La vendita allo scoperto per Bitwise Funds Trust Bitwise Web3 ETF dà agli investitori un'idea del grado in cui gli investitori stanno scommettendo sul declino delle azioni di Bitwise Funds Trust Bitwise Web3 ETF. I dati relativi alle vendite allo scoperto vengono aggiornati ogni due settimane.

Bitwise Funds Trust Bitwise Web3 ETF (ARCA:BWEB), Report sulle vendite allo scoperto

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Fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 80 percent, of its net assets plus borrowings in the securities comprising the Index. The Fund, using a full replication approach, attempts to reproduce, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Index.

Shopify Inc.

Roblox

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Equinix, Inc.

Coinbase Global, Inc.

Cloudflare Inc

Electronic Arts, Inc.

Block, Inc

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Bitwise Web3 ETF

Bitwise Funds Trust Bitwise Web3 ETF

First Advantage Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FA#NASDAQ">FA</a>) shares are trading lower on Thursday. Wolfe Research downgraded the company to a Peer Perform rating from an Outperform rating. In addition, Wolfe withdrew its $20 price target and believes the screening business&#8217;s stock is fairly valued, setting a fair value range of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/41267215">$20 to $23</a>.
What To Know: Wolfe Research, in a note, said it remains optimistic in regards to the &#8220;structural strength&#8221; of First Advantage&#8217;s business and believes the company is well-positioned to benefit from long-term trends in vendor consolidation.
Trends in vendor consolidation refer to the increasing tendency of companies to use fewer vendors for services such as screening. On the other hand, Wolfe Research is concerned about the impact of declining employee separation and quit rates on First Advantage&#8217;s growth. Wolfe considers these factors more important than job openings or payroll growth.
Lastly, Wolfe views the acquisition of STER, a background check and identity verification company, as beneficial for First Advantage. Some potential benefits Wolfe sees include, &#8220;vertical/end market diversification, increased global presence and stronger identity assets.&#8221; Wolfe did note concerns that the current price of STER shares may not represent the best value.
Is First Advantage A Good Stock To Buy?
An investor can make a few decisions when deciding whether a stock is a good buy. In addition to valuation metrics and price action which you can find on Benzinga's quote pages &#8211; like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FA">First Advantage</a>&#8216;s page for example &#8211; there are factors like whether or not a company pays a dividend or buys a large portion of its stock each quarter.
These are known as capital allocation programs. First Advantage (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FA#NASDAQ">FA</a>) does not pay a dividend, but obviously has a few ways it can return value to shareholders. Feel free to search Benzinga's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/dividends">dividend calendar</a> for the next company that is due to pay a dividend and determine what kind of yield you can earn for holding a share of the company.
Buyback programs are obviously different and highly variable. A company can approve a buyback program and purchase shares as it sees fit over the course of time in which the buyback was authorized. Looking through the latest news on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FA">First Advantage</a> will often yield whether or not the company has approved a buyback program recently. Buyback programs usually serve as a support for share prices, serving as a backstop for demand.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41266991/teslas-robotaxi-to-take-flight-with-doors-that-open-like-butterfly-wings-report">Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi To Take Flight With Doors That Open Like Butterfly Wings: Report</a>
FA Price Action: At the time of publication, First Advantage stock is trading 2.15% lower at $19.36 per data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: 2846221 from Pixabay.

News

Movers

What's Going On With First Advantage Shares Thursday?

Cheech &amp; Chong, the iconic comedy duo that ventured into cannabis is getting ready to celebrate the grand opening of their first shop in Maine.
The Dispensoria is located at 58 Exchange Street in Portland, Maine and slated to open doors to customers this Thursday, <a href="https://wgme.com/news/local/cheech-and-chong-open-cannabis-store-in-portland-maine-dispensoria-marijuana-exchange-street-cheech-marin-tommy-chong-cheech-and-chongs-cannabis-company">reported</a> WGME.
&#8220;Our Dispensorias are about more than just buying cannabis — they immerse you in a world where cannabis culture is celebrated with humor and fun,&#8221; said Cheech Marin, co-founder of Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Company. &#8220;We wanted to create a space that's welcoming, laid-back, and makes the whole experience enjoyable from the moment you walk through the door.&#8221;
Tommy Chong seconded Marin.
&#8220;We wanted to give people a place where they can smile while they shop,&#8221; added Tommy Chong. &#8220;The plant brings joy, and the space where you get it should too.&#8221;
The famous duo will visit the store on Sunday.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/03/37595637/exclusive-tommy-chong-on-cheech-and-chongs-sxsw-premiere-cannabis-legalization-the-perils-of-inf">EXCLUSIVE: Tommy Chong On Cheech And Chong&#8217;s SXSW Premiere, Cannabis Legalization, The Perils Of Infused Popcorn</a>
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<li>Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter <a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you're serious about the business, you can't afford to miss out.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Connecticut's New Cannabis Shop</h3>
Cannabis retail brand Higher Collective will open its newest location at 3369 Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport, Connecticut this Friday, Oct. 11.
The grand opening festivities will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim on the same day. The new store will be open seven days a week.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">New York Gets More Recreational Marijuana Shops</h3>
RIV Capital Inc. (CSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIV#CSE">RIV</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNPOF#OTC">CNPOF</a>) announced this week that Etain has commenced co-located adult-use sales at its existing medical dispensary at 445 NY-28, Kingston in New York. The opening follows the company&#8217;s recent launch of recreational weed sales at its Etain Manhattan location at 242 E 58th Street, as well as the New York debut of the MOODS line of branded cannabis products.
A grand opening celebration will take place on Friday, Oct. 18, at Etain Kingston, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony and exclusive in-store promotions.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">High Tide's New Toronto Cannabis Store</h3>
Canadian cannabis giant High Tide Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HITI#NASDAQ">HITI</a>) (TSXV:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HITI#TSXV">HITI</a>) (FSE: 2LYA) announced on Thursday that its Canna Cabana retail cannabis store at 3406 Dundas Street W in Toronto, Ontario will start selling recreational cannabis products and consumption accessories for adult use on Sunday, Oct. 13.
The opening marks High Tide&#8217;s 185th Canna Cabana branded retail cannabis location in Canada, the 71st in the province of Ontario and the 11th in the city of Toronto.
Read Also:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41171278/heres-where-to-buy-legal-weed-these-states-get-new-stores-as-cannabis-legalization-looms">Here&#8217;s Where To Buy Legal Weed: These States Get New Stores As Cannabis Legalization Looms</a></li>
</ul>

Cannabis

Entrepreneurship

Retail Sales

CNPOF

CSE:RIV

HITI

TSXV:HITI

Cheech & Chong Open Cannabis Shop In Maine And More New Stores Where You Can Buy Legal Weed

Skye Bioscience (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/skye#NASDAQ">SKYE</a>) is a micro-cap pharmaceutical company that is striving to become the next big thing in the weight loss drug space. The massive success of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist drugs sold by Eli Lilly (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lly#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Novo Nordisk&nbsp;has prompted Wall Street analysts to place high expectations on Skye Bioscience.
Currently, Skye&#39;s average price target sits at over $18 per share. With shares trading at under $4 right now, this target implies that Skye&#39;s shares could rise north of 350%. I&#39;ll dive into the specifics of the medicine Skye is working on, as well as the obstacles between the company and reaching these lofty expectations.
<h2>Nimacimab: A Better Weight Loss Treatment?</h2>
Skye isn&#39;t working on a GLP-1 agonist drug. Its main drug is nimacimab, which acts as a peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) inhibitor. The drug is currently in Phase 2 of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) trials.
Reading through Skye&#39;s documents, I identified three main potential benefits of its drug. First, it works through a distinct mechanism compared to GLP-1 agonists. This means that it could be used in combination with GLP-1s to possibly enhance weight loss or simply offer an alternative to these drugs.
Second, and one reason why someone might choose a CB1 drug for weight loss is the potential for the drug not to come with the same negative side effects as GLP-1s. GLP-1s have been found to have gastrointestinal adverse effects on patients. These include nausea, vomiting, and other effects. Between 40% and 70% of patients develop these symptoms; however, some research has found it to be up to 85% of patients.
These side effects tend to go away quickly; however, they may be a large reason why many people stop taking the drugs. Somewhere between 33% and 66% of people stop treatment within the first year. This gives significant credence to the idea that Skye&#39;s medicine could become highly popular if it significantly reduces these negative side effects.
The last reason relates to the history of CB1 inhibitors. Back in 2006, the CB1 drug Accomplia was approved in the European Union to treat obesity. However, the drug crashed and burned due to the serious side effects, including depression and suicidal ideation.
Researchers believe this is because the drug entered the brain. The &quot;peripheral&quot; classification of Skye&#39;s drug means it is designed not to enter the brain and only affect peripheral body tissue. Through this, Skye believes that its drug can mitigate these negative psychiatric effects.
<h2>Comparing Skye&#39;s and Novo Nordisk&#39;s CB1 Trial Results</h2>
Thus far, nimacimab has had some promising results regarding side effects. The Phase 1 trial for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease found that less than 5% of patients had gastrointestinal side effects. Additionally, researchers did not observe any adverse psychiatric effects. The company plans to release interim Phase 2 data for the treatment of obesity in Q2 2025 and final data in Q4 2025. Data will show the effects of the drug on its own as well as in conjunction with Wegovy.
Recently, Novo released Phase 2 results for its CB1 drug monlunabant. Researchers found the drug had &quot;mild to moderate neuropsychiatric side effects.&quot; However, it did achieve 6.4% weight loss after 16 weeks.
Skye sees this news as positive. It supports that CB1 drugs can induce weight loss. But it also shows why Skye&#39;s drug could be better at reducing its harmful psychiatric effects. This is because monlunabant is not a peripheral CB1 inhibitor. So, the drug does enter the brain, purportedly causing the psychiatric effects.
<h2>Nimacimab&#39;s Potential Drawbacks and What to Watch For</h2>
The main potential drawback of nimacimab is it may be less effective in treating weight loss. It appears that Skye is only targeting 8% weight loss after 26 weeks with just nimacimab. This would be significantly less weight loss than tirzepatide, Eli Lilly&#39;s GLP-1 over that period. Depending on the dose, tirzepatide showed between around 12% and 16% weight loss after that period. A much lower percentage of weight loss could hurt nimacimab&#39;s potential sales.
Due to this, the results that look at its weight loss when combined with Wegovy may be more interesting, especially if they are significantly able to reduce gastrointestinal adverse events. These results should have huge implications for Skye&#39;s stock price; however, betting on them is a risky proposition. After all, only 12% of drugs that enter FDA trials ever get approved.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/dont-sleep-on-skye-biosciencethis-weight-loss-drug-could-soar/">Don&#39;t Sleep on Skye Bioscience&mdash;This Weight Loss Drug Could Soar</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

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General

SKYE

Don't Sleep on Skye Bioscience—This Weight Loss Drug Could Soar

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Looking at options history for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>) we detected 9 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 66% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 22% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $152,500 and 6, calls, for a total amount of $296,619.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $520.0 to $1090.0 for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals options trades today is 77.14 with a total volume of 57.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals's big money trades within a strike price range of $520.0 to $1090.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Regeneron Pharmaceuticals 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728584280_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>REGN</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/11/24</td>
<td>$90.7</td>
<td>$85.8</td>
<td>$90.8</td>
<td>$1090.00</td>
<td>$90.8K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">11</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>REGN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>10/11/24</td>
<td>$198.0</td>
<td>$188.1</td>
<td>$193.97</td>
<td>$820.00</td>
<td>$77.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>REGN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$527.0</td>
<td>$517.0</td>
<td>$527.0</td>
<td>$520.00</td>
<td>$52.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>REGN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$52.0</td>
<td>$50.1</td>
<td>$52.0</td>
<td>$1040.00</td>
<td>$52.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">286</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>REGN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$51.5</td>
<td>$48.4</td>
<td>$51.5</td>
<td>$1040.00</td>
<td>$51.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">286</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">20</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals</h3>
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals discovers, develops, and commercializes products that fight eye disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammation. The company has several marketed products, including Eylea, approved for wet age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases; Praluent for LDL cholesterol lowering; Dupixent in immunology; Libtayo in oncology; and Kevzara in rheumatoid arthritis. Regeneron is also developing monoclonal and bispecific antibodies with Sanofi, other collaborators, and independently, and has earlier-stage partnerships that bring new technology to the pipeline, including RNAi (Alnylam) and CRISPR-based gene editing (Intellia).
<h3>Where Is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 270,067, the price of REGN is down by -1.11%, reaching $1000.96.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 21 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $1170.4.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Truist Securities downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $1200. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from BMO Capital lowers its rating to Outperform with a new price target of $1300. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Neutral, adjusting the price target to $1015. 
&#x2A; An analyst from RBC Capital has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, which currently sits at a price target of $1260. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Leerink Partners has revised its rating downward to Market Perform, adjusting the price target to $1077. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

REGN

What the Options Market Tells Us About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on AppLovin (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the positions showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with APP, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 8 options trades for AppLovin.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 37% bullish and 37%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $45,468, and 7, calls, for a total amount of $254,945.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $85.0 to $160.0 for AppLovin over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for AppLovin's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of AppLovin's whale activity within a strike price range from $85.0 to $160.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>AppLovin 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728584275_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$44.7</td>
<td>$43.1</td>
<td>$44.19</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$66.2K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>101</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$1.75</td>
<td>$1.6</td>
<td>$1.6</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$45.4K</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$71.7</td>
<td>$70.7</td>
<td>$71.05</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$35.5K</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/22/24</td>
<td>$7.2</td>
<td>$6.6</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$33.5K</td>
<td>120</td>
<td>50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$33.4</td>
<td>$32.6</td>
<td>$33.0</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$33.0K</td>
<td>591</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About AppLovin</h3>
AppLovin Corp is a mobile app technology company. It focuses on growing the mobile app ecosystem by enabling the success of mobile app developers. The company's software solutions provide tools for mobile app developers to grow their businesses by automating and optimizing the marketing and monetization of their applications.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding AppLovin, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of AppLovin</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 2,104,096, the price of APP is up 0.67% at $144.36. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 27 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for AppLovin</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $144.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from BTIG has decided to maintain their Buy rating on AppLovin, which currently sits at a price target of $150. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Macquarie has revised its rating downward to Outperform, adjusting the price target to $150. 
&#x2A; An analyst from B of A Securities persists with their Buy rating on AppLovin, maintaining a target price of $120. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Citigroup continues to hold a Buy rating for AppLovin, targeting a price of $155. 
&#x2A; In a positive move, an analyst from UBS has upgraded their rating to Buy and adjusted the price target to $145. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest AppLovin options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

AppLovin Unusual Options Activity For October 10

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards ASML Holding (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in ASML usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 29 extraordinary options activities for ASML Holding. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 34% leaning bullish and 51% bearish. Among these notable options, 15 are puts, totaling $1,375,995, and 14 are calls, amounting to $1,258,510.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $630.0 and $1150.0 for ASML Holding, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of ASML Holding stands at 107.56, with a total volume reaching 775.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in ASML Holding, situated within the strike price corridor from $630.0 to $1150.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>ASML Holding Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728584270_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ASML</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$40.7</td>
<td>$39.9</td>
<td>$40.3</td>
<td>$730.00</td>
<td>$402.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">164</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ASML</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$54.9</td>
<td>$54.0</td>
<td>$54.4</td>
<td>$850.00</td>
<td>$348.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">306</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ASML</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$68.8</td>
<td>$67.0</td>
<td>$68.8</td>
<td>$830.00</td>
<td>$261.4K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">75</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ASML</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$134.5</td>
<td>$133.2</td>
<td>$133.2</td>
<td>$900.00</td>
<td>$146.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">105</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ASML</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$81.6</td>
<td>$80.8</td>
<td>$80.8</td>
<td>$900.00</td>
<td>$121.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">299</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">16</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About ASML Holding</h3>
ASML is the leader in photolithography systems used in the manufacturing of semiconductors. Photolithography is the process in which a light source is used to expose circuit patterns from a photo mask onto a semiconductor wafer. The latest technological advances in this segment allow chipmakers to continually increase the number of transistors on the same area of silicon, with lithography historically representing a high portion of the cost of making cutting-edge chips. ASML outsources the manufacturing of most of its parts, acting like an assembler. ASML's main clients are TSMC, Samsung, and Intel.
In light of the recent options history for ASML Holding, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>ASML Holding's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 589,186, the ASML's price is down by -1.62%, now at $832.2. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 6 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About ASML Holding</h3>
Over the past month, 2 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $1103.5.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Wells Fargo continues to hold a Overweight rating for ASML Holding, targeting a price of $1000. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from JP Morgan keeps a Overweight rating on ASML Holding with a target price of $1207. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest ASML Holding options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

ASML

This Is What Whales Are Betting On ASML Holding

Jefferies analyst Stephanie Moore maintains ArcBest (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCB#NASDAQ">ARCB</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $140 to $130.

ARCB

Jefferies Maintains Buy on ArcBest, Lowers Price Target to $130

U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler, at a recent event at New York University (NYU) School of Law, expressed his doubts over the potential of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), to become widely accepted forms of payment.
What Happened: In a fireside chat with former SEC Democratic Commissioner Robert Jackson Jr., Gensler indicated cryptocurrencies are likely to continue being seen primarily as a store of value rather than a widely accepted medium of exchange, as reported by CoinDesk. 
He stated the ultimate utility of any given cryptocurrency would be determined by the investing public through disclosures.
Gensler also defended the SEC&#8217;s aggressive enforcement actions against crypto companies, stating that the crypto industry was rife with &#8220;a lot of fraudsters, a lot of grifters, a lot of scams.&#8221; 
He <a href="https://x.com/CIFonX/status/1844072678732497357">added</a> that the leading figures in the crypto field in 2024 are either in jail or awaiting extradition.
Gensler sees no need for additional regulatory framework beyond the Howey Test, a time-tested criterion for determining what constitutes an investment contract.
When asked if it would be better to create a regulatory framework for digital assets, Gensler stated that framework exists already but if people do not like the law, it does not mean there is no law.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/digital-assets"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29155259/905735A6-57D3-4874-9AA1-75D037842DB3-2.gif" alt="Benzinga Future of Digital Assets conference" class="wp-image-270548" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benzinga Future of Digital Assets Conference.</figcaption></figure>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41205634/mark-cuban-slams-gary-gensler-for-making-crypto-regulations-so-difficult-if-he-had-">Mark Cuban Slams Gary Gensler For Making Crypto Regulations &#8216;So Difficult:&#8217; &#8216;If He Had Followed The Same Rules That Japan Did, FTX Would Still Be In Business&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: As cryptocurrencies continue to gain popularity and acceptance, the stance of regulatory bodies like the SEC becomes increasingly important. Gensler&#8217;s skepticism towards cryptocurrencies as a mainstream form of payment highlights the ongoing debate about the role and future of digital currencies.
The SEC&#8217;s reliance on the Howey Test for determining what constitutes an investment contract in the crypto space also indicates that existing regulatory frameworks are deemed sufficient.
A latest FBI cryptocurrency fraud report for 2023 reported 69,468 complaints were received with cryptocurrency nexus and the most reported was an investment fraud. With a total loss of $5.6 billion in 2023, there was an increase of 45% in losses since 2022.
What&#8217;s Next: The influence of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as an institutional asset class</a>&nbsp;is expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga&#8217;s upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;event on Nov. 19.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41196434/i-wanted-to-f-with-gary-gensler-says-mark-cuban-about-his-sec-head-aspirations-youre-not-going-to-se">&#8216;I Wanted To F&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A; With Gary Gensler,&#8217; Says Mark Cuban About His SEC Head Aspirations – &#8216;You&#8217;re Not Going To See Me In Politics&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Created with an image from Shutterstock and Third Way Think Tank on<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/thirdwaythinktank/9261423417/in/photolist-27VnWPH-2mgmvfT-7HjJG8-2nVKGuy-bRCxAn-2nTUW5f-cN4cmQ-2nTTxvm-f7pdvk-f7DrM5-2nTUVoa-f7pdw6-2peGFzq-f7DrQQ-f7pdwT-2nTVQxH-di2nb-f7DrQN-f7pdxn-2nTVQnh-7AvU6F-f7pdwc-f7pdvD-f7pdyi-f7DrLE-2nTWbSZ-2nTUYxr-2nTWeC3-2nTQWvG-2nTWa8w-aA8Ne4-2nTUUjw-2nTVRve-2nTVPsb-2iDjToV-2nTTxEp-bn7pgB-oaf1f5-2pezPRg-bn7p8r-dkDy1S-7AzEBs-bn7p2n-2nTUXyY-fNTRDo-2peEg1k-9GnbFt-9Gq5iL-9Gnc3K-2peGFkN"> Flickr</a> Creative Commons

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

Government

Regulations

$BTC

Gary Gensler Doubts Cryptocurrency Future, Says Leading Figures Are Either In Jail Or Awaiting Extradition

Major U.S. equity indices edged lower on Thursday following a hotter-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation report for September and as oil prices spiked, driven by fuel disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton and rising tensions <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/middle-east">in the Middle East.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 slipped 0.2% from its record high set on Wednesday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 mirrored the decline. Small-cap stocks lagged, with the Russell 2000 dropping 0.9%.
Consumer prices rose 2.4% year-over-year in September, slightly down from August&#8217;s 2.5% rate but above the consensus estimate of 2.3%. Core inflation, which strips out the volatile energy and food categories, also came in higher than expected, ticking up from 3.2% to 3.3%.
Despite the inflation uptick, economists and investors remained broadly steadfast in their expectations of a 25-basis-point interest rate cut in November. 
In a separate report, weekly unemployment claims surged to 258,000 for the week ending Oct. 5, exceeding forecasts. The spike was likely influenced by auto industry layoffs in Michigan and disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene.
Oil prices rebounded sharply after two days of losses, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbing more than 3% to $75 per barrel. Natural gas prices also advanced over 2%.
Energy stocks outperformed the broader market as a result of the rally in oil prices. 
Experts, cited by Reuters, indicated that power outages in Florida, the closure of several product terminals, delayed tanker truck deliveries, and pipeline disruptions would likely keep gasoline prices elevated.
In the Middle East, Israeli forces reportedly fired on UN peacekeeping bases in southern Lebanon, resulting in injuries to two soldiers, according to UN sources. This incident occurred amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon. The incident prompted a sharp response from Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who summoned Israeli diplomats for an explanation.
Treasury yields remained stable, while the U.S. dollar gained modestly. Gold and silver prices both rose, with gold advancing 0.5% and silver up 1.5%. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) softened 0.4% to $60,300. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>20,237.38</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,779.17</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>42,346.74</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,178.60</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent101024&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data: 
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.2% to $575.45.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.4% to $423.47.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) inched 0.2% lower to $492.30.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) tumbled 1% to $215.87.</li>
<li>The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) outperformed, up 1%. The Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) lagged, down 1%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Advanced Micro Devices Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) fell over 3%, reflecting some investor disappointment during its Advancing AI keynote.</li>
<li>Celsius Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>) surged 12%, building on a 6% gain from the previous session, as the energy drink stock gained momentum among retail investors. Increased social media chatter pointed to the stock bouncing off key support levels, further fueling the rally.</li>
<li>Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NET#NYSE">NET</a>) shares jumped 7% on Thursday following the company&#8217;s announcement of a new president of product and engineering.</li>
<li>First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) plunged nearly 10% after Jefferies analyst Dushyant Ailani reiterated a Buy rating but lowered the price target from $271 to $266. Peer Enphase Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NASDAQ">ENPH</a>) fell over 5%.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41257938/fed-minutes-reveal-heated-debate-over-september-interest-rate-move-traders-trim-november-easing-">Fed Minutes Reveal Heated Debate Over September Interest Rate Move: Traders Trim November Easing Bets</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Equities

Macro Economic Events

Mid Cap

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Econ #s

Economics

Federal Reserve

Tech

ETFs

CELH

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

ENPH

FSLR

XLRE

Stocks Dip As Inflation Slows Less Than Expected, Oil Prices Spike Due To Hurricane Disruptions, Middle East Tensions: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE2cKSJ_dlE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE2cKSJ_dlE</a>
&nbsp;

Politics

LIVE: President Joe Biden Delivers Remarks On Milton Hurricane; Says Congress Should Come Back To Handle Disaster Relief Funding Immediately

Burlington Stores, Inc.&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/burl#NYSE">BURL</a>) strong sales growth in the second quarter of 2024, driven by an aggressive store expansion strategy, robust comparable sales performance and operational efficiencies, positions the company for sustained success.
Enhanced inventory management and operational efficiencies have boosted profitability. The company&#39;s revised guidance for fiscal 2024 reflects confidence in its continued strong performance, with expectations for improved margins and earnings.
Investments in supply-chain upgrades and automation position Burlington for sustained long-term growth. The company remains well-positioned to provide continued value to both consumers and investors, solidifying its market presence and competitive advantage.
<h2>BURL Achieves Growth on Store Expansion &amp; Improved Margins</h2>
Burlington achieved a remarkable 13% growth in total sales in the second quarter due to rapid store expansion. The company added 36 stores, raising its total store count to 1,057. This expansion is expected to continue, with plans to open 100 stores and relocate 30 by the end of 2024.
Sales at these new locations exceeded expectations, typically generating about $7 million in their first full year of operation. Burlington&#39;s continued focus on growing its store footprint underscores its ability to scale revenues and enhance its market presence across the United States.
Burlington&#39;s comparable store sales (comp sales) grew 5% year over year, surpassing its guidance of flat to 2%. A key driver of this success has been the company&#39;s emphasis on full-price selling, which rose 7%, enabling Burlington to reduce markdowns and increase margins. By reducing clearance sales and focusing on full-price goods, the company improved profitability and showcased its ability to deliver value to consumers.
BURL also made significant strides in improving its margins. The company&#39;s gross margin rose by 110 basis points, reaching 42.8% in the second quarter primarily due to faster inventory turnover and fewer markdowns. Operational efficiencies in distribution centers helped offset inflationary pressures, while supply-chain improvements contributed to a 160-basis-point expansion in the operating margin.
<h2>Burlington&#39;s Strong Outlook for FY24</h2>
BURL, which shares space with Skechers (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/skx#NYSE">SKX</a>), Steven Madden, Ltd. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/shoo#NASDAQ">SHOO</a>) and Abercrombie (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/anf#NYSE">ANF</a>), updated its fiscal 2024 guidance, signaling a stronger outlook. Total sales are expected to rise 9-10%, up from the previously mentioned 8-10%. Comparable store sales are projected to grow 2-3%, an improvement from the earlier stated 0-2%.
The adjusted operating margin is forecast to increase 50-70 basis points, higher than the prior stated 40-60 basis points. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be $7.66-$7.96, up from the previously stated $7.35-$7.75.
For the third quarter, Burlington anticipates a total sales increase of 10-12%, with comparable sales growth of 0-2% and an adjusted EBIT margin improvement of 60-80 basis points. In the fourth quarter, comparable sales are forecast to be flat or rise up to 2%, with total sales growth expected to be 5-7%.
<h2>Synopsis of SKX, SHOO &amp; ANF</h2>
Skechers is focused on expanding its direct-to-consumer segment and growing international sales. The company plans to invest in store openings, enhance omnichannel capabilities and build a second distribution center in China. These initiatives align with its long-term strategy to improve operational efficiency and expand customer reach. For fiscal 2024, Skechers expects sales between $8.88 billion and $8.98 billion, suggesting an increase from the $8 billion reported in fiscal 2023. It anticipates earnings per share between $4.08 and $4.18, indicating a rise from the $3.49 recorded in fiscal 2023.
Steven Madden&#39;s recovery in the U.S. wholesale footwear business signals a positive shift toward normalized inventory levels and renewed growth with key retail partners. This recovery underscores the brand&#39;s strength in its primary market and highlights its ability to overcome past challenges. With this improvement, the company is well-positioned for sustainable growth in its core business. Steven Madden&#39;s solid business framework enables it to capitalize on market opportunities and enhance stakeholder value. For 2024, SHOO expects revenue growth of 11-13% from that reported in 2023, with adjusted earnings projected at $2.55-$2.65 per share, implying growth from the $2.30 recorded in 2023.
Abercrombie is on track to achieve its 2024 target of demonstrating sustainable, profitable growth. The company expects to continue benefiting from strength in its brands, driven by its focus on delivering high-quality, on-trend assortments for new and retained customers across regions and brands. It has also been focused on making strategic investments across stores, digital and technology, which are slated to aid the company in the long term. Backed by the strong first-half fiscal 2024 results, Abercrombie raised its sales and operating margin views for the fiscal 2024. It anticipates net sales for fiscal 2024 to increase 12-13% from the $4.3 billion reported in the prior year. It earlier expected net sales growth of 10% for the fiscal 2024.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2348944/burl-gains-from-robust-comparable-sales-operational-efficiencies?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|zer_report_update-2348944">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Earnings

Guidance

BURL

SHOO

BURL Gains From Robust Comparable Sales & Operational Efficiencies

Fangdd Network Group Shares Resume Trade

Jefferies analyst Stephanie Moore maintains Saia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAIA#NASDAQ">SAIA</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $480 to $500.

SAIA

Jefferies Maintains Buy on Saia, Raises Price Target to $500

Jefferies analyst Stephanie Moore maintains Norfolk Southern (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSC#NYSE">NSC</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $275 to $280.

Jefferies Maintains Buy on Norfolk Southern, Raises Price Target to $280

It might be surprising for some to hear that 2024 has been a great year for stocks in the insurance industry. In fact, every single large-cap insurance stock in the United States and Canada trading region has a positive return this year. Additionally, the iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (ARCA: IAK) has provided a total return of nearly 29%.&nbsp; Some stocks, like Progressive (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pgr#NYSE">PGR</a>), are up more than 50%.
SelectQuote (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/slqt#NYSE">SLQT</a>) is no exception to the success of this industry. Shares are up 54% this year. However, one metric that does make it stand out is the average Wall Street price target placed on the company. It sits at $4.50. This means the stock could rise 113% from the $2.11 level as of the Oct. 8 close. This average price target matches up with the figure set by analysts at Craig-Hallum, who initiated coverage of the stock on Sept. 30.
<h2>SelectQuote&#39;s Business Model Has Advantages Over Traditional Insurance Companies</h2>
SelectQuote is a direct-to-consumer platform for shopping for insurance. It covers life, home, auto, and senior health insurance. It is not an insurance provider but simply finds insurance products for consumers. SelectQuote then gets a commission from the insurance provider when the consumer buys a policy.
The company claims that its competitive advantages are its technology and skilled agents. Its technology takes in customer data and analyzes it to connect a consumer to an agent that is best for them. Combined with the company&#39;s transparent pricing terms, a better customer experience is offered. This improves customer retention and leads to the company collecting more commissions over the life of an insurance policy.
The model of SelectQuote has some advantages over a traditional insurance company. First, because the company&#39;s salespeople do not work for a particular insurance company, they should be able to actually offer customers a better price. They can compare prices across the industry, and are not beholden to one company, making selling insurance much easier.
Additionally, the ability of agents to compare policies reduces the feeling from a customer that they are being &quot;sold to&quot; and pressured to buy a particular product. It&#39;s easy to see how this would lead to a better and longer lasting customer relationship. Lastly, the company can make money off these policies without taking on any of the insurance risks themselves.
<h2>SelectQuote&#39;s Healthcare Services Are Driving Growth</h2>
Another important part of the company&#39;s business is its healthcare services platform, which includes SelectRx. SelectRx is a pharmacy that ships prescriptions directly to patients. It also helps patients manage their prescriptions and ensure they take them on time. Additionally, its SelectPatient management platform helps patients manage their chronic conditions.
Since 2022, the company has shown an incredible ability to grow this part of the business, particularly through the pharmacy. Pharmacy revenue has grown by 680% in just two years, compared to growth of 22% in insurance commissions. This is likely due to the company&#39;s large base of senior health insurance customers. It makes cross-selling pharmacy products highly effective.
The company has been getting closer to profitability since starting the healthcare services part of the business in 2021. This part of the business has added significant revenue to the company, but has also come with significant costs. Still, gross margins in the segment are growing. This has helped the company reduce its loss per share in fiscal 2024 to $0.20 from a loss of $1.81 in 2022.
<h2>Valuation and Final Thoughts</h2>
Despite its large rise this year, the company does not seem overvalued compared to other insurance companies. Its 11.5x last 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA ratio sits slightly below the 12.6x average of all U.S. insurance companies with market capitalizations of at least $300 million.
The company expects revenue growth to slow significantly from the plus 30% range over the past years to around 10% next year. However, it does see loss per share improving by 30%. A big concern is that the company sees adjusted EBITDA falling by 10%.
It says this is due to a change in its commissions structure from one of the largest insurance companies it works with. This created a capital constraint, not the firm to hire as many agents for next year. However, it believes this is temporary. For me, SelectQuote looks like a nice business model that is going closer to profitability and has a reasonable valuation.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/is-selectquote-a-double-bagger-stock-analysts-predict-huge-gains/">Is SelectQuote a Double-Bagger Stock? Analysts Predict Huge Gains</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

Initiation

Insurance

iShares Dow Jones US Insurance Index Fund

SLQT

Is SelectQuote a Double-Bagger Stock? Analysts Predict Huge Gains

Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintains Sunrun (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $31 to $29.

Jefferies Maintains Buy on Sunrun, Lowers Price Target to $29

New Supermicro Systems Enable Customers to Upgrade and Consolidate Data Centers for AI Workloads
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --&nbsp;Supermicro, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>), a Total IT Solution Provider for AI, Cloud, Storage, and 5G/Edge, announces the launch of a new series of servers, GPU-accelerated systems, and storage servers featuring the AMD EPYC&#x2122; 9005 Series processors and AMD Instinct&#x2122; MI325X GPUs. The new H14 product line represents one of the most extensive server families in the industry, including Supermicro's Hyper systems, the Twin multi-node servers, and AI inferencing GPU systems, all available with air or liquid cooling options. &nbsp;The new "Zen5" processor core architecture implements full data path AVX-512 vector instructions for CPU-based AI inference and provides 17% better instructions per cycle (IPC) than the previous 4th generation EPYC processor, enabling more performance per core.
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SMCI

Supermicro Launches New Servers And GPU Accelerated Systems Featuring AMD EPYC 9005 Series CPUs And Instinct MI325X GPUs For AI Workloads; New H14 Product Line Offers Enhanced Performance, Density, And Cooling Solutions For AI And Cloud Data Centers

Fangdd Network Group Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Downside, Stock Now Down -15.9%

Fangdd Network Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUO#NASDAQ">DUO</a>) ("FangDD" or the "Company"), a customer-oriented property technology company in China, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors (the "Purchase Agreement") for the issuance and sale by the Company of US$4.5 million of Class A ordinary shares (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof), at a price of US$0.88 per share (or US$0.8794375 per pre-funded warrant), in a registered direct offering. &nbsp;
The Purchase Agreement contains representations, warranties and other provisions customary for transactions of this nature. The offering is expected to close on or about October 11, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. FangDD intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes.
The Company has engaged MM Global Securities, Inc. as its exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering.

Offerings

FangDD Announces Pricing Of $4.5M Registered Direct Offering, At A Price Of $0.88 Per Share

News Summary
<ul>
<li>Additions to the Dell AI Factory span infrastructure, solutions and services to simplify and speed enterprise AI adoption</li>
<li>Five new Dell&nbsp;PowerEdge servers with AMD 5th Generation EPYC processors deliver industry-leading AI performance, efficiency and flexibility at scale</li>
<li>Dell Generative AI Solutions for&nbsp;AMD simplify AI deployment with significant time-to-value improvements</li>
<li>The Dell Enterprise Hub now supports Dell&nbsp;PowerEdge XE9680 with AMD InstinctTM&nbsp;MI300X accelerators to securely deploy the latest Llama and Mixtral models</li>
<li>Dell Implementation Services for Generative AI Platform provides easy to manage, secure on-premises AI platform solutions to speed AI innovation</li>
</ul>

DELL

Dell Technologies Expands Dell AI Factory With New PowerEdge Servers To Accelerate Enterprise AI Adoption

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