Investors seeking to bet on this software leader could definitely try out ETFs.

Benchmarks mostly closed in the green on Thursday on upbeat U.S. housing market as well as gains in Microsoft.

Amgen, Walt Disney, Microsoft, Apple and Oracle highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

The middle section of "Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates" gives viewers the most insight into the Microsoft founder's formative years.

Nominations are now open for Small Business of the Year, Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year, and Small Business Owner Under 30 of the Year Active Amazon Seller or Vendor small businesses can nominate themselves on the award's website until October 6. Finalists will be announced in mid-October to be voted on by Amazon customers. The three winners will receive a bundle of perks, including meetings with Amazon senior leaders at the company's Seattle headquarters. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . Amazon announced Friday morning an award program that reflects its increasing attention to its small business partners. More than one million US-based Small and Medium-sized Businesses, or SMBs, sell products through Amazon. Globally, SMBs sold half of all the stuff bought on the platform last year. Starting Friday, SMBs that sell on Amazon can nominate themselves to be considered for the title of 2019's Small Business of the Year. Two more categories – Woman-Owned and Owner Under 30 – round out the trio of awards that come with a prize package of dedicated account management, advertising and promotion assistance, and a visit to the Seattle HQ.

Microsoft is powering up, but one key level has Todd Gordon of TradingAnalysis.com concerned.

Microsoft (MSFT) stock appears to be one of safest mega-cap tech buys out there at the moment, even at its new all-time highs. And it just raised its dividend and announced a new share buyback program.

Stocks closed mixed on Thursday as the US and China restarted deputy-level trade talks after a nearly two-month stalemate. A Chinese delegation of about 30 officials meet with Trump administration officials to establish the groundwork for high-level talks in October. Investors also weighed the Federal Reserve's decision to inject another $75 billion into financial markets in an effort to keep interest rates from going higher. Visit the Business Insider homepage for more stories . Stocks finished mixed on Thursday as the US and China kicked-off deputy level trade negotiations for the first time in close to two months. A Chinese delegation of about 30 officials met with members from the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, D.C. on Thursday morning to establish the groundwork for high-level talks set to take place in October. The reengagement also comes a few short weeks after both the US and China eased tensions by delaying and alleviating some tariffs. Traders are keeping a close eye on the talks for any sign that the two countries could come closer to forging a resolution to the year-long trade war.

https://www.investing.com/news/technology-news/microsoft-nominates-gsk-ceo-walmsley-to-board-1982228

Funny or Die's "Between Two Ferns" web series returns on Friday with a Netflix movie. Other movies and TV shows coming to Netflix this weekend include the "Disenchantment" season 2 and "Inside Bill's Brain," a three-part documentary on Bill Gates. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Funny or Die's web series "Between Two Ferns" and its host Zach Galifianakis return on Friday, this time on Netflix , with "Between Two Ferns: The Movie." It's easily the best thing Netflix is dropping this weekend. Below is the Netflix description: "Zach Galifianakis dreamed of becoming a star. But when Will Ferrell discovered his public access TV show 'Between Two Ferns' and uploaded it to Funny or Die, Zach became a viral laughing stock. Now Zach and his crew are taking a road trip to complete a series of high-profile celebrity interviews and restore his reputation. Directed by Scott Aukerman, 'Between Two Ferns: The Movie' is a laugh-out-loud comedy that gives new insight into the curmudgeonly, beloved outsider Zach Galifianakis has created over the years." "Between Two Ferns" launched in 2008 and has periodically debuted new episodes since then.

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