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Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Alphabet and Apple
For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – July 18, 2025 – announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Alphabet GOOGL and Apple AAPL. Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog: Alphabet vs. Apple: Which Consumer AI Stock Is the Better Buy Right Now? Alphabet and Apple are the two most well-known providers of consumer apps marketplaces through Google Pay Store and Apple App Store, respectively. The companies are taking initiatives to infuse artificial intelligence (AI) into their consumer-centric offerings to expand their user base and boost market share. Unlike enterprises and businesses, individual consumers have been much cautious to adopt AI and generative AI (Gen AI) into their daily lifestyle and routines. Per a Bain & Company December 2024 survey, only 35% of U.S. consumers used Gen AI in comparison to 95% of U.S. and European companies. Concerns around privacy, accuracy and data security have hindered proliferation among individual consumers. However, the scenario seems to have changed in the past six months of 2025. As per a latest report by Menlo Ventures, almost 61% of U.S. adults (survey sample of more than 5,000 U.S. adults) have used AI over the past six months, and nearly 19% have made it a habit to use it on a daily basis. Although monetization remains weak (only 3% paying for premium services among an estimated user base of 1.8 billion), the growing infusion of AI tools into consumer lifestyle that makes users complete their daily routine in a better, faster and cheaper way is expected to boost spending. According to the New Minds, New Markets study by Cognizant in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the 18–44-year-old AI enthusiasts will "command an estimated $4.4 trillion of AI-influenced consumer spending in the U.S. by 2030," driven by a rise in income and purchasing power. For the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany, the projection stands at $690 billion, $669 billion, and $539 billion, respectively. Alphabet and Apple are well-poised to cultivate this huge opportunity. Nevertheless, GOOGL or AAPL, which has an edge under the current scenario? The Case for GOOGL Stock Alphabet's open and cloud-centric approach has been driving the popularity of its applications among consumers. In first-quarter 2025, Alphabet surpassed 270 million paid subscriptions with YouTube and Google One as key drivers. Google Assistant, now called Gemini, is the #2-ranked general AI assistant in terms of usage (23% share) among all U.S. adults as per Menlo Ventures' survey, beating Apple Siri, which is in the #5 position (16% share). Alphabet's initiatives to deploy AI and infuse AI in Search are driving top-line growth. Search revenues are driven by improving engagement with features like AI Overview, which now has 1.5 billion users per month and is available in more than 15 languages across 140 countries. The addition of AI mode expands AI Overview's advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities. Advancements in the latest Gemini models are helping Alphabet to upgrade AI Overviews with easier-to-read responses, breaking down key information and incorporating more visuals directly into responses. Circle to Search is driving additional Search and is gaining popularity among younger users. Circle to Search, which is currently available on more than 300 million Android devices, is expected to gain further popularity with the addition of AI Mode. Circle to Search can now be used to get instant help during gaming on mobile. The Case for AAPL Stock Apple is seeing better iPhone 16 sales in regions where Apple Intelligence is available. Apple expanded the availability of Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 updates in new languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) — as well as localized English for Singapore and India — and are accessible in nearly all regions around the world. At the end of 2025, Apple Intelligence will be available in eight more languages: Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (traditional) and Vietnamese. New Apple Intelligence features, such as Live Translation, updates to visual intelligence, as well as enhancements to Image Playground and Genmoji, are noteworthy. Shortcuts can access Apple Intelligence directly. Apple Intelligence is now getting added to Apple Wallet, and users can make purchases with Apple Pay. However, Apple Intelligence continues to lag the "WoW" factor, which has been a concern. Delayed and staggered launches are other concerns. GOOGL Earnings Estimate Revision Positive, AAPL's Goes South The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GOOGL's 2025 earnings is pegged at $9.56 per share, up 3 cents over the past 60 days, indicating an 18.91% increase over 2024's reported figure. The consensus mark for Apple's fiscal 2025 earnings has declined by a penny to $7.10 per share over the past 60 days, suggesting 5.19% growth over fiscal 2024. Alphabet Shares Outperform Apple Shares of Alphabet and Apple have suffered from challenging macroeconomic conditions, volatility related to higher tariffs and increasing regulatory concerns. Year to date, GOOGL shares have lost 3.3%, outperforming Apple's decline of 16%. Valuation: Alphabet's P/S Ratio is Cheaper Than Apple In terms of forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S), Apple shares are trading at 7.52X, higher than Alphabet's 6.41X. While Apple has a Value Score of D, Alphabet carries a Value Score of C, suggesting both shares are overvalued. Here's Why Alphabet Is a Better Consumer AI Stock Right Now Alphabet is benefiting from the growing popularity of Gemini, AI Overview and Circle to Search among consumers. Continuous innovation across search, productivity and developer tools is a key catalyst for Alphabet. In comparison, Apple is still playing a catch-up role with Apple Intelligence. Currently, Alphabet has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), making the stock a stronger pick compared with Apple, which has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double" From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all. This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@ Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%. Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NIQ Consumer Tech Trends: The consumer's hunt for value reshapes the South African market
NielsenIQ (NIQ), a leading consumer intelligence company, has recently released its Consumer Tech Industry Trends 2025 report, forecasting global Consumer Tech & Durables (T&D) sales will reach $1.29tn – driven by emerging markets, replacement cycles, and premium innovation – in the year ahead. The value of the Middle East & Africa market is expected to rise around 2% to $68bn. Building on value growth of just 1.2% and unit growth of 3.5% for the first quarter, the South African T&D sector is expected to be shaped by volume-driven purchases and value-conscious buying for the rest of 2025. Zak Haeri, managing director for NIQ in South Africa 'Two dynamics are driving price pressures in the South African T&D market in 2025. On the one hand, disruptive Chinese brands are rapidly moving into the country with attractive products spanning entry level, mid-range and premium price points,' says Zak Haeri, managing director for South Africa at NIQ. 'On the other, consumer behaviour is shifting as South Africans continue to adopt a purpose-driven approach to spending that prioritises value. 'Value' includes durability, quality, and convenience, as well as personalisation, rich features, and affordability. Consumers need to be convinced of value for money before they upgrade or replace products.' Top 2025 Tech Trends in South Africa Consumers need compelling reasons to upgrade Many South African T&D segments are saturated, with consumers holding on to their televisions, computers, smartphones and appliances for longer. For consumers to justify replacing their existing products, they must be convinced of the enhanced performance and experience they'll get in return for their money. Brands need smart strategies to capitalise on the moment when a consumer is ready to upgrade or replace. Competition from Chinese brands heats up Chinese brands have scored impressive wins in the South African television and smartphone markets over the past few years, driving fierce price competition. They have captured market share by offering better specs and more feature-rich configurations at lower prices. The success of Chinese brands in TVs and smartphones is creating a brand halo effect that is spreading to categories, such as home appliances. This trend may accelerate as Chinese brands seek new markets for excess inventory due to tariff-related sales declines in the US. Promos and specials still move the needle In a price-sensitive market, major promotional events and opportunities matter. On a global level, a third of tech sales in 2024 occurred during seven key promotions, up from 29% in 2021. NIQ expect shoppers in 2025 to plan around seasonal deals more than ever. T&D sales in South Africa will remain dominated by a few events on the annual retail calendar, including Back to School, Winter Sales, Christmas, and, especially, Black Friday. Smartphones: Prepaid gains, postpaid pains The smartphone market is undergoing a structural shift in South Africa. The prepaid segment is growing, driven by value offerings and operator support. Postpaid is declining, especially in the premium segment, with inconsistent performance outside flagship launches. Consumers keeping their phones for longer may be one reason for the decline in postpaid contracts. Emerging players with competitive pricing and innovation are reshaping consumer preferences. Smartwatches: Sales shrink but entry-level grows Unlike the global wearables market, South Africa's smartwatch market is contracting, particularly in the R8,000–R12,000 mid-tier. Entry-level models are gaining traction, pulling demand from higher tiers. Promotions are driving short-term gains but not long-term stability. Panel TVs: Contraction and innovation The value of the panel television market is shrinking due to soft growth for QLED products and larger screen sizes. Competition from new brands, primarily Chinese companies, is heating up. Opportunities remain in select screen sizes (50–60") despite the overall contraction of the market. Gaming monitors are thriving, with the All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Samsung Frame TV Deals: Save Up To 49% During Prime Day
If you're shopping Amazon Prime Day in search of a TV upgrade, you might take a look at these Samsung Frame TV deals. One of Samsung's best-selling and most popular TVs, the Frame TV offers a vivid viewing experience for movies and more and turns into a stunning and customizable art display when not in use. As the consumer tech editor at Forbes Vetted who has personally tested many TVS, I'd recommend looking at the 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV, which is currently marked down nearly 50% in the Samsung store right now, as well as on Amazon and other retailers. The Prime Day Samsung Frame TV deals include steep discounts on just about every size. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer These Samsung Frame TV deals include discounts on multiple models both directly on Samsung's site and on Amazon for the retailer's four-day July Prime Day event. The hype around Samsung's The Frame TV is well deserved. Not only can you watch your favorite movies and shows in vivid color and 4K resolution, but the TV transforms into a stunning display for artwork (or your own photo slideshows) when not in use. A matte coating helps reduce glare, so the display looks like a true masterpiece in your living room. You can also add on a customizable bezel—either in rose gold, white or brown—for an extra cost. Another perk is the Samsung Tizen operating system. You can access your favorite shows as well as get plenty of free channels, thanks to the Samsung TV Plus service. That's also where you can access the Samsung Art Store, which features a collection of artworks—many in collaboration with world-renowned museums like New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and Paris's Musée d'Orsay. Samsung Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV (75-Inch) Save nearly 50% on this gorgeous and massive Samsung TV that is top-tier in terms of display. Watch your movies in 4K and when you turn the television off, it turns on an artwork display of your choosing that you can personally select from within the TV's menu. You'll save more than $1,500 in this Prime Day deal both on Samsung's site and Amazon, as well as other retailers. Why It's A Good Deal: This particular markdown is the lowest price we've seen on this panel—just note that this deal includes only the TV itself without bezel customizations. While the 75-inch model has the largest price cut, there are similar savings on the other models, which you can find below on Amazon or directly on Samsung's site like 40% off the 65-inch Frame TV. You can also shop more of our favorite Prime Day TV deals if The Frame isn't quite right for your needs. Is Samsung Frame TV Worth Buying? The Samsung Frame TV is a high-end television that displays artwork (or photos) when turned off, so it serves a dual-purpose and makes an ideal purchase when you want to place a TV in a high-traffic area where you'd rather not have an ugly blank screen staring back at you like a living room. What Is The Point Of The Samsung Frame TV? The main purpose of the Samsung Frame TV is to watch entertainment, but it also serves as an art display (if you choose) when you turn it off. In fact, The Frame was the first TV from a major manufacturer that was designed to display artwork when it wasn't being used to watch TV shows or movies (though there are a handful of competitors making similar TVs now). Is Frame TV QLED Or OLED? The Frame TV is an QLED television, which is a higher quality type of LED display. Some prefer OLED displays that might offer even richer images and better contrast. Samsung makes a number of OLED TVs, too.
Gizmodo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
SanDisk 1TB SSD Gets Prime Day Slammed, Now at Its Lowest Price on Amazon
SanDisk has long been the gold standard for consumer SSDs and Prime Day is always the best time to upgrade your storage with one of these high-performance drives. Amazon holds this event as its biggest sale of the year because it offers massive discounts on prime tech products. These deals are so much of a bargain that inventory does not typically last long, so it's wise to act quickly while supplies last. This year, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD in 1TB is now priced at just $99 which is a saving of 23% off its usual price of $129. This is a price that is hard to beat for a drive that provides this sort of performance and durability. With over 79,000 reviews and a rating of 4.6 stars, this SSD has become one of the most trusted and best-selling portable storage solutions available. See at Amazon Speed is the greatest advantage of the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD: With transfer rates of up to 1050MB/s via USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2, you can move massive files, high-quality photos or 4K video in seconds. This makes it a top choice if you're looking to speed up your workflow. The new firmware ensures that you get the most consistent and reliable performance so you never have to worry about lag or slowing down. The SanDisk SSD is also built to withstand the rigors of travel and daily use, with IP65 water and dust resistance. That guards against rain, spills and even the occasional drop in the dirt, which makes it ideal for outdoor adventures or work. The compact size is simple to drop into your pocket or bag and the rugged exterior protects your data from bumps and knocks. Compatibility is a breeze thanks to the USB-C port and USB 3.2 Gen 2 compatibility: The drive works with both Windows and Mac computers, and you can plug it into tablets, smartphones or even some gaming consoles for extra storage. The plug-and-play feature means you can start using it right out of the box with no sophisticated installation required. Security is also covered with both password protection and hardware encryption supported: This gives you peace of mind if you're backing up sensitive documents. Whether you're editing on the go, backing up family videos or sharing big creative projects, you can be confident that your files are secure and easily accessible. At just $99 for Prime Day, this is the lowest price you'll find all year, and with the 2TB version also heavily discounted, there's never been a better time to upgrade your storage setup. See at Amazon
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Synology's New NAS Looks Great, but It Has an Awful Restriction
I was really looking forward to this year's collection of Synology NAS devices. Unfortunately, the new Synology DS925+ suffers from a ridiculous problem that will plague all future Plus-series NAS boxes—it doesn't work with "unverified" third-party hard drives. Honestly, I'm surprised that Synology went through with this. The company faced a ton of backlash when, earlier this year, it announced that new Plus-series NAS devices would require "validated" hard drives that have been "thoroughly vetted in Synology systems." The new DS925+ effectively forces you to use Synology-branded hard drives (though Synology's compatibility list will grow with time), as unverified third-party HDDs are prevented from performing any basic functionality. Solid-state drives face similar restrictions—you can't use an unverified SSD as a cache drive in the DS925+. This kind of restriction is somewhat common in the enterprise market, but it's practically unheard of in the consumer space. It provides no obvious benefits to the average home setup, and it forces customers to spend more money on storage. Unverified drives that are migrated from another Synology system work just fine in the DS925+, oddly enough, so the whole thing feels pretty arbitrary. It's a shame. In terms of hardware, the DS925+ is a decent entry-level system that could have widespread appeal. The NAS is loaded with an AMD Ryzen V1500B processor, dual 2.5GbE ports, a pair of M.2 slots, and 4GB of preloaded DDR4 memory. I wouldn't recommend this hardware for any heavyweight tasks—the Ryzen V1500B doesn't have an iGPU, so hardware video transcoding for Plex is off the table, too—but it looks like a solid option for networked file storage, automated backups, and lightweight apps. Synology also announced a DX525 expansion unit, which you can use to add five additional drive bays to a NAS. When paired with the DS925+, the DX525 can help you achieve a maximum 180TB of storage, which is nothing to shake a stick at. If it weren't for the HDD restrictions, the combined DS925+ and DX525 would probably be a great option for videographers or developers. You could also leverage the massive storage capacity for Plex, though you'd need to offload the processing to a mini PC or some other device with real hardware transcoding capabilities. The good news is that competitor brands like QNAP, UGREEN, and Terramaster, do not enforce any weird HDD restrictions. But Synology offers the best, most intuitive and user-friendly software of any consumer-grade NAS brand. It's the only brand of NAS that I'd use without replacing the operating system—a task that newbies generally want to avoid. I'll take this moment to clarify that Synology Plus-series devices released before 2025 do not enforce any HDD restrictions. Also, these restrictions are currently limited to the Synology Plus lineup. The DS925+ launches today for approximately $599. You can pre-order it from B&H Photo, but it doesn't seem to be available at any other big retailers yet, and B&H is charging a slightly higher price of $639.99. Source: Synology
