MSFT News & Events

As part of plans to lay off staff, Microsoft's Xbox will cut 3,200 jobs as part of a major reorganization and divest from five development studios, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reports. "South of Midnight" studio Compulsion Games and "Psychonauts" developer Double Fine will both become independent companies, while "Hellblade" developer Ninja Theory and "State of Decay" maker Undead Labs will be sold to other companies, though such details have not been revealed, Schreier notes. Arkane Lyon, meanwhile, will enter into a consultation process in France to review its options, Schreier adds.

Microsoft is eliminating 4,800 jobs, representing 2.1% of its workforce, with the company's Xbox division losing about one-fifth of its staff, reported CNBC's Jordan Novet, citing a message to employees from Amy Coleman, Microsoft's Chief People Officer. The Xbox division is cutting 3,200 people through fiscal year 2027, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wrote in an email to employees, noting that 1,600 roles would be eliminated on Monday. The cuts amount to 20% of Xbox employees leaving, according to a person familiar with the matter, the report noted. As part of Monday's announced changes, four gaming studios will be spun out of Microsoft, Coleman is quoted as having said as well.

The major averages had a mixed day before the long holiday weekend, with the Dow rising to a record high as traders considered the weaker-than-expected U.S. nonfarm payrolls for June and what it might mean for the path of rates. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq fell amid continued pressure on technology and semiconductor names. Chip stocks have experienced a notable pullback to begin the second half of the year, suggesting traders are taking profits after a strong run.Looking to the jobs report, the U.S. economy added 57,000 jobs in June, well below forecasts of 110,000 and a downwardly revised 129,000 in May. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in June, down from 4.3% in May, as many people left the workforce.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:OpenAI has discussed giving the U.S. government a 5% stake in the company,Alphabethasof a EUR4.1B Android fine in EuropeTeslareported, beating expectationsRivianand raised its FY26 vehicle delivery forecastAppleis preparing a new iPad Pro and redesigned entry-level MacBook Pro for 2027,2. WALL STREET CALLS:DAPalantirto Buy, sees "gift" at current levelsAdobeto Buy at HSBCWolfeChevronto Outperform, sees "opportunistic" entry pointSkyWestto Neutral at Goldman SachsCanaccordInfleqtionat Buy, sees 70% upside3. AROUND THE WEB:Microsoftis merging its consumer and enterprise versions of its Copilot AI chatbot, The Information reportsAmazonwill begin internet services this year after its latest satellite launch, Bloomberg reportsSoftBankhas resumed discussions with lenders for a $10B loan backed by its stake in OpenAI, offering a repayment guarantee to address concerns over valuing private-company shares and reduce lenders' collateral risk, Reuters saysThe U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, closed a 2022 preliminary evaluation of 695,000 Teslavehicles over unexpected deceleration, citing less incidents and low hazard to drivers, Reuters saysAnthropic has started early-stage work on its own AI chip and has held talks with Samsungas a potential manufacturing partner, The Information says4. MOVERS:SurgePayssoared afterwith one of its wholesale wireless network providersAeroVironmentgained afterKratos Defensewas higher after beingfor a new air defense missile systemOusterwas lower after filing anArbor Realtyfell after Piper Sandlerits price target on the stock5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:APi Groupraised itsLindsay, with EPS and revenue beating consensusNational Beveragereported, with EPS and revenue lower year-over-yearGreenbrierand narrowed its guidance for FY26American Eaglebacked itsand FY26INDEXES:The Dow rose 594.83, or 1.14%, to 52,900.07, the Nasdaq lost 207.36, or 0.80%, to 25,832.67, and the S&P 500 advanced 0.010, or 0.00013%, to 7,483.24.