The latest Market Talks covering Technology, Media and Telecom. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

1322 ET - Microsoft says that starting today it's dropping the price of Game Pass Ultimate to $22.99 from $29.99 a month, while the PC Game Pass falls to $13.99 from $16.49 monthly. Microsoft also says that beginning this year, future Call of Duty titles won't join Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. "New Call of Duty  games will be added to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass during the following holiday season (about a year later), while  existing Call of Duty titles already in the library will continue to be available," Microsoft says. "Our players cover a wide breadth of geographies, preferences, and tastes, so while there isn't  a single model  that's  best for everyone, this change responds to a lot of feedback  we've  gotten so far. " (elias.schisgall@wsj.com)

1017 ET - Bitcoin prices have improved since finding a low of just below $63,000 in early February, according to data from CoinMarketCap. It has bounced more than $10,000 a token since then, with Zach Pandl of Grayscale suggesting in a note that bitcoin may have already set its near-term low. "Many recent buyers are back to breakeven-potentially signaling that Bitcoin has put in a durable market bottom in the $65,000 to $70,000 range," says Pandl. At $74,000, bitcoin transactions are seen as largely breakeven, says Pandl. Bitcoin is down 0.5% to $75,930 in morning trade, while ethereum has dropped 1.1% to $2,312. Privacy coin Monero is having a strong showing today, up 6.3% to over $375, according to data from LSEG. (kirk.maltais@wsj.com)

0918 ET - CrowdStrike is starting to see a tangible benefit from AI-driven cybersecurity demand, KeyBanc analysts say, upgrading the stock to overweight from sector weight. The analysts think Anthropic's model Mythos, which can identify and exploit software vulnerabilities, will drive companies to spend more on cybersecurity to protect themselves. The cyber threat of AI is also being communicated at the highest levels, including with the U.S. government and to the CEOs of the biggest U.S. banks, the analysts say. "With a clear and present risk, and executive/boardroom buy-in, this should lead to a meaningfully more conducive cyber budget environment," the analysts say. (katherine.hamilton@wsj.com)

0733 ET - Toronto-Dominion Bank will be the first Canadian financial institution to allow customers to use virtual card numbers through Google as a payment option for online shopping. Virtual numbers will be available for TD Visa credit card holders who shop using Google Chrome and on in-app shopping, which the bank says offers a safer way to pay with a single click. A user's browser or app replaces physical credit numbers with a unique virtual card number, which hides personal payment card details from the merchant and protects against fraud. (robb.stewart@wsj.com)

0532 ET - Kuaishou Technology's recent share-price pullback due to competition is unwarranted, CGS International analysts say in a research note. The market likely underestimated the addressable market of the artificial-intelligence video generation industry, which could hit US$10 billion-US$13 billion by 2030, they say. Kuaishou's Kling AI will likely maintain its leading market position globally given its mainly overseas user mix and continued product leadership, they note. Kling AI's revenue could rise to 5 billion yuan in 2028 driven by rising pay user conversion and strong enterprise monetization, CGS estimates. AI could also be an efficiency multiplier for its core business of advertising, livestreaming and e-commerce. CGS International initiates its Kuaishou coverage with an add rating and target price of HK$60.43. Shares last ended at HK$46.38. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0440 ET - Incoming Apple Chief Executive John Ternus's background in hardware will be critical for the tech company's advances in artificial intelligence, XTB's Kathleen Brooks writes. Apple has so far lagged its big tech peers' investments in AI under the leadership of Tim Cook. Investors will be eager to know if Cook's departure will lead to Apple increasing its investment, Brooks says. "There is some expectation that Ternus could move fast to put his own stamp on the company." The small fall in Apple shares premarket suggests investors await more detail on Cook's departure during Apple's next earnings call later this month, she adds. Apple slips 0.7% premarket. (josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)

0251 ET - Han's Laser Technology is in a super-cycle phase due to strong demand for electronics manufacturing and IT equipment used by smartphone makers, providing strong earnings visibility for the laser processing equipment maker, Citi analyst Jamie Wang says in a note. The company's 1Q results came in stronger, with management optimistic on demand for its equipment from smartphone manufacturers, the analyst says. Citi raises its target price to 103.00 yuan from 99.00 yuan, reflecting upward revisions to its 2026 and 2027 net profit estimates by 5% and 14%, respectively. The stock is up 4.2% at 92.95 yuan. (venkat.pr@wsj.com)

0058 ET - WiseTech Global keeps its bull at Bell Potter despite risks facing the logistics-software developer, including those from the conflict in Iran. Analyst Chris Savage acknowledges the impact the Middle East conflict is having on global freight volumes, and also becomes more conservative on his expectations for the Australian company's recently acquired E2open supply chain management platform. Savage notes a third source of risk is that DSV moves some of its operations onto its in-house system. The net result is cuts of between 1% and 9% to annual revenue forecasts through fiscal 2028. It lowers its target price by 6.0% to A$78.75, while still justifying an unchanged buy rating. Shares are up 0.5% at A$45.70. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

2350 ET - Malaysia's 2026 trade outlook still looks rosy despite the ongoing Middle East conflict, Apex Securities analyst To Zheng Hong says in a note. Exports should remain supported by continuing electrical and electronics products demand, driven by the artificial-intelligence-led tech growth cycle and rising semiconductor applications across electric vehicles and other industrial sectors. "Malaysia should also benefit from its position as a net energy exporter, particularly LNG, with higher energy prices providing some support to the trade balance," the analyst says. Exports of key commodities, including palm oil, could also gain from stronger demand for biofuel amid rising crude oil prices. (amanda.lee@wsj.com)

2243 ET - Hesai Group is moving to become a provider of data and sensing infrastructure for embodied artificial intelligence, from a hardware supplier, Daiwa analysts write in a note. The Chinese company is seeking to move up the value chain and is targeting a potentially much larger market beyond automotive light detection and ranging, the analysts say. Hesai launched a product called Kosmo, which integrates Lidar and vision sensors to capture real-world deployment conditions, they say. By using real 3D data to build simulators, embodied AI systems can reduce the sim-to-real gap, improving training efficiency and lowering deployment costs, Daiwa says. The brokerage maintains its buy rating on the stock and $34.00 target price. Shares last closed at $21.90. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)

2044 ET - Xero's ability to attract new users isn't clear to Jefferies analysts. The investment bank's survey of the accounting-software provider's existing users suggests that churn is not an issue, they say. Customers are satisfied with the product, and subscription pricing looks to be their main concern, the analysts write in a note. They are less convinced about Xero's growth prospects, especially in the U.S. Rival Intuit has been investing in AI for eight years, while Xero is up against six well-known competitors vying for market share, they note. Positively, Xero's acquisition of Melio has made it more appealing to Intuit customers. Jefferies raises the target price by 5% to A$86.80 and keeps a hold rating on the stock, which is up 0.6% at A$82.665. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

1738 ET - Apple's CEO appointee John Ternus will face a lot of pressure to make progress right out of the gates, especially when it comes to AI, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives says in a note. While there were rumors of Tim Cook's plans to leave his role at the helm of the technology giant, investors will have questions around the timing and what it means for Apple's broader strategy, Ives says. That will make Apple's AI strategy even more of a focus heading into its Worldwide Developers Conference, Ives says. "There was growing pressure on Apple to produce a successful AI strategy and Cook must feel that the pieces are now in place heading into WWDC to hand over the reigns at this time," Ives says.(kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 21, 2026 16:50 ET (20:50 GMT)

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