Bottom line: The strategic rationale behind AMD acquiring ZT makes sense, to a point, but $5 billion is a lot to pay, especially when the true value of the transaction relies heavily on the price AMD will get when they spin off ZT's manufacturing unit.
Bottom line: The fact that Intel had a bad quarter is not that surprising. What is surprising is the extent to which management does not seem to have a handle on how to communicate its plans.
Bottom line: Intel's latest quarterly earnings were nothing short of ugly, prompting restructuring plans. It is quite the change for a company that was once among the 30 best stocks in the world. Analysts are increasingly skeptical about CEO Pat Gelsinger's ability to execute a successful turnaround, especially as Intel struggles to keep pace with AMD and Nvidia.
Microsoft expects the trends to continue into the following quarter
The big picture: Some analysts predicted the Xbox Series X would outsell the PlayStation 5 in 2020. Instead, Sony's console has likely sold more than double the Xbox Series S and X. The situation is so dire that Microsoft hasn't disclosed precise unit sales in over a year and has begun releasing its games on competing consoles. The company's latest earnings call certainly won't improve investor outlook concerning the future of Xbox hardware.