Microsoft

Key Points Major tech companies including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Meta (NASDAQ: META), and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) have collectively laid off tens of thousands of employees, increasingly citing AI automation as a driver. AI is replacing lower-level coding roles, enabling significant cost reductions and driving improved margins, particularly for firms with large software development teams. This trend is likely to accelerate as AI capabilities advance, positioning labor efficiency gains as a key profitability lever for mega-cap tech stocks. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; get started by clicking here.(Sponsor) Watch the Video https://videos.247wallst.com/247wallst.com/2025/06/10-AI-Wave-Triggers-Tech-Layoffs-And-100000-Jobs-Are-at-Risk.mp4 Transcript: [00:00:04] Doug McIntyre: Lee, one of the things that’s happened just in the last few months is I’m starting to see real layoffs real among the mega tech guys. [00:00:13] Doug McIntyre: I think Microsoft has announced two and then the, Wall Street Journal said they sort of did a stealth one too. Yep. And they, people are beginning to admit, the chairman of IBM (NYSE: IBM) said this three weeks ago, that AI is now affecting their ability to do coding, particularly what I would describe as lower level coding. [00:00:33] Doug McIntyre: Yep. And who does more coding than a big tech company? I not sure. Nobody. A railroad company or somebody. Yeah. So I’m looking for lots of layoffs at these companies with AI replacements and to me that’s a margin play as an investor. Well, yeah. I mean, that are replaceable. That’s a margin play to me. [00:00:55] Lee Jackson: Well, I have your numbers here. [00:00:57] Lee Jackson: Microsoft, which has been doing extremely good, that laid off 6,500 people. That’s a fair amount of people. I know they have a, a ton of employees, but Meta Platforms, the stock that has exploded higher over the last two years, they laid off 5% of their workforce, and that’s 3,600 people. And of course, I know your favorite company that, is a, loss leader in the intel chip business. [00:01:23] Lee Jackson: Intel laid off 21,000 people. And, surveys are indicating, and th this is that there will be over a hundred thousand layoffs just in the tech sector, when it’s all added up. Just over the last year or [00:01:41] Doug McIntyre: so, listen, the worst run tech company in the universe, IBM, has done some layoffs. They say because of ai Yeah. [00:01:49] Doug McIntyre: And they said there are more coming sell. Yep. When guys who literally, Can’t find the front door with a, their hands in a flashlight at IBM even. They’re smart enough to start. I know, So the [00:02:03] Lee Jackson: thing is, I, this is only gonna increase. And like you said,it’s expensive to get rid of people, but only on a one time basis, and once they’re out the door and once they’re severance or whatever’s been paid, then you know, you’re home free. [00:02:18] Doug McIntyre: I see this as a big margin play on big tech companies. Yeah. I really do. Being able to replace people, I don’t know where else it’s gonna work, but it’s working in tech [00:02:28] Lee Jackson: Well and exponentially it’s gonna go higher. ’cause AI’s gonna get grow more. [00:02:33] Doug McIntyre: Yeah. [00:02:34] Lee Jackson: So if you’re, an entry-level tech guy, consider a job in welding Yes. [00:02:38] Lee Jackson: To say goodbye. Yeah.I wouldn’t wanna be some engineer coming out now hoping for a, $200,000 a year job at. Big tech. I don’t know if it’s gonna be there forever. [00:02:49] Doug McIntyre: Ain’t gonna happen. The post AI Wave Triggers Tech Layoffs, 100,000 Jobs Are at Risk appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..» Mehr auf 247wallst.com

Key Points in This Article: Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF’s (MGK) consumer discretionary segment diversifies beyond tech, capturing innovative companies driving growth in evolving consumer trends. MGK offers access to consumer-focused businesses, underrepresented in broader market ETFs, enhancing portfolio growth potential. Nvidia made early investors rich, but there is a new class of ‘Next Nvidia Stocks’ that could be even better. Click here to learn more. The stock market’s plunge in April was brought on by fear, even panic, of being caught in a downward spiral. Savvy investors, however, knew to hang tight and ensure they had some powder dry to capitalize on the opportunity. The rewards were substantial as the major indexes recently hit new record highs. However, what seasoned investors understand is that the most significant wealth-building gains come not from short-term market timing but rather from holding high-quality assets over the long term, allowing compounding to work its magic. Even with markets at new peaks, there are still compelling opportunities in growth-oriented investments, particularly in the technology-heavy Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:MGK). With a low expense ratio of 0.07% or just $7 per $10,000 invested, MGK offers exposure to some of the largest and most dynamic growth companies in the U.S., with a strong tilt toward technology. Here’s why MGK remains an attractive option for patient investors, along with considerations for whether it suits your portfolio. The Power of Mega-Cap Leaders Only a decade ago, today’s market leaders like Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) were were much smaller and less influential than they are now. In 2015, Microsoft was worth just $358 billion while the artificial intelligence chip stock was primarily a gaming graphics processing unit (GPU) maker worth less than $11 billion. Today, these two companies are the richest stocks on the market. Nvidia is now the most valuable company in the world at nearly $3.9 trillion, while Microsoft is worth about $3.7 trillion. In just the past few years, they are responsible for a significant portion of the S&P 500’s growth. In the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF, this pair represents approximately one-quarter of the portfolio, compared to about 13% in a broad S&P 500 ETF like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:VOO). For investors seeking amplified exposure to these market leaders, MGK offers a targeted way to capture their growth. However, concentration has its nuances. While Microsoft and Nvidia are trading at all-time highs, other high-growth tech leaders like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) have lagged. The iPhone maker is down roughly 15% year-to-date. Without this underperformance, MGK’s returns could have been even stronger (Apple is its third-largest holding at 11.6% of the portfolio), highlighting the ETF’s sensitivity to its top holdings. Growth Beyond Tech Titans While MGK’s top holdings drive significant returns, the ETF’s consumer discretionary segment, making up over 20% of the portfolio, offers compelling growth opportunities. This sector includes leading companies like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), which are not only household names but also innovators reshaping consumer behavior and industries. These firms contribute to MGK’s appeal by providing exposure to dynamic, high-growth businesses outside the tech-heavy core. Amazon, a cornerstone of the consumer discretionary allocation, continues to dominate e-commerce while expanding into areas like cloud computing (through AWS, though not counted in MGK’s consumer discretionary weighting) and advertising. Its investments in logistics and AI-driven personalization enhance its ability to capture consumer spending, positioning it for sustained growth. Similarly, Tesla’s leadership in electric vehicles and energy solutions taps into shifting consumer preferences toward sustainability and innovation. Both companies exemplify the sector’s potential to deliver outsized returns, fueled by evolving consumer trends and technological advancements. Beyond these giants, MGK includes other consumer discretionary players like Home Depot (NYSE:HD) and Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX), which are adapting to changing market dynamics. Home Depot benefits from steady demand in home improvement, while Starbucks leverages digital ordering and loyalty programs to maintain growth. These companies, though smaller in weighting, add diversification within the sector, balancing the portfolio’s reliance on mega-cap tech. By investing in MGK, you gain access to these consumer-driven innovators, which are underrepresented in broader market ETFs like Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF, where consumer discretionary makes up only about 10% of the index. A Strategic Fit for Long-Term Investors Despite recent market highs, MGK remains a compelling option for those bullish on mega-cap growth, particularly in tech-driven innovation. The ETF’s low cost, diversified exposure to top-tier companies, and alignment with trends like AI make it a strong candidate for long-term portfolios. For investors wary of over-concentration, an alternative approach is to review MGK’s holdings and selectively invest in individual names to avoid duplicating existing positions. Ultimately, MGK is worth a closer look for investors comfortable with its risks and seeking to capitalize on the enduring growth of mega-cap leaders. By holding quality investments like MGK over time, you position yourself to benefit from the compounding power of the market’s most innovative companies. The post Want Growth but Worry About Too Much Tech? Then Load Up on This Top Vanguard ETF appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..» Mehr auf 247wallst.com

Microsoft is closing its operations in Pakistan, marking the end of a 25-year presence in the South Asian nation.» Mehr auf techcrunch.com