First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ: FTXH)

Latest news for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:FTXH)

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF

Healthcare

Other

The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depository receipts that comprise the index. The index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the pharmaceutical sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and weighted based upon their cumulative score on three investing factors: volatility, value and growth. It is non-diversified.

Pfizer, Inc.

Merck & Company, Inc.

Abbvie Inc.

Johnson & Johnson

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

United Therapeutic

Eli Lilly & Co.

Amgen Inc.

Nvaesrtex Pharmaceuticals Inc

Regeneron Parmaceuticals Inc.

Ogden,Utah,Usa:,October,27,2020-,Oxycontin,Bottle,On,Counter.,Purdue

Large Cap

News

Health Care

Legal

General

FTXH

The Supreme Court has rejected Purdue Pharma&#39;s bankruptcy plan, exposing the Sackler family to lawsuits over their role in the opioid crisis. This decision impacts victims, state and local governments, and the broader use of bankruptcy in mass litigation.

Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Plan Rejected by Supreme Court, Billionaire Sacklers to Face Lawsuits

Earnings

Markets

Trading Ideas

ETFs

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

Merrill Lynch Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust

The first-quarter results of the healthcare sector have been unimpressive, with earnings of 78% of the sector participants that have reported so far down 31.2% despite 4.4% revenue growth. The earnings beat ratio of 93.9% and the revenue beat ratio of 75.8% are assuring, though.

A Look at Pharma ETFs Post Q1 Earnings

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Neal Dingmann   maintains Vital Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTLE#NYSE">VTLE</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $75 to $68.</p>


Price Target

Analyst Ratings

VTLE

Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Vital Energy, Lowers Price Target to $68

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Neal Dingmann   maintains Viper Energy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VNOM#NASDAQ">VNOM</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $53 to $54.</p>


VNOM

Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Viper Energy, Raises Price Target to $54

<p>Citigroup  analyst Patrick Cunningham   maintains PPG Indus (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPG#NYSE">PPG</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $145 to $144.</p>


Citigroup Maintains Buy on PPG Indus, Lowers Price Target to $144

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Brandon King   maintains Texas Capital Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCBI#NASDAQ">TCBI</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $62 to $70.</p>


TCBI

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Texas Capital Bancshares, Raises Price Target to $70

<p>Argus Research  analyst Chris Graja   maintains Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $70 to $72.</p>


Argus Research Maintains Buy on Kroger, Raises Price Target to $72

ASML

Live On CNBC, Steve Weiss Announces Sold ASML

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Neal Dingmann   maintains Sitio Royalties (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STR#NYSE">STR</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $33 to $31.</p>


Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Sitio Royalties, Lowers Price Target to $31

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Neal Dingmann   maintains SM Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SM#NYSE">SM</a>) with a Hold and lowers the price target from $49 to $46.</p>


Truist Securities Maintains Hold on SM Energy, Lowers Price Target to $46

<p>Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Freeport-McMoRan. Our analysis of options history for Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) revealed 26 unusual trades.</p>
<p>Delving into the details, we found 42% of traders were bullish, while 57% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 15 were puts, with a value of $863,328, and 11 were calls, valued at $512,762.</p>
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
<p>After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $40.0 and $65.0 for Freeport-McMoRan, spanning the last three months.</p>
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
<p>In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Freeport-McMoRan options trades today is 4815.07 with a total volume of 25,173.00.</p>
<p>In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Freeport-McMoRan's big money trades within a strike price range of $40.0 to $65.0 over the last 30 days.</p>
<h3>Freeport-McMoRan 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721664949_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>FCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$1.1</td>
<td>$1.03</td>
<td>$1.04</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$172.0K</td>
<td>4.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">82</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$14.8</td>
<td>$14.75</td>
<td>$14.8</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$127.2K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$9.85</td>
<td>$9.75</td>
<td>$9.85</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$94.5K</td>
<td>734</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$0.58</td>
<td>$0.57</td>
<td>$0.58</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$89.3K</td>
<td>18.6K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$0.7</td>
<td>$0.64</td>
<td>$0.66</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$66.0K</td>
<td>29.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Freeport-McMoRan</h3>
<p>Freeport-McMoRan Inc is an international mining company. It has organized its mining operations into four primary divisions: North America copper mines, South America mining, Indonesia mining and Molybdenum mines. Its reportable segments include the Morenci, Cerro Verde and Grasberg (Indonesia mining) copper mines, the Rod &amp; Refining operations and Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining. It derives key revenue from the sale of Copper.</p>
<p>After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Freeport-McMoRan, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.</p>
<h3>Present Market Standing of Freeport-McMoRan</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 4,836,366, the price of FCX is down -0.03% at $45.88. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 1 days.</li>
</ul>
<p>Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.</p>
<p>If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Freeport-McMoRan, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.</p>


Options

Smart Money Is Betting Big In FCX Options

<p>Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Uber Technologies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in UBER usually suggests something big is about to happen.</p>
<p>We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 16 extraordinary options activities for Uber Technologies. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.</p>
<p>The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 62% leaning bullish and 37% bearish. Among these notable options, 7 are puts, totaling $311,445, and 9 are calls, amounting to $827,068.</p>
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
<p>Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $40.0 to $90.0 for Uber Technologies over the last 3 months. </p>
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
<p>Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Uber Technologies's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Uber Technologies's whale trades within a strike price range from $40.0 to $90.0 in the last 30 days. </p>
<h3>Uber Technologies 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721664944_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>UBER</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$2.29</td>
<td>$2.24</td>
<td>$2.25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$225.0K</td>
<td>9.6K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">123</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UBER</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.8</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$135.0K</td>
<td>7.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UBER</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$2.62</td>
<td>$2.56</td>
<td>$2.6</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$130.0K</td>
<td>20.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">423</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UBER</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$12.0</td>
<td>$12.0</td>
<td>$12.0</td>
<td>$67.50</td>
<td>$120.0K</td>
<td>873</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UBER</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$19.0</td>
<td>$18.25</td>
<td>$19.0</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$57.0K</td>
<td>552</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Uber Technologies</h3>
<p>Uber Technologies is a technology provider that matches riders with drivers, hungry people with restaurants and food delivery service providers, and shippers with carriers. The firm's on-demand technology platform could eventually be used for additional products and services, such as autonomous vehicles, delivery via drones, and Uber Elevate, which, as the firm refers to it, provides "aerial ride-sharing." Uber Technologies is headquartered in San Francisco and operates in over 63 countries with over 150 million users who order rides or food at least once a month.</p>
<p>Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Uber Technologies, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.</p>
<h3>Uber Technologies's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 5,173,731, with UBER's price up by 0.28%, positioned at $67.5.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 15 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Uber Technologies</h3>
<p>Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $87.2.</p>
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Uber Technologies, which currently sits at a price target of $88. </li>
<li>An analyst from Wolfe Research downgraded its action to Outperform with a price target of $90. </li>
<li>An analyst from Melius Research downgraded its action to Hold with a price target of $77. </li>
<li>An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Overweight rating on Uber Technologies, maintaining a target price of $91. </li>
<li>Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Needham lowers its rating to Buy with a new price target of $90.</li>
</ul>
<p>Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Uber Technologies options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.</p>


UBER

This Is What Whales Are Betting On Uber Technologies

<p>Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Caterpillar. Our analysis of options history for Caterpillar (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>) revealed 21 unusual trades.</p>
<p>Delving into the details, we found 52% of traders were bullish, while 23% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 15 were puts, with a value of $609,104, and 6 were calls, valued at $388,451.</p>
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
<p>After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $300.0 and $400.0 for Caterpillar, spanning the last three months.</p>
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
<p>Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.</p>
<p>This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Caterpillar's options for a given strike price.</p>
<p>Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Caterpillar's whale activity within a strike price range from $300.0 to $400.0 in the last 30 days. </p>
<h3>Caterpillar 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721664939_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CAT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/09/24</td>
<td>$18.4</td>
<td>$16.3</td>
<td>$18.45</td>
<td>$335.00</td>
<td>$184.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">266</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$68.0</td>
<td>$62.75</td>
<td>$67.99</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
<td>$135.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">12</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$20.6</td>
<td>$20.55</td>
<td>$20.6</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
<td>$51.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">451</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$5.7</td>
<td>$5.25</td>
<td>$5.3</td>
<td>$380.00</td>
<td>$48.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">688</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$15.1</td>
<td>$14.85</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$330.00</td>
<td>$46.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">882</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">339</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Caterpillar</h3>
<p>Caterpillar is the top manufacturer of heavy equipment, power solutions, and locomotives. It is currently the world's largest manufacturer of heavy equipment. The company is divided into four reportable segments: construction industries, resource industries, energy and transportation, and Cat Financial. Its products are available through a dealer network that covers the globe with about 2,700 branches maintained by 160 dealers. Cat Financial provides retail financing for machinery and engines to its customers, in addition to wholesale financing for dealers, which increases the likelihood of Caterpillar product sales.</p>
<p>After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Caterpillar, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.</p>
<h3>Where Is Caterpillar Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,133,788, with CAT's price down by -0.84%, positioned at $343.32.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 11 days.</li>
</ul>
<p>Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Caterpillar with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.</p>


Caterpillar's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Neal Dingmann   maintains Riley Exploration Permian (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REPX#AMEX">REPX</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $48 to $45.</p>


REPX

Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Riley Exploration Permian, Lowers Price Target to $45

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Brandon King   maintains Regions Finl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RF#NYSE">RF</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $21 to $23.</p>


Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Regions Finl, Raises Price Target to $23

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Neal Dingmann   maintains Permian Resources (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PR#NYSE">PR</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $24 to $21.</p>


Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Permian Resources, Lowers Price Target to $21

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Neal Dingmann   maintains Ovintiv (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OVV#NYSE">OVV</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $68 to $60.</p>


Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Ovintiv, Lowers Price Target to $60

<p><strong>Microsoft Corp</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) issued a response to the Federal Trade Commission&#8217;s (FTC) complaints concerning recent modifications to <strong>Xbox Game Pass,</strong> including price hikes and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39716922/xbox-game-pass-ultimate-sets-new-price-at-19-99-day-one-releases-exclusive-to-premium-tier">discontinuation of the console-only tier. </a></p>
<p>This move comes after the FTC filed a letter with the U.S. Court of Appeals last week, arguing these changes exemplify the consumer harm it warned about during the fight against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.</p>
<p><strong>See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/07/39857656/ftc-criticizes-microsoft-over-xbox-game-pass-price-increase-and-degraded-standard-tier">FTC Criticizes Microsoft Over Xbox Game Pass Price Increase And &#8216;Degraded&#8217; Standard Tier (Updated)</a></strong></p>
<p>In a letter disclosed by The Verge&#8217;s Tom Warren, Microsoft's legal team characterized the FTC&#8217;s claims as &#8220;misleading&#8221; and indicative of the agency&#8217;s persistent efforts to &#8220;reinvent its case on appeal.&#8221;</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><br />
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Microsoft has responded to the FTC&#39;s filing about Xbox Game Pass price increases. It calls the FTC&#39;s letter a &quot;misleading, extra-record account of the facts&quot; and says the FTC is wrong to call Game Pass Standard a "degraded" version because it includes multiplayer <a href="https://t.co/ocS9yfwSix">https://t.co/ocS9yfwSix</a> <a href="https://t.co/QXUoViUpoL">pic.twitter.com/QXUoViUpoL</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Tom Warren (@tomwarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1814438299844382964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<p></p></figure></p>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Controversy Over Xbox Game Pass Changes</strong></h1>
<p>The FTC's principal concern revolves around Microsoft's discontinuation of the Game Pass for Console and the introduction of a new Standard tier that lacks day-and-date launches. The FTC contends this shift represents a &#8220;degraded&#8221; product, potentially harming consumers.</p>
<p>Microsoft countered this assertion by highlighting that the Standard tier offers more value than the previous console-only option. Priced at $14.99 per month, the Standard tier includes a catalog of Game Pass games and multiplayer functionality. By contrast, the former Game Pass for Console provided only a game catalog, with multiplayer features sold separately, totaling $20.98 per month.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is wrong to call this a &#8216;degraded&#8217; version of the discontinued Game Pass for Console offering,&#8221; Microsoft stated in its letter.</p>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FTC&#8217;s Shifting Focus</strong></h1>
<p>Microsoft further criticized the FTC for shifting its objections regarding the merger to focus on subscription services, an aspect the commission had &#8220;barely mentioned at trial.&#8221;</p>
<p>The core of the FTC&#8217;s case was initially built around concerns of vertical foreclosure, suggesting Microsoft might withhold Call of Duty from competitors, thereby harming market competition.</p>
<p>&#8220;Setting aside that it is common for businesses to change service offerings over time, the FTC&#8217;s case in all [emphasis original] of its alleged markets has always been premised on vertical foreclosure, i.e. that Microsoft would withhold Call of Duty from rivals and therefore harm competition,&#8221; the letter read.</p>
<p>Microsoft pointed out that even in the subscription market, Call of Duty remains available to all who seek it, challenging the FTC&#8217;s assertion of consumer harm. &#8220;And there remains no evidence anywhere of harm to competition: Sony&#8217;s subscription service continues to thrive, even as they put few new games into their subscription day-and-date, unlike Microsoft.&#8221;</p>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39873706/crowdstrike-outage-impacted-less-than-1-of-windows-devices-but-still-managed-to-wreak-havoc-report">CrowdStrike Outage Impacted Less Than 1% Of Windows Devices But Still Managed To Wreak Havoc: Report</a></li>
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<p><em>Photo: Miguel Lagoa on Shutterstock.</em></p>


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Microsoft Responds To FTC's Criticism About Xbox Game Pass, Asserting 'It Is Wrong To Call This A Degraded Version'

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