Got $1,000? Two Tech Stocks to Buy While They're Discounted

If you have $1,000 to invest, now can be a good time to consider buying into beaten-down but fundamentally strong names. Two tech leaders that merit attention are Microsoft and Intel — each offers a different risk-reward profile and a clear reason to consider deploying capital.

Microsoft (MSFT) remains a core holding for many portfolios. The company’s cloud business continues to drive revenue and margins, while recent investments in artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and services support long-term growth. Microsoft’s diversified revenue streams and strong free cash flow provide a degree of downside protection compared with smaller, single-product firms. For an investor with $1,000, allocating a meaningful slice to Microsoft can add stability and exposure to secular trends such as cloud adoption and AI integration.

Intel (INTC) represents a different opportunity: a value-oriented play on an operational turnaround. Shares have been under pressure in recent years amid manufacturing and competitive headwinds, but management has outlined a multiyear plan to regain competitiveness with new process roadmaps and factory investments. If Intel executes on its foundry ambitions and manufacturing upgrades, the stock could see earnings improvement and multiple expansion. That comes with higher execution risk, however, so a smaller, patient allocation is prudent for investors seeking value and upside potential.

How to split $1,000 depends on your risk tolerance. A conservative approach might be 70% Microsoft and 30% Intel, prioritizing stability while keeping upside optionality. More aggressive investors could opt for a 50/50 split to capture potential recovery gains from Intel. Regardless of allocation, dollar-cost averaging or buying in two tranches can reduce timing risk.

Remember these are ideas, not guarantees. Conduct your own due diligence, consider time horizon, and factor in portfolio diversification. Both names illustrate two ways to use a modest sum: one to anchor growth exposure and the other to pursue value-led upside if execution improves.