Warren Buffett shocked attendees at the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK.A#NYSE">BRK.A</a>) annual meeting on Sunday by announcing that he will step down as CEO by the end of the year, with Greg Abel set to succeed him.



What Happened: The Associated Press <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/03/warren-buffett-retire-00325196">reports</a> that Buffett stated, &#8220;I think the time has arrived where Greg should become the chief executive of the company at year end.&#8221; Buffett will turn 95 on August 30.



Buffett&#8217;s retirement marks the end of a 60-year tenure during which he transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a struggling textile firm into a major conglomerate with a market capitalization of $1.16 trillion.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45158172/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-predicts-pandemic-like-consumer-shifts-says-company-is-maniacally-focused-on-keeping-prices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andy Jassy Predicts Pandemic-Like Consumer Shifts, Says Amazon Is &#8216;Maniacally Focused&#8217; On Keeping Prices Low</a>



Buffett plans to retain his Berkshire stock. He said, &#8220;I would add this, the decision to keep every share is an economic decision because I think the prospects of Berkshire will be better under Greg's management than mine.&#8221; He also mentioned his intention to &#8220;hang around&#8221; to provide guidance during the transition, but operational and capital allocation decisions will be under Abel&#8217;s control.



The announcement&nbsp;came as a surprise to&nbsp;most of Berkshire&#8217;s board members, with only Buffett&#8217;s children, Howie and Susie, being aware of the plan. Abel has been considered as Buffett&#8217;s potential&nbsp;successor since at least 2021.



Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s retirement signifies the end of an era at Berkshire Hathaway. His investment strategies and leadership have been instrumental in the company&#8217;s growth.



Abel&#8217;s appointment as CEO is a significant move, marking a new chapter in the company&#8217;s history.



His leadership will be closely watched by investors and market analysts alike, as he takes on the challenge of steering the conglomerate in the post-Buffett era.



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45184121/warren-buffett-warns-tariffs-could-backfire-on-economy-says-trade-should-not-be-a-weapon-its-a-big-mistake-i-dont-think-its-wise" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett Warns Tariffs Could Backfire on Economy, Says, ‘Trade Should Not Be A Weapon. It's A Big Mistake, I Don't Think It's Wise' &#8211; Benzinga</a>

News

Markets

Warren Buffett To Step Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO by End of Year, Asks Board To Confirm Greg Abel as Successor

A federal judge has invalidated an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that was aimed at prestigious law firm Perkins Coie.



What Happened: U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled on Friday that the executive order was a case of &#8220;unconstitutional retaliation,&#8221; thereby nullifying it and preventing any further enforcement by the Trump administration.



The executive order was a part of Trump&#8217;s broader campaign against the legal profession, specifically targeting top-tier law firms he viewed as opponents. The order aimed to revoke security clearances of lawyers, terminate federal contracts, and deny employees access to federal buildings.



Perkins Coie, which represented the campaign of Democrat Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, was singled out due to its backing of employment policies and clients that were in opposition to the President&#8217;s views, reports <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-perkins-coie-law-firm-executive-order-206052ec8157380fb2e23010a6f88815">the</a> Associated Press.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45027947/trumps-second-term-viewed-as-chaotic-and-scary-by-majority-of-voters">Trump&#8217;s Second Term Viewed as &#8216;Chaotic&#8217; and &#8216;Scary&#8217; by Majority of Voters</a>



Judge Howell&#8217;s ruling permanently prohibits the enforcement of the executive order. She also directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to circulate copies of her ruling to all government departments and agencies that had previously received the executive order.



Several other law firms, such as WilmerHale, Jenner &amp; Block, and Susman Godfrey, have also contested similar orders and have been successful in temporarily halting them.



Why It Matters: The ruling is a significant victory for Perkins Coie and&nbsp;other law firms that have&nbsp;been under the crosshairs of the Trump administration. 



It underscores the importance of judicial checks and balances in safeguarding the rights of individuals and organizations against executive overreach. 



The decision also sets a precedent for other law firms and organizations that may face similar executive orders in the future.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891004/meet-the-key-five-people-who-are-shaping-trumps-economic-agenda" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meet the Key Five People Who Are Shaping Trump's Economic Agenda</a>

Politics

Judge Blocks Trump Order Targeting Law Firm Perkins Coie

Wall Street extended its rally this week, fully erasing the losses suffered after the Trump administration's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45172683/wall-street-eyes-9th-straight-day-of-gains-apple-falls-as-chinese-sales-disappoint-whats-driving-markets-friday">tariff announcement on April 2. </a>



Investor sentiment was buoyed by encouraging developments in trade negotiations and, most importantly, a stronger-than-expected start to earnings season.



Corporate America showed resilience in the face of trade headwinds. Mega-cap tech giants —including Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) — all surpassed Wall Street estimates, with Microsoft logging its best weekly performance in years.



The S&amp;P 500 posted its second consecutive weekly gain, marking its longest winning streak since May 2024.



Top individual performers included Arista Networks Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANET#NYSE">ANET</a>) and Carrier Global Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CARR#NYSE">CARR</a>), both soaring roughly 20% for the week. On the downside, Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BDX#NYSE">BDX</a>) tumbled 20%, making it the worst performer.



Michigan-based automaker General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) topped earnings forecasts yet withdrew guidance for the year amid "massive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45150325/gm-cut-its-2025-forecast-on-tariffs-but-core-business-holds-up-says-goldman-sachs">uncertainty&#8221; over tariffs.</a>



From a sector perspective, industrials and technology led the charge, while energy stocks lagged as crude oil prices slumped. Oil marked its second-worst week of the year, falling to $58 per barrel after Saudi Arabia signaled its readiness to cope with lower prices, stoking speculation that OPEC+ may boost output further in the coming months.



President Donald Trump's threat to impose secondary sanctions on nations buying Iranian oil failed to stabilize crude <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45149446/oil-prices-soar-after-trump-threatens-sanctions-on-iranian-crude-buyers-is-china-on-top-of-the-list">prices, which continued to slide</a>.



Macroeconomic data painted a mixed picture. First-quarter gross domestic product shrank by 0.3%, missing forecasts of a 0.4% rise, largely due to a surge in imports.



Yet, inflation and employment data provided a more positive outlook. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000 in April, beating the 130,000 consensus and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45164558/us-adds-177000-jobs-in-april-topping-forecasts-as-economy-navigates-tariff-impact">underscoring labor market strength.</a>



Meanwhile, Personal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45102421/feds-key-inflation-gauge-cools-before-tariffs-hit-auto-outlays-spike-as-consumers-front-run-price-impacts">Consumption </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45102421/feds-key-inflation-gauge-cools-before-tariffs-hit-auto-outlays-spike-as-consumers-front-run-price-impacts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Expenditure inflation cooled</a>: annual price gains slowed from 2.7% in February to 2.3% in March. Core PCE, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, eased to 2.6% year over year, aligning with expectations and down from 3%.



Looking ahead, markets will focus on the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting starting Tuesday. While no rate change is anticipated, Chair Jerome Powell's Wednesday press conference will be closely watched, especially after renewed calls from President Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45166673/trump-pressures-fed-after-solid-jobs-cooling-inflation-lower-rates-now">to cut interest rates.</a>



Read now: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45173740/5-great-income-buys-for-the-coming-downturn">5 Great Income Buys For The Coming Downturn</a></li>
</ul>



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Wall Street Fully Recoups Tariff-Led Losses, Economy Contracts In First Quarter Yet April Payrolls Remain Strong: This Week In Markets

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



U.S. markets rebounded this week, fully recovering losses incurred since President Donald Trump's April 2 tariff escalation. The S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq each rose by more than 1.3%, with Friday marking the S&amp;P 500's ninth consecutive daily gain — the longest streak since 2004.



The rally was fueled by a stronger-than-expected April jobs report, with 177,000 jobs added, surpassing forecasts of 135,000. Unemployment remained at 4.2%, and sectors like healthcare and transportation led job growth. However, Q1 GDP contracted by 0.3%, the largest drop since 2022, largely due to a surge in imports ahead of tariff implementations.



Corporate earnings contributed to market optimism. Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) exceeded Wall Street estimates, with Microsoft posting its best weekly performance in years. Despite these gains, concerns linger about the long-term economic impact of tariffs, as businesses face uncertainty and potential cost increases.



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/general/biotech/25/05/45136276/mounjaro-maker-eli-lilly-clocks-45-jump-in-q1-revenue-cuts-2025-profit-outlook-but-not-due-to-tariffs">"Mounjaro maker Eli Lilly clocks 45% jump in Q1 revenue, cuts 2025 profit outlook but not due to tariffs"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) posted a 45% year-over-year revenue increase to $12.73 billion in Q1 2025, driven by strong sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound, but lowered its 2025 EPS forecast to $20.78-$22.28 due to a $1.57 billion charge related to acquired in-process R&amp;D, clarifying that the guidance does not account for potential future tariff changes.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45137383/microsoft-rallies-after-crushing-q3-earnings-goldman-sachs-lifts-target-to-480">"Microsoft rallies after crushing Q3 earnings, Goldman Sachs lifts target to $480"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) beat Q3 estimates with $70.07 billion in revenue and $3.46 EPS, driven by a 35% surge in Azure revenue — 16 points of which came from AI services — prompting Goldman Sachs analyst Kash Rangan to raise the price target to $480.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45038400/plug-power-rallies-as-new-financing-cost-cuts-boost-confidence-in-turnaround-plan">"Plug Power rallies as new financing, cost cuts boost confidence in turnaround plan"</a>, by Anusuya Lahiri, reports that Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLUG#NASDAQ">PLUG</a>) shares rose after the company secured a $525 million debt facility and implemented cost-cutting measures expected to yield over $200 million in annual savings, signaling progress toward profitability.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/45120603/amazon-stock-is-rising-after-the-bell-whats-driving-the-action">Amazon Stock Is Rising After The Bell: What's Driving The Action?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45120458/bloom-energy-reports-better-than-expected-q1-results-details">Bloom Energy Reports Better-Than-Expected Q1 Results: Details</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/45066479/rare-bullish-signal-just-flashed-on-wall-street-will-it-power-sp-500-to-6000">Rare Bullish Signal Just Flashed On Wall Street: Will It Power S&amp;P 500 To 6,000?</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45175831/apple-stock-faces-tariff-related-headwinds-4-analysts-break-down-q2-results-whats-next">"Apple stock faces tariff-related headwinds: 4 analysts break down Q2 results, what's next"</a>, by Chris Katje, reports that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) exceeded Q2 expectations with $95.4 billion in revenue and $1.65 EPS, but analysts from Needham, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America warn that escalating U.S.-China tariffs — projected to cost Apple $900 million in the June quarter — pose ongoing risks to product margins and earnings.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45084597/starbucks-misses-q2-earnings-estimates-ceo-says-optimism-has-turned-into-confidence-i-see-more-opportunity-than-i-imagined">"Starbucks Misses Q2 Earnings Estimates, CEO Says Optimism Has Turned Into Confidence: ‘I See More Opportunity Than I Imagined'"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) posted Q2 revenue of $8.76 billion and adjusted EPS of 41 cents — both below analyst expectations — while CEO Brian Niccol expressed confidence in the company's "Back to Starbucks" turnaround plan, highlighting operational improvements and customer experience enhancements.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45106948/norwegian-cruise-line-tumbles-after-earnings-miss-still-confident-in-2025-guidance">"Norwegian Cruise Line Tumbles After Earnings Miss, Still Confident In 2025 Guidance"</a>, by Akanksha Bakshi, reports that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>) shares fell after the company missed Q1 2025 revenue and earnings estimates, citing a 2.9% revenue decline to $2.13 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.07, but reaffirmed its full-year guidance of $2.05 EPS and $2.72 billion in adjusted EBITDA, despite softening forward bookings amid macroeconomic headwinds.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45152870/bigbear-ai-shares-slide-after-worse-than-expected-q1-report">BigBear.ai Shares Slide After Worse-Than-Expected Q1 Report</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/04/45072193/stock-of-the-day-abbvies-rally-looks-stretched-could-a-reversal-be-next">Stock Of The Day: AbbVie's Rally Looks Stretched — Could A Reversal Be Next?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45086922/whats-going-on-with-restaurant-chain-owner-brinkers-stock-today">Why Did Chili's Restaurant Parent Brinker International Stock Tumble On Tuesday?</a>



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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Lilly, Microsoft, Starbucks — And Markets Fully Recover Tariff Chaos Losses

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: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45171636/exclusive-aprils-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-apple-palantir-nvidia-stocks-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: April&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Apple, Palantir, Nvidia Stocks Rank?</a>



Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending May 2:



 Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WPM#NYSE">WPM</a>): Precious metal and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44903750/gold-price-soars-to-record-highs-eyes-best-2-month-rally-since-2011-on-blockbuster-etf-buying">gold stocks</a> continue to see increase interest from Benzinga readers and this week's article highlights Wheaton Precious Metals. The company's stock is near 52-week highs, but could head higher with continued record highs for gold and upcoming financial results from the company. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of 50 cents on May 8. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in four of the last five quarters. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $436.5 million, up from $296.8 million in last year's first quarter. The company has missed analyst estimates for revenue in three straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. A turnaround in revenue and another beat in earnings per share could strengthen the bullish case for the stock. Several analysts have upgraded the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WPM/analyst-ratings">stock&#8217;s price targets</a> ahead of earnings.



Wheaton Precious Metals shares were down slightly on the week, as seen on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502">Benzinga Pro chart </a>below, while shares are up over 50% in the last year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900087" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUK#NYSE">DUK</a>): The utility company saw increased interest from investors during the week, which could be related to the company's size, its industry or its dividend yield. The interest is also likely coming with the company set to report first-quarter financial results on May 6. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.61, up from $1.44 in last year's first quarter. The company has missed earnings per share estimates in six of the last 10 quarters. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $8.06 billion, up from $7.67 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in four straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. With the stock trading near 52-week highs, investors will likely be expecting a double beat and not a mixed quarter like many of the previous ones have been.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="508" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900088" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394-768x393.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>



Nutanix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTNX#NASDAQ">NTNX</a>): The software company continues to see strong interest from readers and after several weeks of consideration as a stock to highlight makes this week's list. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter financial results on May 28, which is several weeks away. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share and revenue in each of the last eight straight quarters. Investors may be paying attention ahead of the financial results in a company that has shown impressive growth.



"During our second quarter we delivered outperformance across our guided metrics. Our results are benefitting from the strength of the Nutanix Cloud Platform," Nutanix CEO Rajiv Ramaswami <a href="https://ir.nutanix.com/news-releases/news-release-details/nutanix-reports-second-quarter-fiscal-2025-financial-results">said </a>after second-quarter results.



The CEO said the company was working on delivering sustainable, profitable growth and also highlighted a new revolving credit facility and the issuance of convertible notes to help with future growth.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="508" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900089" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395-768x392.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



MercadoLibre Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>): The Latin American e-commerce giant saw increased interest during the week, which could be related to comments made by the company's CEO. MercadoLibre CEO Marcos Galperin said Latin America companies could be winners in a U.S.-China trade war. Galperin said Mexico and other countries could benefit, comments that could make the e-commerce company more attractive to investors. MercadoLibre is set to report first-quarter financial results on May 7. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of $8.30, up from $6.78 in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three of the last four quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. Analyst expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $5.51 billion, up from $4.33 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in more than 10 straight quarters. Another strong quarter could see shares continue to trade near 52-week highs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900090" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>



Cheniere Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNG#NYSE">LNG</a>): The natural gas company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes as analysts have provided mixed commentary ahead of first-quarter financial results. Some analysts raised price targets, while others lowered<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LNG/analyst-ratings"> their price targets</a> ahead of Q1 results set for May 8. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $2.70 versus $2.13 in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $4.91 billion, up from $4.25 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Another strong quarter and investors looking for energy stocks that could benefit from the current White House administration could make the stock a winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900091" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397-768x389.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502" 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/markets/commodities/25/04/44651693/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">April 4</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/44883576/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">April 18</a></li>



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Donald Trump will share the spotlight with a massive display of American military might next month, as the U.S. Army gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary with a full-scale parade on June 14 — coinciding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45183970/behind-the-empty-docks-how-trumps-145-tariffs-are-gutting-u-s-supply-chains" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with the president&#8217;s 79th birthday</a>.



Set to unfold on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the &#8220;day-long festival&#8221; will feature over 6,000 troops, more than 100 military vehicles, and close to 50 aircraft, according to Army officials, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9vzrxxjdwo" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports </a>BBC.



Trump has long advocated for a grand military parade reminiscent of France&#8217;s Bastille Day spectacle, which he attended in 2017.



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He initially pitched the idea in 2018, aiming to host it on Veterans Day, but later abandoned the plan due to projected costs nearing $90 million.



White House officials now confirm that planning for the upcoming celebration is in full swing.



Organizers are exploring ways to expand the event with more demonstrations, greater community participation, and larger-scale exhibits of military hardware.



Trump also reignited controversy Friday by proposing to rename Veterans Day as &#8220;Victory Day for World War I,&#8221; arguing that the U.S. deserves more recognition for its decisive role in past global conflicts.



The White House later clarified that the current Veterans Day name will remain intact, though additional commemorations for WWI and WWII victories are being encouraged.



In another proposal, Trump called for May 8 — known internationally as Victory in Europe Day — to be formally observed in the U.S. as &#8220;Victory Day for World War II.&#8221;



While his renaming efforts remain uncertain, Trump will still receive a high-profile salute. The June 14 parade is expected to be both a patriotic showcase and a symbolic nod to his legacy.



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General

US Army's 250th Anniversary Parade To Coincide With Trump's 79th Birthday

Brazilian startup Mombak has secured $30 million in a Series A funding round led by Union Square Ventures, with participation from existing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44911292/insane-mark-cuban-thinks-us-investors-will-start-exporting-talent-and-funding-startups-abroad-to-cut-costs">investors</a> Kaszek, Bain Capital, and AXA IM Alts, as well as new backers Lowercarbon Capital and Copa Investimentos.



This funding will support Mombak&#8217;s mission to restore degraded farmland in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43137590/microsoft-invests-in-carbon-credits-to-restore-amazon-rainforest-faces-challenges-from-data-center-growth-trumps-fossil-fuel-focus">Amazon rainforest</a> using native species and generate carbon credits for companies seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions, according to<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/brazil-reforestation-startup-mombak-raises-30-million-usv-led-round-2025-04-29/"> Reuters</a>.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mombak&#8217;s Ambitious Growth</h2>



Since its founding in 2021 by Gabriel Silva, former CFO of Nubank, and Peter Fernandez, former CEO of 99, Mombak has planted 5 million native trees across 45,000 acres, an area three times the size of Manhattan, Reuters writes. The company aims to reach 8 million trees planted by June.



&#8220;We are moving from startup to scale-up,&#8221; co-founder Gabriel Silva told Reuters. &#8220;We decided it was time to have a new capital round to invest in this new phase: taking our initial business and doing it in a much larger scale.&#8221;



Mombak&#8217;s approach involves acquiring or partnering with owners of degraded Amazon land to restore native vegetation, generating carbon credits that companies can purchase to offset their emissions. This model not only helps in carbon sequestration but also contributes to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in the Amazon.



Trending: Donald Trump just announced a $500 billion AI infrastructure deal — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/seize-a-share-while-you-still-can-in-the-2-trillion-entertainment-market-with-elf-labs-at-just-2-25-share">here's how you can invest in the entertainment market's next big disruptor at $2.25 per share</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Carbon Credit Demand Soars with Big Tech Support</h2>



According to Reuters, Mombak has already signed $150 million worth of carbon removal offtake contracts and expects that number to quadruple within the next year. Major companies such as Google, Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and McLaren Racing have already committed to purchasing credits from Mombak, a sign that big tech is taking nature-based carbon removal seriously,<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/google-buys-carbon-removal-credits-brazil-startup-joining-microsoft-2024-09-19/"> Reuters</a> writes.



Google recently agreed to buy 50,000 metric tons of carbon credits from Mombak by 2030, marking its first carbon removal partnership in South America. Microsoft, ahead of the curve, also signed a contract in 2023 to purchase up to 1.5 million carbon credits from Mombak. Meta has also pledged support through its participation in the Symbiosis Coalition, a group that includes Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, which committed to contracting up to 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removal credits by 2030, according to Reuters.



McLaren Racing, the iconic Formula 1 team, joined this growing list of partners by purchasing credits from the startup as part of its mission to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, Mombak <a href="https://mombak.com/news/mclaren-buys-carbon-credits-in-quest-for-net-zero/">announced</a>. These partnerships signal growing industry confidence in the scalability and quality of Mombak's carbon removal strategy.



See Also: Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary called Missing Ring his biggest mistake — Don't repeat history—<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/big-tech-has-spent-billions-acquiring-ai-smart-home-startups-one-company-stands-to-benefit-and-has-already-made-10-million">invest in RYSE at just $1.90/share.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Public and Private Capital Fuel Climate Restoration</h2>



In addition to private equity and venture funding, Mombak recently secured $17.8 million through a joint commitment from Santander Brasil and Brazilian state development bank BNDES, Reuters<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/santander-bndes-back-mombak-reforestation-drawing-brazil-climate-fund-2025-04-07/"> writes</a>. This makes Mombak the first reforestation project to receive support from Brazil's $2 billion New Climate Fund, launched in 2023 to advance climate-focused initiatives.



Andy Weissman, managing partner at Union Square Ventures, emphasized the importance of this work, stating, "We believe that carbon removal will be one of the defining industries of the 21st century. We're proud to support Mombak's mission to turn the Amazon into a global engine for climate restoration."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Road Ahead</h2>



With over $200 million raised since its founding, Mombak stands at the intersection of environmental impact and economic innovation. The company's commitment to large-scale reforestation, combined with demand from global corporations, positions it to lead a new wave of climate restoration rooted in natural solutions.



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Image: Shutterstock

Google, Microsoft, Meta, And McLaren Back Mombak's $30M Amazon Reforestation Push, Targeting $600M In Carbon Credit Deals By 2025

At the annual shareholder meeting of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-a#NYSE">BRK-A</a>) on Saturday, Warren Buffett has voiced his criticism of the present administration's trade policyAt the annual shareholder meeting of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BRK.A#NYSE">BRK.A</a>) on Saturday, Warren Buffett has voiced his criticism of the present administration&#8217;s trade policy, labeling the imposition of punitive tariffs on global trade as a severe mistake.



What Happened: During the session, Buffett expressed his discontent with the current aggressive trade policy, without directly mentioning President Donald Trump.



Addressing the gathering, Buffett <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LWBphTImy4">said</a>, emphasized, &#8220;Trade should not be a weapon,&#8221; and cautioned against provoking billions of people worldwide with punitive tariffs. 



"Trade should not be a weapon. The United States won. I mean, we have become an incredibly important country, starting from nothing 250 years ago There's not been anything like it," Buffett said. 



"It's a big mistake, in my view, when you have seven and a half billion people that don't like you very well, and you got 300 million that are crowing in some way about how well they've done &#8211; I don't think it's right, and I don't think it's wise," he added.



His remarks were made following the White House&#8217;s recent introduction of the highest import levies in decades, which has caused considerable market instability.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44211240/warren-buffett-on-debt-and-donald-trumps-money-moves-trump-never-went-right">Warren Buffett on Debt and Donald Trump&#8217;s Money Moves: Trump &#8216;Never Went Right&#8217;</a>



"I do think that the more prosperous the rest of the world becomes, it won't be at the our expense, the more prosperous we'll become, and the safer we'll feel, and your children will feel someday," Buffett said.



The esteemed investor also underscored the significance of global prosperity, asserting that a prosperous world would not come at the cost of the United States, but rather enhance its safety and prosperity.



In its first-quarter earnings report Berkshire Hathaway noted that tariffs and other geopolitical events have generated &#8220;considerable uncertainty&#8221; for the conglomerate. 



The company also disclosed that it has been operating defensively, selling stocks for 10 consecutive quarters, resulting in a record cash reserve of $347 billion at the end of March.



Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s comments come at a time when the world is grappling with the economic impacts of the current administration&#8217;s hardline trade policy. The policy has been marked by the imposition of high tariffs, leading to significant market volatility and uncertainty. 



This has prompted companies like Berkshire Hathaway to adopt a defensive stance, selling stocks and amassing cash reserves. Buffett&#8217;s criticism of the policy underscores the potential risks and challenges it poses to global trade and prosperity. 



His remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a balanced and cooperative approach to global trade, for the benefit of all nations involved.



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Earnings

Warren Buffett Warns Tariffs Could Backfire on Economy, Says, 'Trade Should Not Be A Weapon. It's A Big Mistake, I Don't Think It's Wise'

In the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-a#NYSE">BRK-A</a>) reported a significant drop in its operating earnings announced on Saturday. In the first quarter of&nbsp;2025,&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BRK.A#NYSE">BRK.A</a>) reported a significant drop in its operating earnings announced on Saturday. The company has raised concerns about the potential impact of tariffs on future profits.



What Happened: The conglomerate&#8217;s operating earnings, which include its&nbsp;fully owned insurance and railroad&nbsp;businesses, fell 14% to $9.64&nbsp;billion in&nbsp;the first three months of&nbsp;the year. This is a significant drop from the $11.22 billion reported in the first quarter of 2024.



According to the Berkshire <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/qtrly/1stqtr25.pdf">report</a>, the decline was largely&nbsp;driven by a 48.6% plunge&nbsp;in insurance-underwriting profit, which&nbsp;came in at $1.34 billion&nbsp;for the first quarter, down&nbsp;from $2.60 billion a year&nbsp;prior. Berkshire attributed this to the Southern California wildfires, which&nbsp;led to a $1.1 billion&nbsp;loss in Q1.



The company also suffered an approximate $713 million loss related to foreign exchange due to the dollar losing value in the first quarter. This is in stark contrast to the same period last year when it benefited from a $597 million forex gain.



"Our periodic operating results may be affected in future periods by impacts of ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical events, as well as changes in industry or company-specific factors or events. The pace of changes in these events, including international trade policies and tariffs, has accelerated in 2025. Considerable uncertainty remains as to the ultimate outcome of these events," Berkshire said in the earnings report.



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"The amount of investment gains, losses in any given quarter is usually meaningless and delivers figures for net earnings per share that can be extremely misleading to investors who have little or no knowledge of accounting rules," Berkshire's statement read.



Berkshire also expressed concerns over President Donald Trump&#8216;s tariffs and other geopolitical risks, stating that it&#8217;s unable to predict any potential impact from tariffs at this time. The company&#8217;s cash reserves also increased to a record $347 billion during the first quarter, up from around $334 billion at the end of 2024.



Why It Matters: The steep drop in Berkshire&#8217;s earnings is a cause for concern among investors, given the company&#8217;s wide-ranging portfolio of businesses. The decline in insurance-underwriting profit, in particular, highlights the risks associated with the company&#8217;s insurance operations.



The company&#8217;s concerns over tariffs and geopolitical risks also underscore the uncertainty facing global businesses. The increase in cash reserves, however, suggests that Berkshire is well-positioned to weather potential economic headwinds.



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Berkshire Hathaway's Q1 2025 Earnings Plunge Amid Tariff Concerns, Operating Profit Fell 14%, Cash Hit A Record

According to Bill Eigen, a portfolio manager at JPMorgan Asset Management, markets are significantly reactive to President Donald Trump's social media posts.&nbsp;



What Happened: Speaking to CNBC Friday morning ahead of the April jobs report, Eigen said economic data is quickly taking a back seat.



"We're one Truth Social post away from being up or down 5% every day," Eigen said, describing the current market environment as "fun," but filled with turbulence.



<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="Don&#039;t see anything that&#039;s going to make the deficit better going forward: JPMorgan&#039;s Bill Eigen" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fgzvAQY8h1o?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>



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Why It's Important: Trump's posts in the last few months back up Eigen's statement, <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/05/02/markets-swings-truth-social-posts-jpmorgan-potfolio-manager/">noted</a> Fortune. Markets surged after he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44946516/goldman-sachs-ceo-says-trumps-90-day-tariff-pause-increased-the-level-of-uncertainty-triggered-market-repricing">announced a 90-day tariff grace period</a> to negotiate trade deals.



Conversely, they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44940900/us-futures-dollar-jump-amid-trumps-latest-comments-on-fed-nikkei-rebounds-to-three-week-high">tumbled when he posted</a> that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's removal "couldn't come fast enough."



Before his inauguration, Trump moved currency markets by threatening tariffs on Canada and Mexico, causing the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso to fall.



A February JPMorgan study found Trump is posting fewer market-moving messages than during his first term, but momentum is building. About 10% of his recent posts have led to noticeable market shifts, according to Reuters.



Meanwhile, the U.S. labor market <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45164558/us-adds-177000-jobs-in-april-topping-forecasts-as-economy-navigates-tariff-impact">remained resilient in April</a>, with job growth exceeding expectations despite pressure from trade tariffs affecting various sectors.



According to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000, down slightly from March's revised figure of 185,000.



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was up 1.48% on Friday, while the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, was up 1.48%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;138z7gr&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;MjA5Njc0MjY1My4xNzQwODM2NTUw&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;R1MxLjEuMTc0NDY0ODA3Mi4yLjAuMTc0NDY0ODA3NS4wLjAuMA..&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTc0NTgyOTMzMy4xLjEuMTc0NTgyOTYyMy4wLjAuMA..">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



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



Image Via Shutterstock

Media

Donald Trump's Social Media Posts Move Markets More Than Jobs Data, Says JPMorgan Portfolio Manager: 'We're One Truth Social Post Away From Being Up Or Down 5% Every Day'

A historic divergence is unfolding across asset classes, with gold surging to its best presidential-term start since Gerald Ford while U.S. stocks post their worst performance since the same era, and Bank of America's chief strategist Michael Hartnett says investors are increasingly betting on policy shifts to rescue the market <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">from soft macroeconomic headwinds.</a>



In a note shared Friday, Hartnett outlined how the "second 100 days" of Donald Trump's 2025 presidency could bring a pivot toward lower tariffs, lower rates and lower taxes — a bullish trifecta for risk assets.



That shift, he said, could revive appetite for equities, even as recession signals persist in the economic data.



Just a week ago, Hartnett said a sustainable bull market would need three things: lower Treasury yields under 4%, consistent earnings growth above 5%, and a meaningful U.S.-China tariff rollback. His strategy remained: "Stay BIG, sell rips" — favoring bonds, international stocks and gold while fading rallies in U.S. equities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best Start For Gold In Nearly 50 Years</h3>



Gold is the standout performer year to date, up 22%, marking its best opening 100 days since the Ford administration. 



In contrast, the S&amp;P 500 is down 0.3%, its worst kickoff since the 1970s, while the U.S. dollar has tumbled 7.6%, logging its steepest slide since the Nixon era.



Notably, gold – as tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) – logged its fifth straight month of outperformance versus stocks in April, notching both the longest streak since 2009 and the strongest since 2011. 



Read more: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45154011/gold-leaves-sp-500-in-the-dust-with-biggest-outperformance-in-14-years">Gold Leaves S&amp;P 500 In The Dust With Biggest Outperformance In 14 Years</a>



Hartnett attributed the initial market moves to headline-grabbing developments like artificial intelligence excitement, crypto speculation, NATO tensions and "Liberation Day" trades. 



Yet, these trades are now "unwinding significantly," he said, as attention shifts to potential Trump-era economic policies in the pipeline.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lower Yields, Weaker Dollar Cushion ‘Soft' Macro Data</h3>



Treasury yields are reflecting expectations of easier monetary policy. The 2-year Treasury yield has fallen 70 basis points since Trump&#8217;s Inauguration Day, oil is down 20%, and the U.S. dollar is weakening. 



These moves, combined with strong capital expenditures in AI — tracking at $320 billion for 2025 — are helping to cushion the blow from deteriorating economic indicators.



Soft macro data is still troubling: GDP forecasts for 2026 have dropped to 1.5% from 2%, oil has plunged 56% since the Russia-Ukraine shock and 17% since "Liberation Day," and consumer sentiment remains weak. 



Yet, Hartnett said as long as the U.S. labor market holds up — with no significant cracks in payrolls — recession fears may be premature.



April employment growth soared by 177,000, according to official statistics released Friday, topping estimates of 130,000. 



Now Read: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45166673/trump-cheers-falling-inflation-traders-pare-bets-on-fed-easing-after-jobs-report-the-fed-should-lower-its-rate">Trump Pressures Fed After Solid Jobs, Cooling Inflation: &#8216;Lower Its Rate!&#8217; (CORRECTED)</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Econ #s

Forget The Stock Market's Tariff Turmoil. Trump's Next 100 Days Could Bring A Bullish Trifecta That Reignites Demand, Expert Says

Sen. Elizabeth Warren pressed Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) founder Jeff Bezos on Wednesday over the company's abrupt decision to scrap a feature that would have shown shoppers how much Trump-era tariffs add to prices.



What Happened: In a pointed <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25923946-warren-letter-to-jeff-bezos/">letter</a>, the Massachusetts Democrat asked whether a phone call from President Donald Trump, who reportedly fumed over the plan, led Bezos to pull the plug and, in return, secure "promises or favors." Warren warned that hiding tariff costs "keeps consumers in the dark" and could signal a corrupt quid pro quo between Big Tech and the White House.



Amazon denies any deal-making. Spokesperson Tim Doyle, in a statement <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/amazon-considers-displaying-tariff-surcharge-on-low-cost-haul-products.html">shared</a> with CNBC, said <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/45086459/amazon-pressures-suppliers-for-discounts-may-show-tariff-related-costs-on-haul-site">displaying tariffs</a> "was never approved," adding the idea surfaced only for the China-to-U.S. Haul storefront before being shelved. Trump during a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, said, &#8220;Jeff Bezos is very nice. Terrific. He solved the problem very quickly. He did the right thing. Good guy.&#8221;



Warren wants details: What exactly was planned, when did Amazon reverse course, and did Trump threaten retaliation or dangle exemptions? She gave Bezos until May 13 to respond.



See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45112921/trumps-145-china-tariffs-spark-seller-backlash-as-amazon-prime-day-2025-faces-pullouts-and-discount">Trump&#8217;s 145% China Tariffs Spark Seller Backlash As Amazon Prime Day 2025 Faces Pullouts And Discount Cuts: Report</a>



Why It Matters: Warren isn&#8217;t the only one who found the Bezos-Trump exchange odd. Economist Peter Schiff <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45090925/trumps-call-to-jeff-bezos-over-amazons-tariff-display-plans-draws-criticism-from-peter-schiff-this-is-the-type-of-stuff-you-might-expect-to-see-in-china">blasted Trump</a> for phoning Bezos to quash Amazon's plan to reveal tariff costs at checkout. Calling the move "the type of stuff you might expect to see in China," Schiff argued that consumers deserve to see the hidden taxes baked into prices and rejected the White House's claim that such transparency is "hostile and political."



Trump, who has slapped Chinese goods with tariffs as high as 145% and a 10% levy on other imports, praised Bezos for nixing the idea, saying the Amazon founder "solved the problem very quickly." Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs analysts warn that Trump's tariff regime could shave <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/45086459/amazon-pressures-suppliers-for-discounts-may-show-tariff-related-costs-on-haul-site">6%–12% off</a> Amazon's 2025 operating margins.



Price Action: Amazon stock closed at $184.42 on Wednesday, down 1.58% for the day. In pre-market trading, however, the stock is up to $191.70, by 3.95%. Year to date, Amazon shares have dropped 16.26%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



Image via Shutterstock



Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45057481/if-you-invested-10k-in-amazon-stock-10-years-ago-how-much-would-you-have-now">If You Invested $10K In Amazon Stock 10 Years Ago, How Much Would You Have Now?</a>

Elizabeth Warren Asks Jeff Bezos If Trump Threatened Retaliation Or Offered 'Favors' After Calling Him 'Very Nice' For Amazon's Reversal On Showing Tariff Fees

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