Software Sector Performance - The software sector is experiencing a significant sell-off, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF (IGV) down over 5%, marking a decline not seen since tariff Liberation Day [6] - Major tech indices, including the Nasdaq, are also affected, alongside declines in bitcoin, gold, and silver [6] Microsoft and ServiceNow - Microsoft (MSFT) shares have dropped approximately 12%, potentially marking the seventh-worst decline in its history, despite reporting solid quarterly results [7] - Analysts indicate that the focus has shifted from demand to capacity timing and allocation, with a 66% year-over-year increase in capital expenditures raising investor concerns about the effectiveness of this investment in driving Azure growth [7] - ServiceNow (NOW) has seen a decline of over 10% despite reporting a 21.5% growth in subscription revenue, which analysts believe does not indicate acceleration [8] Other Software Companies - Other companies such as Atlassian (TEAM), Salesforce (CRM), Workday (WDAY), and DataDog (DOG) are also experiencing significant declines [8] Caterpillar's Performance - Caterpillar (CAT) reported fourth-quarter sales of $19.1 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $17.76 billion, with adjusted EPS of $5.16, surpassing the expected $4.71 [9] - The power and energy sales segment increased by 23% to $9.4 billion, with power generation revenue rising 44% to $3.24 billion, driven by demand related to data centers and AI applications [10] Altria and Joby Aviation - Altria (MO) is facing pressure after slightly missing profit estimates in Q4, while targeting mid-single-digit annual dividend-per-share growth through 2028 [11] - Joby Aviation (JOBY) is declining after announcing a $600 million offering of convertible senior notes and selling approximately 52.9 million shares of common stock at $11.35 per share [11] Barry Diller's Interest in CNN - Barry Diller has expressed interest in acquiring CNN and approached Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) regarding a deal last year, although no serious action was taken on his approach [12][13]

Apple Inc. has bought Israeli startup Q.ai in a deal estimated to be worth $2 billion, according to a report in the "Financial Times". The newspaper’s sources said that this was Apple’s second-biggest acquisition. The companies have not, however, officially disclosed details of the deal. Up to now, Q.ai has operated away from the limelight. It has developed artificial intelligence technology for analyzing and enriching communications and imaging experiences. According to the reports, the company develops ...

Core Insights - Apple Inc. has acquired Israeli AI startup Q.ai, which specializes in technology for interpreting facial movements and silent communication [1][2] - The acquisition is valued at approximately $2 billion, marking a significant move for Apple in recent times [2] - Q.ai's technology could enhance Apple's audio products and AI features, including Siri and AirPods [1][3] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition price has not been officially disclosed, but it is estimated to be close to $2 billion [2] - Q.ai was co-founded by Aviad Maizels, who previously contributed to the development of Face ID technology at Apple [1][2] - Johny Srouji, overseeing Apple's custom silicon chips, expressed excitement about the innovative potential of Q.ai's technology [2] Group 2: Technology Applications - Q.ai's technology can analyze facial muscle movements to understand silent communication, which could enhance user interaction with devices [2][3] - The technology is expected to improve audio capabilities in devices like AirPods, which are anticipated to evolve into more powerful AI hardware [3] - Potential applications include enhancements for FaceTime, smart glasses, and headsets, indicating a broader impact on Apple's product ecosystem [3][4] Group 3: Company Vision - Aviad Maizels highlighted the unique combination of advanced machine learning and physics in Q.ai's technology, emphasizing the potential for innovation within Apple [4] - The integration into Apple is seen as an opportunity to push technological boundaries and enhance user experiences globally [4]

Apple CEO Tim Cook joins Apple employees at the Apple store as customers line up for the release of Apple new iPhone 17 models in New York on Sept. 19, 2025.Apple has acquired Israeli artificial intelligence startup Q.ai, a company representative confirmed on Thursday. No purchase price was disclosed.Q.ai was secretive and had not publicly shared a product, but its website suggests it was working on something related to audio. The startup was led by CEO Aviad Maizels, who previously sold PrimeSense to Apple ...

This live blog is refreshed periodically throughout the day with the latest updates from the market.To find the latest Stock Market Today threads, click here. Happy Thursday. This is TheStreet’s Stock Market Today for Jan. 29, 2026. You can follow the latest updates on the market here in our daily live blog. Update: 4:35 p.m. ET Apple Earnings Are In Apple's earnings have landed. Here are the details: Revenue: $143.756 billion, +16% (est. $138.48 billion) iPhone Revenue: $85.269 billion (estimates wer ...

Core Viewpoint - Apple stock experienced a slight decline of 0.2%, trading at $255.91 prior to the release of its first-quarter financial results, indicating that investors are looking for strong earnings to justify the current high stock price [1]. Group 1 - Apple stock is currently more expensive than in the past, suggesting that investor expectations for earnings are elevated [1]. - The upcoming earnings report is critical for the stock's performance, as it needs to impress investors to potentially boost the stock price [1]. - The context of the stock's performance is set against the backdrop of the company's recent financial results, which are anticipated to be significant [1].

By Stephen Nellis SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Apple on Thursday said it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup working on artificial intelligence ​technology for audio. Apple did not disclose terms of the deal for ‌Q.ai, which was backed by venture capital firms Matter Venture Partners, Kleiner Perkins, Spark Capital, ‌Exor and GV, formerly known as Google Ventures. The deal valued the startup at about $1.6 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter. Apple did not say how it will use ...

Apple on Thursday said it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. ...

Apple CEO Tim Cook gestures as he departs after a business leaders reception with the US President on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026.Apple reported fiscal first-quarter earnings on Thursday that surpassed expectations, with revenue soaring 16% on an annual basis.  Shares of the company were up as much as 3% in extended trading. Here are the results versus what Wall Street was expecting according to LSEG consensus estimates for the quarter ending i ...

Core Viewpoint - Ross Gerber, an investor in Apple Inc., has called for CEO Tim Cook to resign, criticizing the company for missing opportunities in the AI sector and relying on partnerships with Google for AI features [1]. Financial Performance - Apple has reported earnings that beat estimates for eight consecutive quarters, with an annual revenue of $416 billion and operating margins of 31.7% [1]. - The company achieved a year-over-year revenue growth of 7.9% and a profit margin of 26.9% [1]. - Analysts expect Apple to report $2.67 EPS and $138.5 billion in revenue for Q1 FY2026 [1]. Stock Performance - Apple’s stock has declined by 5.7% year-to-date, contrasting with Microsoft’s 8.5% gain over the same period [1]. - Prediction markets indicate only a 36% probability of Apple’s stock closing above $260 by the end of the month [1]. Market Position and Strategy - The partnership with Google for Gemini AI features highlights Apple's late entry into the AI market [1]. - Despite strong profitability, there is a concern regarding Apple's modest revenue growth, raising questions about whether the company is optimizing its existing business or innovating for the future [1]. - Analyst consensus remains largely positive, with 64% rating Apple as a buy or strong buy, while 42% rate it as hold or sell [1].