Google Plans to Invest $100M in Fluidstack to Expand AI Chip Market
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy MSFT?
Catch up on the top artificial intelligence news and commentary by Wall Street analysts on publicly traded companies in the space with this daily recap compiled by The Fly.AI-POWERED DEVICES:OpenAI has more than 200 employees focused on developing AI-powered devices, including a smart speaker expected to be priced between $200 and $300, as well as potential smart glasses and a smart lamp, The Information's Stephanie Palazzolo and Qianer Liu. The initiative signals a broader push beyond software into consumer hardware built around AI experiences, the report notes.AI CHIPS MARKET:Google, seeking to expand the market for its AI chips by increasing financial support to data-center partners to compete with Nvidia, is in talks to invest $100M in cloud startup Fluidstack, part of a deal that values it at $7.5B, and supports other data-center partners, The Wall Street Journal's Raffaele Huang, Kate Clark, and Berber Jin. Some managers at Google's cloud-computing division recently refreshed a longstanding internal debate about restructuring the TPU team into a standalone unit, people familiar with the discussions say, adding that a potential challenge is that Google's cloud business relies heavily on Nvidia chips.CLAUDE CODE SECURITY:Claude Code Security, a new capability built into Claude Code on the web, is now available in a limited research preview, Anthropic said in a blog. It scans codebases for security vulnerabilities and suggests targeted software patches for human review, allowing teams to find and fix security issues that traditional methods often miss. "Claude Code Security is intended to put this power squarely in the hands of defenders and protect code against this new category of AI-enabled attack. We're releasing it as a limited research preview to Enterprise and Team customers, with expedited access for maintainers of open-source repositories, so we can work together to refine its capabilities and ensure it is deployed responsibly." Anthropic added: "This is a pivotal time for cybersecurity. We expect that a significant share of the world's code will be scanned by AI in the near future, given how effective models have become at finding long-hidden bugs and security issues. Attackers will use AI to find exploitable weaknesses faster than ever. But defenders who move quickly can find those same weaknesses, patch them, and reduce the risk of an attack. Claude Code Security is one step towards our goal of more secure codebases and a higher security baseline across the industry." Publicly traded companies in the space include Check Point, CrowdStrike, CyberArk, F5, Fortinet, Gen Digital, Okta, Palo Alto Networksand Qualys.
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Analyst Views on MSFT
Wall Street analysts forecast MSFT stock price to rise
34 Analyst Rating
32 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 369.370
Low
500.00
Averages
631.36
High
678.00
Current: 369.370
Low
500.00
Averages
631.36
High
678.00
About MSFT
Microsoft Corporation is a technology company. The Company develops and supports software, services, devices, and solutions. The Company’s segments include Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing. The Productivity and Business Processes segment consists of products and services in its portfolio of productivity, communication, and information services. This segment primarily comprises: Office Commercial, Office Consumer, LinkedIn, and Dynamics business solutions. The Intelligent Cloud segment consists of server products and cloud services, including Azure and other cloud services, SQL Server, Windows Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs), and Nuance and GitHub; and Enterprise Services, including enterprise support services, industry solutions and Nuance professional services. The More Personal Computing segment primarily comprises Windows, Devices, Gaming, and search and news advertising.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Microsoft's Valuation Nears Decade Lows Amid AI Transition
- AI Transition Leader: Microsoft has established itself as a major provider of productivity tools through its transition into artificial intelligence, achieving a 17% revenue growth in the latest quarter despite its valuation nearing decade lows, indicating strong performance in cloud computing and AI workloads.
- Market Sell-Off Analysis: The recent sell-off is one of the largest in Microsoft's history, prompting investors to assess whether this decline is justified or represents a once-in-a-decade buying opportunity, particularly if geopolitical stability improves, which could lead to a significant stock price increase.
- Valuation Metrics Near Lows: Both the price-to-earnings ratio and operating earnings ratio indicate that Microsoft's valuation is approaching decade lows, suggesting that the current stock price may be undervalued, making it an attractive buying opportunity for investors.
- Future Earnings Expectations: Microsoft is expected to report its next quarterly earnings in April, with market sentiment suggesting this could act as a catalyst for stock price appreciation, especially given the company's ongoing investments in AI and cloud computing.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid AI Stock Market Pullback
- Market Pullback Context: AI stocks are facing sell-offs due to uncertainty surrounding the Iran war and skepticism about AI spending returns; however, the long-term outlook remains bullish, presenting a buying opportunity for investors.
- Nvidia and Broadcom Competition: Nvidia's GPUs are considered the industry standard, with projected sales of $1 trillion for Blackwell and Rubin chips by 2027, while Broadcom is partnering with AI hyperscalers to design custom chips, expecting over $100 billion in annual revenue by 2027.
- Cloud Giants' Investments: Alphabet and Microsoft are seeing significant returns on their cloud computing investments, with Azure and Google Cloud revenues growing 39% and 48% year-over-year, respectively; despite both stocks being down over 20%, their investment value remains intact.
- Nebius's Rapid Growth: Nebius focuses on AI hardware and expects its annual revenue to soar from $1.25 billion to between $7 billion and $9 billion by the end of 2025, indicating strong demand for AI computing power, and with its stock down 30% from its all-time high, it presents a great investment opportunity.
See More
AI Demand Fuels Growth in Computing Units Market
- Strong Market Demand: The insatiable demand for AI is driving profits for cloud computing companies, with Nvidia projected to achieve $1 trillion in chip sales by 2027 and Broadcom's custom AI chips expected to generate over $100 billion in annual revenue.
- Cloud Giants Performance: Alphabet and Microsoft are reaping significant returns from their cloud computing investments, with Azure and Google Cloud revenues increasing by 39% and 48% year-over-year, respectively, despite both companies' stock prices dropping over 20%, indicating their sustained market leadership.
- Investment Opportunities Arise: While skepticism surrounds AI stocks regarding uncertain returns, the long-term outlook remains bullish, suggesting that the current 20% drop in stock prices presents a prime buying opportunity for investors.
- Emerging Company Surge: Nebius, focused on AI hardware, anticipates its annual revenue to soar from $1.25 billion to between $7 billion and $9 billion by the end of 2025, reflecting the rapid growth in demand for AI computing power, and its stock is down 30%, making it an attractive investment option.
See More
Buffett May End Donations to Gates Foundation Over Epstein Ties
- Donation Tensions: Buffett is considering halting his annual multi-billion dollar donations to the Gates Foundation due to Gates' ties to Epstein, indicating a significant impact on the foundation's funding sources and operations.
- Friendship Breakdown: In an interview, Buffett stated he has not spoken to Gates since the Epstein revelations, suggesting their friendship may be over, which could affect the future functioning of the Gates Foundation.
- Uncertain Donation Commitment: Buffett mentioned he will “wait and see what unfolds” regarding his donations, leaving the foundation's financial future uncertain and potentially jeopardizing its charitable initiatives.
- Concerns for the Future: Buffett expressed worries about the Gates Foundation's future, emphasizing the need for clarity on the situation, which may lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of charitable organizations.
See More
Microsoft's 48th Anniversary: Stock Volatility and AI Impact
- Stock Performance: Since its IPO in 1986, Microsoft's stock has surged nearly 624,000% with dividend reinvestment, reflecting strong performance and investor confidence in the software sector.
- Cloud Growth: Microsoft's Azure cloud infrastructure service platform ranks second globally, with sales growth nearing 40%, indicating that the company's ongoing investments in high-growth areas are paying off.
- Cash Flow and Reinvestment: As of 2025, Microsoft holds approximately $89.5 billion in cash and short-term investments, generating $80.8 billion in net cash flow in the first half of fiscal 2026, enabling significant reinvestment and acquisitions.
- Price Discount: Despite a roughly one-third decline in Microsoft's stock since last October, its forward P/E ratio has dropped to 19.4, marking a 34% discount to its five-year average, presenting a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors.
See More
Microsoft's Stock Sell-Off: A Once-in-a-Decade Buying Opportunity?
- Strong Revenue Growth: Microsoft reported a 17% revenue increase in its most recent quarter, a remarkable figure considering the company's size and maturity, which enhances investor confidence in its performance in cloud computing and AI sectors.
- Valuation Near Decade Low: Both the price-to-earnings ratio and operating earnings ratio for Microsoft are approaching decade-low levels, indicating that the current stock price may be undervalued, presenting a potentially lucrative entry point for investors amid market volatility.
- Cloud Platform Advantage: Azure continues to be a leading cloud computing platform for AI workloads, driving overall performance improvements for Microsoft, which solidifies its market position in the rapidly evolving tech landscape and reduces disruption risks.
- Future Growth Potential: With global economic stability and geopolitical improvements, Microsoft's stock is poised for significant gains following its next quarterly earnings report, making this a rare buying opportunity for investors in the current market environment.
See More
Microsoft's Valuation Nears Decade Lows Amid AI Transition
- AI Transition Leader: Microsoft has established itself as a major provider of productivity tools through its transition into artificial intelligence, achieving a 17% revenue growth in the latest quarter despite its valuation nearing decade lows, indicating strong performance in cloud computing and AI workloads.
- Market Sell-Off Analysis: The recent sell-off is one of the largest in Microsoft's history, prompting investors to assess whether this decline is justified or represents a once-in-a-decade buying opportunity, particularly if geopolitical stability improves, which could lead to a significant stock price increase.
- Valuation Metrics Near Lows: Both the price-to-earnings ratio and operating earnings ratio indicate that Microsoft's valuation is approaching decade lows, suggesting that the current stock price may be undervalued, making it an attractive buying opportunity for investors.
- Future Earnings Expectations: Microsoft is expected to report its next quarterly earnings in April, with market sentiment suggesting this could act as a catalyst for stock price appreciation, especially given the company's ongoing investments in AI and cloud computing.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid AI Stock Market Pullback
- Market Pullback Context: AI stocks are facing sell-offs due to uncertainty surrounding the Iran war and skepticism about AI spending returns; however, the long-term outlook remains bullish, presenting a buying opportunity for investors.
- Nvidia and Broadcom Competition: Nvidia's GPUs are considered the industry standard, with projected sales of $1 trillion for Blackwell and Rubin chips by 2027, while Broadcom is partnering with AI hyperscalers to design custom chips, expecting over $100 billion in annual revenue by 2027.
- Cloud Giants' Investments: Alphabet and Microsoft are seeing significant returns on their cloud computing investments, with Azure and Google Cloud revenues growing 39% and 48% year-over-year, respectively; despite both stocks being down over 20%, their investment value remains intact.
- Nebius's Rapid Growth: Nebius focuses on AI hardware and expects its annual revenue to soar from $1.25 billion to between $7 billion and $9 billion by the end of 2025, indicating strong demand for AI computing power, and with its stock down 30% from its all-time high, it presents a great investment opportunity.
See More
AI Demand Fuels Growth in Computing Units Market
- Strong Market Demand: The insatiable demand for AI is driving profits for cloud computing companies, with Nvidia projected to achieve $1 trillion in chip sales by 2027 and Broadcom's custom AI chips expected to generate over $100 billion in annual revenue.
- Cloud Giants Performance: Alphabet and Microsoft are reaping significant returns from their cloud computing investments, with Azure and Google Cloud revenues increasing by 39% and 48% year-over-year, respectively, despite both companies' stock prices dropping over 20%, indicating their sustained market leadership.
- Investment Opportunities Arise: While skepticism surrounds AI stocks regarding uncertain returns, the long-term outlook remains bullish, suggesting that the current 20% drop in stock prices presents a prime buying opportunity for investors.
- Emerging Company Surge: Nebius, focused on AI hardware, anticipates its annual revenue to soar from $1.25 billion to between $7 billion and $9 billion by the end of 2025, reflecting the rapid growth in demand for AI computing power, and its stock is down 30%, making it an attractive investment option.
See More
Buffett May End Donations to Gates Foundation Over Epstein Ties
- Donation Tensions: Buffett is considering halting his annual multi-billion dollar donations to the Gates Foundation due to Gates' ties to Epstein, indicating a significant impact on the foundation's funding sources and operations.
- Friendship Breakdown: In an interview, Buffett stated he has not spoken to Gates since the Epstein revelations, suggesting their friendship may be over, which could affect the future functioning of the Gates Foundation.
- Uncertain Donation Commitment: Buffett mentioned he will “wait and see what unfolds” regarding his donations, leaving the foundation's financial future uncertain and potentially jeopardizing its charitable initiatives.
- Concerns for the Future: Buffett expressed worries about the Gates Foundation's future, emphasizing the need for clarity on the situation, which may lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of charitable organizations.
See More
Microsoft's 48th Anniversary: Stock Volatility and AI Impact
- Stock Performance: Since its IPO in 1986, Microsoft's stock has surged nearly 624,000% with dividend reinvestment, reflecting strong performance and investor confidence in the software sector.
- Cloud Growth: Microsoft's Azure cloud infrastructure service platform ranks second globally, with sales growth nearing 40%, indicating that the company's ongoing investments in high-growth areas are paying off.
- Cash Flow and Reinvestment: As of 2025, Microsoft holds approximately $89.5 billion in cash and short-term investments, generating $80.8 billion in net cash flow in the first half of fiscal 2026, enabling significant reinvestment and acquisitions.
- Price Discount: Despite a roughly one-third decline in Microsoft's stock since last October, its forward P/E ratio has dropped to 19.4, marking a 34% discount to its five-year average, presenting a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors.
See More
Microsoft's Stock Sell-Off: A Once-in-a-Decade Buying Opportunity?
- Strong Revenue Growth: Microsoft reported a 17% revenue increase in its most recent quarter, a remarkable figure considering the company's size and maturity, which enhances investor confidence in its performance in cloud computing and AI sectors.
- Valuation Near Decade Low: Both the price-to-earnings ratio and operating earnings ratio for Microsoft are approaching decade-low levels, indicating that the current stock price may be undervalued, presenting a potentially lucrative entry point for investors amid market volatility.
- Cloud Platform Advantage: Azure continues to be a leading cloud computing platform for AI workloads, driving overall performance improvements for Microsoft, which solidifies its market position in the rapidly evolving tech landscape and reduces disruption risks.
- Future Growth Potential: With global economic stability and geopolitical improvements, Microsoft's stock is poised for significant gains following its next quarterly earnings report, making this a rare buying opportunity for investors in the current market environment.
See More
