Intel Security Flaw, Spark Therapeutics, & Tech Buyout Rumors

• (2:45) - Intel Processor Bugs: Kernel Memory
• (8:30) - Spark Therapeutics Sets Price For Blindness Treatment
• (13:30) - Apple and Netflix Merger Speculation
• (19:05) - M&A Speculation For Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN)
• (25:00) - Episode Roundup: Podcast@Zacks.com

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest stories, including the major security flaw found in Intel processors, a cure for a rare blindness discovered by a young biotech firm, and several huge tech industry M&A rumors.

Make sure to subscribe and leave the show a rating on iTunes!

First up, Ryan highlighted the big Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) processor design flaw that has Linux and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) developers scrambling this week. A patch for the bug, which leaves private info and cached files susceptible to attacks, could affect performance by as much as 5% to 30%. What’s worse, the issue reportedly affects nearly every Intel CPU made within the last decade (read more: AMD Stock Continues Surge as Intel Security Woes Heat Up).

In this week’s second featured story, Maddy discussed the brand-new gene therapy from Spark Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ONCE) . Spark’s new treatment, Luxturna, is designed to treat a rare, inherited retinal disease that can cause blindness. But Luxturn’s $425,000 per eye price tag has raised some concerns. Find out why Maddy, and several industry experts, think this price may be justified (read more: Spark Therapeutics Hopes to Cure a Rare Blindness for $850,000 a Pop).

Finally, the hosts dove into the latest batch of M&A rumors swirling around the technology industry. In the early days of 2018, we have already heard that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is gearing up to buy Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Amazon is poised to bid for Target (NYSE:TGT) .

Is there any chance these rumors are true? Make sure to tune into the show to hear more!

As a reminder, if you feel that we missed something, or if you want us to cover a different story, shoot us an email at podcast@zacks.com. Make sure to check out all of our other audio content at zacks.com/podcasts, and remember to subscribe and leave us a rating on iTunes.

As always, thanks for listening to this episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and check back for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want more stock market analysis from this author? Make sure to follow @Ryan_McQueeney on Twitter!

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