ToucanStudios/E+ via Getty Images “Buy when there's blood in the streets, even if the blood is your own.” The 18th-century Baron Rothschild was onto something. A “sell first, ask questions later” environment naturally creates deals in financial markets, and today, bargains may be unfolding in the software space. While the British-German banker surely had no clue what AI was, he would likely not be...
ToucanStudios/E+ via Getty Images “Buy when there's blood in the streets, even if the blood is your own.” The 18th-century Baron Rothschild was onto something. A “sell first, ask questions later” environment naturally creates deals in financial markets, and today, bargains may be unfolding in the software space. While the British-German banker surely had no clue what AI was, he would likely not be surprised to learn that some of the world’s biggest software-as-a-service companies have announced significant share repurchase plans in recent weeks. In fact, a flurry of stock buyback announcements has littered the Street. From late January through the middle of this month, major software, data, and fintech players signaled optimism to investors with notable facilities. Tech heavyweights such as Salesforce ( CRM ), ServiceNow ( NOW ), Intuit ( INTU ), and, to a lesser degree, Experian (EXPN)( EXPGF ), Gartner ( IT ), and Open Text ( OTEX ) may aim to take advantage of some sizable year-to-date stock price declines. Global Buyback Count Remains Modest, Large U.S. Repurchase Plans Dominating Source: Wall Street Horizon Buybacks as Corporate Signal, Not Commitment Consider that even after Monday’s TACO-related market pop, a basket of eight domestic software buyback stocks is down 17% year to date. The declines range from –7% for Synopsys ( SNPS ) to -36% for IT, perhaps prompting executives and boards to step in and deploy capital. Of course, these are share purchase intentions, not commitments. Still, it’s a form of corporate body language suggesting those in the know believe their respective company’s equity is undervalued. SaaSpocalypse and the Narrative Shift But are they really diamonds in the rough? That's the big question among investors following the so-called “SaaSpocalypse” that seemed to reach a climax when the now-infamous Citrini Research piece was published last month. Before the war in Iran commanded the headlines, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET...
Amazon Web Services said the conflict in the Middle East has disrupted its cluster of data centers in Bahrain. AWS, the world’s largest cloud-service provider, said it was working with the authorities to prioritize staff safety and was helping affected customers move operations to alternative data centers around the world.
Amazon Web Services said the conflict in the Middle East has disrupted its cluster of data centers in Bahrain. AWS, the world’s largest cloud-service provider, said it was working with the authorities to prioritize staff safety and was helping affected customers move operations to alternative data centers around the world.
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has now declined in four consecutive weeks, leaving the index nearly 6% below its record high. Apart from energy stocks, it's been a challenging year for equities across the board, though losses have been more pronounced in certain sectors. Collectively, those concerns have created a great deal of volatility in the stock market. The CBOE Volatility Index (VOLATILITYIN...
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has now declined in four consecutive weeks, leaving the index nearly 6% below its record high. Apart from energy stocks, it's been a challenging year for equities across the board, though losses have been more pronounced in certain sectors. Collectively, those concerns have created a great deal of volatility in the stock market. The CBOE Volatility Index (VOLATILITYINDICES: ^VIX) -- often referred to as the stock market's fear gauge -- closed at 29.5 in early March. The index has not closed above 29 since President Trump announced sweeping tariffs last April. However, VIX readings above 29 have historically correlated with substantial upside in the stock market. Here's what investors should know. Continue reading
Independent senator David Pocock has recounted stories of young men he says have confided in him about their gambling addiction. The senator says numerous young men have opened up to him about the losses and the shame they feel and how 'damn hard it is to actually deal with it when you're getting bombarded with ads. Bombarded.' Pocock's speech in the Senate comes 1,000 days after Peta Murphy's lan...
Independent senator David Pocock has recounted stories of young men he says have confided in him about their gambling addiction. The senator says numerous young men have opened up to him about the losses and the shame they feel and how 'damn hard it is to actually deal with it when you're getting bombarded with ads. Bombarded.' Pocock's speech in the Senate comes 1,000 days after Peta Murphy's landmark report calling for the banning of gambling advertisements. 'A thousand days ago you were given the blueprint, a multipartisan-backed report saying this is what we need to do,' Pocock says, adding, 'the Albanese government has failed Australians when it comes to banning gambling advertising' It's 978 days since Peta Murphy called for a ban on betting ads. What happened to Labor's pledge to respect parliament? Continue reading...