Microsoft Stock And 2 AI Stocks Worth Watching Now
Synaptics Incorporated SYNA | 0.00 |
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tech buzzword; it is influencing everything from chip factories in Asia to cloud data centers in the US and Europe. With China’s industrial profits tied to AI investment, central banks still focused on inflation, and manufacturing and trade readings shaping sentiment, many investors are looking for focused ways to get exposure to the ChatGPT and AI trend without trawling through hundreds of stocks. This AI Stocks screener filters for companies directly involved in semiconductors, software, LLMs, ChatGPT and cloud, and the article will highlight 3 of the strongest candidates from that list.
Synaptics (SYNA)
Overview: Synaptics is a US-based semiconductor company that supplies chips and software that power touch, display, audio, wireless connectivity, biometrics, and edge AI in devices ranging from PCs and smartphones to smart home products, cars, and industrial equipment.
Operations: Synaptics generates about US$1.2b from developing, marketing, and selling semiconductor products, with revenue concentrated in China/Hong Kong (US$551.3m) and Taiwan (US$350.1m), alongside meaningful contributions from Japan and South Korea.
Market Cap: US$4.68b
Synaptics sits at the intersection of edge AI and connectivity, supplying the processors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and human interface chips that let devices run AI workloads locally rather than only in the cloud. Its Astra and Veros edge AI solutions, combined with bundled wireless and mixed signal products, give Synaptics a chance to increase the value of each design win, even though the company is currently loss making and dependent on external borrowing. The all stock acquisition agreement with ON Semiconductor, valuing Synaptics at roughly US$6.6b to US$7.0b, also puts a spotlight on how central its technology could be to physical AI and industrial and automotive use cases. Investors still need to weigh integration risk, competition, and the path back to sustainable profitability.
Synaptics’ edge AI story looks compelling, but the real question is how its loss making profile and ON Semiconductor deal risk fit together. Review the 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign
Microsoft (MSFT)
Overview: Microsoft is a global software and cloud company behind Windows, Office, Azure and LinkedIn, providing productivity tools, developer platforms, AI services, gaming and devices to consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide.
Operations: Microsoft generates about US$135.3b from Productivity and Business Processes, US$128.4b from Intelligent Cloud and US$54.6b from More Personal Computing, with revenue broadly split between the US and other countries.
Market Cap: US$2.77t
Investors looking at AI infrastructure and software together in one stock may find Microsoft compelling, with high profitability, a strong balance sheet and large AI driven capex creating a powerful engine behind Azure, Copilot and in-house models like MAI-Thinking-1. At the same time, the company faces real pressure from heavy spending on data centers, growing regulatory scrutiny in the US and EU, and recent insider selling that is worth tracking closely. The key question is whether the combination of high quality earnings, sizeable forecast growth and a P/E below the US software average properly reflects those risks or leaves room for patient investors to benefit as the AI story continues to unfold.
Microsoft’s AI spending and earnings profile may be masking where the real inflection point sits in this story. Get the full picture in the analyst forecasts for Microsoft and see what the current numbers might be hinting at next.
Figma (FIG)
Overview: Figma is a San Francisco based software company that offers a browser based platform where product, design, and engineering teams can design, prototype, and collaborate on digital products in real time, with tools like Figma Design, FigJam, Slides, Sites and AI features such as Make and Weave built into the same workflow.
Operations: Figma generates about US$1.2b from Internet Software & Services, with roughly US$621.9m from international customers and US$539.1m from the United States.
Market Cap: US$9.84b
Figma gives investors exposure to a widely used design and collaboration platform that sits at the center of how digital products are created, with around 95% of Fortune 500 companies reportedly using Figma Design and a growing suite of AI native tools such as Make, Buzz and Weave helping turn usage into potential monetization. Revenue growth of 41.4% last year and forecasts of 18.32% a year indicate strong top line momentum. However, the company is still loss making, carries a negative ROE, and relies on higher risk external borrowing. With FIG’s share price under pressure after questions about AI monetization and very high CEO pay, investors are weighing whether the combination of high growth, sticky enterprise adoption and early AI revenue signals is enough to compensate for volatility and ongoing losses.
Figma’s growth story and sticky adoption could be masking where the real tipping point sits for this stock. See how the analyst forecasts for Figma lines up with its losses before one key pressure point starts to bite.
The three AI stocks in this article are only a starting point, as the full Artificial Intelligence/ AI Stocks screener uncovers more than 200 additional companies tied to the same ChatGPT, semiconductor, software, LLM and cloud themes. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts and narratives that matter most to you, so you can focus on the highest conviction ideas instead of sifting through noise.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
