5 months ago • 2 mins
What’s going on here?
Microsoft is preparing for another round of layoffs, despite its stock price flirting with all-time highs, according to news out on Tuesday.
What does this mean?
Rewind to the start of the year, and job cuts were the flavor of the month, with big firms caught like rabbits in the headlights of the 2022 tech stocks collapse. Fast forward six months, though, and it’s as if we’ve stepped into a parallel universe. Microsoft’s shares have rallied almost 40% this year, painting a rosy picture of the tech giant’s health. But beneath the surface, the company is trimming its workforce, a move that might seem counterintuitive at first glance. But here’s the thing: this latest round of job cuts could be a sign of a new era for Big Tech – the age of layoffs and lift-off, characterized by growth without extravagance.
Why should I care?
Zooming out: Steady as she grows.
Microsoft just closed the books on what’s shaping up to be its slowest revenue growth in six years. But don’t be too quick to judge: analysts think that the company should still manage to grow its revenue by 7%, and that’s outright impressive if you weigh it against the tumultuous year we’ve just had. And with a dash of AI magic, those experts reckon the software giant will pick up the pace over the next couple of years too – with 11% and 13% growth expected.
For markets: BrAIce yourself.
As we gear up for another earnings season, all eyes will be on the AI elite, including Microsoft and Nvidia, whose results days are marked for July 27th and August 23rd. These dates could be game-changers for the market – either fueling even more AI euphoria or seriously dampening the sector’s triumphalism. And here’s a number to etch into your brain: a stone-cold $11 billion – Nvidia’s jaw-dropping revenue guidance for their much-awaited second quarter.
All the daily investing news and insights you need in one subscription.
Learn MoreDisclaimer: These articles are provided for information purposes only. Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
/3 • Your free quarterly content is about to expire. Uncover the biggest trends and opportunities. Subscribe now for 50%. Cancel anytime.