Tech

U.S. stocks closed the week higher as the September core PCE index cooled to 2.6% YoY, nudging expectations of a Fed rate cut. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, the Nasdaq almost 1%, and the Dow 0.5%, marking back‑to‑back weekly gains. In tech, Meta trimmed metaverse spend, climbing 4%; Salesforce surged 13% after an earnings beat, emphasizing AI as a “commodity feature”; CrowdStrike posted record cash flow and earned a reaffirmed buy rating. Portfolio moves added Boeing and Procter & Gamble, while taking partial profits on Goldman Sachs. The upcoming Fed meeting will steer market direction, with a dovish stance likely sparking a rally in rate‑sensitive and AI‑driven sectors, while a hawkish tone may shift investors toward defensive, cash‑flow‑rich stocks.

Crypto inheritance is becoming a major risk as 14‑17% of U.S. adults own digital assets but most omit them from wills or trusts, creating a growing pool of “orphaned” coins worth millions. Key pitfalls include outdated wills, probate delays, undisclosed private keys, inexperienced fiduciaries, and tax oversights. Experts recommend adding digital‑asset provisions, using revocable trusts or “pour‑over” wills, secure key storage or encrypted vault services, and considering crypto‑focused ETFs. Emerging solutions—blockchain‑based inheritance contracts, multi‑signature vaults, and custodial‑in‑trust services—help protect legacy while meeting regulatory standards.

The UK, once a world leader in commercial nuclear power, now generates only 14 % of its electricity from nuclear and aims for 25 % by 2050. To revive the sector, policymakers pursue both gigawatt‑scale plants (e.g., Sizewell C, costing ~£38 bn) and small modular reactors, with Rolls‑Royce as the domestic SMR partner and the first UK SMR slated for Wales. New financing models—Contracts‑for‑Differences and Regulated Asset Base—de‑risk revenue but not construction overruns. Talent gaps, fragmented regulation, and a narrow uranium supply chain, especially reliance on Russia, remain major hurdles.

Amazon’s recent headlines span AWS’s re:Invent launch of Trainium 3 AI chips—promising four‑fold gains and reduced Nvidia reliance—while eyeing datacenter capacity expansion. Speculation that its 30‑year USPS contract may end in 2026 could tighten logistics margins but demands heavy capital outlays. An $8 billion stake in Anthropic positions Amazon for gains if the startup’s 2026 IPO lifts its valuation and drives AWS AI demand. Meanwhile, a 30‑minute grocery delivery pilot in Seattle and Philadelphia leverages AI‑driven logistics to boost Prime value. Analysts view these moves as catalysts for stronger growth in late 2025 and 2026.

A U.S. district judge detailed the remedies for Google’s antitrust verdict, confirming its monopoly in search and advertising. The order limits exclusive default‑search agreements—such as its deal with Apple—to one year and mandates sharing of raw search‑interaction data used in generative‑AI models, while protecting Google’s proprietary algorithms. A technical committee of experts will supervise data access, with strict conflict‑of‑interest rules. The measures aim to level the playing field for rivals without dismantling Google’s core infrastructure; the company plans to appeal the ruling.

SpaceX is planning a secondary share sale that could lift its valuation to about $800 billion, with a possible IPO by the end of next year. The offering would likely combine the lucrative Starlink broadband network—projected to earn $10 billion annually by 2028—with its core launch services, creating a “two‑for‑one” investment. Analysts cite the company’s cost‑effective Falcon 9, upcoming fully reusable Starship, and strong government and commercial contracts as drivers, while noting competition from Blue Origin and regulatory risks for its LEO constellation.

Rubrik’s shares jumped 22% after a stellar FY Q3, with revenue up 48% YoY to $350 million and adjusted earnings of $0.10 per share, surpassing expectations. The company lifted its full‑year revenue forecast to $1.28‑$1.282 billion and highlighted growth driven by AI‑focused cyber‑resilience solutions. Net loss narrowed to $63.8 million, and new contracts with a major Asian bank and a Fortune 250 firm underscore market traction. With the data‑protection market projected to exceed $30 billion by 2027, Rubrik’s API‑first, zero‑trust platform positions it for high‑velocity growth despite competitive and macro risks.

Salesforce’s stock rose 5% on Friday, extending a 13% gain over five days after the company posted Q3 adjusted earnings of $3.25 per share (vs. $2.86 estimate) and revenue of $10.26 billion, just below forecasts. CEO Marc Benioff emphasized AI as a growth driver, highlighted acquisitions of Regrello and Waii, and pointed to the Agentforce platform, whose ARR jumped 330% to $540 million. Analysts are optimistic about Salesforce’s AI‑enhanced roadmap, cost discipline, and potential to lead the cloud‑software sector.

Meta is acquiring AI‑wearable startup Limitless, known for a pendant that records conversations and creates summaries. The deal, announced by Limitless CEO Dan Siroker, adds speech‑to‑text and on‑device summarization to Meta’s expanding hardware line, which already includes Ray‑Ban smart glasses. By integrating privacy‑focused AI processing, Meta aims to broaden wearables beyond glasses and headsets, reduce smartphone dependence, and open new revenue from subscription AI services and enterprise licensing. The acquisition positions Meta to compete in the growing AI‑enabled wearable market alongside rivals like Amazon and Google.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise posted Q4 revenue of $9.68 billion, up 14% YoY but short of the $9.94 billion forecast, while adjusted earnings beat expectations at $0.62 per share. Server revenue fell 5% to $4.46 billion, reflecting delayed AI‑server shipments and weaker government spending. The company reaffirmed FY 2026 revenue growth of 17‑22% yet gave a subdued Q1 outlook of $9.0‑$9.4 billion. AI orders reached $1.9 billion, but demand is uneven, and component cost pressures persist. The Juniper Networks acquisition strengthens HPE’s networking portfolio as it pivots toward AI‑optimized infrastructure.