The annual report of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) was released on Saturday morning, shedding light on the company&#8217;s robust performance in the insurance sector with a whopping 71% increase in operating earnings for the fourth quarter.



What Happened: According to Berkshire&#8217;s report, the Nebraska-based conglomerate, under the leadership of Warren Buffett, attributed this surge to the rise in interest rates that amplified its investment income and an uplift in its insurance business. The company&#8217;s operating earnings for the quarter were recorded at $14.5 billion.



A significant portion of the earnings increase was due to a 48% increase in insurance investment income, which amounted to $4.1 billion. The firm&#8217;s insurance underwriting business also experienced a strong recovery, with operating earnings multiplying fourfold to $3.4 billion.



GEICO, a major contributor to Berkshire&#8217;s insurance results, more than doubled its pretax underwriting earnings&nbsp;to $7.8 billion in 2024.&nbsp;This was achieved by reversing a years-long downward trend and adding new clients in the latter half of the year.



However, despite these positive results, Berkshire&nbsp;expects pretax losses of approximately&nbsp;$1.3 billion due to the wildfires that ravaged&nbsp;parts of Los Angeles last&nbsp;month. Furthermore, Buffett&#8217;s cash reserves increased&nbsp;to a record $334.2 billion&nbsp;at the end of 2024,&nbsp;marking the 10th consecutive quarter of growth.



In his <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">letter</a> to shareholders, Warren Buffett revealed the company&#8217;s performance exceeded his expectations. He also noted that the company paid more taxes than tech giants with trillion-dollar valuations.



&#8220;Berkshire Hathaway – paid far more in corporate income tax than the U.S. government had ever received from any company – even the American tech titans that commanded market values in the trillions. To be precise, Berkshire last year made four payments to the IRS that totaled $26.8 billion. That's about 5% of what all of corporate America paid. In addition, we paid sizable amounts for income taxes to foreign governments and to 44 states,&#8221; he mentioned in the letter. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43874883/warren-buffets-berkshire-hathaway-further-trims-its-stake-in-davita-by-2-sells-additional-shares-worth-116-million">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Hathaway Sells $116M Shares Of Dialysis Giant DaVita, Cuts Stake By 2%</a>



Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s property-casualty (P/C) insurance remains its core business. The company distinguishes itself&nbsp;in the insurance industry by&nbsp;taking on risks that other private insurers shy away from, while maintaining a disciplined approach to avoid underpriced policies.



Why It Matters: The substantial increase in Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s Q4 operating profits signifies a strong recovery and growth in its insurance and investment sectors. The rise in interest rates played a crucial role in boosting the company&#8217;s investment income, contributing to the overall surge in earnings.



The robust recovery of the firm&#8217;s insurance underwriting business and the significant contribution from GEICO also played a pivotal role in the earnings increase. 



The growth of P/C insurance is directly linked to increasing economic risks.&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway believes one-year risk&nbsp;assumptions are generally manageable but&nbsp;remains flexible to adapt policies&nbsp;as needed. This strategic approach has allowed the company to stay ahead in the industry and ensure its continued growth.



Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s investment strategy is also noteworthy. The company&nbsp;remains committed to investing the&nbsp;majority of shareholder funds in&nbsp;equities, primarily American companies with&nbsp;significant international operations. 



This strategy of prioritizing&nbsp;ownership in strong businesses over&nbsp;holding cash-equivalent assets ensures&nbsp;long-term growth and value for&nbsp;its investors.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43769996/what-does-warren-buffett-know-that-we-dont-investors-are-paying-attention">What Does Warren Buffett Know That We Don&#8217;t? Investors Are Paying Attention</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Earnings

Earnings Misses

News

Markets

Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than 'Tech Titans' With Market Value in 'Trillions'

In the aftermath of a $1.4 billion Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) heist, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has launched a recovery bounty program, offering a reward of up to 10% of the recovered funds to ethical cyber and network security experts who actively contribute to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43890188/bybit-founder-says-14b-eth-hack-may-stem-from-safe-wallet-compromise">retrieving the stolen assets</a>.



This translates to a potential bounty of up to $140 million, making it one of the largest crypto recovery efforts in history.



"Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry, and we do not take it for granted. We have shared in a dark moment of crypto history, and we've proven we are better than the malicious actors," said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.



The security breach, confirmed by Zhou on Friday evening, resulted in 401,347 ETH ($1.12 billion), 90,376 stETH ($253 million), 15,000 cmETH ($44 million), and 8,000 mETH ($23 million) being stolen from Bybit's Ethereum cold wallet. 



The attack was initially suspected to have exploited Safe's multisig wallet infrastructure, misleading Bybit's team into signing a transaction that granted the attacker control over the cold wallet's smart contract logic.



&#8220;It was a normal URL. I double-checked. It was the Safe URL from the official Safe website,&#8221; Zhou explained in a live stream following the incident. 



&#8220;The hacker changed that transaction into upgrading or changing the Safe smart contract logic so that he gained control over the entire Ethereum cold wallet.&#8221;



Bybit has already received assistance from major exchanges including Binance and MEXC, which are helping monitor and prevent the stolen funds from being laundered. 



Zhou expressed gratitude for the industry&#8217;s response, saying, &#8220;Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry.&#8221;



Individuals or groups with expertise in blockchain forensics, security analysis, and fund recovery can participate in the bounty program by contacting Bybit via <a>bounty_program@bybit.com</a>.



Despite the scale of the attack, Bybit continues processing withdrawals, securing liquidity through a bridge loan covering 80% of the stolen Ethereum to ensure customers&#8217; funds remain safe. 



The company has also emphasized its commitment to improving security infrastructure and preventing similar incidents in the future.



Bybit's full forensic investigation is ongoing, working closely with law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and Safe's development team to determine whether the attack stemmed from a Safe multisig vulnerability or a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43886224/bybit-founder-confirms-1-4-billion-ethereum-hack-blames-masked-transaction">broader infrastructure breach</a>.



Image: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

$ETH

Bybit Offers $140M Bounty In Wake of $1.4B ETH Hack, Investigation Focuses On Safe

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.



This week, Wall Street retreated from record highs, influenced by Walmart's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) cautious profit outlook and the Federal Reserve's emphasis on persistent inflation risks. Walmart's stock declined by 6.5% after its profit forecast fell short of analysts&#8217; expectations, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/02/43895372/walmarts-warning-fed-highlights-inflation-risks-chinese-stocks-surge-this-week-in-markets">raising concerns about consumer spending</a> amid ongoing inflation and trade uncertainties.



The Federal Reserve, in its latest meeting minutes, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43829352/fomc-minutes">highlighted the need for more evidence of cooling inflation</a> before considering rate cuts. Officials also pointed to potential inflationary pressures from possible shifts in trade and immigration policies, as well as supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions.



In contrast, Chinese technology stocks experienced a surge, with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) rising 8.1% following strong earnings and optimistic guidance. This rally was bolstered by speculation of potential monetary policy easing by China&#8217;s central bank and anticipated fiscal stimulus measures from policymakers.



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.



The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43812953/super-micro-computer-stock-continues-to-climb-whats-going-on">"Super Micro Computer Stock Continues To Climb: What's Going On?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) shares surged 16.5% after the company announced strong preliminary first-quarter results and reassured investors by confirming it will file delayed financial reports by the Feb. 25 deadline, addressing governance concerns.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43787535/archer-aviation-stock-is-rising-tuesday-whats-going-on">"Archer Aviation Stock Is Rising Tuesday: What's Going On?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>) shares climbed 8.16% after the company secured FAA certification to launch its pilot training academy, a key milestone in its goal to begin electric air taxi operations in 2025, with only one more regulatory approval remaining.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43819990/jetai-targets-ai-infrastructure-growth-with-new-data-center-in-nevada-stock-skyrockets">"Jet.AI Targets AI Infrastructure Growth With New Data Center In Nevada, Stock Skyrockets"</a>, by Shivani Kumaresan, reports that Jet.AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JTAI#NASDAQ">JTAI</a>) shares soared 69% after the company unveiled plans for a 50-megawatt AI data center in Nevada, aiming for a full gigawatt capacity, as it seeks to capitalize on the surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.



For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43825695/xrp-rallies-5-on-etf-news-what-is-going-on">XRP Rallies 5% On ETF News: What Is Going On?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43855319/apple-stock-set-for-streaming-lift-severance-breaks-record-after-x-ads-tim-cook-promo">Apple Stock Set For Streaming Lift? ‘Severance' Breaks Record After X Ads, Tim Cook Promo</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43816112/hedge-fund-shake-up-tiger-appaloosa-soros-outperform-buffett-icahn-ackman">Hedge Fund Shake-Up: Tiger, Appaloosa, Soros Outperform Buffett, Icahn, Ackman</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43857040/palantir-stock-tanks-10-as-ceo-sell-plan-defense-budget-cuts-spark-sell-off">"Palantir Stock Tanks 10% As CEO Sell Plan, Defense Budget Cuts Spark Sell-Off"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) shares plunged 10% after CEO Alex Karp announced plans to sell nearly 10 million shares, raising investor concerns, while potential U.S. defense budget cuts threaten the company's lucrative government contracts, intensifying the sell-off.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43799173/occidental-petroleum-q4">"Occidental Petroleum Shares Slide After Mixed Q4 Results: EPS Beat, Revenues Miss"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>) posted fourth-quarter earnings of 80 cents per share, surpassing analyst expectations of 70 cents, while revenue fell to $6.83 billion, missing the projected $7.05 billion.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43868719/dropbox-stock-falls-after-q4-report-arr-slips-paying-users-decrease">"Dropbox Stock Falls After Q4 Report: ARR Slips, Paying Users Decrease"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Dropbox Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DBX#NASDAQ">DBX</a>) shares fell 8.6% after the company announced a slight decrease in annual recurring revenue and a reduction of 15,000 paying users in the fourth quarter, despite exceeding earnings and revenue expectations.



For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43884153/us-services-drop-sharply-darkening-picture-of-high-prices-uncertainty-economist-says">US Services Drop Sharply: ‘Darkening Picture' Of High Prices, Uncertainty, Economist Says</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43795095/viking-bails-on-apple-tesla-and-trims-nvidia-is-this-a-big-tech-rethink">Viking Bails On Apple, Tesla And Trims Nvidia: Is This A Big Tech Rethink?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43869433/walmart-expects-slower-growth-in-an-uncertain-time-cfo-says-on-earnings-call">Walmart Expects Slower Growth In ‘An Uncertain Time,' CFO Says On Earnings Call</a>



Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Market Summary

Federal Reserve

General

ACHR

BABA

JTAI

PLTR

SMCI

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: SMCI, Jet.AI, Palantir, OXY And Wall Street Retreats From Record Highs

Wall Street eased from record highs after Walmart's weak outlook raised concerns about consumer spending and economic growth, while investors also assessed signals from the Federal Reserve <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43869433/walmart-expects-slower-growth-in-an-uncertain-time-cfo-says-on-earnings-call">and trade policy uncertainties.</a>



Minutes from the latest Fed meeting confirmed a cautious stance. Officials stressed the need for more evidence that inflation had cooled before considering rate cuts. Several policymakers suggested that rates could stay high if economic conditions remained <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43829352/fomc-minutes">strong and inflation persisted.</a>



They also cited inflation risks from potential shifts in trade and immigration policies, supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions and stronger-than-expected consumer spending.



Earlier in the week, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports of autos, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, set to take effect on April 2, heightening trade uncertainty, particularly for multinational companies reliant <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">on global supply chains</a>.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/02/43893016/rising-inflation-in-japan-3-etfs-to-watch-as-boj-navigates-rate-hike-expectations">Rising Inflation In Japan: 3 ETFs To Watch As BOJ Navigates Rate Hike Expectations</a>



On Tuesday, U.S. officials, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met with Russian representatives, headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Saudi Arabia to initiate discussions on ending <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43787369/us-russian-officials-begin-ukraine-peace-talks-defense-sector-stocks-rise">the war in Ukraine.</a> Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that his country will not accept any peace agreement negotiated without its direct participation. Notably, no European representatives attended talks in Saudi Arabia.



Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) — the S&amp;P 500's top performer in 2024 — plunged after reports indicated that the Pentagon, one of its largest clients, was preparing for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43857040/palantir-stock-tanks-10-as-ceo-sell-plan-defense-budget-cuts-spark-sell-off">deep budget cuts</a>. Investor concerns grew further after CEO Alex Karp disclosed plans to sell nearly 10 million shares over the next six months.



Chinese technology stocks surged on Friday, led by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), which spiked after delivering strong earnings and upbeat guidance. Optimism also rose amid speculation that China's central bank could ease monetary policy, alongside new fiscal stimulus measures from policymakers after the annual parliamentary meeting in early March.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43893285/warren-buffetts-annual-shareholder-letter-arrives-saturday-could-investors-get-updates-on-apple-succession-new-investments">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Annual Shareholder Letter Arrives Saturday: Could Investors Get Updates On Apple, Succession, New Investments?</a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Econ #s

Walmart's Warning, Fed Highlights Inflation Risks, Chinese Stocks Surge: This Week In Markets

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.



Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.



Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/42802731/exclusive-top-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-2024-where-do-tesla-nvidia-gamestop-trump-media-stocks-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Top 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro In 2024 — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, GameStop, Trump Media Stocks Rank?</a>



Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending Feb. 21:



 Sempra (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SRE#NYSE">SRE</a>): The utility company saw an increase of interest from Benzinga readers during the week. The company will report fourth-quarter financial results next week. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.60, up from $1.13 in last year's fourth quarter according to data <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">from Benzinga Pro. </a>The company has missed analyst estimates for earnings per share in two straight quarters, while beating in eight of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts expect the company to report fourth-quarter revenue of $4.36 billion. The company has missed analyst estimates in six straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Sempra's report could be followed closer than normal given the company's presence in the California market where<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42899953/five-dead-in-los-angeles-wildfires-utilities-face-scrutiny"> wildfires took place.</a>



The stock was up around 3% for the week, as seen in the <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro chart </a>below. Shares are up 21% over the last year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="464" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793864" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334-300x139.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334-768x356.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Vistra Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>): Investors paid close attention to the energy company this week, which has been a top performing stock over the last year. With ties to the nuclear energy business, the stock has soared and is up over 200% in the last year. JPMorgan <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43039348/are-utilities-the-new-tech-why-entergy-nisource-vistra-are-jpmorgans-top-picks-for-2025">named the stock</a> one of the top utility stocks for 2025 earlier this year. The company is scheduled to report fourth-quarter financial results Thursday Feb. 27. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings of $1.14 per share. The company has beat analyst estimates in two straight quarter and four of the last 10 quarters. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $3.89 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates in two of the last three quarters, but missed estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters. Several analyst <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VST/analyst-ratings">reiterated bullish ratings </a>on the stock in recent weeks with BMO maintaining an Outperform and raising the price target from $151 to $191.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="504" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793865" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Alibaba Group Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>): The large Chinese e-commerce stock saw strong interest over the week thanks to earnings results and increased investments in the artificial intelligence sector. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43846533/alibaba-q3-earnings-revenue-and-eps-beat-eyes-global-e-commerce-profitability-in-fy25-increase-investments-in-ai">beat third-quarter </a>revenue and earnings per share estimates. The company has now beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine of the last 10 quarters, while missing revenue estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters. In the quarterly results, Alibaba saw revenue grow across many segments on a year-over-year basis. Alibaba said it expects its international e-commerce unit to be profitable in the next quarter. The company also said it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43874037/alibaba-sees-ai-gold-rush-in-cloud-computing-not-open-and-closed-source-modelshints-monetization-lies-in-powering-ai-not-selling-it">expects to invest</a> more in Cloud and AI in the next three years than in the last decade. Alibaba is focusing on cloud computing as the primary monetization effort for its AI efforts instead of AI models.



Multiple Alibaba analysts<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BABA/analyst-ratings"> raised their price targets </a>on the stock after the quarterly results, including Benchmark's Fawne Jiang who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/02/43888574/alibabas-ai-expansion-e-commerce-growth-reinforce-bullish-analyst-outlook">maintained a Buy rating</a> and raised the target from $118 to $190. Jiang said the company's e-commerce business is rebounding along with the investments in cloud and AI.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="506" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793866" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336-768x391.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



AptarGroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATR#NYSE">ATR</a>): The dispensing systems company saw strong interest from Benzinga readers during the week. The company recently reported fourth-quarter financial results with earnings per share beating analyst estimates and revenue missing analyst estimates. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ATR/analyst-ratings">saw several analysts </a>recently maintain bullish ratings, while lowering their price targets. Given the rising interest in the stock and the $10 billion market capitalization, AptarGroup could be a stock to watch for investors. The stock was up around 2% in the last week and shares are up 5% over the last year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793868" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337-768x390.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>): The aerospace company recently reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43697801/howmet-aerospace-q4-revenue-up-92-beats-estimatesprovides-2025-outlook-amid-boeing-and-airbus-uncertainty">fourth-quarter financial results </a>with earnings per share and revenue topping estimates. The company has now beat analyst estimates for earnings per share in eight straight quarters and for revenue in nine of the last 10 quarters. In the quarter, the company saw double-digit growth across many of the reporting segments on a year-over-year basis. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HWM/analyst-ratings">raised their price targets </a>on the stock after the financial results. Howmet executives said they expect aftermarket growth for spares of 20% to 25% year-over-year in 2025. Executives also cautioned on renegotiations of long-term contracts and the potential tariff impact.



The stock was up slightly during the week and shares are up over 100% in the last year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793869" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43066466/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 17</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/43201590/benzinga-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 24</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43419547/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-52" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 31</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43578212/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-53">February 7</a></li>
</ul>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43041374/exclusive-how-high-will-sp-500-go-under-donald-trump-in-2025-readers-are-optimistic-26-say-this" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: How High Will S&amp;P 500 Go Under Donald Trump In 2025? Readers Are Optimistic, 26% Say This…</a></li>
</ul>

Exclusives

Trading Ideas

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

On Friday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades involving Beam Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BEAM#NASDAQ">BEAM</a>), Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>), MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>), and Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADPT#NASDAQ">ADPT</a>).



The BEAM Trade



Ark Invest, through its ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKG#BATS">ARKG</a>) and ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>), bought a total of 24,640 shares of Beam Therapeutics.



This comes after the firm&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43755344/cathie-woods-ark-invest-loads-up-on-iridium-twist-bioscience-offloads-roku-here-are-key-ark-trades-this-friday">previous acquisition</a> of Beam Therapeutics shares just a week prior. The value of this trade, calculated from the latest closing price is nearly $750,000.



The NU Trade



Ark Invest, through its ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>), bought 162,143 shares of Nu Holdings Ltd. This marks a significant investment in the fintech company, reflecting Ark&#8217;s strategic positioning in the dynamic tech sector.



The value of this trade, calculated from the latest closing price is over $1.75 million.



The MELI and ADPT Trades



On the same day, Ark Invest also sold shares of MercadoLibre Inc and Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. Through its ARK Fintech Innovation ETF, Ark sold 347 shares of MercadoLibre.



Meanwhile, through its ARK Genomic Revolution ETF, Ark offloaded 8,129 shares of Adaptive Biotechnologies.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900360/bill-gates-has-a-warning-for-the-next-generation-says-be-very-afraid-of-these-4-issues">Bill Gates Has A Warning For The Next Generation, Says Be ‘Very Afraid&#8217; Of These 4 Issues</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Ark Invest

Equities

ETFs

ADPT

ARKF

ARKG

ARKK

BEAM

MELI

Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Loads Up On Beam Therapeutics, Nu Holdings: Offloads MercadoLibre, Adaptive Biotechnologies

Market intelligence firm&nbsp;Santiment&nbsp;has identified three key metrics suggesting a potential bullish move for&nbsp;Bitcoin&nbsp;(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).



What Happened: The analytics platform highlights&nbsp;that the average returns of&nbsp;wallets, the dormancy period of coins, and Bitcoin&#8217;s supply on exchanges all indicate a possible upward swing for the leading cryptocurrency by market cap.



Santiment <a href="https://insights.santiment.net/read/biweekly-market-update-crypto-markets-react-to-inflation-and-scandals-8485">notes</a> that historically, accumulating BTC when wallets&#8217; average returns are below 0% has proven to be a strong strategy. Currently, wallets&nbsp;active in the past 30&nbsp;days show average returns of approximately -2.9%.



This suggests that buying or adding to positions could be statistically advantageous.



Additionally,&nbsp;older BTC tokens are circulating&nbsp;at a &#8220;healthy rate,&#8221; which is often a precursor to a rally. Santiment explains that when dormant tokens move frequently, it signals a healthy circulation, typically seen during prolonged bull runs.



Finally, Santiment points out that the amount of BTC on exchanges remains low after a significant withdrawal of coins into cold wallets in late 2024.



Currently, 7.6% of Bitcoin is held in known exchange wallets, compared to 9.92% six months ago.



Why It Matters: The potential bullish signals for Bitcoin come amid broader discussions about its role in economic strategies.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43878748/michael-saylor-bitcoin-is-economic-armor-calls-on-us-to-accumulate-btc">Michael Saylor</a>, a prominent Bitcoin advocate, recently called on the U.S. government to accumulate Bitcoin, suggesting it could serve as &#8220;economic armor&#8221; and help eliminate national debt.



This perspective aligns with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43889897/bitcoin-strategic-reserve-with-1-million-btc-could-offset-21-trillion-national-debt">Matthew Sigel&#8217;s</a>&nbsp;vision of using Bitcoin as a strategic reserve to offset the national debt by 2049.



However, not all outlooks are positive.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43852658/bitcoin-ethereum-face-downside-risk-as-institutional-demand-fades-jpmorgan-says">JPMorgan analysts</a>&nbsp;have expressed concerns over declining institutional demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, which could signal broader market weakness.



This decline in demand has been associated with futures contracts nearing backwardation, a condition where futures prices fall below spot prices, often seen during market downturns.



Price Action: Bitcoin was trading at $96,204 at the time of writing, declining by nearly 2% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900360/bill-gates-has-a-warning-for-the-next-generation-says-be-very-afraid-of-these-4-issues">Bill Gates Has A Warning For The Next Generation, Says Be ‘Very Afraid' Of These 4 Issues</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

$BTC

Bitcoin's Bullish Signals: These 3 Key Metrics Indicate Potential Upswing, Says Research Firm

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a dramatic increase in measles cases across the nation, raising alarms about potential public health implications.



What Happened: The CDC reported a significant increase in measles cases, with numbers rising to 93 from 14 in just one week, according to a Reuters report.



This surge is primarily attributed to an&nbsp;outbreak in Gaines County, Texas,&nbsp;where cases have escalated to 57 from 22 since February 11.



Texas has reported a total of 90 cases, prompting concerns about the potential spread to other regions within the state. The&nbsp;Texas Department of State Health&nbsp;Services&nbsp;has warned of more cases emerging due to the outbreak in Gaines County.



The CDC has identified cases in several states, including&nbsp;Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey,&nbsp;New Mexico, New York City,&nbsp;Rhode Island, and Texas.



Notably, 95% of those affected were either unvaccinated or had an unknown&nbsp;vaccination status.



Only 4% had received&nbsp;one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella&nbsp;vaccine, and none had received the two doses recommended by the agency.



Among the reported cases, 28 involved children under two years old, and 48 were individuals aged five to 19.



Although measles&nbsp;was declared eliminated in the&nbsp;U.S. in 2000, the virus can still spread through&nbsp;travelers from countries where measles&nbsp;is prevalent. The CDC noted three outbreaks in 2025, compared to 16 in 2024, which saw 285 cases.



Why It Matters: The recent surge in measles cases is part of a broader pattern of emerging infectious diseases that have been challenging public health systems.



Earlier this year, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42854890/us-records-first-human-bird-flu-death-high-levels-of-respiratory-illnesses-vaccine-stocks-rally">bird flu strain</a>&nbsp;was detected in Nevada, marking the first human death in the U.S. related to the H5N1 virus.



Additionally, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/08/40381585/who-declares-mpox-public-health-emergency-coordinated-international-response-essential-to-hal">World Health Organization</a>&nbsp;declared Mpox a public health emergency in 2024, emphasizing the need for a coordinated international response.



Read Next:



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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Health Care

Measles Cases Surge 5x In US In A Week, CDC Reports: Outbreak Primarily Originating From A Texas County

Bill Gates&nbsp;has outlined critical challenges for future generations, emphasizing the importance of addressing bioterrorism, climate change, and artificial intelligence.



What Happened: The Microsoft Corp. co-founder, reflecting on his fears from the 1950s, also noted the persistent threat of nuclear war.



However, he highlighted additional concerns for younger generations, including the potential dangers of bioterrorism and the improper development of AI. Gates also stressed the need for societal unity to combat polarization.



"A nuclear war or a super bad bioterrorism event, or not shaping AI properly or not bringing society together a little bit around the polarization. Those four things, yes, the younger generation has to be very afraid of those things," he said.



Gates shared these insights during a conversation with Patrick Collison at&nbsp;the Computer History Museum last&nbsp;week.



"It's fine that people are worrying about the problems we face, including how we shape AI and polarization and we're arguably less ready for a pandemic now than after the last one because of the divisiveness that's come in around that."



Gates, 69,&nbsp;added climate change to the&nbsp;list of pressing issues&nbsp;for millennials and Gen Z. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about the future, citing advancements in health and literacy.



Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



"The&nbsp;big headline is people are&nbsp;living longer, people are learning&nbsp;more, people are more literate."



Gates, who also co-founded the&nbsp;Gates Foundation, suggested that emphasizing these issues might sometimes involve exaggerating their impact to motivate action.



He remains hopeful, predicting breakthroughs in diseases like Alzheimer&#8217;s and HIV, and the eradication of polio and malaria.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43755136/bill-gates-wanted-a-friend-to-take-charge-of-microsoft-due-to-regret-over-leaving-harvard-but-heres-why-he-panicked-and-dropped-out">Bill Gates Wanted A Friend To &#8216;Take Charge&#8217; Of Microsoft Due To Regret Over Leaving Harvard, But Here&#8217;s Why He Panicked And Dropped Out</a>



Why It Matters: Gates&#8217; emphasis on artificial intelligence aligns with his previous discussions on the topic.



Earlier, Gates highlighted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36322815/bill-gates-reveals-five-cutting-edge-ai-innovations-he-is-excited-about">AI&#8217;s transformative potential</a>&nbsp;in healthcare, underscoring its role in consumer applications.



However, he also acknowledged AI&#8217;s limitations, noting that while it is not a panacea, its benefits are substantial. He elaborated on AI&#8217;s strengths and weaknesses during an interview, emphasizing its potential despite current shortcomings.



Gates further explored AI&#8217;s societal impact, predicting that its integration into the workforce could lead to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42438799/bill-gates-predicts-ai-in-the-workforce-will-lead-to-so-much-leisure-time-but-itll-create-a-what-do-we-do-with-all-that-time-problem">increased leisure time</a>.



However, he raised concerns about the societal implications of this shift, questioning how people will utilize the additional time.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="CHM Live &#x7C; Bill Gates and Patrick Collison: In Conversation at CHM" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CZEW2P4DBl0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43820197/apple-unveils-iphone-16e-with-a18-chip-ai-features-599-price-tag">Apple Unveils iPhone 16e With A18 Chip, AI Features, $599 Price Tag</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

Bill Gates Has A Warning For The Next Generation, Says Be 'Very Afraid' Of These 4 Issues

Uber Technologies Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) CEO,&nbsp;Dara Khosrowshahi, stated that&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;has no plans to integrate&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&#8217;s forthcoming robotaxis into Uber&#8217;s platform.



What Happened: Speaking <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-21/uber-ceo-says-musk-wants-to-go-alone-on-tesla-robotaxi-rollout">with</a> Bloomberg TV at the FII conference in Miami on Friday, Khosrowshahi revealed that Musk plans to roll out Tesla's robotaxi service without external partnerships.



&#8220;They want to build it alone, so to some extent in Austin, we and Waymo will be competing with Tesla when they launch,&#8221; he said, referencing Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) autonomous vehicle unit.



Khosrowshahi believes that Uber would be a logical platform for Tesla drivers, as it introduces variable demand to the autonomous vehicle (AV) ecosystem. 



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/02/43899750/trump-team-threatens-to-cut-ukraines-access-to-elon-musks-starlink-over-minerals-dispute-report">Trump Team Threatens To Cut Ukraine&#8217;s Access To Elon Musk&#8217;s Starlink Over Minerals Dispute: Report</a>



Uber has intensified its focus on autonomous vehicle (AV) technology in recent years, forging over a dozen manufacturing partnerships and investing in multiple self-driving tech firms since 2023. The company is preparing to roll out autonomous rides with Waymo in Austin next month, followed by an expansion to Atlanta this summer.



Why It Matters: This revelation comes after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43724986/uber-ceo-looks-forward-to-tesla-partnership-for-robotaxis-no-one-wants-to-compete-against-tesla-or-elon">Khosrowshahi expressed optimism </a>about a potential partnership between Uber and Tesla for robotaxis. In a recent interview, he stated that he hoped to convince Tesla to work with Uber, emphasizing that no one wants to compete against Tesla if they can help it.



Uber halted its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42801896/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-resigns-from-board-of-autonomous-vehicle-tech-company-aurora">in-house self-driving car development</a> in 2020, selling its autonomous vehicle division to Aurora. Reflecting on the decision, the CEO explained that during the pandemic, he prioritized capital efficiency, as the company was incurring massive losses in robotaxi development. He acknowledged that hardware was not Uber's core strength.



The launch of Tesla's robotaxis and Waymo's expanded operations could impact Uber's ride volume growth and reduce its commission rates, according to Bloomberg. Additionally, Waymo offers driverless rides through its app in key markets like San Francisco and is set to expand to Miami next year.



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43582884/elon-musks-spacex-and-t-mobile-go-live-with-starlink-powered-satellite-to-cell-service-heres-how-much-it-will-cost" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's SpaceX And T-Mobile Go Live With Starlink-Powered Satellite-To-Cell Service: Here's How Much It Will Cost</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Tesla

GOOG

GOOGL

TSLA

UBER

Will Elon Musk's Tesla Team Up With Uber To Roll Out Robotaxis? CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Spills The Beans

Goldman Sachs estimates that a proposed 10%<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43690898/trade-war-2-0-why-trumps-tariff-plans-could-be-worse-than-2018"> U.S. oil tariff</a> could lead to a $10 billion annual loss for foreign producers, posing a significant threat to Canadian and Latin American heavy crude suppliers that depend on U.S. refiners.



What Happened: The proposed tariff stems from the reliance of Canadian and Latin American heavy crude on U.S. refiners, given their limited alternative buyers and processing options. 



President Donald Trump is now considering a 25% tariff on Mexican crude and a 10% levy on Canadian crude starting in March, after delaying his initial proposal. Despite this, Goldman Sachs anticipates that the U.S. will remain the dominant market for heavy crude due to its advanced refining infrastructure and cost efficiency.



Analysts also estimate that light oil prices would need to increase by 50 cents per barrel for medium crude from the Middle East to become more appealing to Asian refiners. This shift is driven by U.S. Gulf Coast refiners favoring domestic light crude over imported medium grades.



It projects that U.S. consumers could face an annual tariff burden of $22 billion, while the government stands to generate $20 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, refiners and traders could gain $12 billion by leveraging discounted U.S. light crude and foreign heavy crude in premium coastal markets.



SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43805107/vivek-ramaswamy-foresees-bitcoin-as-a-more-common-corporate-treasury-holding-as-era-of-easy-money-ends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Vivek Ramaswamy Foresees Bitcoin As A ‘More Common' Corporate Treasury Holding As Era Of Easy Money Ends</a> 



Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s proposed oil tariffs are part of a broader strategy to reshape global trade. Earlier in the week, he announced plans to impose a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">25% tariff on auto imports, alongside chips and pharmaceuticals</a>, causing a stir in international trade. This move is expected to take effect in April.



The President also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43899444/trump-moves-to-impose-tariffs-on-countries-with-digital-taxes-defending-apple-amazon-meta-google-and-other-us-tech-giants">ordered his trade chief to reopen investigations into digital service taxes</a>&nbsp;imposed on U.S. tech firms, a move that could result in new tariffs on affected countries. These actions are part of Trump&#8217;s efforts to address what he calls an unfair trade balance with other nations.



Trump&#8217;s tariff plans have sparked a debate about their potential impact on the stock market. A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827291/exclusive-will-trumps-tariffs-hurt-or-help-stock-market-59-say-this">Benzinga poll</a>&nbsp;showed that 59% of respondents believe that Trump&#8217;s tariffs could hurt the stock market.



Meanwhile, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both tumbled 1.7% on Friday, recording their steepest single-day losses since Dec. 18. At the same time Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) ended 2.07% lower, according to data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro.</a>



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<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43805175/elon-musks-tesla-prepares-for-india-expansion-engineer-confirms-hiring-push-we-are-looking-for-motivated-talent-to-help-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's Tesla Prepares For India Expansion, Engineer Confirms Hiring Push: ‘We Are Looking For Motivated Talent To Help Us…'</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Commodities

Economics

Trump's 10% Oil Tariff Could Deal $10 Billion Annual Blow To Canada And Other Foreign Producers, Goldman Sachs Warns

President Donald Trump is reportedly moving closer to securing a deal that would grant the U.S. substantial mineral rights in Ukraine. This comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations.



What Happened: On Friday, Trump&nbsp;expressed optimism about finalizing an agreement that could potentially bring $500 billion to the U.S. as part of a broader strategy to align with Russia to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a report <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-minerals-peace.html">by</a> the New York Times.



"So, we're signing an agreement, hopefully in the next fairly short period of time," he said, according to the report.



Meanwhile,&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that efforts are underway to draft an agreement, aiming to ease tensions with the U.S. over the proposed deal.



"This agreement can add value to our relations — what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.



Trump is focusing on securing&nbsp;rare earth and other minerals&nbsp;from Ukraine in exchange for&nbsp;American support. The negotiations have seen Ukraine strengthening its position as the U.S. and Russia engage in talks to end the conflict.



Despite initial resistance, some Ukrainian officials have advised Zelensky to proceed with the deal after addressing concerns over mineral profits and security commitments.



As negotiations continue, Zelensky remains focused on ensuring the agreement&#8217;s effectiveness, while simultaneously seeking support from European allies to fill potential gaps if U.S. backing wanes.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Today, Ukrainian and U.S. teams are working on a draft agreement between our governments. This agreement can add value to our relations—what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works. I look forward to a just results. <a href="https://t.co/o9jbiiiJTq">pic.twitter.com/o9jbiiiJTq</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1893056463431483526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: The ongoing negotiations over Ukraine&#8217;s mineral rights have been contentious, with the U.S. reportedly threatening to cut Ukraine&#8217;s access to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/02/43899750/trump-team-threatens-to-cut-ukraines-access-to-elon-musks-starlink-over-minerals-dispute-report">SpaceX&#8217;s Starlink</a>&nbsp;satellite internet service as a bargaining chip. This move followed the rejection of an initial proposal by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.



Earlier, Trump had warned Zelensky to negotiate an end to Russia&#8217;s invasion swiftly or risk losing Ukraine entirely. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43837157/trump-labels-zelenskyy-a-dictator-without-elections-urges-ukraine-to-negotiate-or-risk-losing-war">Truth Social post</a>, Trump labeled Zelensky a &#8220;dictator without elections,&#8221; accusing him of misusing U.S. aid.



Ukraine had previously rejected Trump&#8217;s offer to take 50% ownership of its rare earth minerals, calling it a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/02/43788546/ukraine-officials-stall-trumps-colonial-rare-earths-bid-prefer-mutually-beneficial-deal">&#8220;colonial agreement.&#8221;</a>&nbsp;As negotiations continue, the outcome of this deal could significantly impact U.S.-Ukraine relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900171/trump-dismisses-top-us-general-breaks-from-tradition-to-nominate-retired-officer-as-top-military-officer">Trump Dismisses Top US General, Breaks From Tradition To Nominate Retired Officer As Top Military Officer</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photos courtesy: Shutterstock

Politics

Global

Trump Administration Eyes Mineral Rights Deal With Ukraine Amid Rising Tensions: 'We're Signing An Agreement'

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) CEO Tim Cook has reportedly pledged a significant investment in the United States and a shift in manufacturing from Mexico to the U.S. President Donald Trump made this announcement during a meeting with governors.



What Happened: After <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43876173/apple-ceo-tim-cook-reportedly-meets-trump-as-tariff-impact-looms-on-iphone-sales-and-companys-china-strategy">meeting Cook at the White House </a>this week, Trump revealed that the Apple CEO had assured him of moving iPhone maker&#8217;s manufacturing from Mexico to the U.S.



 &#8220;He&#8217;s&nbsp;investing hundreds of billions of&nbsp;dollars&#8230; That&#8217;s&nbsp;what he told me. Now&nbsp;he has to do it,&#8221; Trump said.



Trump also mentioned that Cook had halted two plants in Mexico and would now be producing Apple products in the U.S. However, Cook has not yet publicly announced any such investment.



"They don't want to be in the tariffs," Trump said.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43873396/apple-stock-has-run-up-over-10-in-a-month-jim-cramer-says-iphone-maker-is-ramping-and-the-credit-goes-to-chinese-subsidies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Stock Has Run Up Over 10% In A Month, Jim Cramer Says iPhone Maker Is ‘Ramping' And The Credit Goes To Chinese Subsidies</a>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="TRUMP DOGE EFFECT: President Trump FULL REMARKS on Spending, Ukraine War, Taxes, Migrants" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b92O_a3MkpA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



It's unclear which manufacturing facilities Trump was referring to. Foxconn Technology Group, the maker of Apple's iPhones, already has a strong presence in Mexico and plans to expand further.



Apple did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment. 



Why It Matters: The news of Apple&#8217;s potential shift in manufacturing and significant U.S. investment comes at a crucial time for the tech giant. Like other tech giants, Apple is grappling with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827658/exclusive-apple-nvidia-tesla-or-boeing-which-company-faces-the-biggest-risk-from-trumps-china-tariffs-35-say-this-stock">rising U.S.-China trade tensions.</a> Trump&#8217;s 10% tariff on Chinese-made goods poses a significant challenge, as China remains Apple's primary manufacturing hub, and the U.S., is its largest market.



According to an analyst at Bank of America, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43839627/apple-may-hike-iphone-prices-by-9-due-to-trumps-tariffs-says-bank-of-america">iPhone maker will need to hike prices</a> on iPhones, iPads, and other products by approximately 9% to counter the effect of tariffs. assuming a minimum 10% tariff applies to all of them. The analyst also expects a potential hit on the sales volume.



On Wednesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43820197/apple-unveils-iphone-16e-with-a18-chip-ai-features-599-price-tag">a budget-friendly successor</a> to the third-generation iPhone SE. Priced at $599, the device is designed to run artificial intelligence efficiently.



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43840286/apples-iphone-16e-to-drive-revenue-growth-for-tim-cooks-company-says-top-analyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple's iPhone 16e To Drive Revenue Growth For Tim Cook's Company, Says Top Analyst</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Government

AAPL

Tim Cook Reportedly Tells Trump Apple Will Invest 'Hundreds Of Billions' In US: 'They Don't Want To Be In The Tariffs'

Mark Cuban didn't become a billionaire by splurging on daily lattes or upgrading his phone every year. In fact, his first piece of advice for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/04/38073344/mark-cuban-predicts-worlds-first-trillionaire-wont-be-musk-or-bezos-itll-be-someone-who-masters-ai-a">anyone trying to get rich</a> is brutally simple: sacrifice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">‘Doesn't Suck Being Rich' — But Getting There Takes Sacrifices</h2>



In a 2011 Blog Maverick post titled "<a href="https://blogmaverick.com/2011/08/04/how-to-get-rich-2/">How to Get Rich</a>," Cuban laid out his personal roadmap to wealth from the perspective of a self-made billionaire.



Before Cuban was a billionaire, he was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40442345/mark-cuban-says-he-drove-cars-that-cost-200-with-holes-in-the-floorboard-and-lived-off-mac-and-c">living with five roommates</a>, eating mustard and ketchup sandwiches, and sleeping on the floor of a cramped apartment. While he doesn't miss those days, he credits that level of discipline as the foundation of his success.



Don't Miss:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.</li>



<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a></li>
</ul>



"It doesn't suck to be rich," Cuban wrote in the post. But getting there? That's where most people struggle—because it requires giving things up before you see any reward.



Cuban's philosophy is clear: The more you can save, the more options you'll have when opportunity strikes. And that means trimming down expenses to the absolute essentials.



"Save your money. Save as much money as you possibly can. Every penny you can. Instead of coffee, drink water. Instead of going to McDonald's, eat Mac and Cheese. Cut up your credit cards. If you use a credit card, you don't want to be rich," he advised.



His point? Every unnecessary dollar spent is a dollar that could be working for you. If you're serious about building wealth, your priority should be saving as much money as possible.



Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a>



But <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43468964/mark-cuban-says-if-you-want-to-get-rich-throw-a-hail-mary-and-invest-10-of-savings-in-bitcoin-but-you-must-pretend-you-already-lost-it">where should that money go</a>? Cuban warns against locking it away in long-term investments like stocks or retirement accounts—at least in the early stages. Instead, he recommends keeping it in six-month certificates of deposit or other easily accessible cash reserves.



"The first step to getting rich is having cash available. You aren't saving for retirement. You are saving for the moment you need cash," he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">‘Cash is King' for Wealth-Building</h2>



While many investors push for long-term strategies like buying and holding stocks, Cuban calls it "a sucker's game" for people still trying to build wealth. His reasoning? When the market crashes and prices drop, those who saved aggressively and have cash on hand can buy assets at a massive discount.



"Right at the very moment when cash creates unbelievable opportunity, those who followed the buy-and-hold strategy have no cash," he wrote.



Instead of seeing downturns as disasters, Cuban sees them as golden opportunities—but only for those who were disciplined enough to save when times were good.



Trending: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $100.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Invest in Yourself, Not Just the Market</h2>



Beyond just saving money, Cuban's second rule for getting rich is simple: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42932626/billionaire-mark-cuban-on-college-costs-pick-the-cheapest-school-you-can-find-its-about-learning-not-prestige">become an expert in something</a>. Whatever your passion, industry, or skill set is, learn everything there is to know about it.



"Find the one you love the best and GET A JOB in the business that supports it," he advised. "It may not be the perfect job, but there is no perfect path to getting rich."



Instead of racking up student loans or chasing get-rich-quick schemes, Cuban suggests working in an industry you love, learning from the inside, and becoming so knowledgeable that when the next big opportunity comes, you're ready.



See Also: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rich People Are Ready—Are You?</h2>



According to Cuban, getting rich isn't about luck—it's about preparation. He believes that most people miss out on wealth because they aren't ready when opportunities arise. They're too deep in debt, tied to unnecessary expenses, or stuck in jobs they don't understand. Meanwhile, those who live cheaply, save aggressively, and master their industry are in the perfect position to seize their moment.



Of course, if the thought of slashing your budget down to water and instant noodles feels overwhelming, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">a financial advisor</a> might be your best bet. While Cuban would tell you to figure it out yourself, a good advisor can help you create a plan, cut unnecessary spending, and make sure your money is actually working for you—instead of just vanishing into takeout orders and impulse buys. And hey, if paying someone to tell you to stop buying things is what it takes, maybe that's the kind of investment that actually pays off.



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<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>



<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
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Personal Finance

Billionaire Mark Cuban Said The First Step To Getting Rich Is Giving Things Up — Drink Water, Eat Mac and Cheese, And 'Save Every Penny'

Widely-followed pseudonymous investment influencer &#8216;Gary Cardone,&#8217; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43761012/most-people-shouldnt-buy-bitcoin-grant-cardone-explains-why-even-as-he-bets-big-with-his-87-5m-bitcoin-real-estate-fund">not to be mistaken for Grant Cardone</a>, announced exiting his XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) position, citing six rules that influenced his decision.



What Happened: The influencer shard a screenshot of selling 30,000 XRP holdings at $2.71 <a href="https://x.com/GaryCardone/status/1892714881654391209">on Friday</a> on X, justifying his decision with principles refined over 40 years in finance. He opened his viral statement with the words &#8220;I genuinely hope the XRP army gets stupid rich, I don&#8217;t think you will, but my best hopium is out to each of you.&#8221;



Cardone said his investment philosophy is guided by six key rules:



<ul>
<li>Avoid assets where supply and demand dynamics are unclear unless you have a strong edge. </li>



<li>If something cannot be explained in a simple, visual manner, it's not worth the risk. </li>



<li>Steer clear of those who focus solely on price without understanding value.</li>



<li>Separate short-term noise from long-term investment strategy. </li>



<li>True wealth is built through highly concentrated bets held over extended periods. </li>



<li>Do not follow the crowd, the most crucial rule for success.</li>
</ul>



Commentators pushed back, arguing XRP is positioned for major capital appreciation in the long run, with one predicting that XRP is going to $8-$10.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43825695/xrp-rallies-5-on-etf-news-what-is-going-on">XRP Rallies 5% On ETF News: What Is Going On?</a>



What's Next: Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUmhitdwXqk">highlighted</a> in a CNBC interview on Thursday that demand for an XRP ETF is growing due to its strong community and liquidity on centralized exchanges. He sees potential for an XRP, Solana, or index-based ETF by the end of 2025.



Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett <a href="https://x.com/EleanorTerrett/status/1892678726560731496">reported </a>that Grayscale's XRP ETF (19b-4 filing) is now on the Federal Register. The SEC is required to respond by Oct. 18, marking a crucial deadline for ETF approval or rejection.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43849122/xrp-up-297-against-bitcoin-since-donald-trump-won-the-election-heres-why">XRP Up 297% Against Bitcoin Since Donald Trump Won The Election: Here&#8217;s Why</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

$XRP

'Gary Cardone' Dumps XRP Position, Saying 'I Genuinely Hope The XRP Army Gets Stupid Rich, I Don't Think You Will'

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