In this article, we’re taking a closer look at where Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) stands among the latest AI news and ratings making waves. With the increasing popularity of AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT, a heated debate has surfaced in the U.S. AI sector around content creation and copyrights. OpenAI, currently the world’s most valuable private AI firm, recently achieved a significant legal victory when a New York federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging the company improperly used content from Raw Story and AlterNet to train its language models. OpenAI defended its approach by stating its AI models are trained on publicly available data in ways supported by fair use principles and longstanding legal precedents.
If you're looking for further insights into the world of AI stocks, check out "10 Best AI Data Center Stocks" and "10 Buzzing AI Stocks According to Goldman Sachs."
OpenAI’s Legal Win and Expansion in AI Ventures
OpenAI's recent legal win is likely to further elevate its reputation and growth potential. The company is already venturing into new AI projects, with Reuters reporting its participation in a recent funding round for Physical Intelligence, a robotics software startup. The funding round, which included notable investors like Jeff Bezos, Thrive Capital, and Lux Capital, raised over $400 million, valuing the firm at more than $2 billion. According to research by Accel, funding in AI and cloud firms across the U.S., Europe, and Israel is on track to reach $79.2 billion by the end of 2024.
If you’re interested in more developments in AI stocks, explore "30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock" and "Beyond the Tech Giants: 35 Non-Tech AI Opportunities."
Why Hedge Fund Favorite Stocks Matter
Our team selected this list of AI stocks by examining news articles, stock analysis, and press releases. These stocks are also hedge fund favorites, as our research has shown that imitating the top stock picks of leading hedge funds can often outperform the market. Our strategy of selecting top small- and large-cap stocks each quarter has returned 275% since May 2014, beating the benchmark by 150 percentage points.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and its AI-Powered Future
Microsoft, based in Washington, announced on November 7 that it will soon roll out its first AI-powered toolkit for Xbox, which includes a chatbot for support and AI dashboard features like natural language search. According to The Verge, these features will be available globally in the coming weeks. Microsoft ranks 2nd on our list of AI news and ratings due to its continuous innovations in AI, although we believe other AI stocks may have more immediate growth potential.
Microsoft’s AI ambitions are deeply rooted in its relationship with OpenAI, in which it invested $1 billion in 2019. This investment was motivated by the need to keep pace with competitors like Google’s DeepMind. The partnership has since grown, with Microsoft committing $13 billion in total funding. Today, Microsoft exclusively provides OpenAI’s cloud infrastructure through Azure, capitalizing on workloads running on OpenAI's models, including ChatGPT Enterprise.
Microsoft’s Multi-Billion-Dollar OpenAI Partnership: What Investors Should Know
Microsoft’s $13 billion investment has numerous benefits: it ensures Azure earns revenue from OpenAI applications, enables AI integrations into Microsoft’s products, and secures a percentage of OpenAI’s profits until a predetermined cap is reached. For example, Microsoft’s 2023 rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot, a generative AI tool in Office applications, has already been adopted by 70% of Fortune 500 companies. The Azure OpenAI Service, which allows customers to build AI applications on Azure, has also seen rapid uptake, with over 60,000 customers.
However, Microsoft’s ongoing investment is currently a financial headwind. The company reported a $683 million expense related to OpenAI in its first fiscal quarter of 2025, with CFO Amy Hood predicting an increase to $1.5 billion in the second quarter. Morgan Stanley analysts project that Microsoft will complete its funding obligations by fiscal year 2026, after which earnings are expected to accelerate. Analysts estimate a 14% annual earnings growth for Microsoft through fiscal 2028, suggesting improved long-term growth potential.
Is Microsoft Stock a Smart Investment Right Now?
Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI has positioned it as a leading player in AI. Despite OpenAI’s current unprofitability, Microsoft’s 49% profit-sharing agreement with the AI startup, which is valued at $157 billion, remains highly promising. Earnings growth for Microsoft is expected to pick up once it completes its funding commitment. While the current valuation of 35 times earnings might seem steep, the majority of analysts (91%) rate Microsoft stock as a buy, with a median price target of $500 per share, an 18% upside from its current price.
For patient investors, Microsoft represents a solid, long-term investment in the AI space.
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Finding affordable 88-rated players in EA FC 25 is essential—not just for enhancing your squad, but also for completing Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) that yield better rewards. With new SBCs rolling out almost daily and exciting packs featuring Icons and Heroes available, there's always a demand for high-rated players at budget-friendly prices. If you're in need of more options, be sure to check our list of the cheapest 87-rated players as well.
If you're aiming to complete your next SBC and require economical 88-rated players, you're in luck.
Affordable 88-Rated Players
The live market in EA FC 25 means player prices fluctuate throughout the day and are influenced by in-game promotions. As a result, the prices for these affordable 88-rated players may vary, but the list below represents some of the best value for high-rated cards available in the game.
As of now, there's a Max 88-rated Hero card SBC that requires teams rated 84, 85, and 86. Incorporating 88-rated players can significantly elevate your squad’s rating while allowing you to mix in lower-rated players, potentially making it more cost-effective. For instance, if you need to submit an 87-rated squad, combining 88-rated and 86-rated players could be cheaper than filling the team entirely with 87-rated cards.
Surprisingly, even top-tier players like Lionel Messi can be found for under 20,000 coins, making it possible for you to test him out without needing to submit him for an SBC.
Here’s a list of the cheapest 88-rated players currently available in EA FC 25:
Note: Prices may fluctuate during the game's lifespan, but these players are expected to remain among the most affordable 88-rated cards on the market.
Tips for Completing SBCs in EA FC 25
Now that you’re aware of the cheapest 88-rated players, let’s go over some strategies for successfully completing SBCs:
Choose Wisely: You don’t need to tackle every SBC available. Be selective with your choices to avoid spending coins on unnecessary players or packs. Remember, all SBC rewards are untradeable, so you don’t want to be left with unwanted players—ahem Peter Crouch ahem.
Timing is Key: Prices for 88-rated players can vary significantly, sometimes by as much as 4,000 coins, depending on the time of day. It’s usually best to buy during quieter times, typically on Mondays or Tuesdays, following the conclusion of the Weekend League.
Utilize Duplicate Storage: A new feature in EA FC 25 allows you to store up to 100 duplicate players in your club, which can be incredibly useful for completing those tricky SBCs. Simply press L1/LB during the player selection phase to view all your duplicates. This means you’ll never have to discard a high-rated duplicate again.

As you continue your journey in EA FC 25 and look to enhance your squad, consider visiting the Z2U website. Z2U.COM offers a reliable platform for gamers to purchase Cheap EA Sports FC 25 Points, allowing you to invest in your team without breaking the bank. With a variety of options available, you can quickly acquire the resources needed to secure those high-rated players or pack openings that can elevate your gaming experience. Whether you're looking to complete SBCs or simply want to build a formidable team, Z2U is a valuable resource to help you achieve your goals in EA FC 25.