037-economist-says-buy-of-a-lifetime-opportunity">Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million By 2037, Economist Says: &#8216;Buy Of A Lifetime&#8217; Opportunity</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Legal

Hedge Funder Linked To Credit Suisse Collapse Gets 18 Year Prison Sentence For Fraud, Market Manipulation

Several Wall Street analysts reiterated Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) after the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42088437/qualcomm-targets-900-billion-market-by-2030-big-bets-on-iot-and-automotive" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 investor day</a>.
<ul>
<li>Cantor Fitzgerald analyst CJ Muse reiterated Qualcomm with a Neutral and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/QCOM/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$160 price target</a>.</li>
<li>KeyBanc analyst John Vinh maintained Sector Weight on Qualcomm with a price target of $165.</li>
<li>Rosenblatt analyst Kevin Cassidy reiterated a Buy on Qualcomm with a price target of $250.</li>
</ul>
Cantor Fitzgerald: At the IoT and Automotive Diversification Update Investor Day, Qualcomm outlined its plans to shift revenue reliance from handsets to higher-growth segments like Automotive, IoT, PCs, XR/AR, and Industrial applications. Muse noted that Qualcomm&#8217;s Automotive segment is a standout performer, with the company projecting over $8 billion in revenue by fiscal 2029 at a 22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42092265/stmicroelectronics-targets-18-billion-revenue-eyes-22-24-margins-by-2028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">STMicroelectronics Targets $20 Billion Revenue By 2030, Unveils 2027 Goals</a>
More than 80% of this forecasted revenue is supported by backlog, providing confidence in this segment&#8217;s outlook. However, IoT&#8217;s projected jump from $5.4 billion in fiscal 2024 to $14 billion in fiscal 2029 raised skepticism, mainly the PC segment target of $4 billion, which assumes a 10% market share at an average selling price of $175. Muse sees significant competitive pressure from x86-based systems, making the target aggressive.
The XR/AR revenue projection of $2 billion by fiscal 2029 appears more feasible, given partnerships with significant players like Meta, Alphabet, Google and Samsung. IDC&#8217;s forecast of a 35% CAGR for the XR market are a supporting factor. Despite the optimistic outlook for XR, overall assumptions for IoT, PC, and Industrial/Other revenue leave room for potential overestimation.
Qualcomm management maintained its long-term operating expense target at 21%-23% of revenue. The company anticipates fiscal 2029 EPS reaching $14.12, representing a 7% 5-year CAGR from $10.28 in fiscal 2024. While diversification efforts are poised to make IoT and Automotive account for 50% of total QCT revenues by fiscal 2029, Muse expressed concerns about the pace of transition, particularly with potential headwinds from Apple reducing reliance on Qualcomm&#8217;s chipsets faster than other segments can offset.
Muse projected fiscal 2025 revenue of $43.15 billion and EPS of $11.37. He expects fiscal 2026 revenue of $41.1 billion and EPS of $11.45.
KeyBanc: Qualcomm revised its Automotive revenue target to $8 billion by fiscal 2029, doubling its fiscal 2026 projection of $4 billion. This goal implies a 22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over five years, reflecting strong momentum in this segment.
The company set an ambitious target of $4 billion in PC revenue by fiscal 2029, assuming an 11% market share. This aligns with its broader IoT goal of $14 billion, including contributions from XR, Industrial IoT, and other categories.
Within IoT, Industrial IoT is expected to generate $4 billion by fiscal 2029, translating to a 21% five-year CAGR. This growth underscores Qualcomm&#8217;s strategic shift toward high-growth verticals to reduce reliance on handset revenue.
Qualcomm anticipates mid-single-digit (MSD) long-term growth for Android handsets. However, factoring in the expected transition of Apple to its internal modems, overall QCT revenue is forecasted to grow at a low-single-digit (LSD) rate over the next several years, with a 6% five-year CAGR through fiscal 2029.
While Qualcomm presented compelling long-term growth projections across critical segments, Vinh expressed caution about the need for catalysts for an edge AI replacement cycle in handsets, PCs, and other devices. Additionally, the anticipated impact of Apple&#8217;s internal modem transition poses a significant headwind, though Qualcomm management expressed confidence in its ability to sustain growth despite these challenges.
Rosenblatt: Qualcomm presented a highly attended investor day focused on its diversification strategy first outlined in 2021, emphasizing accelerated adoption of its platforms driven by AI.
Cassidy highlighted Qualcomm&#8217;s leadership in addressing diverse markets through its energy-efficient processors, advanced connectivity, and AI capabilities. Significant revenue growth is projected across Automotive, PC, XR, and Industrial IoT.
Qualcomm set a $45 billion design win pipeline for its QCT Automotive segment, with one-third tied to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The company forecasts $8 billion in automotive revenue by fiscal 2029, representing a 22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). With the total addressable market (TAM) expected to double to $100 billion by fiscal 2029, the automotive segment remains a key growth driver.
Qualcomm&#8217;s Snapdragon X Series has achieved 2.5 times growth in design wins, with 58 platforms announced. By fiscal 2029, the company targets $4 billion in PC revenue, driven by the proliferation of AI-enabled notebooks. Qualcomm projects that 90% of PCs will incorporate AI features, with 100 million devices leveraging Copilot+ annually.
Qualcomm anticipates $4 billion in Industrial IoT revenue by fiscal 2029, capitalizing on a $50 billion market opportunity by 2029. In XR (AR, VR, and MR combined), the company expects over $2 billion in fiscal 2029 revenue, with unit volumes reaching 15 million annually.
<ul>
<li>Overall IoT revenue is expected to grow 2.5x to $14 billion by fiscal 2029. </li>
<li>By 2030, Qualcomm estimates a $900 billion TAM for connected edge devices</li>
<li>In 2024, revenue grew 9% year-over-year (Y/Y)</li>
<li>EPS increased 21% Y/Y. </li>
<li>Since fiscal 2019, revenue has doubled, and EPS has tripled, supported by a 31% CAGR in automotive revenues and double-digit growth in handsets and IoT.</li>
</ul>
Adjusted operating expenses are projected to remain at 21-23% of revenue. Qualcomm also plans low-to-mid single-digit dividend growth and share buybacks as part of its capital allocation strategy.
Qualcomm aims to achieve a balanced revenue mix, targeting a 50/50 split between the handset and non-handset segments by fiscal 2029. This strategy reduces customer concentration risk and leverages growth opportunities in emerging markets like AI-enabled PCs, automotive, and industrial IoT. By scaling AI adoption at the edge, Qualcomm solidifies its position as a leader in high-growth markets while navigating challenges in its handset business.
Cassidy projected fiscal 2025 revenue of $42.9 billion and EPS of $11.59. He expects fiscal 2026 revenue of $45.35 billion and EPS of $12.49.
Price Action: Qualcomm stock traded lower by 5.94% at $154.91 at the last check on Wednesday.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42089611/taiwan-semiconductor-faces-china-challenges-amid-potential-trump-return-and-geopolitical-tensions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor Faces China Challenges Amid Potential Geopolitical Tensions From Trump&#8217;s Return</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

Qualcomm's Shift From Handsets To AI And Automotive Wins Analysts' Confidence

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Information Technology sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NVDA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$63.2K</td>
<td>53.9K</td>
<td>46.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSTR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$500.00</td>
<td>$80.9K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
<td>22.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MARA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$28.9K</td>
<td>57.2K</td>
<td>7.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAPL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$225.00</td>
<td>$31.5K</td>
<td>9.7K</td>
<td>7.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IONQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
<td>$503.0K</td>
<td>697</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DDOG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$29.4K</td>
<td>187</td>
<td>3.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$137.00</td>
<td>$38.5K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CLSK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$192.5K</td>
<td>13.2K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>INTC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$54.0K</td>
<td>17.7K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SMCI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$28.50</td>
<td>$97.5K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 2 day(s) on November 22, 2024. This event was a transfer of 98 contract(s) at a $145.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $63.2K, with a price of $645.0 per contract. There were 53927 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 46919 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MSTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on November 22, 2024. Parties traded 27 contract(s) at a $500.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $80.9K, with a price of $3000.0 per contract. There were 6652 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 22161 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MARA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 58 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.9K, with a price of $289.0 per contract. There were 57206 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 7436 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AAPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 2 day(s) on November 22, 2024. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $225.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $31.5K, with a price of $315.0 per contract. There were 9738 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 7214 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For IONQ (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IONQ#NYSE">IONQ</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 9 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 2194 contract(s) at a $28.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 49 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $503.0K, with a price of $225.0 per contract. There were 697 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4671 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For DDOG (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDOG#NASDAQ">DDOG</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 93 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 55 contract(s) at a $150.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 11 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.4K, with a price of $535.0 per contract. There were 187 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3772 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AMD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 2 day(s) on November 22, 2024. This event was a transfer of 150 contract(s) at a $137.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.5K, with a price of $257.0 per contract. There were 1591 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3267 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding CLSK (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLSK#NASDAQ">CLSK</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 240 day(s) on July 18, 2025. Parties traded 350 contract(s) at a $20.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $192.5K, with a price of $550.0 per contract. There were 13267 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2340 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding INTC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 422 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 2250 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $54.0K, with a price of $24.0 per contract. There were 17787 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2295 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SMCI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on November 22, 2024. Parties traded 1499 contract(s) at a $28.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 16 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $97.5K, with a price of $65.0 per contract. There were 2694 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1897 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CLSK

MARA

10 Information Technology Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

In the ever-changing and fiercely competitive business landscape, conducting thorough company analysis is crucial for investors and industry experts. In this article, we will undertake a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and its primary competitors in the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry. By closely examining key financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, our aim is to provide valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Apple Background</h3>
Apple is among the largest companies in the world, with a broad portfolio of hardware and software products targeted at consumers and businesses. Apple's iPhone makes up a majority of the firm sales, and Apple's other products like Mac, iPad, and Watch are designed around the iPhone as the focal point of an expansive software ecosystem. Apple has progressively worked to add new applications, like streaming video, subscription bundles, and augmented reality. The firm designs its own software and semiconductors while working with subcontractors like Foxconn and TSMC to build its products and chips. Slightly less than half of Apple's sales come directly through its flagship stores, with a majority of sales coming indirectly through partnerships and distribution.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Apple Inc</td>
<td>37.55</td>
<td>60.59</td>
<td>8.99</td>
<td>23.83%</td>
<td>$32.5</td>
<td>$43.88</td>
<td>6.07%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co</td>
<td>15.27</td>
<td>1.27</td>
<td>0.98</td>
<td>2.34%</td>
<td>$1.23</td>
<td>$2.44</td>
<td>10.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NetApp Inc</td>
<td>23.91</td>
<td>26.94</td>
<td>4.06</td>
<td>23.9%</td>
<td>$0.38</td>
<td>$1.1</td>
<td>7.61%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Western Digital Corp</td>
<td>71.75</td>
<td>1.94</td>
<td>1.52</td>
<td>4.28%</td>
<td>$0.86</td>
<td>$1.55</td>
<td>48.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Super Micro Computer Inc</td>
<td>14.07</td>
<td>3.03</td>
<td>1.14</td>
<td>6.68%</td>
<td>$0.4</td>
<td>$0.6</td>
<td>37.87%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pure Storage Inc</td>
<td>115.52</td>
<td>11.25</td>
<td>5.79</td>
<td>2.52%</td>
<td>$0.08</td>
<td>$0.54</td>
<td>10.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eastman Kodak Co</td>
<td>7.51</td>
<td>0.43</td>
<td>0.46</td>
<td>1.34%</td>
<td>$0.04</td>
<td>$0.04</td>
<td>-2.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Turtle Beach Corp</td>
<td>48.32</td>
<td>2.95</td>
<td>0.89</td>
<td>3.3%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>59.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Immersion Corp</td>
<td>4.77</td>
<td>1.20</td>
<td>1.70</td>
<td>13.41%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.06</td>
<td>1323.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AstroNova Inc</td>
<td>16.96</td>
<td>1.17</td>
<td>0.72</td>
<td>-0.34%</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>14.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>35.34</td>
<td>5.58</td>
<td>1.92</td>
<td>6.38%</td>
<td>$0.34</td>
<td>$0.71</td>
<td>167.76%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<style>
 table {
 width: 100%;
 border-collapse: collapse;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 font-size: 14px;
 }

 th, td {
 padding: 8px;
 text-align: left;
 }

 th {
 background-color: #293a5a;
 color: #fff;
 text-align: left;
 }

 tr:nth-child(even) {
 background-color: #f2f4f8;
 }

 tr:hover {
 background-color: #e1e4ea;
 }

 td:nth-child(3), td:nth-child(5) {
 text-align: left;
 }

 .dividend-amount {
 font-weight: bold;
 color: #0d6efd;
 }

 .dividend-frequency {
 font-size: 12px;
 color: #6c757d;
 }
 </style>By carefully studying Apple, we can deduce the following trends: 
<ul>
<li>
At 37.55, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio significantly exceeds the industry average by 1.06x, suggesting a premium valuation relative to industry peers.
</li>
<li>
It could be trading at a premium in relation to its book value, as indicated by its Price to Book ratio of 60.59 which exceeds the industry average by 10.86x.
</li>
<li>
With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 8.99, which is 4.68x the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
The Return on Equity (ROE) of 23.83% is 17.45% above the industry average, highlighting efficient use of equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $32.5 Billion, which is 95.59x above the industry average, implying stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
Compared to its industry, the company has higher gross profit of $43.88 Billion, which indicates 61.8x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
The company's revenue growth of 6.07% is significantly lower compared to the industry average of 167.76%. This indicates a potential fall in the company's sales performance.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732114825_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is a key indicator of a company's financial health and its reliance on debt financing.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
By analyzing Apple in relation to its top 4 peers based on the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights can be derived:
<ul>
<li>
Apple is positioned in the middle in terms of the debt-to-equity ratio compared to its top 4 peers.
</li>
<li>
This suggests a balanced financial structure, where the company maintains a moderate level of debt while also relying on equity financing with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Apple, the PE, PB, and PS ratios are all high compared to its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry, indicating that the stock may be overvalued. On the other hand, Apple's high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and low revenue growth suggest strong profitability and operational efficiency relative to its industry competitors.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Assessing Apple's Performance Against Competitors In Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals Industry

The name Tim Cook is now known around the world, thanks to his role as CEO of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), leading one of the most valuable companies<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/21/10/23714440/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-apple-ceo-tim-cook-2"> in the world.</a>
Small Town to Apple HQ: Before he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/23/06/33049968/if-you-invested-1-000-in-apple-stock-when-tim-cook-became-the-ceo-heres-how-much-youd-have-now">became the CEO</a> of Apple and various other technology jobs, Cook grew up in the small town of Robertsdale, Alabama, which had a population of 6,708 in the 2020 Census.
Cook attended Auburn University to study industrial engineering, leaving the small town behind for college life. While in college, Cook watched football and asked a lot of questions, the CEO recalled in a recent <a href="https://www.wsj.com/style/tim-cook-interview-apple-intelligence-vision-pro-48c59018">interview </a>with the Wall Street Journal.
"I've gone from believing that if you ask questions, it meant you're fundamentally not smart, to believing that the more you ask, the more curious you are, the smarter you get," Cook said.
After working at IBM and Compaq and building a reputation as a supply-chain and logistics guru, Cook received a phone call from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and recalled knowing in minutes that this was the person he wanted to work for.
Cook moved to California, where he lived in a tiny apartment and drove a Honda Accord before becoming a guru at Apple. While with Apple, Cook reinvented the company's supply chain and logistics. He was later promoted to the role of chief operating officer before being named CEO in August 2011 to succeed Jobs, who was ailing.
In October 2011, Cook went to Jobs' home to say goodbye to the legendary Apple co-founder. Cook recalled Jobs&#8217; last piece of advice for him was not to ask what Jobs would do, but to do what he thought was right when it came to leading Apple. Jobs passed away a day later.
While doubts lingered over Apple's future following Jobs' departure and passing, the company has thrived under Cook&#8217;s leadership. Apple has experienced years of growth, innovation, and new product launches, solidifying its position as the world's most valuable company with a $3.5 trillion valuation today.
You may not be a billionaire like Tim Cook, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/exclusives/24/10/41405659/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
Tim Cook Today: Cook, who recently turned 64, believes that tomorrow is better than today.
"I love the idea for a bunch of people to feel like tomorrow is better than today – the dream, the belief that you're going to stand on your parents' shoulders," Cook said.
Cook said while this is a deeply American idea, he sees it throughout parts of the world.
"There may not be a more important philosophy in life. I think it's something we all need to hold onto – and not only hold onto it, but feel accountable for passing it on."
Despite being the CEO of one of the most valuable companies in the world, Cook is a rather private person. The interviewer shared tidbits about Cook that include liking to hike national parks and to drink Diet Mountain Dew.
He&#8217;s also a fan of Duke basketball and Auburn football, the schools where he got his Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees, respectively.
Cook, who made history in 2014 as the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company, values his privacy and focuses on keeping the spotlight on Apple's products rather than his personal life.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/10/41439387/apple-ceo-tim-cook-uses-iphone-apple-watch-every-day-says-apple-intelligence-has-changed-my-life">Apple CEO Tim Cook Uses iPhone, Apple Watch &#8216;Every Day,&#8217; Says Apple Intelligence Has &#8216;Changed My Life&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Education

Management

Steve Jobs' Final Lesson To Tim Cook Came Just One Day Before He Died

During China's Double 11 shopping holiday, smartphone brands had strong sales, with Apple, Xiaomi, and Honor performing particularly well.

"Apple, Xiaomi and Honor Sell Well During China Double 11" - DigiTimes

On Tuesday, Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) hosted its 2024 Investor Day, unveiling ambitious growth targets and a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/b42076261/qualcomm-sets-new-growth-targets-showcasing-companys-opportunity-as-on-device-ai-accelerates-deman" rel="noreferrer noopener">significant opportunity for diversification</a>.
The company emphasized its unique positioning at the edge of connectivity, which will likely expand its total addressable market (TAM) to $900 billion by 2030, driven by a projected 50 billion connected edge device shipments during this period.
At the event, CEO Cristiano Amon highlighted how the company&#8217;s technology roadmap and focus on diversification enhance its growth potential.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42071199/kingsoft-cloud-q3-earnings-revenue-surges-16-ai-growth-fuels-profits-ceo-shares-optimistic-outlook" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kingsoft Cloud Q3 Earnings: Revenue Surges 16%, AI Growth Fuels Profits, CEO Shares Optimistic Outlook</a>
As generative AI continues to fuel demand across industries, Qualcomm aims to capitalize on its expanding ecosystem of customers and partners.
Qualcomm outlined its five-year financial goals, projecting strong revenue growth across key segments.
The Automotive and IoT divisions are expected to deliver a combined $22 billion in revenue by fiscal year 2029. Automotive alone is projected to generate $8 billion, while IoT revenues are forecasted to reach $14 billion.
Additional targets include $4 billion in revenue from PC applications, $4 billion from Industrial IoT, and $2 billion from XR. The remaining IoT categories are also anticipated to contribute $4 billion in revenue by fiscal 2029, reflecting the breadth of Qualcomm&#8217;s opportunities in connected technologies.&nbsp;&nbsp;
During the presentation, Qualcomm executives detailed how its technology advances across sectors. Nakul Duggal, Group General Manager of Automotive, Industrial, and Cloud, emphasized the company&#8217;s traction in automotive applications.
At the same time, Alex Katouzian, Group General Manager of Mobile, Compute, and XR, discussed the expanding role of extended reality and mobile platforms.
Qualcomm&nbsp;stock surged over 17% year-to-date.
Qualcomm reported <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/41786182/qualcomm-q4-earnings-highlights-revenue-beat-eps-beat-new-15-billion-share-buyback-announced" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter revenue</a> of $10.24 billion, up 19%, topping the Street consensus estimate of $9.91 billion. Qualcomm reported $8.68 billion in revenue for its QCT segment, marking an 18% increase. The segment&#8217;s revenue comprised:
<ul>
<li>Handsets: $6.1 billion, a 12% year-over-year rise</li>
<li>Automotive: $899 million, a 68% year-over-year surge</li>
<li>IoT: $1.68 billion, an 18% year-over-year growth</li>
</ul>
The QCT automotive division achieved its fifth consecutive quarterly revenue record. Revenue for the QTL segment reached $1.52 billion, reflecting a 21% increase.
Qualcomm expects first-quarter revenue of $10.5 billion—$11.3 billion, compared to the $10.9 billion consensus estimate. The board also approved a new $15 billion stock buyback program.
Cantor Fitzgerald&#8217;s C.J. Muse, Rosenblatt Securities&#8217; Kevin Cassidy, Piper Sandler&#8217;s Harsh Kumar, and Benchmark&#8217;s Cody Acree highlighted Qualcomm&#8217;s quarterly beat, which was driven by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41819185/qualcomm-reports-q4-beat-analysts-divided-over-prospects-of-the-handset-market" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese premium phone demand</a> and diversification into IoT and Automotive. Muse also flagged challenges ahead with Apple Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) internal modem plans and slowing smartphone markets.
Price Action: QCOM stock traded lower by 0.25% at $164.29 premarket at the last check on Wednesday.
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Photo by Monoar Rahman Rony from Pixabay

Qualcomm Targets $900 Billion Market by 2030: Big Bets on IoT and Automotive

Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is preparing to urge a federal judge&nbsp;to dismiss the U.S. Department&nbsp;of Justice&#8217;s case accusing the company of unlawfully monopolizing the smartphone market.
What Happened: The case is a significant part of the ongoing antitrust battle against Big Tech companies. The hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, will be presided over by&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Julien Neals&nbsp;in Newark, New Jersey, Reuters reported on Wednesday. 
Prosecutors allege that Apple stifles competition&nbsp;by limiting interoperability between the&nbsp;iPhone and third-party apps and&nbsp;devices. Apple, in its defense, asserts that its restrictions on developers&#8217; access to its technology are reasonable and necessary for innovation.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42023396/sean-parkers-net-worth-touches-3b-from-launching-napster-to-becoming-facebook-billionaire-the-story-of-teenage-hacker-turned-entrepreneur?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sean Parker&#8217;s Net Worth Touches $3B: From Launching Napster To Becoming Facebook Billionaire, The Story Of Teenage Hacker Turned Entrepreneur</a>
The antitrust case against Apple was initiated during Donald Trump&#8217;s first presidential term and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38343376/elizabeth-warren-attacks-apple-smartphone-monopoly-green-texts-on-iphones-theyre-ruining-relatio">filed under President</a> Joe Biden&#8217;s administration. Other Big Tech firms, including Alphabet&#8216;s Google (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Amazon.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), are also facing similar antitrust cases.
Why It Matters: The lawsuit against Apple, filed in March by the DOJ and a coalition of states, targets restrictions and fees on app developers, and technical barriers to third-party devices and services that compete with Apple&#8217;s own. The case will proceed if the judge finds the claims plausible.
Meanwhile, its $20 billion agreement with Google&#8216;s parent Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) to make Google Chrome the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42083150/googles-20b-search-deal-with-apple-faces-collapse-after-antitrust-ruling-what-it-could-means-for-both-tech-giants">default search engine</a> is also under threat after a U.S. federal judge ruled the deal as illegal monopoly.
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Image via Apple
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Pooja-Rajkumari" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pooja Rajkumari</a>

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