MarketAlleys

Microsoft won’t spend all free cash flow on AI and data centers, CNBC

CNBC reported Oct 28, 10:45 UTC that Jefferies senior software analyst Brent Thill, on 'Squawk on the Street', said Microsoft won’t spend all its free cash flow on AI and data centers and discussed Google’s earnings and AI.

Developing storyOptions traders eye Alphabet and Microsoft ahead of Oct 28 after-hours reports9 reports · latest 36 min agoTimeline →
Illustration for: Microsoft won’t spend all free cash flow on AI and data centers, CNBC
Illustration (AI-generated) — not a photograph of the events described.

What happened

CNBC reported Oct 28, 10:45 UTC that Brent Thill, senior software analyst at Jefferies, said Microsoft won’t spend all its free cash flow on AI and data centers. The report names Microsoft and Google as the companies discussed.

CNBC’s summary says Thill joined 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss Microsoft’s and Google’s earnings, artificial intelligence, and more. No other outlets were listed as also reporting the story.

Commodities market context

As of Oct 28, 17:45 UTC, the GLD ETF was $370.15 and fell 0.57% from the prior close; the SLV ETF was $48.35 and fell 1.65% from the prior close; the USO ETF was $168.33 and rose 2.72% from the prior close; and the BNO ETF was $70.94 and rose 1.82% from the prior close. The UUP ETF was $29.13 and was little changed from the prior close as of Oct 28, 17:44 UTC; the UNG ETF was $9.6100 and fell 0.31% from the prior close as of Oct 28, 17:44 UTC; the CPER ETF was $40.13 and rose 0.20% from the prior close as of Oct 28, 17:42 UTC.

Instrument Last Change Basis As of Source
US Dollar Index (via UUP ETF) $29.13 +0.03% vs prior close Oct 28, 17:44 UTC Finnhub
Gold (via GLD ETF) $370.15 -0.57% vs prior close Oct 28, 17:45 UTC Finnhub
Silver (via SLV ETF) $48.35 -1.65% vs prior close Oct 28, 17:45 UTC Finnhub
WTI Crude Oil (via USO ETF) $168.33 +2.72% vs prior close Oct 28, 17:45 UTC Finnhub
Brent Crude (via BNO ETF) $70.94 +1.82% vs prior close Oct 28, 17:45 UTC Finnhub
Natural Gas (via UNG ETF) $9.6100 -0.31% vs prior close Oct 28, 17:44 UTC Finnhub
Copper (via CPER ETF) $40.13 +0.20% vs prior close Oct 28, 17:42 UTC Finnhub

Thestockmarketwatch.com reported "European Markets Surge on Strong Bank Earnings; Oil Rises Amid Geopolitical Tensions," a piece that flags oil in the market context. Reuters reported "US regulator proposes new rules to speed up LNG projects." Yahoo published "Sorry, Trump. More Russian Oil Won’t Take Down Energy Prices. Here’s What Will." Each headline relates to energy or commodities coverage.

What to watch

The federalreserve lists the FOMC rate decision as scheduled for Wed Oct 28, 18:00 UTC. The source fred lists GDP (BEA) as due on Thu Oct 29 (time not confirmed). The source fred also lists Personal income and outlays / PCE (BEA) as due on Thu Oct 29 (time not confirmed).

  • Wed Oct 28, 18:00 UTC — FOMC rate decision (US) (source)
  • Thu Oct 29 (time not confirmed) — GDP (BEA) (US) (source)
  • Thu Oct 29 (time not confirmed) — Personal income and outlays / PCE (BEA) (US) (source)

Sources and data

Market data as of Oct 28, 17:45 UTC; report generated Oct 28, 17:50 UTC. All times are UTC. Each table row shows its own timestamp and provider.

This report was produced by the MarketAlleys Research Desk using automated data processing and language tools from the sources listed above, and checked against our automated-content validation rules. It is for information only and is not investment advice.

Terms in this article

Sources & data

  1. CNBC (secondary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)
  2. thestockmarketwatch.com (secondary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)
  3. Yahoo (secondary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)
  4. Reuters (secondary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)
  5. Finnhub (market-data, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)
  6. Federal Reserve (primary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)
  7. U.S. Energy Information Administration via FRED (primary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)
  8. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (primary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:53 PM UTC)

Market data as of Oct 28, 2026, 05:45 PM UTC.

This report was produced by the MarketAlleys Research Desk using automated data processing and language tools, built only from the cited sources and validated by rules described in our methodology. Spot an error? Request a correction.

Ask about this story

Questions are answered only from this article and the sources it cites.

MarketAlleys provides news and analysis for information only; it is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Markets involve risk. Risk disclaimer.

Was this useful?

Report an issue with this article

Reports go to our editors. See our corrections policy.

Get the Daily Brief

What moved, why, and what matters next — every morning.

Or follow us on Telegram and X for every new story.

crypto

Crypto market update

Solana rose 1.40% over 24 hours, ahead of bitcoin, ether and XRP as of Oct 28, 22:01 UTC.

MarketAlleys Research Desk · · 2 min read