Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $390 Calls Sweep (5) near the Bid: 70 vs 3033 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $390 Calls Sweep (5) near the Bid: 70 @ $85.8 vs 3033 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$475.2

Microsoft Option Alert: Aug 15 $460 Calls Sweep (8) near the Ask: 200 vs 4236 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Aug 15 $460 Calls Sweep (8) near the Ask: 200 @ $25.973 vs 4236 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$470.07

Microsoft Option Alert: Oct 17 $470 Calls Sweep (16) near the Ask: 276 vs 3532 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Oct 17 $470 Calls Sweep (16) near the Ask: 276 @ $27.65 vs 3532 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$470.36

Microsoft Option Alert: Sep 19 $490 Puts Sweep (37) near the Bid: 200 vs 33 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Sep 19 $490 Puts Sweep (37) near the Bid: 200 @ $28.909 vs 33 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$470.445

Microsoft Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $180 Calls at the Bid: 17 vs 71 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $180 Calls at the Bid: 17 @ $304.0 vs 71 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$470.27

Microsoft Option Alert: Dec 19 $440 Puts at the Ask: 300 vs 952 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Dec 19 $440 Puts at the Ask: 300 @ $16.9 vs 952 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$470.225

Microsoft Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $180 Calls at the Bid: 51 vs 71 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Dec, 2027 $180 Calls at the Bid: 51 @ $303.4 vs 71 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$469.904

Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $355 Calls at the Bid: 1500 vs 899 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $355 Calls at the Bid: 1500 @ $117.15 vs 899 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$471.645

Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $410 Calls at the Ask: 100 vs 5639 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $410 Calls at the Ask: 100 @ $62.45 vs 5639 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$471.09

Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $450 Calls at the Bid: 1275 vs 10898 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Jun 20 $450 Calls at the Bid: 1275 @ $20.2 vs 10898 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$467.79

Microsoft Option Alert: Sep 19 $430 Calls Sweep (3) near the Ask: 139 vs 3785 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] 

Microsoft Option Alert: Sep 19 $430 Calls Sweep (3) near the Ask: 139 @ $49.1 vs 3785 OI; Earnings 7/29 After Close [est] Ref=$465.04

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) 주식

MICROSOFT CORP

Microsoft

Microsoft develops and licenses consumer and enterprise software. It is known for its Windows operating systems and Office productivity suite. The company is organized into three equally sized broad segments: productivity and business processes (legacy Microsoft Office, cloud-based Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype, LinkedIn, Dynamics), intelligence cloud (infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service offerings Azure, Windows Server OS, SQL Server), and more personal computing (Windows Client, Xbox, Bing search, display advertising, and Surface laptops, tablets, and desktops).

ETFs

AVGO

INOD

IVES

MSFT

NVDA

ORCL

PLTR

SOUN

댄 아이브스의 새로운 인공지능(AI) 상장지수펀드(ETF)는 &#39;매그니피센트 7&#39; 종목 이외의 주식도 보유하고 있다. 아이브스는 기술 부문에 대한 투자에 있어 과거의 밸류에이션을 넘어서는 것을 믿기 때문이다.

댄 아이브스, AI 부문 이끌어 갈 저평가 주식 추천

Nvidia,Chip,On,Illuminated,Circuit,Board,ñ,Glowing,Green,Logo

News

Tech

AMZN

GOOG

GOOGL

엔비디아(NASDAQ:NVDA)의 벤처 캐피탈 부문인 엔벤처스(NVentures)는 마이크로소프트(NASDAQ:MSFT)의 공동 설립자 빌 게이츠가 설립한 원자력 에너지 회사인 테라파워(TerraPower)에 6억 5천만 달러 규모의 투자에 참여했다.

엔비디아, 빌 게이츠의 6억 5천만 달러 규모 원자력 투자에 참여

Etf,Exchange,Traded,Fund,Trading,Investment,Business,Finance,Concept,On

Specialty ETFs

BOTZ

ISRG

KYCCF

AI를 테마로 한 ETF는 최근 몇 년 동안 급속히 확산되었다. 그중 다수는 소위 &#34;매그니피션트 세븐&#34;으로 불리는 7대 기술 대기업으로 구성되어 있다.그러나 모든 ETF가 다음 혁신 주기를 견딜 수 있도록 설계된 것은 아니다. &#34;인기 있는 것&#34;에서 &#34;시간의 시험을 견딜 수 있는 것&#34;으로 논의가 이동함에 따라, 변화에 적응하는 새로운 세대의 ETF가 등장하고 있다. 

&#39;매그 7&#39;을 넘어서: 테마 ETF가 AI 투자의 다음 물결을 이끌 수 있을까?

Microsoft Corp

Editor&#8217;s note: This article was updated to correct the details of the ETF.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">AI-themed ETFs</a> have proliferated in recent years, and many of them loaded with so-called &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/magnificent-seven">magnificent seven&#8221; tech giants</a>. 
However, not all are designed to endure the next innovation cycle. As the discussion moves from &#8220;what&#8217;s hot&#8221; to &#8220;what stands the test of time,&#8221; a new generation of ETFs is on the rise—those that adapt.
One such fund is the Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVES#NYSE">IVES</a>). The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/45774136/wedbush-launches-ai-revolution-etf-backed-by-dan-ives-proprietary-tech-picks">ETF, launched on June 4</a>, managed to <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/13/3099005/0/en/Dan-IVES-AI-Revolution-ETF-Surpasses-100-Million-AUM-Within-First-Trading-Week-of-Wedbush-Fund-Advisers-Inaugural-Offering.html">pull</a> in $100 million in only five trading days.
IVES &#8220;is built to be disciplined and transparent,&#8221; Wedbush Fund Advisers CIO Cullen Rogers tells Benzinga. &#8220;We don't react to short-term performance or headlines.&#8221;
IVES rebalances quarterly and aligns with revisions to the AI30 model developed by Wedbush&#8217;s Dan Ives, who created the methodology. This frequency steers clear of performance-chasing whiplash from more active managers, while retaining thematic relevance.
The fund &#8220;follows a clear set of rules and reflects the ongoing evolution of Dan's AI30 framework. That combination of research-driven insight alongside a passive index structure gives us the ability to stay focused on the long term,&#8221; Rogers added.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/06/45978750/why-smart-money-is-spreading-out-etf-flows-signal-surge-in-portfolio-diversification">Why Smart Money Is Spreading Out: ETF Flows Signal Surge In Portfolio Diversification</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Case Against Static AI ETFs</h2>
Global X Robotics &amp; Artificial Intelligence ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BOTZ#NASDAQ">BOTZ</a>) and ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ROBO) both have portfolios that lean towards robotics, semiconductors, and infrastructure-heavy hardware. 
BOTZ, for example, has Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ISRG#NASDAQ">ISRG</a>), and Keyence (OTCPK: KYCCF) as its leading holdings. 
ROBO has a strong tilt into industrials and health tech.
But these ETFs tend to be afflicted by static index approaches that fail to adjust rapidly to new AI subsectors like inference engines, generative software, or quantum compute.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Inside IVES: A Living Portfolio For A Moving Target</h2>
IVES employs a modified market-cap weighting strategy to keep its biggest bets in check. Yes, it includes the likes of Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Nvidia, and Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>). However, it also leaves room for lesser-known high-conviction picks.
&#8220;We intentionally moved away from traditional straight-line market-cap weighting to avoid exactly that issue (overconcentration and valuation risk tied to the magnificent seven stocks). The modified market-cap weighting approach we use helps large-cap leaders hold influence, but it also prevents them from overwhelming the rest of the portfolio. At the same time, it gives room for smaller, high-conviction names to matter,&#8221; said Rogers.
IVES takes a tight, research-driven approach, Rogers explains. 
"This isn't about market timing — it's about giving investors access to the companies actually building and monetizing the AI revolution, in a format that's disciplined and transparent," he adds.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Happens In A Downturn?</h2>
With valuations across the tech sector under renewed scrutiny, some wonder if AI ETFs are a bubble waiting to pop. Rogers isn't fazed. "Short-term market swings are part of investing, but IVES is built for the long run. What sets the fund apart is its ability to evolve with the AI ecosystem. Not just where it is today, but where it&#8217;s going. That's the advantage of anchoring the portfolio to Dan's ongoing research. As AI matures and new players, platforms, or verticals emerge, the index can adapt," he said.
&#8220;If the center of gravity in AI shifts from semis to inference, or from traditional compute to quantum, Dan's research is positioned to catch that. And our structure is designed to follow it. So even through a downturn, we're confident the fund will stay aligned with the most important parts of the AI value chain as they evolve,&#8221; Rogers emphasized.
Contrast that with holdings such as BOTZ, where old-school industrials and automation stocks constitute a huge percentage of the assets. They&#8217;re exposed to AI, perhaps, but sometimes indirectly and without the agility to change direction quickly.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Investor Takeaway: Adaptive &gt; Aggressive</h2>
For individual investors, the message is straightforward: not to conflate AI exposure with AI relevance. BOTZ funds might have expansive baskets, but that expansiveness tends to be at the expense of thematic integrity and forward-looking design. ROBO still stands for its robotics theme and first-mover appeal, but perhaps it will not be the final say on AI innovation as it extends into software.
IVES, on the other hand, presents a more streamlined style that balances conviction with agility. It&#8217;s not attempting to be everywhere, it&#8217;s trying to be where the AI narrative is really headed.
If the previous cycle of AIs revolved around who could train the largest model, perhaps the next will be a question of who can best monetize it. In that game, flexibility, not merely exposure, may be the ultimate advantage.
As Rogers summarizes: &#8220;IVES isn't a static snapshot, it's a living framework.&#8221;
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/45975763/risk-on-revival-growth-themed-etfs-hit-52-week-highs-as-market-calms-down">Risk-On Revival: Growth-Themed ETFs Hit 52-Week Highs As Market Calms Down</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Beyond Magnificent 7: Can Thematic ETFs Like IVES Lead The Next Wave Of AI Investing? CIO Cullen Rogers Explains (CORRECTED)

As broader U.S. equity funds suffered their largest weekly outflow of $18.43 billion since March this week, according to LSEG Lipper as cited by Reuters, one corner of the market quietly shined: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">sector ETFs</a>. Despite the risk-off mood driven by intensifying Israel-Iran tensions and uncertainty around U.S. tariffs, investors poured money into focused plays, signaling a tactical rotation rather than a wholesale retreat.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46017365/consumer-spending-slips-but-these-niche-retail-etfs-are-defying-the-downtrend">Consumer Spending Slips, But These Niche Retail ETFs Are Defying The Downtrend</a>
Tech and industrial ETFs were the week's breakout stars, absorbing $1.85 billion and $445 million in inflows, respectively. This marks the fourth straight week of sectoral ETF gains, even as large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap equity funds all bled red ink.
So, where is the &#8220;smart&#8221; money flowing, and why?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sector ETFs To Watch</h2>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Technology ETFs: Betting On Resilience And AI Tailwinds</h3>
Tech continues to draw interest as investors seek exposure to innovation and growth even in uncertain times. The sector&#8217;s relative insulation from geopolitical strife and the ongoing AI boom likely contributed to this surge.
Top Picks:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>): Blue-chip heavy with Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).</li>
<li>Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGT#NYSE">VGT</a>): A broader tech play with strong diversification.</li>
<li>ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROBO#NYSE">ROBO</a>): For those leaning into automation and AI trends. Top holdings include Symbotic (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYM#NASDAQ">SYM</a>), Rockwell Automation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROK#NYSE">ROK</a>), and Celestica (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLS#NYSE">CLS</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Industrial ETFs: Infrastructure And Defense Boost</h3>
Industrials are gaining favor amid expectations of increased infrastructure spending and growing demand for defense and manufacturing equipment, especially in the light of global tensions.
Top Picks:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLI#NYSE">XLI</a>): A solid all-around industrials fund with exposure to companies like Raytheon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) and Honeywell (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HON#NASDAQ">HON</a>).</li>
<li>Invesco Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPA#NYSE">PPA</a>): A niche option benefiting from the defense sector rally. Top holdings include General Electric (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>) and General Dynamics (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>).</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IFRA#BATS">IFRA</a>): Capitalizing on the ongoing U.S. infrastructure push with holdings in the likes of Sterling Infrastructure (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STRL#NASDAQ">STRL</a>), Raytheon and Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Financials Falter, But Don't Count Them Out</h3>
While the tech and industrial boats raced ahead on tailwinds, financial ETFs saw $1.22 billion in outflows, suggesting investor unease about profitability under sticky inflation and a "higher for longer" interest rate regime. One can consider keeping an eye on the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>) and the SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>), but only if rate and lending conditions stabilize.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Takeaway</h2>
Investors aren't abandoning the market, they're just getting choosier. With geopolitics and economic uncertainty muddying the waters, sector ETFs are emerging as a tactical safe haven for capital.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/46029255/alliancebernsteins-emop-etf-targets-growth-in-emerging-markets">AllianceBernstein&#8217;s EMOP ETF Targets Growth In Emerging Markets</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

AAPL

AXON

IFRA

ROBO

STRL

As US Equity Funds Bleed $18 Billion, Sector ETFs Offer Tactical Opportunities: XLK, XLI, ROBO In Focus

In today's fast-paced and highly competitive business world, it is crucial for investors and industry followers to conduct comprehensive company evaluations. In this article, we will delve into an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) in relation to its major competitors in the Software industry. By closely examining key financial metrics, market standing, and growth prospects, our objective is to provide valuable insights and highlight company's performance in the industry.
<h3>Microsoft Background</h3>
Microsoft develops and licenses consumer and enterprise software. It is known for its Windows operating systems and Office productivity suite. The company is organized into three equally sized broad segments: productivity and business processes (legacy Microsoft Office, cloud-based Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype, LinkedIn, Dynamics), intelligence cloud (infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service offerings Azure, Windows Server OS, SQL Server), and more personal computing (Windows Client, Xbox, Bing search, display advertising, and Surface laptops, tablets, and desktops).
<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>Microsoft Corp</td>
<td>37.11</td>
<td>11.09</td>
<td>13.28</td>
<td>8.27%</td>
<td>$40.71</td>
<td>$48.15</td>
<td>13.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oracle Corp</td>
<td>48.59</td>
<td>28.91</td>
<td>10.53</td>
<td>18.43%</td>
<td>$6.83</td>
<td>$11.16</td>
<td>11.31%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ServiceNow Inc</td>
<td>133.25</td>
<td>20.07</td>
<td>17.88</td>
<td>4.66%</td>
<td>$0.72</td>
<td>$2.44</td>
<td>18.63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Palo Alto Networks Inc</td>
<td>114.82</td>
<td>18.42</td>
<td>15.95</td>
<td>3.85%</td>
<td>$0.4</td>
<td>$1.67</td>
<td>15.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fortinet Inc</td>
<td>41.49</td>
<td>39.31</td>
<td>12.70</td>
<td>25.08%</td>
<td>$0.56</td>
<td>$1.25</td>
<td>13.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gen Digital Inc</td>
<td>28.50</td>
<td>8.03</td>
<td>4.66</td>
<td>6.43%</td>
<td>$0.53</td>
<td>$0.81</td>
<td>4.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monday.Com Ltd</td>
<td>287.43</td>
<td>13.25</td>
<td>14.60</td>
<td>2.57%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.25</td>
<td>30.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CommVault Systems Inc</td>
<td>107.24</td>
<td>24.45</td>
<td>8.18</td>
<td>10.11%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.23</td>
<td>23.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dolby Laboratories Inc</td>
<td>27.78</td>
<td>2.74</td>
<td>5.41</td>
<td>3.61%</td>
<td>$0.14</td>
<td>$0.33</td>
<td>1.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Qualys Inc</td>
<td>28.06</td>
<td>10.01</td>
<td>8.19</td>
<td>9.75%</td>
<td>$0.06</td>
<td>$0.13</td>
<td>9.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Progress Software Corp</td>
<td>49.61</td>
<td>6.28</td>
<td>3.47</td>
<td>2.51%</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>$0.19</td>
<td>28.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>86.68</td>
<td>17.15</td>
<td>10.16</td>
<td>8.7%</td>
<td>$0.93</td>
<td>$1.85</td>
<td>15.7%</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;
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 tr:hover {
 background-color: #e1e4ea;
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 text-align: left;
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 </style>When analyzing Microsoft, the following trends become evident: 
<ul>
<li>
The stock's Price to Earnings ratio of 37.11 is lower than the industry average by 0.43x, suggesting potential value in the eyes of market participants.
</li>
<li>
With a Price to Book ratio of 11.09, significantly falling below the industry average by 0.65x, it suggests undervaluation and the possibility of untapped growth prospects.
</li>
<li>
The stock's relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 13.28, surpassing the industry average by 1.31x, may indicate an aspect of overvaluation in terms of sales performance.
</li>
<li>
The Return on Equity (ROE) of 8.27% is 0.43% below the industry average, suggesting potential inefficiency in utilizing equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $40.71 Billion, which is 43.77x 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 $48.15 Billion, which indicates 26.03x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
The company's revenue growth of 13.27% is significantly below the industry average of 15.7%. This suggests a potential struggle in generating increased sales volume.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750431649_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.
When evaluating Microsoft alongside its top 4 peers in terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights arise:
<ul>
<li>
Microsoft is in a relatively stronger financial position compared to its top 4 peers, as evidenced by its lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.
</li>
<li>
This implies that the company relies less on debt financing and has a more favorable balance between debt and equity.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Microsoft in the Software industry, the PE and PB ratios suggest that the stock is undervalued compared to its peers. However, the high PS ratio indicates that the stock may be overvalued based on revenue. In terms of profitability, Microsoft's low ROE and revenue growth, along with high EBITDA and gross profit, indicate a mixed performance compared to industry peers.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Markets

Trading Ideas

Understanding Microsoft's Position In Software Industry Compared To Competitors

SK Hynix has won <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/chip-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">custom high-bandwidth memory</a> (HBM) orders from Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), and Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>). This marks a growing demand as big tech shifts away from general-purpose memory to optimize the performance of its AI services.
HBM chips are&nbsp;a type of computer memory designed for high-performance computing, particularly in graphics processing and AI.&nbsp;They achieve high bandwidth and efficiency by stacking multiple DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) dies vertically, connected via&nbsp;through-silicon vias (TSVs),&nbsp;and using a wide interface.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45906594/micron-and-trump-announce-200-billion-us-chip-expansion-plan-aiming-to-create-90k-jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Micron And Trump Announce $200-Billion US Chip Expansion Plan, Aiming To Create 90K Jobs</a>
Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>)&nbsp;will make logic dies for SK Hynix&#8217;s custom HBM.
The South Korean chip supplier prioritized delivery of its leading client, Nvidia, because it was unable to acclimate to the demand frenzy from Big Tech giants, the Korea Economic Daily <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kedglobal.com/korean-chipmakers/newsView/ked202506190003" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> on Thursday.
SK Hynix&#8217;s first custom HBM will be its seventh generation or HBM4E, likely for launch in the second half of 2026.
An <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/08/40198085/huawei-and-baidu-increase-samsung-hbm-purchases-as-us-curbs-loom" rel="noreferrer noopener">August 2024 report</a> indicated that Chinese technology companies, including&nbsp;Huawei Technologies Co&nbsp;and&nbsp;Baidu Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>), were hoarding HBM semiconductors from&nbsp;Samsung Electronics&nbsp;in anticipation of potential U.S. export restrictions on the chips.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/guidance/25/01/42874446/samsungs-outlook-dims-amid-hbm-supply-struggles-for-nvidia-and-sluggish-consumer-chip-sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Samsung&#8217;s Outlook Dims Amid HBM Supply Struggles for Nvidia and Sluggish Consumer Chip Sales</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Media

BIDU

SK Hynix To Supply Next-Gen Memory For Big Tech's AI Push, Prioritizes Nvidia Amid Supply Crunch

The S&amp;P 500 index growth sans the Magnificent 7 stocks is almost negligible over the last 10 years, as the market capitalization of these stocks dominates the index.
What Happened: According to a Goldman Sachs graph shared by the Markets &amp; Mayhem, the Magnificent 7 stocks have driven the S&amp;P 500 growth since 2014, with their index rising from 500 to over 3500.
While the remaining 493 stocks stagnated near 500, reflecting a 2024 study by Goldman Sachs showing the stocks accounted for over 30% of the S&amp;P 500&#8217;s <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/is-the-sp-too-concentrated">market cap</a>. 
This concentration aligns with the Pareto principle, where 20% of assets drive 80% of returns, supported by a 2018 ScienceDirect <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378437105001950">study</a> on stock market indices that found power-law distributions in extreme variations, suggesting the Magnificent 7&#8217;s dominance is a natural outcome of market-cap weighting rather than an anomaly. Thus, according to this graph, if an investor invested in the S&amp;P 500, excluding the Magnificent 7 stocks, they&#8217;d have virtually negligible returns. 
<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. If you net out the Mag 7 from the S&amp;P 500, the remaining 493 stocks have barely gone anywhere in over a decade (comparatively speaking). Chart: Goldman Sachs <a href="https://t.co/0q8kYpA3St">https://t.co/0q8kYpA3St</a> <a href="https://t.co/RE2RDL8ZcP">pic.twitter.com/RE2RDL8ZcP</a>
&mdash; Markets &amp; Mayhem (@Mayhem4Markets) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mayhem4Markets/status/1931060432821010860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Filip Felician Dames, the founder of a venture capital fund, Cherry Ventures, explained that the research and development, or R&amp;D spending, by Magnificent 7 stocks was a significant determinant of the company&#8217;s &#8220;future earnings power.&#8221;
&#8220;We need more innovation and risk-taking mentality,&#8221; he added.
<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">R&amp;D spend is a main predictor of future earnings power. Today, Mag7 are investing more in R&amp;D than all listed companies in Europe put together. We need more innovation and risk-taking mentality to narrow the gap. <a href="https://twitter.com/WSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WSJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WSJTech?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WSJTech</a>
&mdash; Filip Dames (@filipdames) <a href="https://twitter.com/filipdames/status/1935673496295657883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Meanwhile, looking at the valuation of these seven firms using the price-to-sales ratio, Amazon.com Inc. was the cheapest at 0.38, while Microsoft Corp. was the most expensive at 0.92.
<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">Among the biggest AI names, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AMZN&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AMZN</a> seems to be the cheapest Mag 7, even beating <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24GOOGL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$GOOGL</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> is priced in pretty decent already IMO. <a href="https://t.co/3dsqPTDVrg">pic.twitter.com/3dsqPTDVrg</a>
&mdash; Ravi (@ravisRealm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ravisRealm/status/1934458417072267758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46013679/dan-ives-says-market-is-massively-underestimating-this-ai-play-urges-investors-to-look-beyong-mag-7">Dan Ives Says Market Is &#8216;Massively Underestimating&#8217; This AI Play, Urges Investors To Look Beyond Mag 7</a>
Why It Matters: Comparatively, the Magnificent 7 stocks haven&#8217;t performed well in 2025. Only Nvidia Corp., Microsoft, and Meta Platforms Inc. beat the -1.33% year-to-date return of the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#BATS">MAGS</a>) and the 1.91% return of the S&amp;P 500 index.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One-Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)</td>
<td>5.18%</td>
<td>11.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)</td>
<td>-19.38%</td>
<td>-6.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</td>
<td>14.73%</td>
<td>7.75%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</td>
<td>-3.50%</td>
<td>14.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)</td>
<td>-8.73%</td>
<td>-2.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</td>
<td>16.11%</td>
<td>38.68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)</td>
<td>-15.09%</td>
<td>77.37%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<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">More Mag 7 relative strength.. best since Feb 20 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MAGS&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MAGS</a> <a href="https://t.co/0rmrrrp1Qf">pic.twitter.com/0rmrrrp1Qf</a>
&mdash; Mike Zaccardi, CFA, CMT &#x1f356; (@MikeZaccardi) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeZaccardi/status/1934705246451675484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was trading above its short and long-term simple dialing moving averages with a relative strength index at 57.35, which was in a neutral zone.
Despite the largely bullish chart, its momentum indicator was reflecting a key bearish crossover signal as its MACD line of 7.1 was below the signal line of 8.3 with a negative histogram value of 1.2.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955591" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20032837/SPY-stock-tech-new.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Price Action: The SPY and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
On Friday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were trading lower.
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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Jack Hong / Shutterstock.com

Equities

MAGS

TSLA

What If You Invested In S&P 500 Excluding Mag 7? Here's How NVDA, AMZN, AAPL And Others Have Performed In The Last Year

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>06/20/25</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$35.4K</td>
<td>129.0K</td>
<td>135.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRVL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$49.7K</td>
<td>26.7K</td>
<td>35.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PLTR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$138.00</td>
<td>$37.4K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
<td>8.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSTR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$370.00</td>
<td>$68.8K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
<td>8.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>INTC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$21.00</td>
<td>$51.2K</td>
<td>14.9K</td>
<td>3.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CRDO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$68.9K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
<td>$42.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/27/25</td>
<td>$490.00</td>
<td>$40.8K</td>
<td>3.8K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TSM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$101.2K</td>
<td>7.6K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CRWV</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$162.50</td>
<td>$51.4K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td>892</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 June 20, 2025. Parties traded 286 contract(s) at a $145.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 9 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.4K, with a price of $124.0 per contract. There were 129086 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 135442 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MRVL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRVL#NASDAQ">MRVL</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 425 contract(s) at a $75.00 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 $49.7K, with a price of $117.0 per contract. There were 26741 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 35376 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PLTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 129 contract(s) at a $138.00 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 $37.4K, with a price of $290.0 per contract. There were 4031 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 8183 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 1 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 118 contract(s) at a $370.00 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 $68.8K, with a price of $585.0 per contract. There were 2988 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 8101 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For INTC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 57 day(s) on August 15, 2025. This event was a transfer of 250 contract(s) at a $21.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $51.2K, with a price of $205.0 per contract. There were 14951 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3377 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding CRDO (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRDO#NASDAQ">CRDO</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 29 day(s) on July 18, 2025. Parties traded 70 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $68.9K, with a price of $985.0 per contract. There were 3296 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2812 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For APP (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 168 contract(s) at a $350.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 12 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $42.0K, with a price of $250.0 per contract. There were 1651 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1929 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MSFT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on June 27, 2025. Parties traded 340 contract(s) at a $490.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 21 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $40.8K, with a price of $120.0 per contract. There were 3811 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1916 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TSM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 1 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 250 contract(s) at a $210.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $101.2K, with a price of $405.0 per contract. There were 7623 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1649 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding CRWV (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWV#NASDAQ">CRWV</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 53 contract(s) at a $162.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $51.4K, with a price of $970.0 per contract. There were 1211 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 892 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.

Options

CRDO

CRWV

INTC

MRVL

MSTR

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

Pradnya Desh, the founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45229632/supio-raises-60m-series-b-with-backing-from-thomson-reuters-ventures-sapphire-ventures-and-mayfield-to-accelerate-ai-adoption-in-legal-industry">legal</a> tech startup Advocat, is entering politics with a bid for Bellevue City Council in Washington state, hoping to bring her tech-rooted problem-solving mindset to local government. Desh, a former U.S. diplomat and attorney, <a href="https://www.electdesh.com/">says</a> she believes that the public sector can benefit from the iterative, builder-style approach that drives startups forward.
According to <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/if-somethings-broken-you-solve-it-why-this-startup-founder-is-running-for-bellevue-city-council/">GeekWire</a>, her platform focuses on improving housing, transportation, social equity, and public safety, with a heavy emphasis on building Bellevue into a leading hub for startups and innovation.
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<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl-scaling-fast-from-spacex-orders-to-600-homes-built-this-60k-foldable-home-may-be-the-future-of-housing">this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a></li>
<li>Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-peter-thiel-turned-his-roth-ira-into-5-billion-and-why-accredited-investors-are-now-eyeing-this-smartphone-disruptor">invest with $1,000 at just $0.30/share.</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bellevue's Startup Ecosystem Gets A Tech Insider Candidate</h2>
Desh launched Advocat to provide AI-powered legal tools to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44868492/art-of-the-steal-ross-gerber-says-small-businesses-get-to-go-bankrupt-while-trump-makes-exceptions-for-mag-7-chinese-imports">small businesses</a> priced out of traditional services. Now she's applying the same logic to civic challenges, advocating for smarter processes and more efficient systems, GeekWire reports.
"I want to bring a founder's mindset to government, the kind of thinking that we've used to solve problems," Desh told GeekWire. "Because in tech, if something's broken you don't just wait, you have to solve it. We study a problem, we build, we talk to users, we iterate, and we constantly make it better. And that is missing from government."
She is running against incumbent Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis for one of five open seats on the seven-member council, GeekWire says. According to her website, Desh has already secured endorsements from the King County Democrats, 41st Democrats, and several other local leaders.
Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.
As a trustee of Bellevue College and a mother of three, Desh told GeekWire that her commitment to the region is both professional and personal. &#8220;I want to see what I can do to help Bellevue now,&#8221; she said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Tech Has Moved In But Infrastructure Still Trails Behind</h2>
Bellevue has become a magnet for major tech companies including Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Zoom (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>), Shopify (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NASDAQ">SHOP</a>), Shein, TikTok parent ByteDance, and Snowflake (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>), all of which have opened offices in the city. Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) also had a significant presence in the area in previous years, GeekWire reports.
Desh believes the city needs to act faster to keep up with the pace of innovation. "We have a lot of the dots, but they're not all connected," she told GeekWire, referring to the region's fragmented approach to infrastructure and economic development.
Desh envisions a more coordinated tech ecosystem that includes better transportation, more affordable housing, and deeper partnerships between local government, founders, and investors, according to her website.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Desh Wants To Help Washington Rival The Bay Area For Startups</h2>
One of Desh's concerns is the recent push for new business taxes in Washington state, which she told GeekWire could drive innovation elsewhere. "We need to solve it in a different way," Desh said, expressing her frustration with policies that she believes contradict efforts to make Washington more attractive to startups.
She told GeekWire she sees her City Council campaign as a launchpad for broader impact, potentially leading to future roles at higher levels of government. For now, she's focused on Bellevue, a city she believes is uniquely positioned to set the tone for tech-centered growth across the Pacific Northwest.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a>
Image: Shutterstock

SHOP

SNOW

Startup Founder Behind Advocat AI Says 'We Have A Lot Of The Dots, But They're Not All Connected' As She Runs For Bellevue City Council

In the dynamic and fiercely competitive business environment, conducting a thorough analysis of companies is crucial for investors and industry enthusiasts. In this article, we will perform an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) in relation to its major competitors in the Software industry. By closely examining crucial financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim to offer valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Microsoft Background</h3>
Microsoft develops and licenses consumer and enterprise software. It is known for its Windows operating systems and Office productivity suite. The company is organized into three equally sized broad segments: productivity and business processes (legacy Microsoft Office, cloud-based Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype, LinkedIn, Dynamics), intelligence cloud (infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service offerings Azure, Windows Server OS, SQL Server), and more personal computing (Windows Client, Xbox, Bing search, display advertising, and Surface laptops, tablets, and desktops).
<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>Microsoft Corp</td>
<td>36.94</td>
<td>11.04</td>
<td>13.22</td>
<td>8.27%</td>
<td>$40.71</td>
<td>$48.15</td>
<td>13.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oracle Corp</td>
<td>47.97</td>
<td>27.84</td>
<td>10.39</td>
<td>18.18%</td>
<td>$5.89</td>
<td>$9.94</td>
<td>12.55%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ServiceNow Inc</td>
<td>136.35</td>
<td>20.53</td>
<td>18.30</td>
<td>4.66%</td>
<td>$0.72</td>
<td>$2.44</td>
<td>18.63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Palo Alto Networks Inc</td>
<td>116.12</td>
<td>18.63</td>
<td>16.13</td>
<td>3.85%</td>
<td>$0.4</td>
<td>$1.67</td>
<td>15.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fortinet Inc</td>
<td>42.34</td>
<td>40.12</td>
<td>12.96</td>
<td>25.08%</td>
<td>$0.56</td>
<td>$1.25</td>
<td>13.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gen Digital Inc</td>
<td>28.90</td>
<td>8.14</td>
<td>4.72</td>
<td>6.43%</td>
<td>$0.53</td>
<td>$0.81</td>
<td>4.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monday.Com Ltd</td>
<td>289.40</td>
<td>13.34</td>
<td>14.70</td>
<td>2.57%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.25</td>
<td>30.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CommVault Systems Inc</td>
<td>111.90</td>
<td>25.52</td>
<td>8.53</td>
<td>10.11%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.23</td>
<td>23.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dolby Laboratories Inc</td>
<td>28.05</td>
<td>2.76</td>
<td>5.46</td>
<td>3.61%</td>
<td>$0.14</td>
<td>$0.33</td>
<td>1.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Qualys Inc</td>
<td>28.67</td>
<td>10.23</td>
<td>8.37</td>
<td>9.75%</td>
<td>$0.06</td>
<td>$0.13</td>
<td>9.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Progress Software Corp</td>
<td>49.98</td>
<td>6.32</td>
<td>3.50</td>
<td>2.51%</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>$0.19</td>
<td>28.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Teradata Corp</td>
<td>15.71</td>
<td>13.40</td>
<td>1.27</td>
<td>30.24%</td>
<td>$0.09</td>
<td>$0.25</td>
<td>-10.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>N-able Inc</td>
<td>101.62</td>
<td>1.98</td>
<td>3.26</td>
<td>-0.93%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.09</td>
<td>3.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rapid7 Inc</td>
<td>56.91</td>
<td>28.43</td>
<td>1.73</td>
<td>5.98%</td>
<td>$0.02</td>
<td>$0.15</td>
<td>2.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>81.07</td>
<td>16.71</td>
<td>8.41</td>
<td>9.39%</td>
<td>$0.66</td>
<td>$1.36</td>
<td>11.89%</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 thoroughly analyzing Microsoft, we can discern the following trends: 
<ul>
<li>
With a Price to Earnings ratio of 36.94, which is 0.46x less than the industry average, the stock shows potential for growth at a reasonable price, making it an interesting consideration for market participants.
</li>
<li>
Considering a Price to Book ratio of 11.04, which is well below the industry average by 0.66x, the stock may be undervalued based on its book value compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 13.22, which is 1.57x the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
The company has a lower Return on Equity (ROE) of 8.27%, which is 1.12% below the industry average. This indicates potential inefficiency in utilizing equity to generate profits, which could be attributed to various factors.
</li>
<li>
The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $40.71 Billion, which is 61.68x 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 $48.15 Billion, which indicates 35.4x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
The company's revenue growth of 13.27% is notably higher compared to the industry average of 11.89%, showcasing exceptional sales performance and strong demand for its products or services.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750345224_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio provides insights into the proportion of debt a company has in relation to its equity and asset value.
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 Microsoft alongside its top 4 peers in terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights arise:
<ul>
<li>
Among its top 4 peers, Microsoft has a stronger financial position with a lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.
</li>
<li>
This indicates that the company relies less on debt financing and maintains a more favorable balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Microsoft in the Software industry, the PE ratio is low compared to peers, indicating potential undervaluation. The PB ratio is also low, suggesting a possible bargain opportunity. However, the PS ratio is high, signaling rich valuation based on revenue. In terms of fundamentals, Microsoft's low ROE may raise concerns, while its high EBITDA and gross profit reflect strong operational performance. Additionally, the high revenue growth implies a promising outlook for the company's future prospects compared to industry peers.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Evaluating Microsoft Against Peers In Software Industry

Dan Ives&#8216; new artificial intelligence exchange-traded fund (ETF) holds securities beyond the Magnificent 7 stocks, as he believes in looking past valuations for investments in the technology sector.
What Happened: The Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVES#NYSE">IVES</a>), managed by the Wedbush analyst, started trading on June 4, earlier this month.
Ives <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/45774136/wedbush-launches-ai-revolution-etf-backed-by-dan-ives-proprietary-tech-picks">boasts of the fund</a> by saying that it just doesn&#8217;t have the top four, five Magnificent 7 names, but stocks which investors wouldn&#8217;t even thematically consider as an AI name today. 
"I believe the market is still massively underestimating what the growth is going to look like for the AI revolution in tech," he told CNBC.
According to him, tech trade remains significant even for the investors who missed out on its growth in the past few years.
"If you focus just on valuation, you miss every transformational tech stock of the last 20 years," Ives said.
Ives says Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) will be the &#8220;epicenter&#8221; of the AI theme, while highlighting other &#8216;AI 30&#8217; stocks which are part of his fund.
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>), Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>), SoundHound AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>), and Innodata Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INOD#NASDAQ">INOD</a>) are a few notable names that are a part of his ETF&#8217;s &#8216;AI 30&#8217; basket.
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 Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) are the top three holdings of the IVES fund.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45993387/trumps-tariffs-trigger-layoffs-monopoly-maker-hasbro-slashes-jobs-these-companies-are-cutting-too">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Trigger Layoffs: Monopoly Maker Hasbro Slashes Jobs — These Companies Are Cutting Too</a>
Why It Matters: The &#8216;AI 30&#8217; stocks, which are a part of the IVES ETF, hold the AI plays from multiple industries. They include hyperscalers, cybersecurity, consumer platforms, and robotics. According to Ives, the list was compiled from his deep dives into major AI players.
The ETF has $183 million in assets under management as of June 17 close. Ives said that the AI space was experiencing a "golden age."
The Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF has risen by 2.76% since its inception. A comparable index, S&amp;P Kensho Global Artificial Intelligence Enablers, rose 6.08% on a month-to-date basis.
Meanwhile, the 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 ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Dan Ives Says Market Is 'Massively Underestimating' This AI Play, Urges Investors To Look Beyong Mag 7

Nvidia Corporation's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) venture capital arm, NVentures, has joined a $650 million funding round for TerraPower, a nuclear energy company founded by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) co-founder Bill Gates.
What Happened: The investment also includes participation from HD Hyundai and aims to bring TerraPower's Natrium reactor <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39263769/bill-gates-terrapower-ventures-into-advanced-nuclear-plant-construction-aiming-to-combat-climate-cri">online in Wyoming by 2030</a>.
TerraPower's reactor design, developed with the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project, features a 345-megawatt small modular reactor (SMR) coupled with a molten salt energy storage system that can scale up to 1 gigawatt.
Construction has begun on non-nuclear parts of the facility, but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39263769/bill-gates-terrapower-ventures-into-advanced-nuclear-plant-construction-aiming-to-combat-climate-cri">full regulatory approval</a> from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is not expected until 2026, <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/18/nvidia_ai_smr_investment/">reported</a> The Register.
See Also: &nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45988656/elon-musk-warns-us-faces-de-facto-bankruptcy-if-37-trillion-debt-not-tackled-peter-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Warns US Faces ‘De Facto' Bankruptcy If $37 Trillion Debt Not Tackled, Peter Schiff Says, ‘We Are Already Bankrupt'</a>
The company originally planned to launch in 2028, but delays followed the loss of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/12/30104492/bill-gates-backed-terrapowers-nuclear-plant-delayed-amid-limited-fuel-supply-from-russia">Russian fuel supply after</a> the Ukraine invasion.
Why It's Important: With generative AI models demanding massive computing power, data centers are struggling to find clean, scalable and reliable energy sources. Nuclear energy—particularly small modular reactors—is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/45335750/google-is-betting-big-on-nuclear-reactors-should-you">increasingly viewed by tech giants</a> as a long-term solution.
Head of NVentures, Mohamed Siddeek, said nuclear will be essential "as AI continues to transform industries."
TerraPower has already signed an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44438883/bill-gates-says-nuclear-energy-can-solve-ais-power-crisis-terrapowers-bold-deal-marks-a-new-era-for-u-s-data-centers">agreement to supply nuclear power</a> to Sabey Data Centers and joins a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36201383/microsofts-nuclear-power-play-can-ai-revolutionize-energy-for-tech-giants">growing list of nuclear efforts</a> across the tech sector. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Microsoft and 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 have all <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41358363/nuclear-stocks-soar-as-amazon-becomes-latest-tech-giant-to-invest-in-nuclear-power">announced partnerships</a> or projects involving nuclear energy.
Price Action: Nvidia shares have risen 5.18% since the start of the year and are up 11.24% over the past 12 months. On Wednesday, the stock advanced 0.94% to close at $145.48, per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings indicate consistent upward momentum for Nvidia across short-, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">Additional performance insights are available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19023716/Screenshot-2025-06-19-at-11.45.39%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954818" /></a></figure>
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Photo: Hepha1st0s On Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Bill Gates Lands Nvidia As Partner In $650 Million Nuclear Push To Power AI Revolution

Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) warns that the traditional 9-to-5 has dissolved into an "infinite workday," with employees signing on before dawn, moving between impromptu meetings all day, and rechecking email near midnight.
What Happened: Microsoft&#8217;s June Work Trend Index Special Report, <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/de-ch/2025/06/17/new-microsoft-study-reveals-the-rise-of-the-infinite-workday-40-of-employees-check-email-before-6-a-m-evening-meetings-up-16/">based</a> on trillions of anonymized Microsoft 365 signals, shows 40% of users are already triaging messages at 6 am, while 29% return to their inbox around 10 pm.
57% of meetings are scheduled on the fly without an invite, and half of all gatherings cluster between 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. — hours the research identifies as prime focus time.
Evening obligations are rising fast, too. Virtual meetings after 5 pm jumped 16% year-over-year, and the typical employee now handles about 50 Teams messages outside core hours. 20% of staff work on weekends, with many opening emails before noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Workers are pinged roughly every 1.75 minutes and about 275 interruptions in an eight-hour span. Microsoft thus calculates that the median employee enjoys just two consecutive minutes of deep focus during the day.
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/45995888/scott-galloway-says-people-are-still-spending-shopping-at-whole-foods-and-vacationing-despite-irrational-economic-policy-why-is-that">Scott Galloway Says People Are Still Spending, Shopping At Whole Foods, And Vacationing Despite &#8216;Irrational Economic Policy.&#8217; Why Is That?</a>
The company calls meetings "the primary thief of concentration" and notes that mass emails to 20-plus recipients climbed 7% in the past year.
Why It Matters: Microsoft argues the always-on culture could stunt productivity unless firms rethink calendars and adopt AI tools to triage low-value tasks. The findings arrive after JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) CEO Jamie Dimon urged corporate managers to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/financing/25/06/45878903/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-urges-managers-to-stop-running-meetings-to-impress-the-boss-and-start-confronting-real-problems-head-on">abandon meetings</a> designed to impress bosses and instead focus on being transparent about business problems.
Similarly, Airbnb (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABNB#NASDAQ">ABNB</a>) chief Brian Chesky has admitted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/05/45463946/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-reveals-why-he-doesnt-do-emails-and-early-morning-meetings-says-silicon-valley-founders-dont-need-to-be-miserable">he doesn&#8217;t do email</a> and doesn&#8217;t attend meetings before 10 am. Similarly, Meta Platforms Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) Mark Zuckerberg says the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45556921/mark-zuckerberg-slams-endless-one-on-one-meetings-says-i-just-like-explode-without-open-blocks-of-time-in-the-calendar">secret to his calendar management</a> is leaving it empty and not packing it tight.
Photo Courtesy: Ground Picture on Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45996375/dave-ramsey-admits-his-advice-is-simple-in-theory-but-hard-in-practice-clears-up-the-biggest-misconceptions-about-his-famous-advice">Dave Ramsey Admits His Advice Is Simple In Theory But Hard In Practice, Clears Up The Biggest Misconceptions About His Famous Advice</a>

Management

ABNB

Microsoft Study Finds That 9-To-5 Has Morphed Into 'Infinite Workdays' And Employees Can't Stop Checking Mail Even At Midnight

Roundhill Investments launched five new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">WeeklyPay ETFs</a>, each aiming to deliver weekly dividends without sacrificing upside or using options.
The new additions include:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Roundhill AMZN WeeklyPay ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZW#BATS">AMZW</a>), following Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), </li>
<li>Roundhill BRKB WeeklyPay ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRKW#BATS">BRKW</a>), following Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>), </li>
<li>Roundhill HOOD WeeklyPay ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOW#BATS">HOOW</a>), following Robinhood (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>)</li>
<li>Roundhill META WeeklyPay ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/METW#BATS">METW</a>), following Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) </li>
<li>Roundhill NFLX WeeklyPay ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLW#BATS">NFLW</a>), following Netflix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>)</li>
</ul>
These launches bring the WeeklyPay family to 10 ETFs. Each fund aims to capture 120% of the aggregate return of its underlying security each calendar week, as well as a regular distribution.
That&#8217;s a clear divergence from the way most single-stock income ETFs operate, usually through selling covered calls, which exchange upside potential for option premiums. And with more than $15 billion flowing into such a strategy, the company obviously believes there is room for disruption.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/45982963/global-xs-new-gxig-etf-offers-ai-powered-bond-etf-for-smarter-fixed-income-investing">Global X&#8217;s New GXIG ETF Offers AI-Powered Bond ETF For Smarter Fixed Income Investing</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Different Kind Of Income ETF</h2>
Instead of depending on derivatives, Roundhill&#8217;s WeeklyPay ETFs employ leverage to enhance returns, aiming at 1.2x the performance of the underlying stock on a weekly basis. That multiplier, naturally, involves risk, particularly in downward environments, but it also avoids having investors forego gains in a bull market, as with covered call strategies.
The money also makes weekly payments, which might be enticing for income-oriented investors tired of the slow dribble of dividends.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Tech Giants To Meme Stocks</h2>
Roundhill&#8217;s current roster already boasts single-stock ETFs tied to such names as Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), and Palantir (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>). But the company isn&#8217;t yet done.
It has applied for additional WeeklyPay ETFs tracking an eclectic roster: from blue chips such as Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), to semicon-weighty names such as AMD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) and ASML Holding (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>), to speculative darlings such as Reddit (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>), DraftKings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKNG#NASDAQ">DKNG</a>), and MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>).
The message is plain: Roundhill is looking to track the entire gamut of investor demand—tech, momentum, income, and high-risk stocks—all under one umbrella.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What To Watch</h2>
While the structure has upside potential, it&#8217;s not without its cautionary tales. Leveraged exposure, even at a 1.2x rate, amplifies gains and losses as much as it amplifies the underlying. And while the absence of options sidesteps issues of premium decay and call-away risk, investors should still look at how distributions are made and what level of volatility to anticipate.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46001274/alibabas-high-speed-comeback-the-ai-commerce-cocktail-lifting-etf-hopes?utm_campaign=Watchlist&amp;utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Email">Alibaba&#8217;s High-Speed Comeback: The AI-Commerce Cocktail Lifting ETF Hopes</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

New ETFs

AMZW

ASML

Roundhill ETF Trust Roundhill BRKB WeeklyPay ETF

BRKW

DKNG

HOOD

Roundhill ETF Trust Roundhill HOOD WeeklyPay ETF

HOOW

Roundhill ETF Trust Roundhill META WeeklyPay ETF

METW

Roundhill ETF Trust Roundhill NFLX WeeklyPay ETF

NFLW

NFLX

RDDT

Roundhill's New ETFs Offer Weekly Income From Amazon, Meta, Netflix, And More

'Microsoft Would Rely On Its Existing Commercial Contract To Retain Access To OpenAI's Technology Until 2030'

<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/072e90fe-1c8c-415c-8024-5996b1ebb3cb" title="https://www.ft.com/content/072e90fe-1c8c-415c-8024-5996b1ebb3cb">https://www.ft.com/content/072e90fe-1c8c-415c-8024-5996b1ebb3cb</a>

'Microsoft prepared to walk away from high-stakes OpenAI talks' - Financial Times

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-18/microsoft-planning-thousands-more-job-cuts-aimed-at-salespeople">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-18/microsoft-planning-thousands-more-job-cuts-aimed-at-salespeople</a>

General

'Microsoft Planning Thousands More Job Cuts Aimed at Salespeople'- Bloomberg

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>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$144.00</td>
<td>$25.1K</td>
<td>20.6K</td>
<td>33.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$127.00</td>
<td>$32.0K</td>
<td>6.5K</td>
<td>15.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$475.00</td>
<td>$32.1K</td>
<td>6.8K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AVGO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$28.0K</td>
<td>4.8K</td>
<td>4.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WOLF</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$2.00</td>
<td>$156.8K</td>
<td>7.5K</td>
<td>3.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TER</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$306.1K</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>3.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NVTS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
<td>$47.5K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/27/25</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$46.6K</td>
<td>818</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CSCO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$33.1K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APPS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$36.1K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td>987</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 put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 327 contract(s) at a $144.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 9 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.1K, with a price of $77.0 per contract. There were 20678 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 33879 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 bullish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 179 contract(s) at a $127.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 16 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.0K, with a price of $179.0 per contract. There were 6530 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 15868 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MSFT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 2 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 242 contract(s) at a $475.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.1K, with a price of $131.0 per contract. There were 6800 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5084 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AVGO (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 106 contract(s) at a $250.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.0K, with a price of $264.0 per contract. There were 4848 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4214 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For WOLF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WOLF#NYSE">WOLF</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 58 day(s) on August 15, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1255 contract(s) at a $2.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $156.8K, with a price of $125.0 per contract. There were 7520 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3636 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding TER (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TER#NASDAQ">TER</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 365 day(s) on June 18, 2026. Parties traded 344 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $306.1K, with a price of $890.0 per contract. There were 16 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3368 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For NVTS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVTS#NASDAQ">NVTS</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 212 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 250 contract(s) at a $8.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $47.5K, with a price of $190.0 per contract. There were 2663 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2561 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ORCL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 9 day(s) on June 27, 2025. This event was a transfer of 126 contract(s) at a $210.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 39 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $46.6K, with a price of $370.0 per contract. There were 818 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1378 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding CSCO (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 365 day(s) on June 18, 2026. Parties traded 121 contract(s) at a $57.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.1K, with a price of $274.0 per contract. There were 1142 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1181 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For APPS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APPS#NASDAQ">APPS</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 30 day(s) on July 18, 2025. This event was a transfer of 180 contract(s) at a $5.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.1K, with a price of $201.0 per contract. There were 2715 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 987 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.

APPS

CSCO

NVTS

WOLF

Bank of America Securities (BofA) analyst Wamsi Mohan reiterated a Buy rating on International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>), raising the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from $290 to $320</a>.
Despite trading at all-time highs, Mohan argued that IBM remains interesting due to its transformational initiatives, positioning for growth in Gen AI, Agentic AI (and eventually quantum), and strong FCF driven by internal productivity initiatives.
The analyst highlighted IBM&#8217;s appeal as a defensive investment, noting its improving revenue growth. According to Mohan, this growth is expected to generate higher cash flow, which IBM can then strategically re-invest into further mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45901958/ibm-google-emerge-as-top-investors-in-quantum-computing-with-most-patents-issued-in-2025-only-two-companies-seriously-investing-says-martin-shkreli" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBM, Google Emerge As Top Investors In Quantum Computing With Most Patents Issued In 2025: &#8216;Only Two Companies Seriously Investing,&#8217; Says Martin Shkreli</a>
He said IBM underwent a significant transformation over the last five years by shifting its software segment towards strategic M&amp;A investments, shedding lower-growth or high-cost businesses, and rebalancing its portfolio towards cloud and AI trends.
The Mainframe has become more relevant and drives everything from AI to increased software attachment and higher-quality MIPS in transaction processing, all of which support higher (accelerating) growth in the future, Mohan mentioned.
The analyst said the public cloud, a headwind from 2010-2020, incrementally poses a lower risk, while Hybrid takes a firm hold. He said IBM&#8217;s platform approach also drives higher value, given the multiplier effects of Hardware and Consulting. Mohan asserted that GenAI and RedHat can drive acceleration in the portfolio.
The analyst said that IBM remains structurally under-owned and underweight despite its recent rally. He noted that this disconnect stems from the underperformance from 2010-2019, as revenues, margins, and FCF were under pressure. While bears acknowledge the turnaround (2020-2025), the valuation relative to the growth profile remains a hurdle for many, Mohan said.
The analyst noted that while IBM has historically traded at a discount to large-cap software peers, its recent re-rating has pushed its valuation closer to premium territory despite still-limited growth.
As of the second quarter of 2025, Mohan noted that IBM trades at roughly 26x forward P/E and 21x P/FCF, more aligned with faster-growing SaaS names than legacy IT vendors.
Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) trades at ~30x forward P/E and 42x EV/FCF but is growing revenue at 14-15% with higher operating leverage and leadership in cloud, office productivity, and AI, the analyst said.
Oracle Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) trades at ~28x forward P/E and 357x EV/FCF (FCF suffering from OCI investments) with double-digit revenue growth. However, he noted that the company has transitioned a significant portion of its business to recurring cloud-based revenue and has a strong IaaS strategy.
In contrast, Mohan said that IBM&#8217;s software segment grows ~6-8% organically and lacks a flagship SaaS product or hypergrowth vector.
He stated that much of its valuation uplift has been driven by cost efficiencies, dividend support, and investor rotation into &#8220;defensive tech&#8221; amid market volatility.
He noted that these drivers are less durable than secular product leadership or developer ecosystem strength. Moreover, Mohan said that IBM&#8217;s reliance on M&amp;A to sustain growth could cap FCF expansion and weigh on the return on invested capital (ROIC).
If the growth fails to accelerate meaningfully, especially in AI or hybrid cloud, investors may reprice the stock closer to legacy IT multiples, exceptionally if broader tech resumes outperforming, the analyst said.
While IBM may benefit from low expectations and under-ownership, its current valuation offers little margin of safety unless it can prove that mid-single digit growth and 50%+ FCF payout justify a higher terminal multiple, he said.
For IBM, Mohan projected fiscal 2025 revenue of $65.8 billion and EPS of $10.95.
Price Action: IBM stock is trading higher by 1.18%&nbsp;to&nbsp;$286.39 at last check Wednesday.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45978623/marvell-launches-new-power-regulator-and-2nm-memory-chips-to-boost-ai-cloud-efficiency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marvell Launches New Power Regulator And 2nm Memory Chips To Boost AI, Cloud Efficiency</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

IBM Stock Remains Under-Owned Despite Rally, Analyst Sees Further Upside Potential

Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Amazon&nbsp;Web Services <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/chip" rel="noreferrer noopener">could soon announce</a> an update to its Graviton4 chip, sparking a rivalry with Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) and&nbsp;Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>).
The chip could include 600 gigabits per second of network bandwidth, CNBC <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/17/aws-chips-nvidia-ai.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> on Wednesday. Benzinga has reached out to Amazon for its comment.
Hyperscalars like Amazon, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) migrated&nbsp;towards custom chips to curtail costs, tackle compatibility issues, and address supply crises.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/05/45702458/amazon-expands-global-data-centers-boosts-access-to-nvidia-ai-chips-for-cloud-customers" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Expands Global Data Centers, Boosts Access To Nvidia AI Chips For Cloud Customers</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is the Graviton4 Chip?</h2>
According to Amazon, its latest <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/graviton4-aws-cloud-computing-chip" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloud computing chip</a>, Graviton4, offers significant advancements in performance and energy efficiency. It&#8217;s the fourth generation of AWS&#8217;s custom-engineered data center chips, first introduced in 2018.
Graviton4, based on Arm-architecture, boasts four times the performance of Graviton1 and is even more energy-efficient than its predecessor, Graviton3. With 73 billion transistors, it&#8217;s being adopted by major customers like SAP and Epic Games for high-performance and reliable cloud experiences. This innovation, alongside other custom AWS chips like Trainium and Inferentia for AI, underscores Amazon&#8217;s leadership in cloud computing technology.
Amazon manufactures Graviton4 central processing unit at its Annapurna Labs in Austin, Texas.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Does Having A Custom Chip Matter?</h2>
Rami Sinno, director of engineering at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Annapurna Labs, cited strong demand for chips that outpaced the supply.
AWS Senior Director Gadi Hutt told CNBC about Amazon&#8217;s initiatives to provide an alternative to Nvidia Corp&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) costly graphics processing units.
Hutt told CNBC. that Anthropic&#8217;s Claude Opus 4 AI model launched on Trainium2 GPUs and Project Rainier. Trainium3 is coming up in 2025, he said.
AWS has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42309656/amazon-unleashes-powerful-ai-chip-clusters-to-supercharge-anthropics-models-while-challenging-nvidia-and-openais-dominance" rel="noreferrer noopener">committed $8 billion</a> to Anthropic. Also, Amazon chief&nbsp;Andy Jassy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45982631/amazon-ceo-says-generative-ai-will-reduce-total-corporate-workforce" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently highlighted the</a> company&#8217;s extensive leveraging of&nbsp;Generative AI&nbsp;to drive value.
Jassy highlighted Generative AI&#8217;s crucial role within AWS for developers and optimizing internal functions such as fulfillment and customer service. He also pointed to developing AI agents to automate tasks and accelerate innovation.
As Amazon commits huge spending and Capex to AI, it is imperative that it design its own chips based on custom needs rather than relying on NVIDIA.
Jassy stated that this AI-driven transformation might reduce the corporate workforce in the coming years.
Price Action: AMZN stock is up 0.92% at $216.80 at the last check on Wednesday.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45978623/marvell-launches-new-power-regulator-and-2nm-memory-chips-to-boost-ai-cloud-efficiency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marvell Launches New Power Regulator And 2nm Memory Chips To Boost AI, Cloud Efficiency</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by Deep Pixel via Shutterstock

Amazon's Powerful AWS Custom Chip To Get An Upgrade - Why Is It Important?

In today's fast-paced and competitive business landscape, it is essential for investors and industry enthusiasts to thoroughly analyze companies before making investment decisions. In this article, we will conduct a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) against its key competitors in the Software industry. By examining key financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim to provide valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Microsoft Background</h3>
Microsoft develops and licenses consumer and enterprise software. It is known for its Windows operating systems and Office productivity suite. The company is organized into three equally sized broad segments: productivity and business processes (legacy Microsoft Office, cloud-based Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype, LinkedIn, Dynamics), intelligence cloud (infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service offerings Azure, Windows Server OS, SQL Server), and more personal computing (Windows Client, Xbox, Bing search, display advertising, and Surface laptops, tablets, and desktops).
<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>Microsoft Corp</td>
<td>36.94</td>
<td>11.04</td>
<td>13.22</td>
<td>8.27%</td>
<td>$40.71</td>
<td>$48.15</td>
<td>13.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oracle Corp</td>
<td>47.97</td>
<td>27.84</td>
<td>10.39</td>
<td>18.18%</td>
<td>$5.89</td>
<td>$9.94</td>
<td>12.55%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ServiceNow Inc</td>
<td>136.35</td>
<td>20.53</td>
<td>18.30</td>
<td>4.66%</td>
<td>$0.72</td>
<td>$2.44</td>
<td>18.63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Palo Alto Networks Inc</td>
<td>116.12</td>
<td>18.63</td>
<td>16.13</td>
<td>3.85%</td>
<td>$0.4</td>
<td>$1.67</td>
<td>15.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fortinet Inc</td>
<td>42.34</td>
<td>40.12</td>
<td>12.96</td>
<td>25.08%</td>
<td>$0.56</td>
<td>$1.25</td>
<td>13.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gen Digital Inc</td>
<td>28.90</td>
<td>8.14</td>
<td>4.72</td>
<td>6.43%</td>
<td>$0.53</td>
<td>$0.81</td>
<td>4.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monday.Com Ltd</td>
<td>289.40</td>
<td>13.34</td>
<td>14.70</td>
<td>2.57%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.25</td>
<td>30.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CommVault Systems Inc</td>
<td>111.90</td>
<td>25.52</td>
<td>8.53</td>
<td>10.11%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.23</td>
<td>23.17%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dolby Laboratories Inc</td>
<td>28.05</td>
<td>2.76</td>
<td>5.46</td>
<td>3.61%</td>
<td>$0.14</td>
<td>$0.33</td>
<td>1.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Qualys Inc</td>
<td>28.67</td>
<td>10.23</td>
<td>8.37</td>
<td>9.75%</td>
<td>$0.06</td>
<td>$0.13</td>
<td>9.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Progress Software Corp</td>
<td>49.98</td>
<td>6.32</td>
<td>3.50</td>
<td>2.51%</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>$0.19</td>
<td>28.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Teradata Corp</td>
<td>15.71</td>
<td>13.40</td>
<td>1.27</td>
<td>30.24%</td>
<td>$0.09</td>
<td>$0.25</td>
<td>-10.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>N-able Inc</td>
<td>101.62</td>
<td>1.98</td>
<td>3.26</td>
<td>-0.93%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.09</td>
<td>3.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rapid7 Inc</td>
<td>56.91</td>
<td>28.43</td>
<td>1.73</td>
<td>5.98%</td>
<td>$0.02</td>
<td>$0.15</td>
<td>2.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>81.07</td>
<td>16.71</td>
<td>8.41</td>
<td>9.39%</td>
<td>$0.66</td>
<td>$1.36</td>
<td>11.89%</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>Upon a comprehensive analysis of Microsoft, the following trends can be discerned: 
<ul>
<li>
The stock's Price to Earnings ratio of 36.94 is lower than the industry average by 0.46x, suggesting potential value in the eyes of market participants.
</li>
<li>
Considering a Price to Book ratio of 11.04, which is well below the industry average by 0.66x, the stock may be undervalued based on its book value compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
The stock's relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 13.22, surpassing the industry average by 1.57x, may indicate an aspect of overvaluation in terms of sales performance.
</li>
<li>
With a Return on Equity (ROE) of 8.27% that is 1.12% below the industry average, it appears that the company exhibits potential inefficiency in utilizing equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
The Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $40.71 Billion is 61.68x above the industry average, highlighting stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
Compared to its industry, the company has higher gross profit of $48.15 Billion, which indicates 35.4x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
The company's revenue growth of 13.27% is notably higher compared to the industry average of 11.89%, showcasing exceptional sales performance and strong demand for its products or services.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750258822_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is a measure that indicates the level of debt a company has taken on relative to the value of its assets net of liabilities.
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.
In terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, Microsoft stands in comparison with its top 4 peers, leading to the following comparisons:
<ul>
<li>
Microsoft exhibits a stronger financial position compared to its top 4 peers in the sector, as indicated by its lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.
</li>
<li>
This suggests that the company has a more favorable balance between debt and equity, which can be seen as a positive aspect for investors.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Microsoft in the Software industry, the PE and PB ratios suggest the stock is undervalued compared to peers, indicating potential for growth. However, the high PS ratio implies the stock may be overvalued based on revenue. In terms of ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth, Microsoft shows strong performance and growth potential compared to industry peers.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Comparing Microsoft With Industry Competitors In Software Industry

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-18/openai-is-phasing-out-its-work-with-scale-ai-after-meta-deal">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-18/openai-is-phasing-out-its-work-with-scale-ai-after-meta-deal</a>

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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
11:18 AMJun 11, 2025	CALL	$390.00	Jun 20, 2025	-2	70	70	2	3033	SWEEP	BEARISH
09:33 AMJun 11, 2025	CALL	$460.00	Aug 15, 2025	54	200	200	5	4236	SWEEP	BULLISH
09:33 AMJun 11, 2025	CALL	$470.00	Oct 17, 2025	117	1	276	0	3532	SWEEP	BULLISH
09:32 AMJun 11, 2025	PUT	$490.00	Sep 19, 2025	89	200	200	606	33	SWEEP	BULLISH
03:15 PMJun 10, 2025	CALL	$180.00	Dec 17, 2027	908	17	17	24	71	TRADE	NEUTRAL
10:51 AMJun 09, 2025	PUT	$440.00	Dec 19, 2025	180	300	300	32	952	TRADE	BEARISH
12:33 PMJun 06, 2025	CALL	$180.00	Dec 17, 2027	908	51	51	72	71	TRADE	NEUTRAL
10:48 AMJun 06, 2025	CALL	$355.00	Jun 20, 2025	-2	1505	1500	167	899	TRADE	BEARISH
09:43 AMJun 06, 2025	CALL	$410.00	Jun 20, 2025	-2	143	100	3	5639	TRADE	BULLISH
11:42 AMJun 05, 2025	CALL	$450.00	Jun 20, 2025	-2	1404	1275	13	10898	TRADE	NEUTRAL
11:27 AMJun 04, 2025	CALL	$430.00	Sep 19, 2025	89	245	139	6	3785	SWEEP	BULLISH