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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cloud Computing Stocks in Vogue: 4 Picks to Swim With the Tide
An updated edition of the June 05, 2025 by widespread adoption, cloud computing has generated a significant buzz across the length and breadth of the business enterprise ecosystem. Driving innovation and digital transformation by capitalizing on virtualization technology, it has enabled users to access and store data over the Internet without managing their physical servers and intricate IT infrastructure. This on-demand access to computing resources as services over the Internet ('the cloud' per se) has facilitated the development of cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, by enabling multiple users to share the same hardware resources by connecting to the cloud platform through a web browser or dedicated applications, cloud computing has created the framework for seamless omnichannel customer engagement at lower cloud computing gains traction with greater flexibility and scalability, it has emerged as an attractive theme for investors seeking to invest in blue-chip tech firms. This has made cloud computing companies like Microsoft Corporation MSFT, Inc. AMZN, International Business Machines Corporation IBM and Arista Networks Inc. ANET indispensable for any investment portfolio. But before digging deep into these prized possessions, let us delve a little more into why organizations are increasingly adopting cloud computing eliminates fixed capital expenses pertaining to the purchase of related hardware and software. It reduces the operating costs of maintaining onsite data centers and deploying IT experts to manage the infrastructure, making it highly cost-effective. Based on a pay-per-use pricing model, enterprises only pay for the computing resources they use. With easy access to a plethora of innovative technologies, it increases productivity with greater agility and flexibility, and improves scalability with higher economies of scale. Moreover, cloud computing services are delivered over a highly secure network with low latency for applications and data backup facilities for improved computing services fall into four broad categories, namely infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), serverless and software as a service (SaaS), offering different levels of control, flexibility and management options to business enterprises. Cloud computing, relying heavily on virtualization and automation technologies, provides the requisite infrastructure for AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning (ML) workloads. It delivers powerful computing abilities to process and analyze data, creating an ideal platform for Big Data Grand View Research, the global cloud computing market size is expected to swell to $2,390.2 billion by 2030 from $752.4 billion in 2024 at a CAGR of 20.4% with a variety of capabilities across multiple industries. These include better patient monitoring and outcomes in healthcare, personalized financial management and predictive spending, immersive learning in education, superior inventory management in retail and predictive maintenance and better supply chain management in the manufacturing sector. If you intend to capitalize on this buzzing trend, our Cloud Computing Thematic Screen could make it easy to identify high-potential stocks in this domain at any given time, just like the four mentioned above. By leveraging advanced tools, our thematic screens identify companies shaping the future, making it easier to benefit from emerging trends. Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 30 cutting-edge investment themes with and discover your next big opportunity. 4 Cloud Computing Stocks to Keep an Eye on Microsoft is one of the prominent public cloud providers that can deliver a wide variety of IaaS and PaaS solutions at scale. Microsoft Azure, its cloud computing platform, allows users to build, run and scale applications in the cloud. It offers a variety of services, including storage, networking, analytics and AI. Microsoft has doubled down on the cloud computing opportunity. Azure's increased availability in more than 60 announced regions globally has strengthened Microsoft's competitive position in the cloud computing market. Operating through a vast network of global data centers that ensure high availability and reliability for applications, Azure offers seamless access to all the services included in the portal once customers subscribe to it. Subscribers can use these services to create cloud-based resources, such as virtual machines (VMs) and databases, which can then be assembled into running environments used to host workloads and store Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of networking technology, it aims to create innovative, resilient and secure solutions that enable businesses to leverage AI and the cloud to their fullest potential. It is heavily investing in AI-powered cloud services, integrating Azure OpenAI Service, Copilot and ML into various cloud solutions, making AI a central feature of Azure to empower organizations to manage their applications with greater confidence and efficiency. Microsoft carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks enjoys a dominant position in the cloud-computing market, particularly in the IaaS space, thanks to Amazon Web Services (AWS), which is one of its high-margin-generating businesses. The expanding customer base of AWS, driven by its strengthening cloud offerings, will continue to aid Amazon's dominance in the global cloud space. AWS is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted on-demand cloud computing platform, offering more than 200 fully featured services from data centers globally. Millions of customers, including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises and leading government agencies, are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile and innovate faster. It reportedly offers the widest variety of databases that are purpose-built for different types of applications to enable subscribers to choose the right tool for the aims to extend AWS' AI and ML capabilities to facilitate improved decision-making. This Zacks Rank #1 company intends to expand its global infrastructure for faster and more reliable service with low latency and maximum availability. From cloud-native applications and AI-driven solutions to edge computing and sustainability initiatives, AWS is likely to push the limits in the realm of cloud computing has gradually evolved as a provider of cloud and data platforms. The Red Hat acquisition, in particular, has helped it strengthen its competitive position in the hybrid cloud market. With the buyout, the company offers a Linux operating system—Red Hat Enterprise Linux—and a hybrid cloud platform—Red Hat OpenShift—that aids enterprises with digital a surge in traditional cloud-native workloads and associated applications, along with a rise in generative AI deployment, there is a radical expansion in the number of cloud workloads that enterprises are currently managing. This has resulted in heterogeneous, dynamic and complex infrastructure strategies, which have led firms to undertake a cloud-agnostic and interoperable approach to highly secure multi-cloud management. This, in turn, has translated into a healthy demand for IBM hybrid cloud solutions. In addition, the buyout of HashiCorp has significantly augmented IBM's capabilities to assist enterprises in managing complex cloud environments. HashiCorp's tool sets complement IBM RedHat's portfolio, bringing additional functionalities for cloud infrastructure management and bolstering its hybrid multi-cloud approach. IBM is poised to benefit from strong demand for hybrid cloud and AI, driving growth in the Software and Consulting segments. This Zacks Rank #2 company's growth is expected to be aided primarily by analytics, cloud computing and security in the long provides cloud networking solutions for data centers and cloud computing environments. At the core of the company's cloud networking solutions is the Linux-based Extensible Operating System (EOS), which supports leading cloud and virtualization solutions, including Microsoft System Center, OpenStack and other cloud management addition to high capacity and easy availability, its cloud networking solutions promise predictable performance, along with programmability that enables integration with third-party applications for network management, automation and orchestration. Arista provides routing and switching platforms with industry-leading capacity, low latency, port density and power efficiency. The company boasts a multi-domain modern software approach built upon a unique and differentiating foundation, the single EOS and CloudVision stack. The versatility of Arista's unified software stack across various use cases, including WAN routing and campus and data center infrastructure, sets it apart from other competitors in the industry. With customers increasingly deploying transformative cloud networking solutions, the company has announced several additions to its multi-cloud and cloud-native software product family with CloudEOS Edge. This Zacks Rank #1 stock has introduced cognitive Wi-Fi software that delivers intelligent application identification, automated troubleshooting and location services. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
TimesLIVE
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Slate Auto still betting big on simplified, affordable EV pickup
When Will Haseltine saw images online of a small, boxy electric pickup from start-up Slate Auto earlier this year he immediately got onto the waiting list. The sparse interior and crank windows reminded him of the no-frills pickups he grew up with in Memphis, Tennessee — but he was most enamoured with the sub-$20,000 (R357,069) price tag. That price, though, factored in a $7,500 (R133,904) federal tax break, which is set, a casualty of the budget package US President Donald Trump signed into law earlier this month. Now Haseltine isn't sure the truck will fit his budget when it comes out, expected late next year. 'The Slate was the first time I looked at a car, wanted it, and could also make it happen,' said Haseltine, a 39-year-old musical instrument technician. Without the tax credit, he said: 'That's just plain too much.' Michigan-based Slate has raised $700m (R12.49bn) from investors, including founder Jeff Bezos, and has racked up more than 100,000 reservations for its cars. But the company is launching into a tough US market. A few years ago hopeful entrepreneurs were looking to cash in on the global transition to electric cars. But US electric vehicle (EV) sales growth has cooled as consumer interest has faded. The loss of federal tax breaks will further hurt demand, car executives and analysts predict. Like other EV start-ups, Slate probably faces a long road to profitability. The EV business has proven to be a money loser for most industry players, partly because batteries remain relatively expensive. Even in China, where smaller, inexpensive EVs have proliferated and companies enjoy a cost advantage over Western carmakers, most are unprofitable.
Business Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
A data deluge brings a ‘moment of truth' for markets this week
[NEW YORK] Wall Street pros are staring down a pivotal week that will likely set the tone for the rest of the year in markets and the economy. First and foremost is the conclusion of the US Federal Reserve's meeting on Wednesday (Jul 30), and although it is not expected to cut interest rates, traders and investors will be poring over commentary for clues about the path ahead. Then there's a string of Big Tech earnings with Apple, Meta Platforms and Microsoft all reporting. And sprinkled throughout are some of the leading indicators on the state of the economy, from gross domestic product to nonfarm payrolls. In other words, if there ever was a five-day stretch that would define the second half of the year, this is it. 'This week's packed calendar, trade negotiations, the FOMC, the jobs report and four of the Magnificent Seven names reporting, makes it truly a moment of truth for markets,' said Julian Emanuel, chief equity and quantitative strategist at Evercore ISI. He was referring to the Federal Open Market Committee, the panel within the Fed that sets interest rates. The fire hose of releases will test investors' faith in the resilience of the US economy and the stock market's seemingly unstoppable rise. And with US President Donald Trump's self-imposed tariff deadline of Aug 1, which he's said will not be extended, markets are hoping for some sense of stability on trade negotiations after months of whiplash. 'I think there is more of a chance of markets getting clarity on the continued resilience of the economy, while we get less clarity on the trade front,' said Kevin Gordon, senior investment strategist for Charles Schwab. ''Reciprocal tariff' deadlines are staggered for some of our largest partners, and there are still lingering questions around already-announced deal frameworks, so I don't think of Aug 1 as some magical date on which we will stop being gripped by tariff anxiety.' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up S&P 500 companies are generally beating forecasts and profits are up 4.5 per cent from this time a year ago, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data. Firms such as Southwest Airlines, which said tariffs shaved US$1 billion from its annual pre-tax profit this year, expect to see improvements in the second half. 'We already see signs that demand is coming back in volumes,' chief executive officer Bob Jordan said. Much of the earnings strength is being driven by wealthier customers. American Airlines Group highlighted strength in their premium cabin demand, while Deckers Outdoor cited pricey shoes such as Ugg sheepskin boots and Hoka sneakers. United Airlines Holdings and Delta Air Lines, said corporate travel was leading their rebounds. On the flip side, Chipotle Mexican Grill cut its guidance because the 'lower-income consumer is under pressure', chief executive officer Scott Boatwright said, which has led to a drop in spending. There are other signs of stress, with companies such as Conagra Brands and Abbott Laboratories discussing higher costs due to tariffs. In particular, consumer discretionary stocks are expected to see profit declines into the start of 2026 as trade policies start to bite, Bloomberg Intelligence strategists Gina Martin Adams and Michael Casper warn. 'We already have some corporate commentary as to what effect tariffs are having and will at an individual level,' said Dan Greenhaus, chief economist and market strategist at Solus Alternative Asset Management. 'But the truth is, we probably need several more months before having a firmer handle on the cost distribution.' Economic uncertainty Economic data has also been uneven as the tariff impact is just starting to hit. The government's initial estimate of second-quarter GDP is expected to show a notable rebound in growth after a monumental surge in imports caused a contraction at the start of the year. 'It won't be until after the market and economy have had an opportunity to digest the new tariff rates that become effective on Friday that we will know where we stand,' said Michael O'Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading. Other reports due this week may point to some softening in the economy. Economists expect consumer spending barely grew in June after adjusting for inflation, and other estimates point to a continued slowdown in hiring and an uptick in unemployment. They are also projecting an acceleration in the Fed's preferred measure of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures price index, as tariffs start to hit. 'It's not the cliff that most people are always looking for when it comes to an economic downturn, but it is a visible slowdown if you take the time to actually lift the hood and look at the underlying details,' said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon. Despite all the uncertainty, the stock market is trading at record highs as fears of worst-case tariff scenarios have failed to materialise. The question is how long that can last. 'I think there are a few different factors here. First, there are signals that the labour market is holding up well, wages are growing faster than inflation – both of which supports the consumer in aggregate,' said Cayla Seder, macro multi-asset strategist at State Street. 'When it comes to the stock market, earnings have been beating a low bar, which has indicated the companies are holding up better than feared.' BLOOMBERG
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Jeff Bezos wraps up massive Amazon share sale, netting US$5.7 billion
[SAN FRANCISCO] Jeff Bezos wrapped up a massive sale of shares that's netted him nearly US$5.7 billion since his wedding day in late June. The sales, which began when Bezos unloaded US$737 million around his weekend nuptials in Venice, were part of a trading plan for up to 25 million shares that he adopted earlier this year. He sold the last of the 25 million on Wednesday (Jul 23) and Thursday, divesting about 4.2 million shares for US$954 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Friday. The divestitures come as Amazon stock has surged 38 per cent from its recent low in late April. The company will report earnings next week as investors wait to see whether its heavy spending on artificial intelligence pays off. Bezos has now sold over US$50 billion of Amazon shares since 2002, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Representatives for Amazon and Bezos did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Amazon chairman still owns about 884 million shares, or more than 8 per cent of the company. He's the third-richest person in the world, with his Amazon stake making up most of his US$252.3 billion fortune, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. All of the sales were executed under a 10b5-1 trading plan, which are often used by company executives to avoid running afoul of insider-trading laws. Bezos historically is a frequent seller, and last year unloaded 75 million Amazon shares, netting US$13.6 billion. He typically uses the proceeds to fund his other ventures, such as space company Blue Origin. He has also given away shares worth roughly US$190 million to non-profits in 2025. His only purchase of Amazon stock in records going back to 2002 was two years ago when he bought a single share for US$114.77. So far, Bezos' US$5.7 billion in stock sales dwarfs other top insider sellers this year, including Oracle chief executive officer Safra Catz, who sold shares worth US$2.5 billion in the first half, and Dell Technologies' Michael Dell, who offloaded a US$1.2 billion position. BLOOMBERG
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Intel beats shareholder lawsuit over $32 billion stock plunge
By Jonathan Stempel A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Intel of defrauding shareholders by concealing problems in a business where it manufactured chips for outside customers, leading to a $32 billion one-day plunge in its market value. While saying she "understands plaintiffs' frustrations," U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco ruled on Wednesday that Intel did not wait too long to reveal a $7 billion fiscal 2023 operating loss in its foundry business. Intel's stock price sank 26% last August 2, one day after the chipmaker announced more than 15,000 layoffs and suspended its dividend, hoping to save $10 billion in 2025. The Santa Clara, California-based company created the foundry business in 2021 to serve customers including and Qualcomm, while still making chips and wafers for internal use. In a 21-page decision, Thompson said Intel made clear that foundry results would be "obscured" until 2024, meaning its earlier financial reporting was not false and misleading. Thompson also cited an "overarching policy consideration" that because Intel's public statements suggested a "trial-and-error" approach to the foundry business, the company could have faced risks from reporting preliminary, unaudited data. The judge dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit in March. Wednesday's dismissal was with prejudice, meaning the shareholders cannot sue again. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Intel of defrauding shareholders by concealing problems in a business where it manufactured chips for outside customers, leading to a $32 billion one-day plunge in its market value. While saying she "understands plaintiffs' frustrations," U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco ruled on Wednesday that Intel did not wait too long to reveal a $7 billion fiscal 2023 operating loss in its foundry business. Intel's stock price sank 26% last August 2, one day after the chipmaker announced more than 15,000 layoffs and suspended its dividend, hoping to save $10 billion in 2025. The Santa Clara, California-based company created the foundry business in 2021 to serve customers including and Qualcomm, while still making chips and wafers for internal use. In a 21-page decision, Thompson said Intel made clear that foundry results would be "obscured" until 2024, meaning its earlier financial reporting was not false and misleading. Thompson also cited an "overarching policy consideration" that because Intel's public statements suggested a "trial-and-error" approach to the foundry business, the company could have faced risks from reporting preliminary, unaudited data. The judge dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit in March. Wednesday's dismissal was with prejudice, meaning the shareholders cannot sue again. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Intel of defrauding shareholders by concealing problems in a business where it manufactured chips for outside customers, leading to a $32 billion one-day plunge in its market value. While saying she "understands plaintiffs' frustrations," U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco ruled on Wednesday that Intel did not wait too long to reveal a $7 billion fiscal 2023 operating loss in its foundry business. Intel's stock price sank 26% last August 2, one day after the chipmaker announced more than 15,000 layoffs and suspended its dividend, hoping to save $10 billion in 2025. The Santa Clara, California-based company created the foundry business in 2021 to serve customers including and Qualcomm, while still making chips and wafers for internal use. In a 21-page decision, Thompson said Intel made clear that foundry results would be "obscured" until 2024, meaning its earlier financial reporting was not false and misleading. Thompson also cited an "overarching policy consideration" that because Intel's public statements suggested a "trial-and-error" approach to the foundry business, the company could have faced risks from reporting preliminary, unaudited data. The judge dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit in March. Wednesday's dismissal was with prejudice, meaning the shareholders cannot sue again. Intel had been accused of inflating its stock price from January 25 to August 1, 2024. Lawyers for the shareholders did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Intel and its lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests. Intel has struggled to compete with rival chipmakers such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Samsung Electronics and Taiwan's TSMC . and benefit from growth in artificial intelligence. The company lost $18.8 billion in 2024, its first annual loss since 1986. The case is In re Intel Corp Securities Litigation , U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 24-02683. Lawyers for the shareholders did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Intel and its lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests. Intel has struggled to compete with rival chipmakers such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Samsung Electronics and Taiwan's TSMC. and benefit from growth in artificial intelligence. The company lost $18.8 billion in 2024, its first annual loss since 1986. The case is In re Intel Corp Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 24-02683. Lawyers for the shareholders did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Intel and its lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests. Intel has struggled to compete with rival chipmakers such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Samsung Electronics and Taiwan's TSMC, and benefit from growth in artificial intelligence. The company lost $18.8 billion in 2024, its first annual loss since 1986. The case is In re Intel Corp Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 24-02683.
