Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT).And retail traders should know.We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MSFT, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.So how do we know what these investors just did? Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotte ...

ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) ranks among the best AI stocks to buy according to analysts. Guggenheim upgraded ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) from Sell to Neutral on December 16, stating that the stock’s recent slide brought it back into fair value despite the brokerage’s warning that the company still faces structural issues. The firm claims that valuation, not an improving outlook, was the driving force behind the upgrade. Although ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) has consistently reported strong quarterly resul ...

Core Insights - Monday.com Ltd. is recognized as one of the top AI stocks to buy, with BTIG initiating coverage and setting a price target of $210 along with a Buy rating, highlighting the company's robust growth and projected free cash flow margins of 27% for fiscal year 2025 [1][3] Financial Performance - The company reported a 26% revenue increase in Q3, indicating strong financial performance [1] - Annual recurring revenue from new products reached $133 million, representing 10% of total revenue and showing an impressive year-over-year growth of 84% [2] Future Projections - BTIG is optimistic about Monday.com's revenue target of $1.8 billion for fiscal year 2027, which translates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% over two years [3] - The potential for AI monetization and the introduction of unique offerings like Campaigns and Vibes are seen as key factors contributing to a favorable risk/reward profile for the company [3] Company Overview - Monday.com Ltd. develops software applications globally, offering a cloud-based Work Operating System that utilizes modular building blocks for creating software applications and work management tools [4]

Core Insights - SailPoint, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAIL) is recognized as one of the best stocks under $25 to buy currently, with BMO Capital reaffirming an Outperform rating and a $25 price target on December 11 [1] Financial Performance - The company's SaaS Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) increased by 38% year-over-year to $669 million, which constitutes 64% of the overall ARR [2] - Despite the strong performance, the quarter saw only a 1% increase in overall ARR, indicating a slowdown compared to previous quarters [2] - SailPoint recorded a net revenue retention (NRR) percentage of 114%, reflecting significant customer growth and retention [2] Future Outlook - BMO Capital anticipates that management's guidance for net new ARR in the January quarter could positively impact the company's shares in the near term [3] - The firm noted that SailPoint's sales pipeline remains robust, supported by ongoing conversions and new product cross-selling opportunities [3] Company Overview - SailPoint, Inc. provides enterprise identity security solutions by unifying identity data across employees, contractors, machines, and AI agents [4] - The company's product offerings include identity security cloud, atlas, connectivity and integrations, and identityIQ software platforms [4]

On CNBC's “Halftime Report Final Trades,” Jim Lebenthal, partner at Cerity Partners, said Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE)  had a terrible couple of years, but the earnings continue to come in better-than-expected, and the stock is starting to respond.As per the recent news, Adobe, on Dec. 18, 2025, disclosed a multi-year strategic partnership with Runway to deliver the next generation of AI video for creators, studios and brands.Stephen Weiss, chief investment officer and managing partner of Short Hills Capital Pa ...

The stock markets have a hard act to follow in 2026 after setting record highs in 2025. As of the market close on Dec. 30, 2025, the S&P 500 was up by about 17.5% for the year, while the Nasdaq had gained 21.5% and the Dow was up 14.1%. While it’s hard to predict what’s in store for 2026, some stocks seem poised to keep pushing higher. Which ones will be the top performers in 2026? GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT — and the stocks it picked include some of the hottest names on Wall Street. Here are the top ...

Core Viewpoint - Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) has experienced a significant decline in its stock price, closely correlated with the downturn in Bitcoin prices, highlighting the volatility and risks associated with its investment strategy in digital assets [1][2][4]. Stock Performance - Since October 6, 2025, MSTR shares have fallen from $360 to $151.86, representing a nearly 58% decrease in less than three months [2]. - The current market capitalization of Strategy is approximately $47.2 billion, reflecting a loss of around $53 billion [3]. - MSTR stock is trading at its 52-week lows and would rank as the sixth worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 if it were included, with a 47.5% decline in 2025 [6][10]. Bitcoin Holdings - Despite the stock decline, Strategy still holds approximately $60 billion worth of Bitcoin, indicating that the company is trading at about 21% below the value of its Bitcoin holdings [3]. - Even if Bitcoin prices were to drop to $75,000, the Bitcoin portfolio would still be valued at roughly $50 billion, with no collateral-backed Bitcoin debt [7]. Strategic Implications - The decline in MSTR shares illustrates the relationship between Bitcoin and the company's market performance, particularly given the aggressive Bitcoin investment strategy promoted by executive chairman Michael J. Saylor [4]. - The volatility in the interplay between Bitcoin and premium valuation may prompt similar companies to reconsider their approaches to digital assets and balance sheets [5].

Core Viewpoint - Palantir's shares have experienced volatility but are showing signs of recovery, despite a recent 7% decline attributed to a broader tech stock slump, suggesting potential resilience and investor confidence in CEO Alex Karp's leadership [1] Company Performance - The recent 7% drop in Palantir's stock is noted as part of a "Santa Claus slump" affecting tech stocks, indicating seasonal market trends [1] - Investors are encouraged to consider the company's potential for a comeback, particularly in light of bearish positions taken by notable investors like Michael Burry [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the journey of Xiao Hong, the founder of Manus, highlighting his strategic timing in the AI industry and the recent acquisition by Meta, which positions him as a key player in the global AI landscape [5][11]. Group 1: Xiao Hong's Entrepreneurial Journey - Xiao Hong's entrepreneurial path is marked by a clear understanding of timing, where he capitalizes on emerging trends and exits at the right moment [7][8]. - His early experiences with technology and programming laid the foundation for his future ventures, showcasing a blend of technical skills and market awareness [13][18]. - During his university years, he successfully leveraged his technical expertise to enhance the university's official WeChat account, demonstrating his ability to identify and solve pain points quickly [26][28]. Group 2: Key Innovations and Strategic Moves - In 2015, Xiao founded Wuhan Nightingale Technology, focusing on the WeChat ecosystem and developing tools that addressed specific needs of content creators, leading to significant market traction [36][39]. - He anticipated the shift towards enterprise WeChat and developed "WeChat Assistant," which became a crucial tool for customer relationship management, allowing him to capture a growing market [41][42]. - The sale of his company at the peak of the market in 2020 exemplifies his strategic exit approach, allowing him to pivot towards AI with ample resources [45][46]. Group 3: Transition to AI and Recent Developments - In 2022, recognizing the impending shift towards AI, Xiao founded "Butterfly Effect," focusing on creating practical AI tools rather than competing in the crowded space of large models [48][52]. - The acquisition of Manus by Meta was a significant milestone, allowing Xiao to integrate into a major player in the AI field and leverage Meta's resources for further development [86][87]. - The strategic decision to relocate the company to Singapore reflects a commitment to global competition and access to critical resources, including computational power [74][76].

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Okta, Inc. (Nasdaq: OKTA), the leading independent identity partner, today announced that a member of its management team is scheduled to participate in an upcoming investor conference. Details for the event are as follows: Needham Growth Conference Thursday, January 8, 2026 09:45 a.m. Pacific time (12:45 p.m. Eastern time) The presentation will be webcast live on the investor relations section of Okta's website at investor.okta.com. Replays of the presentation will be availa ...