Intel Corp sharply increased its capital expenditure budget for 2012 in a bid to catch up in tablets and smartphones and to extend its lead in corporate data centers.
Microsoft Corp's fiscal second-quarter profit fell very slightly as lagging computer sales to cash-strapped consumers in the United States and Europe hurt its core Windows business.
A strong outlook from IBM and decent results from Intel Corp and Microsoft Corp suggest that corporate decision makers are shaking off nervousness about economic growth and boosting spending on technology.
Bellwether technology companies that are tops in their sector – IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Google – have now reported their final 2011 results.
What are some of the key takeaways?
Stock index futures dipped on Friday, indicating the S&P 500 may snap a three-day win streak after Google results fell short of expectations and as investors eyed Greek debt talks for signs of progress.
Stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open for equities on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100 down 0.02 to 0.2 percent.
The companies expected to see active trade Friday are: General Electric, Google, Schlumberger, Microsoft Corp, Suntrust Banks, Intel Corp, Fifth Third Bancorp, Parker Hannifin Corp, First Horizon National Corp and Intuitive Surgical.
Google has topped Fortune's annual list of '100 Best Companies to Work For' and that's not surprising - with a job growth of 33%. the 13-year old search giant has moved up from fourth place in 2011 to top the list this year.
Stocks rose for the third straight day on Thursday, sparked by results from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley and as the latest jobless claims dropped to a near four-year low.
As four big tech bellwethers ready their earnings reports after the bell on Thursday, the big question is whether their results will further fuel a solid rally in the tech sector.
Microsoft Corp's fiscal second-quarter profit fell very slightly as lagging computer sales to cash-strapped consumers in the United States and Europe hurt its core Windows business.
Microsoft Corp said on Thursday fiscal second-quarter profit fell very slightly, as lower computer sales hurt its core Windows business.
At the Guggenheim Museum in New York on Thursday, Apple revolutionized the education industry with three new apps, including the new iTunes U app, which lets teachers upload course materials, lessons, syllabi and even books to their students via the iPad.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) formally introduced a copyright bill backed by the Internet industry to rival the controversial Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA).
At the Guggenheim Museum in New York Thursday, Apple announced it would update its iBooks platform to include textbook capabilities and also added a new platform called iBooks Author, which lets anyone easily create and publish their own e-books.
Research In Motion may still see software licensing as an important part of its turnaround plan, even though Samsung has denied that it might pay to use the BlackBerry maker's technology or even buy the company.
Four key technology giants are to report earnings Thursday. Intel, IBM, Google and Microsoft results may provide keys to 2012 progress, while Apple comes next week.
The companies expected to see active trade on Thursday are: Microsoft, International Business Machines, Google, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Intel Corp, eBay, American Express, Intutive Surgical, Southwest Airlines, UnitedHealth Group and Xilinx.
Japan's Nikkei average hit a five-week closing high on Thursday, soaring past its 75-day moving average as the euro climbed on news that the International Monetary Fund is seeking to bolster its funds to stem the euro zone sovereign debt crisis.
Net income for the fourth quarter more rose more than fourfold to $1.98 billion, with per-share earnings of $1.51, in part due to Microsoft's Skype purchase. Revenue for the fourth quarter was $3.38 billion, up 35 percent from 2010.
Samsung has been rumored to be interested in purchasing Research In Motion, the company that makes BlackBerry smartphones, but Samsung has now denied it has any interest in the Canadian company. Samsung doesn't want to buy them and they won't be doing any software licensing of BlackBerry software either, a Reuters report said Jan. 17.
Digerati spearheaded by online sites including Wikipedia, Google and Reddit launched global opposition to two bills in the U.S. Congress they believe would threaten Internet commerce and creativity.
