Dernières nouvelles pour Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) Stock

Alphabet

Alphabet is a holding company that wholly owns internet giant Google. The California-based company derives slightly less than 90% of its revenue from Google services, the vast majority of which is advertising sales. Alongside online ads, Google services houses sales stemming from Google's subscription services (YouTube TV, YouTube Music among others), platforms (sales and in-app purchases on Play Store), and devices (Chromebooks, Pixel smartphones, and smart home products such as Chromecast). Google's cloud computing platform, or GCP, accounts for roughly 10% of Alphabet's revenue with the firm's investments in up-and-coming technologies such as self-driving cars (Waymo), health (Verily), and internet access (Google Fiber) making up the rest.

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<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113210776247146944">https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113210776247146944</a>
It has been determined that Google has illegally used a system of only revealing and displaying bad stories about Donald J. Trump, some made up for this purpose while, at the same time, only revealing good stories about Comrade Kamala Harris. This is an ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, and hopefully the Justice Department will criminally prosecute them for this blatant Interference of Elections. If not, and subject to the Laws of our Country, I will request their prosecution, at the maximum levels, when I win the Election, and become President of the United States!

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Republican Nominee Donald Trump Says He Will Seek Google's Prosecution If He Wins Election And Alleges They Display Bad Stories About Him

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://thearorareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-27_08h59_50.png" alt="" style="width:624px" /></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Spending Disappointment</h3>
Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/chart-analysis-stock-market-spending-disappointment-boj-carry-trade-smci-mc-09272024">click here</a> for an enlarged chart of Super Micro Computer Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>).
Note the following:
<ul>
<li>This article is about the big picture, not an individual stock. The chart of SMCI stock is being used to illustrate the point.</li>
<li>A fortune is to be made in artificial intelligence, but it is not going to be in a straight line. At times, it is going to be treacherous.  It is important to not make mistakes by getting carried away with the momo crowd and listening to momo gurus who have a vested interest that is not your best interest.</li>
<li>The chart shows that momo crowd favorite SMCI fell yesterday on the news of a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe due to allegations of accounting irregularities. A DOJ probe is a serious matter as it is often a criminal probe.</li>
<li>The chart shows that the enthusiasm was at its peak right after SMCI stock was added to S&amp;P 500.</li>
<li>The chart shows from the peak to the low, the stock lost 69% of its value.</li>
<li>The chart shows that the day S&amp;P 500 added SMCI stock, The Arora Report made a bold call. The Arora Report call was that SMCI was worth only $442 &#8211; $486 in the best case. The stock peaked at $1229.  As of this writing in the premarket, SMCI stock is trading at $400.95.  All Arora Report calls are 100% transparent, traceable, and auditable. Members have access to over ten years of archives, including the winners and losers – no cherry picking.</li>
<li>Right now, the momo crowd is sitting on massive losses in SMCI stock. The momo crowd was not able to distinguish between NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Super Micro Computer – the prevailing belief among the momo crowd was that NVDA and SMCI were the same.</li>
<li>The U.S. economy is 70% consumer based. For this reason, prudent investors pay attention to personal income and personal spending.  Just released personal income and spending data is disappointing.  Here are the details of the new personal income and spending data:
<ul>
<li>Personal income came at 0.2% vs. 0.4% consensus.</li>
<li>Personal spending came at 0.2% vs. 0.3% consensus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>PCE is the Fed&#8217;s favorite inflation gauge.&nbsp; Here are the details:
<ul>
<li>PCE came at 0.1% vs. 0.1% consensus.</li>
<li>Core PCE came at 0.1% vs. 0.2% consensus.</li>
<li>In The Arora Report analysis, the data is in line with expectations. As such, this data should have no impact on the stock market.</li>
<li>Even though the stock market pays a lot of attention to PCE, in The Arora Report analysis, economists have become really good at projecting PCE.&nbsp; As such, investors&#8217; expectations, in general, should be that PCE will come in line with consensus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Japan</h3>
Bank of Japan (BOJ) actions are very important for U.S. investors. The reason is the carry trade.  In carry trade, funds borrow in yen and invest in the U.S. stock market. Lately, they have been buying AI stocks. Japan's ruling party LDP has chosen Shigeru Ishiba as its new leader. Ishiba is the next prime minister of Japan. In The Arora Report analysis, yen is rallying on the news as Ishiba is a supporter of BOJ.
In The Arora Report analysis, this development is negative for the carry trade and positive for the yen position using ETF Invesco CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXY#NYSE">FXY</a>) in The Arora Report&#8217;s ZYX Allocation.
<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>), Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), and Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are neutral in 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>), and NVDA.
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 (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is on track to have the best September ever.
<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.
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>.

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Personal Income And Spending Disappoint, Super Micro Computer Lesson, BOJ Supporter As Japan PM

The quarterly performance of Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), and Micron Technology, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) adequately reflects that the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/41046485/whats-going-on-with-nvidia-braodcom-intel-and-other-chip-stocks-on-thursday" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence wave</a> is in no mood to slow down in the near term.
Hyperscalers, including Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Google parent 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>), Amazon.Com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) remain aggressively invested in their artificial intelligence ambitions. The U.S. and China&#8217;s key rate cuts also added an additional tailwind for the capital-intensive industry.
Microsoft committed 14.7 billion Reais ($2.70 billion) over three years to Brazil&#8217;s cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, according to a Reuters report.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/41055252/microns-ai-driven-hbm-demand-and-data-center-growth-to-fuel-stock-upside-analysts-s" rel="noreferrer noopener">Micron&#8217;s AI-Driven HBM Demand and Data Center Growth to Fuel Stock Upside, Analysts Say</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="650" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/27051414/newplot-23.png" alt="" class="wp-image-569372" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/27051414/newplot-23.png 750w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/27051414/newplot-23-300x260.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>
The company&#8217;s ConectAI program will train 5 million people with AI skills over the next three years. Microsoft already has two Azure regions: one in São Paulo state, which it launched in 2014, and another in Rio de Janeiro, which it launched in 2020.
Earlier this week, Microsoft <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41020845/microsoft-invests-1-3b-to-boost-ai-skills-and-infrastructure-in-mexico" rel="noreferrer noopener">earmarked $1.3 billion</a> over the next three years to drive Mexico&#8217;s AI infrastructure and initiatives, including training 5 million people. Microsoft also collaborated with BlackRock, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) and other partners, forging a fresh $30 billion investment fund to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40909973/blackrock-microsoft-others-team-up-for-30b-artificial-intelligence-fund-help-us-fuel-ai-innovation-a" rel="noreferrer noopener">tap the AI wave</a>.
Google is eyeing a $3.3 billion investment in South Carolina to build two new data centers. The search engine giant&#8217;s plans included two new data center campuses in Dorchester County and expanding its existing data center campus in Berkeley County, Reuters cites the South Carolina governor&#8217;s office as saying.
Alphabet committed $2 billion to the Dorchester County facilities, potentially creating 200 new operational jobs. According to Reuters, the company also earmarked $1.3 billion for Berkeley County.
Another positive update for the industry is the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/ff0ca77d-ad35-45ba-a493-201a26932efb" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> indicating struggling chipmaker Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) and the U.S. government are trying to finalize the $8.5 billion in direct funding for the chipmaker before the end of the year.
Therefore, Intel&#8217;s exploration of stake sales to companies like Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) could also disrupt its chances of bagging the subsidy over antitrust grounds. Intel had already faced <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/08/40648165/intel-weighs-major-business-split-factory-delays-amid-strategic-review-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senator scrutiny over</a> its cost-cutting measures as the subsidy aims to create additional U.S. jobs.
Semiconductor ETFs VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) gained 5%-6% in the last 5 days.
Price Actions: INTC stock is up 1.21% to $24.21 premarket at last check on Friday.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41054106/meta-analysts-highlight-ai-vr-advances-see-growth-pushing-it-toward-apple-like-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta Analysts Highlight AI, VR Advances, See Growth Pushing It Toward Apple-Like Valuation</a></li>
</ul>
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Microsoft, Google, Meta Pave Path to AI Expansion, Nvidia and Broadcom Set to Reap Benefits

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says We're Investing $3.3B In South Carolina To Break Ground On Two New Data Centers

Tigress Financial analyst Ivan Feinseth maintains Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) with a Strong Buy and raises the price target from $210 to $220.

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Tigress Financial Maintains Strong Buy on Alphabet, Raises Price Target to $220

To gain an edge, this is what you need to know today.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://thearorareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-26_08h32_04.png" alt="" /></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Growing Optimism</h3>
Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/chart-analysis-stock-market-china-bringing-optimism-wall-street-positioning-mu-mc-09262024">click here</a> for an enlarged chart of Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>).
Note the following:
<ul>
<li>This article is about the big picture, not an individual stock. The chart of MU stock is being used to illustrate the point.</li>
<li>In yesterday's Morning Capsule, we wrote the following about Micron earnings in advance:</li>
<li>Going into earnings, here are the key points:
<ul>
<li>Whisper numbers are below the consensus numbers. This is an oddity among AI stocks. Among AI stocks, whisper numbers have consistently been higher than consensus numbers.</li>
<li>Wall Street positioning is negative.</li>
<li>The chart shows that MU stock has bounced off of the support zone.</li>
<li>Historically, when the foregoing factors are combined, the stock goes up after earnings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The chart shows a strong up move in MU after earnings were released after the market closed yesterday.</li>
<li>The chart illustrates the value of understanding positioning and the big edge it gives to investors. Micron earnings were mediocre.  The real reason behind the strong move is negative Wall Street positioning.  If the same earnings would have come out a few months ago, when Wall Street positioning was very positive, the stock would have been down $20.  </li>
<li>The chart shows that in the premarket, MU is breaking above the resistance zone. If MU closes above the resistance zone shown on the chart, this zone will become a support zone.</li>
<li>The move up in MU stock is bringing in extremely aggressive buying in most semiconductor stocks in the premarket.&nbsp; In turn, the buying is becoming aggressive in most AI stocks in the premarket.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>We have been sharing with you details of China's stimulus plan.&nbsp; Now, with a potential addition, China's stimulus plan is about to become a bazooka.
<ul>
<li>China is considering injecting up to one trillion yuan into state owned banks for the purpose of expanding their capacity to loan more money.</li>
<li>Stocks in Hong Kong are up 4.2% and up 3.6% in Shanghai.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The strong move up in Chinese stocks brought in optimism first to Asian stocks, then to Europe, and now to the U.S. in a round robin fashion.</li>
<li>In The Arora Report analysis, deflation in China has helped U.S. inflation.&nbsp; Now all of the stimulus in China is going to start inflation in China.&nbsp; Some of that inflation is going to come back to the U.S. at a time when the Fed is aggressively cutting rates.&nbsp; All of this could spell trouble for the stock market down the road.&nbsp; However, for the time being, no one is connecting the dots as the party shifts to full swing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Weekly initial claims came at 218K vs. 224K consensus. This indicates that the jobs picture is strong</li>
<li>Durable orders came stronger than expected.&nbsp; Here are the key points:
<ul>
<li>Headline Durable Orders came at 0.0% vs. -2.9% consensus.</li>
<li>Durable Orders Ex-Transportation came at 0.5% vs. 0.1% consensus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Just released GDP data shows that economic growth is strong.&nbsp; Here are the details:
<ul>
<li>Q2 GDP Third Estimate came at 3.0% vs. 3.0% consensus.</li>
<li>GDP Deflator Third Estimate came at 2.5% vs. 2.5% consensus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The foregoing economic data is bringing in aggressive buying in the stock market.&nbsp; The reason is that normally when the economy is this strong, the Fed is not aggressively cutting interest rates.&nbsp; Here, the economy is strong, and the Fed is aggressively cutting rates.</li>
<li>Here is the key question for prudent investors: Did the Fed make a mistake with the 50 bps cut?&nbsp; Stay tuned for more.</li>
<li>Powell comments are ahead and may be market moving.</li>
</ul>
<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>), Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</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>), NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</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 (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is seeing buying along with tech stocks.
<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.
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>.

China Bazooka Brings Optimism To U.S. Stocks, Micron Earnings Show The Value Of Knowing Positioning

In a recent development, GV, the venture capital division of Google by 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>), has invested in a Finnish startup, Distance Technologies, which is working on integrating mixed-reality technology into car windshields and airplane cockpits.
What Happened: Distance Technologies has successfully raised 10 million euros ($11.1 million) in a seed funding round led by GV. The round also saw participation from other investors such as FOV Ventures and Maki.vc, CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/26/google-backs-distance-startup-bringing-mixed-reality-to-cars-planes.html?taid=66f54d439b5a1000019b3909&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter%7Cma">reported</a> on Thursday.
Distance, based in Helsinki, is developing a technology that can transform any transparent surface into an augmented-reality display, eliminating the need for hardware like mixed-reality headsets or augmented reality glasses. The company&#8217;s technology uses tracking to identify where the user is looking and then computes the correct light field to match the exact positions of the user&#8217;s eyes.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40968413/elon-musk-reacts-after-cathie-wood-labels-gavin-newsoms-threat-to-sue-tesla-ceo-over-memes-unconstit?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts After Cathie Wood Labels Gavin Newsom&#8217;s Threat To Sue Tesla CEO Over Memes &#8216;Unconstitutiutional&#8217;: &#8216;…But That Didn&#8217;t Stop Them&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This investment by GV in Distance Technologies is a significant move, considering Google&#8217;s renewed interest in the augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) market. Earlier this year, Google entered into a strategic partnership with Magic Leap, an augmented reality startup, to create immersive experiences that integrate the physical and digital realms. This partnership was aimed at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39092179/google-and-magic-leap-join-forces-we-see-a-lot-of-potential-in-arvr-market">leveraging Magic Leap&#8217;s expertise</a> in optics and device manufacturing alongside Google&#8217;s advanced technology platforms.
Distance&#8217;s technology, which is primarily focused on the auto, aerospace, and defense markets, could potentially revolutionize these sectors by creating a life-size field of view in any setting. This aligns with Google&#8217;s strategic direction in the AR/VR market and could potentially give it an edge over competitors like Meta Platforms Inc. and Apple Inc.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41016829/possible-but-not-probable-steve-jobs-witty-transportation-answer-in-1973-resume-earns-him-online-acc?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Possible, But Not Probable&#8217;: Steve Jobs&#8217; Witty Transportation Answer In 1973 Resume Earns Him Online Accolades — Bill Gates $15k Salary No Less Impressive In The Same Era</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
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>

Startups

Google's GV Invests $11M In Finnish Startup Revolutionizing Mixed-Reality Tech For Car Windshields And Cockpits

With just two weeks to go for Tesla, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41040380/tesla-sends-out-invites-for-robotaxi-event-heres-everything-you-need-to-know">Robotaxi unveil event</a>, an analyst painted a bleak picture of the company&#8217;s self-driving technology.
What Happened: Tesla&#8217;s FSD, which is now promoted as fully-supervised FSD, is a &#8220;safety disaster&#8221; and &#8220;galaxies away from being anywhere close to the competition,&#8221; said GLJ Research&#8217;s Gordon Johnson in a note. Tesla&#8217;s competitors in this arena are Alphabet, Inc.&#8217;s (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>) Waymo and General Motors Corp.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) Cruise.
With Tesla eyeing the rollout of its Fully Supervised FSD in China, the Elon Musk-led company would be up against domestic player Baidu, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) Apollo Go.
Johnson referenced reviews by two sources to make his case. Independent lab AMCI Testing, which tried the technology, said the overall performance of Tesla&#8217;s camera-enabled autonomous-driving software is &#8220;suspect.&#8221; In a report released on Tuesday, the firm said its evaluation showed how often human intervention was required for safe operation. &#8220;In fact, our drivers had to intervene over 75 times during the evaluation; an average of once every 13 miles,&#8221; it said.
While the FSD 12.5.1 was impressive, it is incredibly dangerous for drivers operating with FSD to drive with their hands in their laps or away from the steering wheels, it said. &#8220;The most critical moments of FSD miscalculation are split-second events that even professional drivers, operating with a test mindset, must focus on catching,&#8221; it added.
Johnson also referred to data from Teslafsdtracker.com, which aggregates TSLA FSD driving experiences/data, in real-time from users, which shows that the latest iteration of FSD has a critical disengagement every 130 miles and every 72 miles when driven in a city.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-buy-tesla-stock">How To Buy Tesla (TSLA) Stock</a>
Data reported by competitors to the California Department of Motor Vehicles show that miles to disengagement data for various players are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Waymo: 17,311 miles</li>
<li>Amazon, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Zoox: 177,602 miles</li>
<li>Pony.Ai (startup): 17,077 miles</li>
<li>WeRide (startup): 21,191 miles</li>
</ul>
The metric for Tesla is 13 miles, based on AMCI&#8217;s statistics, Johnson said, although Tesla doesn&#8217;t yet report data to California DMV, given its FSD tech is only Level 2.
Why It&#8217;s Important: Johnson noted that many sell-side analysts assign a valuation of $300 billion to $600 billion for Tesla&#8217;s FSD technology. In real-time, the value is close to zero, he said, adding that it could be negative, given the &#8220;liability of putting something this dangerous on roads.&#8221;
According to Ark&#8217;s valuation model, by 2029, robotaxis, which has FSD as its core technology, would account for 63% of Tesla&#8217;s revenue and 86% of EBITDA.
Future Fund LLC Managing Partner Gary Black, a Tesla bull, said in a recent post on X that Tesla's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40995280/tesla-bull-dampens-enthusiasm-regarding-1010-robotaxi-event-but-heres-what-would-ta">FSD is not yet close to the 99.99% efficacy needed for unsupervised autonomy.</a>
In premarket trading on Thursday, Tesla rose 2.05% to $262.30, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro data.</a>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Photo via Shutterstock

BIDU

'Safety Disaster:' Tesla FSD 'Galaxies Away From Being Anywhere Close To Competition,' Says Bearish Analyst, As He Assigns Zero Valuation To The Tech

Semiconductor stocks especially linked to artificial intelligence led by Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>), Arm Holdings Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>), Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) are trading higher Thursday in sympathy with Micron Technology, Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>).
Micron&#8217;s upbeat fourth-quarter performance is pushing the sector higher. AI server company Super Micro Computer, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) has also gained momentum.
On Wednesday, Micron reported quarterly revenue of $7.75 billion, up by 93%, beating the&nbsp;analyst consensus of $7.64 billion. This was driven by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/41034733/micron-q4-earnings-revenue-eps-beat-on-robust-ai-demand-company-sees-significantly-improved-profita" rel="noreferrer noopener">a strong ramp</a> of its data center DRAM and high-bandwidth memory products.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41032464/new-broadcom-chipsets-set-to-boost-comcast-and-charter-networks-with-over-25-gbps-speed" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Broadcom Chipsets Set to Boost Comcast and Charter Networks With Over 25 Gbps Speed</a>
The upbeat quarterly prints of Nvidia, Broadcom, and Micron bear testimony to the continued AI frenzy as hyperscalers remain invested in their AI endeavors.
Some positive updates bearing testimony to continued AI momentum include Microsoft earmarking $1.3 billion to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41020845/microsoft-invests-1-3b-to-boost-ai-skills-and-infrastructure-in-mexico" rel="noreferrer noopener">boost AI infrastructure</a> and skills in Mexico and Taiwan Semiconductor bagging <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41007184/taiwan-semi-secures-7-5b-boost-for-arizona-expansion-aims-for-advanced-chip-production-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">smartphone chip deals</a> from 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>) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>).
BofA Securities analyst Justin Post also hailed the latest partnership between rival cloud providers Amazon.Com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Oracle Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), which can unlock demand <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40800539/amazon-and-oracle-partnership-unlocks-major-cloud-growth-opportunity-analyst-suggests" rel="noreferrer noopener">for infrastructure and applications</a>.
Struggling chipmaker Intel&#8217;s Amazon deal and U.S. grant also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40897994/whats-going-on-with-intel-stock-on-tuesday" rel="noreferrer noopener">reflect further optimism</a>.
The semiconductor sector also benefited from the key rate cuts by the U.S. and China, which aim to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41004045/whats-going-on-with-chinese-stocks-alibaba-nio-xpeng-li-auto-on-tuesday" rel="noreferrer noopener">spur discretionary spending</a> by capital-intensive companies.
Price Actions: NVDA stock is up 2.51% at $126.62 premarket at last check Thursday. AMD is up 3.10% at $167.04, and INTC is up 3.70% at $24.41.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41023040/nvidia-xpeng-join-alibabas-apsara-conference-to-showcase-ai-tech-advancements" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia, XPeng Join Alibaba&#8217;s Apsara Conference to Showcase AI Tech Advancements</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Earnings

Movers

ORCL

What's Going On With Nvidia, Broadcom, Intel, And Other Chip Stocks On Thursday?

Search engines and GPS platforms like Google (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/apple-maps">Apple Maps</a> give legitimacy to unlicensed cannabis business in California by not distinguishing them from licensed dispensaries in respective search results. That's according to a measure that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved this week in a unanimous vote.
The proposal introduced by supervisor Lindsey Horvath seeks to remove illegal cannabis dispensaries from Google, Yelp and other search engine platforms, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-24/l-a-county-yelp-google-deplatform-illegal-cannabis-dispensaries">reported</a> Los Angeles Times.
The measure also directs several county agencies to compile reports within three months on possible actions to curb unauthorized cannabis advertising in the unincorporated areas of the county. It also says five county leaders should draft and sign a letter urging several major websites &#8220;to voluntarily stop advertising illegal cannabis dispensaries in the County.&#8221;
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/16/12/8777071/the-company-that-wants-to-be-the-yelp-for-marijuana">The Company That Wants To Be The Yelp For Marijuana</a>
<ul>
<li>Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter <a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you're serious about the business, you can't afford to miss out.</li>
</ul>
"Regulating online search engines and GPS platforms will ensure only legal, licensed dispensaries appear in results from those platforms and protect the safety of the public," Horvath's motion stipulates.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="970" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25114739/ccc-oct-24-banner__1_-43.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-565891" /></a></figure>
The document also highlighted that Los Angeles County hosts roughly 10% of the total number of dispensaries estimated to operate nationwide, with nearly 1,500 retailers, citing Pew Research Center's data. That said, data from the California Department of Cannabis Control suggest that only 384 of these dispensaries – as of 2022 &#8211; had a valid state-approved license.
The California effort to crack down on the advertisement of unlicensed cannabis businesses follows a call from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and licensed dispensary owners in the Empire State to major social media companies like Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and 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>) to stop <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37322625/are-social-media-giants-like-google-meta-helping-illicit-pot-shops-in-new-york-some-cannabis-adv">promoting unlicensed cannabis businesses.</a>
The governor's demands extend to digital services like Google Maps and Yelp, urging them to stop directing consumers to unlicensed vendors, as it is not only a legal dilemma but also a public health concern due to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/06/32796626/ny-cops-raid-unlicensed-weed-shops-steep-penalties-for-illicit-cannabis-sales">distribution of untested products.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37322625/are-social-media-giants-like-google-meta-helping-illicit-pot-shops-in-new-york-some-cannabis-adv">Are Social Media Giants Like Google &amp; Meta Helping Illicit Pot Shops In New York? Some Cannabis Advocates Say Yes</a></li>
</ul>

Cannabis

Regulations

Social Media

Retail Sales

Yelp, Google Should Remove Illegal Weed Shops Says Los Angeles Initiative To Clean Up Cannabis Search Results

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>) Google filed an <a target="_blank" href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/inside-google-cloud/filing-eu-complaint-against-microsoft-licensing/" rel="noreferrer noopener">antitrust complaint against</a>&nbsp;Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) with the European Union&#8217;s top antitrust regulator Tuesday for allegedly abusing its influence to lock customers into Microsoft&#8217;s cloud platform Azure.
Google Cloud Vice President Amit Zavery said that Microsoft customers had to pay a 400% mark-up to keep running Windows Server on rival cloud computing operators.
For nearly twenty years, Google became a target of EU antitrust action, partly stemming from&nbsp;complaints supported&nbsp;by Microsoft, the Wall Street Journal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/google-files-eu-antitrust-complaint-against-microsoft-cfcd99bb?mod=tech_lead_story" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="650" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25092147/newplot-21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-565512" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25092147/newplot-21.png 750w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25092147/newplot-21-300x260.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>
Google has long trailed Microsoft and&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Amazon Web Services in the cloud business.
Google&#8217;s complaint comes after Microsoft&#8217;s settlement of a complaint from a trade group representing European cloud services providers.
Google argues that Windows Server customers are unfairly penalized if they want to use competing cloud services.
Google has also made similar arguments to those of the U.K.&#8217;s competition regulator.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40986921/microsofts-ai-lead-shrinks-analyst-downgrades-stock-as-amazon-and-google-close-the-" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earlier this week</a>, DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria&nbsp;noted Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud are gaining traction in cloud and code generation businesses at the cost of Microsoft Azure.
Big Tech companies have been drawing global regulatory scrutiny for their alleged anticompetitive practices, which have boosted their toplines and bottomlines. The companies allegedly created &#8220;walled gardens&#8221; under their products and services, preventing users from resorting to rival services.
Google drew flak for paying companies like Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40190328/google-antitrust-challenge-puts-billions-in-search-revenue-at-stake-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener"> keep its search engine</a> as the default for its devices. Apple also drew scrutiny for preventing users from using <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/40943746/after-lightning-port-eu-targets-apples-iphone-and-ipad-systems-demands-greater-access-for-third-part" rel="noreferrer noopener">rival operating systems</a> for its devices.
Reports claimed Amazon&#8217;s alleged antitrust practices of preferential treatment to its products on its platforms could lead to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34917805/ftc-and-states-take-on-amazon-in-antitrust-battle-1" rel="noreferrer noopener">company&#8217;s breakup</a>. Google also faced similar concerns. However, Wedbush&#8217;s Dan Ives&nbsp;snubbed worries over the breakup of Big Techs for alleged <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40366001/big-tech-breakup-highly-unlikely-despite-googles-doj-antitrust-setback-says-wedbush" rel="noreferrer noopener">violation of antitrust norms</a>.
Price Actions: MSFT stock is up 0.55% at $431.54 at the last check on Wednesday.
Photo via Shutterstock

Government

Eurozone

Google Challenges Microsoft's Cloud Dominance, Files Antitrust Complaint in Europe: Report

With earnings season winding down, Chris Ballard, managing director at Check Capital Management, shared his exclusive insights on the companies that have caught his attention for their stellar performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings">and growth potential</a>.
Here are his top stock picks based on their latest earnings results:
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Alphabet Inc (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>)</h1>
Alphabet continues to stand out in Ballard&#8217;s view, delivering impressive growth across key segments. 
&#8220;Search revenues were up 14%, with expanding margins, and YouTube Ads grew 13%, making it the most streamed TV service in the U.S.,&#8221; he noted. 
Google Cloud&#8217;s quarterly revenue milestone of $10 billion also adds to the tech giant's appeal. 
Despite the U.S. government's public scrutiny, Ballard emphasized Alphabet&#8217;s robust cash generation and clean balance sheet, making it a compelling choice for long-term investors.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">First Citizens BancShares Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NASDAQ">FCNCA</a>)</h1>
Ballard also highlighted First Citizens BancShares as a notable performer. 
&#8220;It's one of the best banks in the nation, with returns on assets at 1.4% and return on equity at 14.1%,&#8221; he explained. 
What sets First Citizens apart is its ability to achieve these results with less risk, avoiding complex global trading and derivative transactions, noted Ballard. Their simple strategy of taking low-cost deposits and lending to safe borrowers has been the key to their success.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40937291/bank-stocks-hit-inflection-point-after-feds-50-basis-point-cut-analyst-reveal-top-p">Bank Stocks Hit Inflection Point After Fed&#8217;s 50 Basis Point Cut, Analyst Reveals Top Picks</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">AerCap Holdings NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AER#NYSE">AER</a>)</h1>
In the aviation leasing space, Ballard praised AerCap for its strong results and raised guidance. 
&#8220;Gus Kelly's strategy of selling assets at a premium and buying back stock at a discount continues to drive value,&#8221; Ballard noted. AerCap's earnings have surged, boosting their per-share book value by 25% over the past year. Despite a 50% rise in the stock price, Ballard still sees it as attractively valued.
When asked about sector performance and reacting to negative earnings reports like FedEx's, Ballard emphasized a long-term approach. 
"We don't make knee-jerk reactions. If the issues are macroeconomic, we hold our position. FedEx has ambitious cost-cutting initiatives that will likely drive future growth."
For investors looking to capitalize on post-earnings moves, Ballard suggests focusing on companies with strong fundamentals and not being swayed by market noise.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41028133/could-visa-rebound-like-alphabet-doj-lawsuit-weighs-on-stock-but-opportunity-looms">Could Visa Rebound Like Alphabet? DOJ Lawsuit Weighs On Stock, But Opportunity Looms</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Hedge Funds

Exclusives

Interview

FCNCA

EXCLUSIVE: Alphabet, AerCap, First Citizens: Asset Manager's Trio Of Post-Earnings Bets

Majorie Taylor Greene disclosed new stock transactions this week, which come as public efforts to ban members of Congress from trading continue to grow over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/05/39096827/exclusive-khanna-says-shameful-congress-members-profited-from-stocks-calls-for-trading-ban-makin">potential conflicts of interest.</a>
Here are the latest trades by the Republican House member from Georgia.
 What Happened: Greene has increased her frequency of trading disclosures <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38611874/marjorie-taylor-greene-reveals-new-stock-trades-after-2-year-gap-berkshire-hathway-goldman-sachs">in recent months</a> with several large batches of stock purchases announced recently after a two-year hiatus of disclosures.
On Sept. 23, Greene disclosed her latest transactions, as reported by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/members/marjorie-taylor-greene"> Benzinga's Government Trades page.</a>
Here are the stocks Greene bought, with each one disclosed as a value of $1,000 to $15,000:
<ul>
<li>Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)</li>
<li>Berkshire Hathaway B (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>)</li>
<li>Blackstone Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>)</li>
<li>Cardinal Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAH#NYSE">CAH</a>)</li>
<li>CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>)</li>
<li>Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>)</li>
<li>Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>)</li>
<li>Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</li>
<li>Southern Copper Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCCO#NASDAQ">SCCO</a>)</li>
<li>United Parcel Services, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>)</li>
</ul>
Several of these purchases add to recent stakes taken by the representative, including shares of Berkshire Hathaway, Microsoft and CrowdStrike.
The disclosure by Greene did not report any sale transactions, which means the congresswoman continues to hold her Trump Media &amp; Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) shares <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/08/40475137/djt-stock-hits-new-lows-since-trump-media-companys-public-debut-heres-how-much-marjorie-tayl">bought in October 2021.</a>
Did You Know?
<ul>
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
Why It's Important: Greene disclosed buying Digital World Acquisition shares back in October 2021, the SPAC that took Donald Trump's media company public in March 2024.
The transaction was done with shares trading between $67.96 to $118.80. A tweet from UnusualWhales pins the purchase price at $94.20, meaning Greene is down significantly on her $15,000 to $50,000 purchase in the Trump-linked stock. Shares of DJT trade at $13.63 at the time of writing.
Greene buying CrowdStrike shares continues to be an area to watch as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39585140/marjorie-taylor-greene-buys-cybersecurity-stock-owned-by-nancy-pelosi-why-trade-could-draw-red-f">Benzinga previously reported</a> the representative sits on the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation, which operates under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
With the latest stock transactions, Greene has increased her holdings in technology stocks along with placing bets on Warren Buffett to continue powering Berkshire Hathaway along after the stock hit a $1 trillion market capitalization.
Not many can say that their investing portfolios are betting on Donald Trump and Warren Buffett, but Greene can.
Check This Out:
<ul>
<li>Lawmakers Made Huge Investments This Year. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

CRWD

LRCX

SCCO

Marjorie Taylor Greene Stays Loyal To Trump, Keeps DJT Stock, Buys Into Warren Buffett's Berkshire In Latest Trades

The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates could positively impact stocks, consumers, and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/09/40928301/interest-rates-in-free-fall-what-it-means-for-mortgages-credit-cards-and-your-wallet-a"> several key sectors.</a>
Benzinga readers were recently asked to pick which Magnificent Seven stocks could benefit the most from the interest rate cut.
What Happened: The Federal Reserve's decision to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40926026/federal-reserve-delivers-bold-0-5-rate-cut-signals-further-easing-ahead"> cut interest rates</a> could benefit small-cap stocks the most, with loans cheaper for companies that need capital to continue growing.
Interest rate cuts could also benefit consumers as mortgage rates decline, auto loans get cheaper and credit card fees get lowered as a trickle-down impact from the Federal Reserve's decision.
Along with small cap stocks, the overall stock market could benefit including the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/magnificent-seven">Magnificent Seven stocks </a>that are among the most valuable and most-followed stocks in the U.S.
"Which Magnificent 7 stock will perform the best during the rate-cutting cycle," Benzinga recently asked readers.
Here are the results:
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>): 24%</li>
<li>NVIDA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>): 21%</li>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>): 19%</li>
<li>Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>): 13%</li>
<li>Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>): 8%</li>
<li>Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>): 8%</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>): 8%</li>
</ul>
Tesla won the poll as the stock that will perform the best during the rate-cutting cycle with nearly a quarter of the vote. The stock could be popular given auto loans could come down in price and consumers having less concerns about higher prices all around could mean new auto purchases become more of a possibility.
Investors may also have picked Tesla in the poll as it is the Magnificent Seven stock with the worst year-to-date and one-year performance.
Here are the current performances of the Magnificent Seven stocks:
<ul>
<li>Tesla: Year-to-Date +2.5%, 1-Year +3.1%</li>
<li>Nvidia: Year-to-Date +157.6%, 1-Year +193.9%</li>
<li>Amazon: Year-to-Date +28.6%, 1-Year +46.9%</li>
<li>Apple: Year-to-Date +21.4%, 1-Year +28.0%</li>
<li>Microsoft: Year-to-Date +16.5%, 1-Year +36.0%</li>
<li>Meta: Year-to-Date +64.7%, 1-Year +89.6%</li>
<li>Alphabet: Year-to-Date +17.6%, 1-Year +23.9%</li>
</ul>
The Magnificent 7 stocks have mostly outperformed 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 Index. The SPY is up 20.8% year-to-date and has climbed 32.1% over the last year, beating three Magnificent 7 stocks year-to-date and three stocks over the previous year.
Did You Know?
<ul>
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
What's Next: With less than three months left in 2024, investment appetite for Magnificent Seven stocks could change, with investors looking for small-cap winners or stocks that could perform well after the 2024 election.
Benzinga readers recently voted Nvidia as <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="noopener">their top Magnificent 7 stock </a>to retire on, with 33% of the vote. Apple and Microsoft ranked second and third, with 21% and 17%, respectively.
In August, Benzinga readers said the Magnificent Seven stock they were most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/exclusives/24/08/40403222/exclusive-which-magnificent-7-stock-would-investors-put-1-000-in-today-44-of-benzinga-readers-pick-t">likely to invest $1,000</a> in was Nvidia at 44% of the vote, followed by Apple (13%) and Amazon (11%).
The different polls show varying interest in the Magnificent Seven stocks depending on the investment angle. Tesla did not rank in the top three of recent polls until investors were asked about the investment angle of rate cuts.
For investors looking to get exposure to all the Magnificent Seven stocks, there is also the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#NASDAQ">MAGS</a>), which holds the seven companies. The ETF is up 45% year-to-date and up over 57% in the past year.
The study was conducted by Benzinga Sept. 19 through Sept. 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 210 adults.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/09/41025936/musk-zuckerberg-cook-cuban-or-thiel-whos-the-most-influential-tech-leader-in-2024-election-benzi">Musk, Zuckerberg, Cook, Cuban Or Thiel: Who&#8217;s The Most Influential Tech Leader In 2024 Election? Benzinga Readers Respond, And It&#8217;s Not Even Close</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: gguy/Shutterstock.com

Education

MAGS

After Fed Rate Cuts, Is Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Or Amazon The Best Investment? Poll Reveals Top Magnificent 7 Stock

JMP Securities analyst Andrew Boone reiterates Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) with a Market Outperform and maintains $200 price target.

Reiteration

JMP Securities Reiterates Market Outperform on Alphabet, Maintains $200 Price Target

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/2024/09/2024-09-25_08h49_58.png" alt="" style="width:624px" /></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Key To The AI Trade</h3>
Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/chart-analysis-stock-market-micron-earnings-china-rate-cut-mu-mc-09252024">click here</a> for a chart of Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>).
Note the following:
<ul>
<li>This article is about the big picture, not an individual stock.&nbsp; The chart of MU stock is being used to illustrate the point.</li>
<li>Micron is one of the three largest semiconductor memory makers in the world.</li>
<li>The demand for high bandwidth memory for AI applications is rapidly increasing.</li>
<li>The chart shows Micron's last two earnings and the market reaction.</li>
<li>The chart shows that MU stock peaked with a bearish engulfing candle. A bearish engulfing candle is a negative pattern.</li>
<li>The chart shows when the Arora signal was given to take partial profits.</li>
<li>As full disclosure, MU is long from $21.77 in The Arora Report&#8217;s ZYX Buy portfolio that surrounds the Core Model Portfolio.</li>
<li>The chart shows a very substantial drop in the stock.&nbsp; There are two reasons for the drop:
<ul>
<li>From a fundamental perspective, the demand for memory in smartphones has been soft.</li>
<li>At its peak, MU had become a crowded trade, and Wall Street positioning had become extremely positive. These are the two factors that often lead to big drops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Going into earnings, here are the key points:
<ul>
<li>Whisper numbers are below the consensus numbers.&nbsp; This is an oddity among AI stocks.&nbsp; Among AI stocks, whisper numbers have consistently been higher than consensus numbers.</li>
<li>Wall Street positioning is negative.</li>
<li>The chart shows that MU stock has bounced off of the support zone.</li>
<li>Historically, when the foregoing factors are combined, the stock goes up after earnings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Micron earnings and the stock reaction will be an important key to the AI trade.</li>
<li>Some of Micron's business is a commodity business and therefore does not have the same moat as Nvidia (NVDA).&nbsp; Nonetheless, investors should be cognizant that many AI stocks have become crowded trades and Wall Street positioning is extremely positive.&nbsp; This is the fifth stage of a change.&nbsp; Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/ppp-long-trade-ppp">click here</a> to see the five stages of a long trade.&nbsp; &nbsp; Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/five-stages-of-a-short-trade-ppp">click here</a> for five stages of a short trade.</li>
<li>As an actionable item, investors should pay attention to the protection band as well as posts calling for hedging AI stocks.</li>
<li>We have seen sharing with you the stimulus measures the Chinese government has been taking and the resulting rally that is taking place in the Chinese stock market.&nbsp; The latest is that China has now cut the one year policy rate by the largest amount ever, from 2.3% to 2%.</li>
<li>The Arora Report has followed China continuously for the last 17 years.  The two ETFs of interest are Mainland China ETF Xtrackers Hvst CSI 300 China A Shs ETF Class A (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASHR#NYSE">ASHR</a>) and Hong Kong ETF iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>). </li>
<li>What happens in China has a major impact on all markets around the globe,including the U.S. stock market.&nbsp; The world is interconnected.&nbsp; Even investors who do not invest outside of the U.S. need to pay attention to what is happening in the rest of the world.
<ul>
<li>The Arora Report has continuously followed economic indicators in 23 countries over the last 17 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Consumer confidence came at 98.7 vs. 102.9 consensus.&nbsp; In The Arora Report analysis, this data went against the soft landing and no landing scenarios.&nbsp; However, for the time being, the stock market celebrated lower consumer confidence on the hope that falling consumer confidence would lead the Fed to another 50 bps cut in interest rates.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Magnificent Seven Money Flows</h3>
In the early trade, money flows are positive in NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are neutral in Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are negative in Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are mixed 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 (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is range bound.
<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.
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.
Footer: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>.

ASHR

Micron Earnings Ahead - Key To AI Trade; Biggest One Year Rate Cut In China

Visa Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) shares fell nearly 5% on Tuesday and continued trading lower on Wednesday following reports that the Department of Justice is suing the payment giant for allegedly monopolizing the country's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/credit-cards">debit card market.</a>
The lawsuit accuses Visa of engaging in anti-competitive practices, casting fresh scrutiny on the company's dominance.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="631" height="458" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25094117/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.07.52-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-565544" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25094117/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.07.52-PM.png 631w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25094117/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.07.52-PM-300x218.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
This news comes on the heels of Alphabet Inc's (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>) antitrust battle earlier this month, which caused a temporary dip in the tech giant's stock before it rebounded by about 10%.
Some investors may wonder if Visa's stock could follow a similar trajectory.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40686596/google-doj-trial-drama-to-hit-earnings-by-up-to-10-says-jpmorgan-status-quo-is-no-l?_gl=1&#x2A;ynacve&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;NzM1MTU4NDY3LjE3MTk4MjY1Mjk.&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;OTkzMjEyNzAzLjE3MDQxNzk4NDk.&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcyNzI2NzE3Mi40ODQuMS4xNzI3MjY5ODA4LjAuMC4w">Google, DOJ Trial Drama To Hit Earnings By Up To 10%, Says JPMorgan: &#8216;Status Quo Is No Longer Possible&#8217;</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Visa&#8217;s Antitrust Scrutiny In Focus</h2>
Visa has long been in the regulatory crosshairs, facing accusations that it uses volume-based discounts to discourage merchants from shifting debit transactions to rival networks. 
Brokerage TD Cowen noted that the Justice Department must prove that Visa's discounts act as barriers to entry, preventing competitors from driving down prices.
While analysts agree this lawsuit poses immediate downside risks, they caution that antitrust cases are notoriously slow-moving. 
KBW estimates that Visa's U.S. debit business accounts for around 10% of its total revenues, and while the lawsuit may drag on, its long-term financial impact may be limited.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is Visa Stock Offering A Buying Opportunity?</h2>
Visa's recent stock action has caught traders' attention. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="631" height="458" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25101048/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.39.20-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-565606" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25101048/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.39.20-PM.png 631w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25101048/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.39.20-PM-300x218.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
Visa stock is trading below all its moving averages, signaling a bearish trend. 
The eight-day and 20-day simple moving averages of $283.96 and $281.81, respectively, indicate a short-term bearish signal, with Visa's current price at $269.78. Moreover, the stock sits just below its 50-day and 200-day averages, reinforcing the bearish momentum.
However, any correction in the stock from this level could set the course again for a long-term bullish streak.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="631" height="458" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25101105/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.39.54-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-565607" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25101105/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.39.54-PM.png 631w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/25101105/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-7.39.54-PM-300x218.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is showing a bullish 2.53, while the declining Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 39.43 suggests Visa stock could soon be oversold.
As investors weigh the impact of the DOJ lawsuit, Visa&#8217;s stock may present a near-term buying opportunity, much like Alphabet's rebound earlier this month.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41009461/visa-shares-are-moving-lower-today-what-you-need-to-know">Visa Shares Are Moving Lower Today: What You Need To Know</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Technicals

Could Visa Rebound Like Alphabet? DOJ Lawsuit Weighs On Stock, But Opportunity Looms

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>) Google has rehired artificial intelligence pioneer Noam Shazeer.
Shazeer, known for his work on the Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA), left Google in October 2021 to launch the chatbot startup Character.AI, which gained backing from Shazeer-founded firm a16z, TechCrunch <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/02/character-ai-ceo-noam-shazeer-returns-to-google/?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGMwNP0d29iH4N4O9V9w0esYYd1Shyu99Y0yCM4TYh7lByMLeL4FQa_1F2C8zoXD4S9RrtU0Ww4tsJPuBVhps0R9xzAsXKSxuLAVRAK-aRDOpno3ORqLaYHz_YuihlbBepxLT11fdU-du5rEzcsKyIq9iKqhWGDaKQ2GqovGDbq_" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> in August.
His return is part of a broader collaboration, as Google signed a non-exclusive agreement with Character.AI to leverage its technology.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40190328/google-antitrust-challenge-puts-billions-in-search-revenue-at-stake-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Antitrust Challenge Puts Billions In Search Revenue At Stake: Analyst</a>
Shazeer and several key employees from Character.AI will take on leading roles at DeepMind. Character.AI&#8217;s general counsel, Dominic Perella, will temporarily step in as interim CEO of Character.AI.
To regain Shazeer&#8217;s talent, Google reportedly paid around $2.7 billion to license Character.AI&#8217;s technology and bring Shazeer back to lead its AI efforts. Google acquired stakes from Character investors and employees, with Shazeer receiving a substantial payout, the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/noam-shazeer-google-ai-deal-d3605697?mod=business_lead_story" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
Character.AI, despite boasting over 20 million monthly active users, the startup faced challenges monetizing its services and controlling user behavior.
According to reports, Shazeer is now one of three leaders steering Google&#8217;s development of its latest AI project, Gemini.
Needham&nbsp;analyst Laura Martin expects Google&#8217;s proprietary large language models (LLMs) to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40443852/google-parent-alphabet-is-a-top-large-cap-pick-for-2024-by-this-analyst-heres-why" rel="noreferrer noopener">drive significant upside</a> over the next 3-5 years. The analyst hailed &nbsp;Google and&nbsp;Amazon.Com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)&nbsp;as the most likely beneficiaries of the current arms race to build GenAI tools and capabilities.
GOOGL stock has risen 24% in the last 12 months as it integrates AI technology into its Search and other businesses.
Price Action: GOOGL stock is up 0.27% at $162.73 at the last check on Wednesday.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Google Rehired Noam Shazeer With Major Payout, Assigns Leadership In AI Development: Report

Google by Alphabet Inc. (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>) has lodged a complaint with the European Commission on Wednesday, alleging Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) of anti-competitive practices in its cloud services.
What Happened: Google claims Microsoft is leveraging its dominant Windows Server operating system to lock customers into its Azure cloud platform, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Amit Zavery, Google Cloud Vice President, stated that Microsoft imposes a 400% markup for customers running Windows Server on competing cloud services, which does not apply to Azure users.
According to Zavery, customers using rival cloud systems receive delayed and limited security updates. Google referenced a 2023 study by CISPE, indicating European businesses and public sector bodies incur up to 1 billion euros annually in Microsoft licensing penalties.
In July, Microsoft settled a 20-million-euro antitrust complaint with CISPE, avoiding an EU investigation. However, the settlement excluded Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform, drawing criticism from both companies.
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Microsoft responded, stating it had resolved similar concerns with European cloud providers and suggested Google would not succeed in persuading the European Commission. Google argues that regulatory action is necessary to end Microsoft&#8217;s &#8220;vendor lock&#8221; and ensure a competitive cloud market.
Why It Matters: Google&#8217;s complaint is the latest in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36040134/google-reportedly-calls-for-uk-antitrust-measures-against-microsofts-cloud-computing-dominance">series of antitrust challenges</a> against Microsoft's cloud practices. In December 2023, Google urged the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate Microsoft for allegedly using licensing practices that discourage consumers from using other services, even as secondary providers to its Azure platform. This followed concerns raised by Ofcom about Microsoft and Amazon Inc. dominating the cloud computing industry.
Earlier in February, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/02/36987709/microsoft-negotiates-with-european-cloud-providers-to-avert-eu-antitrust-action">Microsoft was actively negotiating</a> with the Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) to address a complaint lodged with the European Union. This move aimed to preempt a potential in-depth EU investigation, which could result in fines and a mandate for Microsoft to alter its business operations. CISPE, comprising Amazon and 26 smaller cloud providers across the EU, accused Microsoft of implementing contractual terms that detrimentally impact the European cloud computing environment. 
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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 Files EU Complaint Against Microsoft Over Cloud Practices

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