A widespread power outage struck large parts of Spain and Portugal on Monday, disrupting daily life and causing travel chaos. Major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon and Seville were affected, with reports of outages also emerging from parts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/45034627/us-stock-futures-fall-as-markets-brace-for-earnings-from-microsoft-meta-apple-and-apple-this-week-earnings-estimates-dont-signal-a-recession-says-leading-analyst">of France and Andorra.&nbsp;</a>



The Details: The blackout shut down traffic lights, caused heavy congestion on roads, and halted operations at airports, train stations, and metro systems. 



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45012792/trump-administration-to-resume-collections-on-student-loans-5-million-borrowers-in-default?utm_source=articleShare">Trump Administration To Resume Collections On Student Loans: 5 Million Borrowers In Default&nbsp;</a>



In Madrid, traffic reached a standstill after signals failed, prompting police to advise people to avoid unnecessary travel and drive cautiously. The Madrid Open tennis tournament was suspended and fans exited in the dark. At Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport, travelers waited in unlit terminals without air conditioning or running water, and shops only accepted cash.



Spain's national rail operator, Renfe, reported that the blackout stopped trains nationwide and led to canceled departures. Metro systems in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia were also evacuated or shut down.



Portugal's grid operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais, confirmed that the entire Iberian Peninsula lost electrical supply and some regions in France were also impacted. E-Redes, which manages electricity distribution in Portugal, described the incident as part of a broader European problem and began restoring connections in phases.



Spanish grid operator Red Electrica said it was working closely with energy companies to restore power. It stressed that the cause was under investigation and that all resources were being dedicated to resolving the issue. 



Early reports suggest the outage may have originated from a failure in a high-voltage interconnector in France, possibly linked to a fire that damaged a crucial power line. This disconnected the Iberian Peninsula from the European grid and triggered cascading failures. However, investigations are ongoing, and officials have not ruled out other causes, including cyberattacks.



Power restoration is underway, but authorities warn it may take hours or longer. That&#8217;s due to the complexity of restarting the grid after such a large-scale blackout. 



Markets React: European markets traded higher on Monday, with all sectors in positive territory despite the power outages. The Vanguard FTSE European ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGK#NYSE">VGK</a>) was up 0.08% in premarket trading in New York. 



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44952117/apple-and-meta-fined-nearly-800-million-for-violating-european-unions-digital-markets-act?utm_source=articleShare">Apple And Meta Fined Nearly $800 Million For Violating European Union&#8217;s Digital Markets Act</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

News

Specialty ETFs

Eurozone

Global

Markets

ETFs

Massive Power Outages Hit Spain, Portugal Snarling Travel: Investigations Into Cause Underway

Domino's Pizza Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NASDAQ">DPZ</a>) shares were trading lower on Monday after the company reported its first-quarter FY25 earnings.



The company reported <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/n45034195/dominos-pizza-announces-first-quarter-2025-financial-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter revenue growth of 2.5%</a> year over year to $1.11 billion, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $1.13 billion. EPS of $4.33 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">beat the consensus</a> estimate of $4.07.



The revenue increase was primarily due to higher U.S. franchise advertising revenues, higher supply chain revenues and higher international franchise royalties and fees.&nbsp;



The growth in supply chain revenues was attributable to an increase in the company's food basket pricing to stores, which increased 4.8% during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the first quarter of 2024.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/25/04/45021992/us-restaurants-face-growth-hurdles-as-macro-headwinds-mount-says-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Restaurants Face Growth Hurdles As Macro Headwinds Mount, Says Analyst</a>



Global retail sales increased 4.7%, excluding the impact of foreign currency. Same-store sales in the U.S. fell 0.5%, while International same-store sales (excluding foreign currency impact) increased 3.7%.



The company's global net store count decreased by eight stores. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 90 basis points to 39.8%, while operating margin contracted 50 basis points to 18.9%.



Operating cash flow for the quarter totaled $179.1 million, with a free cash flow of $164.4 million. Domino's held $304.3 million in cash and equivalents as of March 23.



On&nbsp;April 23, 2025, the company's Board of Directors declared a&nbsp;$1.74&nbsp;per share quarterly dividend on its outstanding common stock for shareholders of record as of&nbsp;June 13, 2025, to be paid on&nbsp;June 30, 2025.



As of March&nbsp;23, 2025, the company's total remaining authorized amount for share repurchases was&nbsp;$764.3 million.



"Sustained market share growth reflects a company's ability to control what is under its control, a key to long term success. In the face of a challenging global macroeconomic environment, our Hungry for MORE strategic pillars are working together to drive MORE sales, MORE stores and MORE profits, annually," said CEO&nbsp;Russell Weiner.



On the company conference call, the executive mentioned that the business was impacted by the macro pressures on the lower-income consumer.



Price Action: DPZ shares are trading lower by 1.27% at $481.39 at last check Monday.



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45011035/meta-booz-allen-launch-space-llama-ai-system-for-space-station-operations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta, Booz Allen Launch' Space Llama' AI System For Space Station Operations</a></li>
</ul>



Photo by sdx15 via Shutterstock

General

Domino's Pizza Q1 Operating Margin Shrinks As Lower-Income Consumers Feel the Pinch

Last week, I suggested that you buy bonds instead of stocks. It's the smart play.



Even after the big rally Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44942218/bill-ackman-praises-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-as-steady-hand-ahead-of-world-bank-imf-spring-meetings">managed to spark</a> with his tariff reduction talks last week, you would still be better off collecting the coupon from bonds and in a position to cash in some sharp capital gains if the economy does weaken materially and the Fed is forced to lower rates.



Despite the feel-good talk coming out of D.C., it's highly unlikely that the trade-related volatility is over.



Even if the whole world goes to Washington ready to make a deal, it has traditionally taken more than a year to hammer out the terms. And China is denying any talks are taking place.



In times like these, income and small-cap value investments have performed the best.



Following a trade agreement, implementation usually takes a few years to execute. While there have been some discussions, no one seems to be in a rush to have talks at this point.



The major target of all this madness, China, has made it clear as of this writing that it is not talking to Washington and will not talk to Washington until President Trump and his team dial back their harsh rhetoric.



We are more than overdue for some version of a lost decade in stocks, and the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and global trade might be the starter pistol.



If that happens, collecting yield will be more critical than ever.



If you look at the 1970s and the 2000-2010 time period, owning bonds and preferred stocks worked out much better than owning or trying to trade stocks.



Small-cap value strategies also performed very well from 2000 through 2010, a period when the large-cap indexes returned negative returns.



Of course, we can never predict for certain how the world and markets will play out.



Given the economic uncertainty and elevated valuations after a long period of historical outperformance, a lost decade in stocks appears not only possible but probable.



Which brings us to the big question: What if it does not happen?



How will we fare if we position to profit in a lost decade and, instead, the bull market continues to run higher?



It is far from an impossible scenario.



If we hit the right side of the Trump policy Bell Curve and see a massive reshoring of industry, driving a construction boom along with lower taxes and interest rates, we could see a long-term rally of historic proportions.



Add in AI-driven improvements in technology and healthcare, and it could truly be a renaissance of the economy and market.



Should that happen, a portfolio full of high-yield investments and undervalued stocks with a margin of safety in their balance sheets, credit practices and operational excellence should perform at least as well as the indexes.



There would be a huge credit upgrade as companies saw their cash flows increase and balance sheets become even stronger.



The booming economy would lead to a massive M&amp;A wave, and financially solid smaller companies would be among the targets of choice.



I am well aware that most of you read this not so much for my higher-level thoughts but for stock ideas that might be worth adding to your current portfolio.



With that thought in mind, here are two deep-value small-cap stocks worth your attention.



Laureate Education (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAUR#NASDAQ">LAUR</a>) is a higher education company that runs a network of private universities, mainly in Mexico and Peru. After years of being spread out all over the globe, they&#8217;ve trimmed things down and focused on where they see the best long-term demand.



Laureate operates in places with young, growing populations and a rising middle class hungry for degrees. Their schools offer a wide range of programs, from business and engineering to health sciences, and they&#8217;re aimed at students who want a solid education without the high costs.



The company allows its universities to operate with a good deal of independence but still provides support in areas such as strategy, marketing, and technology. It&#8217;s a model that helps them keep things running efficiently while still tailoring to local markets. After selling off operations in other regions, Laureate used the cash to clean up its balance sheet and return money to shareholders. Now, they&#8217;re a leaner, more focused business with steady cash flow and solid enrollment trends in places where demand for higher education just keeps growing.



The stock is trading at just 8 times the cash produced by the business, and the company has outstanding fundamentals and a more than adequate margin of safety.



World Kinect Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WKC#NYSE">WKC</a>), formerly known as World Fuel Services, is essentially a global middleman for energy. Based in Miami, the company initially focused mainly on selling fuel to planes, ships and trucks around the world. But over time, it&#8217;s broadened its playbook. These days, World Kinect helps companies not only buy fuel but also manage energy costs, hedge against price swings, and determine how to meet their sustainability targets. Their customers range from airlines and shipping fleets to industrial giants and even government agencies.



The customer base is basically anyone who needs a lot of energy and doesn&#8217;t want to get burned by price spikes or supply headaches.



What&#8217;s interesting is how they&#8217;ve started leaning more into the clean energy and ESG side of things. They&#8217;re now offering services like renewable energy sourcing, carbon offsets, and energy efficiency advice. It&#8217;s still mostly a fuel business at heart, but they&#8217;ve been smart about not getting left behind as more companies go green. They run an asset-light operation that is more about logistics, relationships, and scale than owning refineries or power plants.



The bottom line: it&#8217;s a steady, cash-generating business that&#8217;s finding ways to stay relevant in a world that&#8217;s rethinking how it uses energy.



The company has outstanding fundamentals, a huge margin of safety and trades at less than nine times the cash the business generates. It also pays a sizable dividend of almost 3%.



The combination of high income and small-cap deep value should deliver outstanding returns, regardless of what happens in the markets.



If the markets do go south or sideways for a long time, the combination can help you not only survive but thrive through the turbulence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Protect And Grow Your Wealth As Markets Swing Wildly</h2>



Matt Maley's Inner Circle members received alerts for both bullish and bearish trades last month—critical for income generation when markets move unpredictably. 7-day free trial available. Start Your <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/7-day-free-trial-matt-maley-inner-circle/?el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_adType=SponsorAd&amp;utm_ad=RD0428&amp;utm_campaign=7daytrial">Free 7-Day Trial</a> Now.



Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.



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Opinion

Trading Ideas

LAUR

Trade Deal Or No, These 2 Stocks Will Outperform

China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planning agency, is downplaying the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs and projecting strong growth despite mounting macroeconomic headwinds.



What Happened: On Monday, Zhao Chenxin, Vice Head of the NDRC, said he was &#8220;fully confident&#8221; that China would meet its target of 5% economic growth in 2025, despite mounting uncertainties and warnings of a sharp downturn from leading analysts, according to a Reuters report.



&#8220;No Matter how the international situation changes, we will anchor our development goals, maintain strategic focus, and concentrate on doing our own thing,&#8221; Zhao said.



This comes amid a particularly difficult period for the Chinese economy, which is already reeling from deflation and a prolonged property crisis. 



At the same time, Torsten Slok, the Chief Economist at Apollo Global Management, joined the growing chorus of experts and eminent intellectuals in recent weeks by predicting a &#8220;90% chance we&#8217;ll have a recession&#8221; if the tariffs remain at their current levels.



Speaking on the Economics Matters podcast on Friday, Slok said that small businesses that account for 80% of employment in the U.S. and 80% of the capital expenditure will be hit hard by the tariffs.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45033025/nvidia-faces-new-challenge-as-huawei-tests-powerful-ascend-910d-ai-chip-amid-us-sanctions-aiming-to-disrupt-high-end-market-report">Nvidia Faces New Challenge As Huawei Tests Powerful Ascend 910D AI Chip Amid US Sanctions, Aiming To Disrupt High-End Market: Report</a>



Why It Matters: Recession fears have continually edged higher throughout this past month, with economists, banks, and betting markets all pricing a <a href="https://benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44801373/a-us-recession-in-2025-betting-odds-say-its-more-likely-than-not">high probability of a recession</a> this year.



There are, of course, others with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44943850/chevron-ceo-sees-no-sign-of-recession-at-this-point-predicts-9-billion-in-free-cash-flow-by-2026">contrarian take on this</a>, such as the CEO of Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), who said last week that there were &#8220;no signs of a recession at this point.&#8221; 



Even the International Monetary Fund sees a slowdown in the global economy, but <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44889521/recession-not-so-fast-says-imf-even-after-trump-tariff-chaos">stops short of forecasting a recession</a>, offering reassurance that the world can weather Washington&#8217;s tariff storm.



<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="Apollo&#039;s Chief Economist, Torsten Slok, Estimates a 90 Percent Odds of Recession" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uuyWRT_B3n4?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>



Read More: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45032188/tom-lee-backs-scott-bessent-white-house-put-theory-as-nasdaq-flips-from-worst-april-start-since-great-depression-to-major-comeback">Tom Lee Backs Scott Bessent&#8217;s &#8216;White House Put&#8217; Theory As Nasdaq Flips From Worst April Start Since Great Depression To Major Comeback</a></li>
</ul>



Image Via Shutterstock

Government

Economics

As China Downplays Trump Tariffs With 5% Growth Target, Top Economist Warns Of '90% Chance Of A US Recession' Amid Trade War

The Nasdaq has staged a remarkable turnaround in April, transforming from what was initially dubbed the &#8220;worst April for the stock market since the Great Depression&#8221; to posting gains for the month, a recovery that&#8217;s drawing attention from prominent market analysts.



What Happened: On Sunday, Tom Lee, Head of Research at Fundstrat Global Advisors, endorsed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent&#8216;s observation about the market&#8217;s resilience, describing the equity recovery as a &#8220;White House put&#8221; – suggesting government policies are providing a floor for market values.



&#8220;Equity recovery cannot be ignored,&#8221; Lee wrote on X, responding to Bessent&#8217;s post highlighting the dramatic shift in market narrative.



The S&amp;P 500 index, tracked by SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), has gained 10.89% since its April 8 low of 4,982, currently trading around 5,525. This recovery follows concerns over potential tariff impacts and recession risks that had previously shaken investors. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100, tracked by Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), has surged 13.70% from its low of 17,090 on the same day, now trading at 19,432.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f440;&#x1f440;&#x1f440; &#x1f447; Agree &#x1f4af;&#x1f4af;&#x1f4af;&#x1f4af; Equity recovery cannot be ignored PS: This is also known as a "White House" put<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sundayvibes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sundayvibes</a> <a href="https://t.co/5rXpcLFYHb">https://t.co/5rXpcLFYHb</a>&mdash; Thomas (Tom) Lee (not drummer) FSInsight.com (@fundstrat) <a href="https://twitter.com/fundstrat/status/1916562502281810374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The rebound contrasts sharply with warnings from analysts like Chris Senyek of Wolfe Research, who recently cautioned that the S&amp;P 500 could plunge as low as 3,700 points – a potential 37% decline from January levels – if tariff-related uncertainty <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45004528/sp-500-could-crash-37-to-3700-if-tariff-fallout-triggers-recession-warns-wolfe-research">triggers a recession in 2025</a>.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45031324/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-drop-as-stock-futures-slide-willy-woo-says-all-dips-are-for-buying-with-btc-eyeing-all-time-highs">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Drop As Stock Futures Slide: Willy Woo Says &#8216;All Dips Are For Buying&#8217; With BTC Eyeing &#8216;All-Time Highs</a>



Why It Matters: Market volatility has been exacerbated by President Donald Trump&#8216;s tariff announcements in early April, particularly regarding China. Despite the president&#8217;s recent statements that he would maintain tariffs without &#8220;substantial&#8221; concessions from Beijing, markets have shown surprising resilience.



Technical analysts remain cautious about the sustainability of the recovery. JPMorgan&#8216;s Jason Hunter has identified the 5,425-5,650 range as key resistance for the S&amp;P 500, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/45011336/sp-500-magnificent-7-hit-resistance-analyst-warns-of-more-pain-before-gain">suggesting the index could retreat to 4,500-4,800</a> before establishing a &#8220;more durable bottom.&#8221;



The &#8220;Magnificent 7&#8221; tech stocks that have driven much of the market&#8217;s performance in recent years are &#8220;consolidating within volatile ranges below their respective breakdown levels,&#8221; according to Hunter, indicating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/45011336/sp-500-magnificent-7-hit-resistance-analyst-warns-of-more-pain-before-gain">potential challenges ahead for market leaders</a> including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).



Photo: JHVEPhoto / Shuttesstock



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45030669/chamath-palihapitiya-says-nvidia-is-huaweis-new-target-a-national-champion-that-crushed-tech-giants-with-a-low-end-disruptor-strategy">Chamath Palihapitiya Says Nvidia Is Huawei&#8217;s &#8216;New Target&#8217; — A &#8216;National Champion&#8217; That Crushed Tech Giants With A &#8216;Low-End Disruptor&#8217; Strategy</a></li>
</ul>



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

Equities

AAPL

MSFT

NVDA

Tom Lee Backs Scott Bessent 'White House Put' Theory As Nasdaq Flips From Worst April Start Since Great Depression To Major Comeback

Chamath Palihapitiya took to X on Sunday to discuss Huawei&#8217;s strategic approach in the tech industry. Palihapitiya emphasized that Huawei, a prominent Chinese company, has successfully implemented a &#8220;low-end disruptor&#8221; strategy. This involves creating products that are either equivalent to or better than those of existing market leaders, but at a lower cost.



What Happened: The SPAC King identified several companies that Huawei has already outperformed, including Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ERIC#NASDAQ">ERIC</a>), Nokia Oyj (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOK#NYSE">NOK</a>), and Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CISCO#NASDAQ">CISCO</a>). He also noted that Huawei is making progress against QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) and has set its sights on Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>). Palihapitiya&#8217;s comments come amid growing concerns about China&#8217;s technological advancements and their impact on global markets.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Worth noting that Huawei, a Chinese National Champion, has systematically executed a "low-end disruptor" strategy with a lot of success. "Low-end Disruptor" simply means making an equivalent or better product for less than incumbents. End bossed: 1. Ericsson 2. Nokia 3. Cisco…&mdash; Chamath Palihapitiya (@chamath) <a href="https://twitter.com/chamath/status/1916529549502013649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Palihapitiya&#8217;s remarks align with recent developments in China&#8217;s tech sector, where companies like Huawei are advancing despite international challenges. This includes Huawei&#8217;s efforts to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44970472/chinas-chip-breakthrough-without-asml-makes-chamath-palihapitiya-take-stock-of-beijings-formidable-nature-america-can-win-if">develop in-house chips</a> to counter U.S. sanctions, as reported in March.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45003790/mark-cuban-slams-amazon-for-ripping-off-american-sellers-as-tariffs-are-predicted-to-boost-ecommerce-brands-profi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Slams Amazon For &#8216;Ripping Off American Sellers&#8217; As Trump Tariffs Are Predicted To Boost Ecommerce Brands&#8217; Profits</a>



Why It Matters: Palihapitiya&#8217;s observations underscore the competitive pressure that Chinese companies are exerting on Western tech giants. Huawei&#8217;s strategy of producing cost-effective yet high-quality products is reshaping the competitive landscape. This is particularly relevant as China continues to make strides in chip manufacturing, even without access to advanced tools like those from ASML Holding .



Huawei is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44356270/huawei-develops-in-house-chips-to-counter-us-sanctions-and-leap-ahead-in-the-tech-war">accelerating efforts</a> to replace U.S. components by developing its own computer chips and operating system, with its Kirin X90 chip recently earning national security certification. As its Windows license nears expiration, Huawei plans to launch HarmonyOS-powered PCs later this year to reduce reliance on American technology amid rising U.S.-China trade tensions.



Palihapitiya has previously <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891778/nvidia-not-acting-in-us-interests-says-chamath-palihapitiya-questions-how-alibaba-or-deepseek-are-one-step-ahead">expressed concerns</a> about companies like Nvidia not acting in the best interests of the U.S., highlighting the geopolitical implications of these technological advancements.



Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings identify Nvidia&#8217;s Growth Momentum in the 94th percentile. How do other chip plays stack up? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here</a> and find out.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="786" height="98" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23.png" alt="" class="wp-image-889985" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23.png 786w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23-300x37.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23-768x96.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></a></figure>



Photo Courtesy: Kathy Hutchins on Shutterstock.com



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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Tech

ERIC

QCOM

CISCO

Chamath Palihapitiya Says Nvidia Is Huawei's 'New Target' — A 'National Champion' That Crushed Tech Giants With A 'Low-End Disruptor' Strategy

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $2.93 trillion, showing a 1.04% decrease over the last day. Bitcoin&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) market dominance currently sits at 63.39%, reflecting a slight 0.01% daily decline.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 10.55 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin</td><td>-0.73%</td><td>$93,601.76</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>-2.16%</td><td>$1,774.17</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>-1.12%</td><td>$0.1761</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trading activity intensified with 97,249 traders liquidated for $176.13 million over 24 hours, as open interest fell 4.62% to $117.06 billion and liquidations rose 2.59% to $175.92 million, Coinglass data shows.



The Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index remains at a neutral reading of 54, indicating balanced market sentiment.



Traditional markets closed positively on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, tracked by SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>), gaining 0.05% to 40,113.50, the S&amp;P 500 tracked by SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) rising 0.74% to 5,525.21, and the Nasdaq-100 tracked by Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) advancing 1.14% to 19,432.56.



Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 60 points, or 0.1%. S&amp;P 500 futures declined by 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.2%.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains</td><td>Price (Recorded at 10.55 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)</td><td>+24.07%</td><td>$0.0121</td></tr><tr><td>DeepBook Protocol (DEEP)</td><td>+19.18</td><td>$0.2071</td></tr><tr><td>Walrus (WAL)</td><td>+18.04%</td><td>$0.6419</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Investors will closely monitor this week&#8217;s critical economic events, including the first estimate of the first quarter of 2025 U.S. GDP growth, which analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44520487/negative-gdp-growth-is-more-likely-than-not-in-q1-economist-warns">expect to show significant slowing</a>. 



The jobs report, personal consumption expenditures inflation data, and the Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers&#8217; Index will also be in focus. 



Additionally, earnings reports from major tech companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) could influence broader market sentiment.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45029413/peter-schiff-questions-trumps-bitcoin-ambition-amid-trade-deficit-concerns-resources-are-just-wasted">Peter Schiff Questions Trump&#8217;s Bitcoin Ambition Amid Trade Deficit Concerns: &#8216;Resources Are Just Wasted&#8217;</a>



Analyst Notes:&nbsp; Prominent cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo noted on X that &#8220;BTC fundamentals have turned bullish,&#8221; providing a favorable environment to break all-time highs. Woo highlighted increasing capital flows into the network, with both total and speculative flows bottoming out. 



&#8220;All dips are for buying under the present regime,&#8221; Woo summarized, though cautioning that Bitcoin&#8217;s short-term movement may be limited due to overextension.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">BTC fundamentals have turned bullish, not a bad setup to break all time highs. I took a break from X to enjoy the NZ summer but every week I put out a series of analysis to my subscribers (this is a hobby, NOT a long term project). Thought I&#39;d post this update publicly.&mdash; Willy Woo (@woonomic) <a href="https://twitter.com/woonomic/status/1916359463910707450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Meanwhile, analyst Michaël van de Poppe said that altcoins are turning bullish after &#8220;the longest bear market ever,&#8221; which lasted four years. 



Van de Poppe emphasized the correlation between Chinese Renminbi/U.S. Dollar movements and Ethereum&#8217;s performance against Bitcoin, suggesting that macroeconomic factors are more influential than traditional four-year crypto cycles.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> Turn Bull after Longest Bear Market It&#39;s been an absolutely horrific bear markets for altcoins and a lot of expectations have crushed in the past quarter. I&#39;ve spend all my time figuring out what has happened. Indicators show green. Let&#39;s discuss them &#x2b07;&#xFE0F; First of… <a href="https://t.co/E7uDXK8gpB">pic.twitter.com/E7uDXK8gpB</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1916471668005814510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Crypto analyst Ali Martinez said that Bitcoin&#8217;s &#8220;Accumulation Trend Score is nearing 1, signaling intense accumulation and strong holder conviction.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Accumulation Trend Score is nearing 1, signaling intense accumulation and strong holder conviction. <a href="https://t.co/Y8LaGiroXz">pic.twitter.com/Y8LaGiroXz</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1916584636009885988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The cryptocurrency market continues its maturation process amid growing institutional adoption, with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins recently calling for clearer regulatory frameworks to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45028954/cryptocurrencies-surge-bitcoin-mining-costs-soar-sec-chair-calls-for-clear-crypto-regulations-this-week-in-crypto">help the industry thrive in the United States</a>.



Shutterstock: Yalcin Sonat



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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.

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

AMZN

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Drop As Stock Futures Slide: Willy Woo Says 'All Dips Are For Buying' With BTC Eyeing 'All-Time Highs

Elon Musk says the surgical scalpel is about to lose its top billing to algorithms and actuators, predicting "robots will surpass good human surgeons within a few years and the best human surgeons within ~5 years."



What Happened: Replying to tech commentator Mario Nawfal's post on X touting robot-run operating rooms, Musk added that Neuralink "had to use a robot for the brain-computer electrode insertion, as it was impossible for a human to achieve the required speed and precision."



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Robots will surpass good human surgeons within a few years and the best human surgeons within ~5 years. <a href="https://twitter.com/neuralink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Neuralink</a> had to use a robot for the brain-computer electrode insertion, as it was impossible for a human to achieve the required speed and precision. <a href="https://t.co/ipPhQK8z1j">https://t.co/ipPhQK8z1j</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1916573094367625556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Neuralink's R1 machine places 64 hair-thin threads into the cortex in about 15 minutes, steering past blood vessels with micron-level accuracy, according to the company's hardware blog and earlier public demos.​ The robot is now part of the <a href="https://neuralink.com/blog/prime-study-progress-update/">PRIME human trial</a> testing the N1 wireless implant in patients with paralysis.​



See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44969594/jeff-bezos-final-ceo-letter-isnt-just-about-amazon-it-was-a-clarion-call-for-resisting-normality-the-world-wants-you-to-be-typicaldont-let-it-ha">Jeff Bezos&#8217; Final CEO Letter Isn&#8217;t Just About Amazon — It Is A Clarion Call For Resisting Normality: &#8216;The World Wants You To Be Typical…Don&#8217;t Let It Happen&#8217;</a>



Musk's timeline lands as autonomous systems notch real-world wins. Johns Hopkins' Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot recently stitched pig intestines with <a href="https://hub.jhu.edu/2022/01/26/star-robot-performs-intestinal-surgery/">leak-free precision</a> that matched or beat experienced surgeons.​ A January study cited by Reuters even found robots reduced complications in complex liver procedures versus open surgery.​



Even semi-autonomous platforms are surging: Intuitive Surgical says its surgeon-controlled da Vinci systems have logged nearly 17 million procedures worldwide.​ Peer-reviewed analyses report that algorithm-guided suturing and screw placement now outperform human averages for accuracy and consistency.​



Why It Matters: Musk isn&#8217;t the only one backing humanoid robots to replace skilled hospital doctors. Bill Gates, in a recent chat, mentioned that he foresees robots with dexterous &#8220;hands&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44857520/bill-gates-says-his-kids-and-grandkids-will-live-in-a-very-changed-world-as-ai-puts-an-end-to-shortage-of-teachers-and-doctors">making it routine</a> to staff hospitals, adding that he&#8217;s certain that his kids and grandkids will live in a &#8220;very changed world&#8221;.



Meanwhile, Musk also believes Neuralink will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44892867/elon-musk-says-neuralink-will-help-blind-people-see-again-will-exceed-the-best-human-eyes">help restore vision</a> for the "completely blind," pointing to early milestones such as implant recipient Noland Arbaugh, who now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44358022/paralyzed-man-moves-objects-with-his-mind-thanks-to-elon-musks-brain-chip">controls a computer cursor</a> with his thoughts. The bold promise has drawn skeptics, including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44891849/steve-bannon-says-elon-musk-is-evil-blasts-his-brain-chip-ambitions-as-technofeudalist-plot-to-hijack-humanitys-future">blasted Musk and Neuralink</a> in an interview.



Photo Courtesy: Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO On Shutterstock.com



Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45030694/openai-ceo-sam-altman-says-gpt-4o-personality-tweaks-made-it-annoying-fixes-coming-this-week">Sam Altman Admits ChatGPT New Upgrade Made It Too Sycophantic And Annoying: OpenAI CEO Says &#8216;Working On Fixes ASAP&#8217;</a>

Elon Musk Says Best Human Surgeons Will Be Outdone By Robots In Almost 5 Years, Cites Example Of His Own Brain-Chip Company

In his final letter as Amazon.com's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) CEO, Jeff Bezos left more than business advice — he delivered a message that speaks to anyone fighting to stay authentic in a world built for conformity.



What Happened: Bezos, who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/07/21849808/jeff-bezos-is-officially-no-longer-the-amazon-ceo">stepped down as Amazon's CEO</a> in 2021 after founding the company nearly three decades earlier, used his final annual shareholder letter to share a powerful parting thought.



Drawing inspiration from evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, he explained that survival — in biology, business, and life — requires active resistance against becoming "normal."



Quoting Dawkins&#8217; The Blind Watchmaker, Bezos highlighted the effort living things must exert to remain distinct from their environments.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44804849/amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-once-made-his-grandmother-cry-trying-to-show-off-his-math-skills-that-day-his-grandfather-gave-him-a-life-changing-piece-of-wisdom">Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos Once Made His Grandmother Cry Trying To Show Off His Math Skills — That Day, His Grandfather Gave Him A Life-Changing Piece Of Wisdom</a>



"If living things didn't work actively to prevent it, they would eventually merge into their surroundings and cease to exist as autonomous beings," the passage read.



Bezos turned that biological insight into a broader metaphor: "The world wants you to be typical — in a thousand ways, it pulls at you. Don't let it happen," he wrote. "You have to pay a price for your distinctiveness, and it's worth it."



Why It's Important: Although Bezos stepped down as CEO in 2021, he has returned to a prominent role at Amazon, now dedicating 95% of his time to advancing its artificial intelligence initiatives.



In December 2024, at the DealBook Summit, Bezos revealed this development, saying, "My heart is in Amazon, my curiosity is in Amazon, and my fears are there, and my love is there."



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



Bezos currently has a net worth of $202 billion, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">according</a> to Bloomberg&#8217;s Billionaire Index. He started Amazon at the age of 30, and today his company has a market capitalization of $1.9 trillion, making it one of the eight companies that have crossed the trillion-dollar mark.



Amazon currently holds a consensus price target of $251.98, based on evaluations from 45 analysts. Recent projections from Stifel, Telsey Advisory Group, and Goldman Sachs average $234.33, indicating a potential upside of 29.54%, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.



According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN">Benzinga's proprietary Edge Rankings</a>, Amazon has a momentum score of 43.90% and a growth score of 94.14%. For deeper insights into stock trends and growth opportunities, you might want to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">explore a subscription to Benzinga Edge</a>.



Bezos also owns the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/09/40697380/bezos-vs-musk-battle-heads-to-space-how-amazon-founder-is-taking-tesla-ceo-on-more-directly">space exploration company</a> and Elon Musk-led SpaceX rival Blue Origin. The space company Bezos founded in 2000 has never publicly revealed its valuation.



However, Bezos stated last year that he believes Blue Origin will eventually surpass Amazon in size. "I think it's going to be the best business that I've ever been involved in, but it's going to take a while," Bezos stated at the New York Times' DealBook Summit.



In August 2013, he purchased The Washington Post for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44371691/trump-praises-jeff-bezos-recent-moves-with-washington-post-hes-trying-to-do-a-real-job">$250 million</a>, committed $2 billion toward social initiatives in 2018, and pledged $10 billion in February 2020 to combat climate change.



Photo Courtesy: Lev Radin on Shutterstock.com



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



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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.

Jeff Bezos' Final CEO Letter Isn't Just About Amazon — It Is A Clarion Call For Resisting Normality: 'The World Wants You To Be Typical…Don't Let It Happen'

Forget about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44988897/china-trade-war-4-big-brand-stocks-that-will-suffer-most">trade wars</a> and inflation. One actor of the US economy is doing great, with stocks up 2.5% even before this week&#8217;s <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44988781/wall-street-rally-extends-into-third-day-whats-driving-markets-thursday">rally</a>.



Schwab analysts even issued a collective &#8220;buy&#8221; call on these stocks, citing value and stability in the sector.



&#8220;Some (financial) segments benefited from rising interest rates, which allow banks to lend at higher rates and insurance companies to increase returns on collected policyholder premiums,&#8221; Schwab said in a new research note. &#8220;The economy has proven to be relatively resilient in the face of one of the most aggressive tightening cycles in history.&#8221;



On the risk side, company analysts cite trade wars and reduced consumer spending as issues that could hold back bank stocks. &#8220;If sweeping tariffs kick in and slow growth materially, financials could struggle as consumers pull back on spending, businesses reduce investment, and lending slows,&#8221; Schwab noted.



Other Wall Street watchers agree, adding that some banking sectors are looking better than others at the moment.



&#8220;Bank stocks have been relatively mixed, large-cap U.S. banks have held up better than smaller regional banks, which remain under pressure from credit tightening, CRE (commercial real estate) exposure, and flattened yield curves,&#8221; said Fabio Ruggeri, founder and CEO of MenthorQ, a trading technology company in Miami, Fla. &#8220;While the big banks benefit from scale, trading revenue, and global exposure, the regional banks are still digesting the fallout from last year&#8217;s rate shocks and deposit flight.&#8221;



Short-term Federal Reserve actions, along with significant industry risks that could split the sector, are also in play.



&#8220;If the Fed pivots later in the year and the yield curve begins to normalize, net interest margins could improve,&#8221; Ruggeri said. &#8220;But risks tied to CRE, credit quality, and deposit competition are still in play. Investors should expect continued bifurcation. Stronger names will pull away from the weaker ones.&#8221;



Here are the three best stocks to buy in this outperforming sector.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Bank Stocks to Play Right Now</h2>



With talk of tariffs and trade wars watering down the markets right now and multiple risk factors (and opportunities) on the table, which bank stocks make the most sense right now? Here&#8217;s a sector snapshot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">US Bancorp&nbsp;</h2>



The fifth-largest bank in the country, US Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USB#NYSE">USB</a>), saw its shares fall in 2025, down 20.1% year-to-date. Yet sector analysts are buzzing over the banking giant&#8217;s Q1 earnings beat, with multiple analysts backing the stock. On April 17, Barclays revised its price target for USB from $56 to $61 and maintained an &#8220;Outperform&#8221; on the stock. Noting that Q1 had beaten expectations, Barclays said USB impressed with more substantial fee income, more robust net interest income, and a better grip on expenses.



&#8220;I do like U.S. Bank right now,&#8221; said David Capablanca, a veteran trader and founder and host of the Friendly Bear Podcast. &#8220;Like many of the major banks have had a pullback, it&#8217;s an opportunity to dip buy. And you don&#8217;t just buy all at once &#8211; plan to scale in over three to six months, average in once a month.&#8221;



Consequently, if the stock is going lower, you&#8217;re averaging in, and if it&#8217;s consolidating and rising higher, you&#8217;re still gradually getting into a good position in USB stock. &#8220;It&#8217;s a very low-risk strategy to average into a safe, big-name bank stock,&#8221; Capablanca added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Morgan Stanley</h2>



Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) is another big bank stock that has been trending downward but appears to be in bounce-back mode.



Like other big banks, Morgan Stanley has been recording significant gains in trading revenue lately. Its trading desk works closely with large institutional investors to manage portfolio risk and look for opportunities before and during this year&#8217;s tariff skirmishes. All in all, Morgan Stanley said its trading revenues were up 45% in Q1.



&#8220;Morgan relies less on traditional banking and focuses more on affluent wealth and investment exposure, which usually leads to diversified earnings,&#8221; Ruggeri said. Toss into the mix a healthy dividend of 3.39% in mid-April, and Morgan Stanley seems like another bank stock loaded with opportunity right now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JPMorgan Chase</h2>



JPMorgan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) shares are performing better than their sector competitors but are still down 3.2% so far in 2025. However, they are up 27% over the last year and have a strong history of stable management and reliable share performance.



&#8220;JPM is the gold standard of large U.S. banks,&#8221; Ruggeri said. &#8220;It has a strong balance sheet, diversified revenue, and deposit resilience.&#8221;



Other market experts agree.



&#8220;JPMorgan Chase continues to stand out — not just as a big bank, but as a highly disciplined and forward-thinking institution,&#8221; said Christopher Migliaccio, founder at Warren and Migliaccio, LLC, a law firm that handles asset management issues for its clients.



JPM&#8217;s most recent quarterly earnings showed the investment banking behemoth easily beat analyst expectations while boosting guidance on consolidated net interest income by $500 million, a metric that banking industry analysts have historically cited as key to overall future earnings.



USB is on board with JPM, hiking its price target from $277 to $305, citing higher Q1 earnings, larger trading revenues (for the same reasons as Morgan Stanley), and a strong dividend yield (2.41%).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaway On Bank Stocks</h2>



Capablanca offers specific advice for regular investors seeking opportunities in the banking sector.



&#8220;Just don&#8217;t go for the higher-risk banks,&#8221; he advised. &#8220;Stick with the big ones, like Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Schwab, and JPMorgan. The big ones are the safest bets out there.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Matt Maley Alerts Inner Circle Before TV Appearances</h2>



While millions watch Matt discuss tariffs on Bloomberg, CNBC, and more — only his Inner Circle members receive his specific trade recommendations. Get Behind the Scenes Access <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/7-day-free-trial-matt-maley-inner-circle/?el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_adType=SponsorAd&amp;utm_ad=RD0425&amp;utm_campaign=7daytrial">HERE</a>



Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.



Photo: Shutterstock

3 Stocks To Consider In This Outperforming Sector

The past week was a roller coaster ride for the cryptocurrency market. Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>), and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) experienced significant surges, hinting at a potential bullish momentum. Meanwhile, Bitcoin mining costs have seen a sharp increase, causing concern among miners. Amidst these developments, calls for clear regulatory rules for cryptocurrencies have been made by the SEC Chair, Paul Atkins. Here&#8217;s a detailed look at these stories.



Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Experience Bullish Momentum



Cryptocurrency markets traded higher over the weekend, with whales continuing their accumulation spree. This activity could potentially fuel the bullish momentum in the market.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45020090/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-surging-but-choppy-weekend-could-precede-the-next-push">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin Climbs 12% On The Week



Bitcoin saw a 12% increase over the week, following a familiar crypto cycle pattern of improving sentiment and shifting macro signals. Crypto analyst Alex Wacy noted the cyclical nature of the market, which often takes just a few bullish headlines and a green daily candle to reignite momentum.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45017648/bitcoin-climbs-12-on-the-week-as-traders-eye-run-to-100000">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44970313/missed-fortune-trump-trader-loses-45-million-profit-opportunity-before-dinner-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trader Dumps TRUMP Tokens Before Presidential Dinner Revelation: Meal Cost Early Seller $4.5 Million</a>



Bitcoin Mining Costs Jump To $137,000 Per Coin



Bitcoin mining expenses rose sharply in the final quarter of 2024, with CoinShares reporting that the total average cost to produce one Bitcoin, including non-cash items, climbed to $137,018. This figure includes depreciation and stock-based compensation, offering a more comprehensive look at the financial stress facing miners despite the strength in Bitcoin&#8217;s market price.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45017261/bitcoin-mining-costs-jump-to-137000-per-coin-when-accounting-for-non-cash-expenses-coinshares">Read the full article here.</a>



SEC Chair Calls for Clear Crypto Regulations



New SEC Chair Atkins indicated a friendlier approach toward cryptocurrency during his tenure, highlighting the need for a clear regulatory policy to help the industry thrive in the U.S. Atkins emphasized the significance of blockchain technology in modernizing the financial system, predicting it to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, increase transparency, and mitigate risks.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/45027836/sec-chair-paul-atkins-says-crypto-deserves-clear-regulatory-rules-praises-crypto-mom-hester-peirces-efforts">Read the full article here.</a>



Senator Buys More Bitcoin ETF Shares



Senator David McCormick (R-PA) has been actively buying shares of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF BITB and may have taken advantage of a dip in Bitcoin's price during March before the recent rally back to the $95,000 level. McCormick&#8217;s total bet on Bitcoin is now in the $375,000 to the $850,000 range since February.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45018551/senator-on-digital-assets-committee-buys-more-bitcoin-etf-shares-2025-is-the-year-for-digital-assets">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45020090/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-surging-but-choppy-weekend-could-precede-the-next-push" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Surging, But &#8216;Choppy&#8217; Weekend Could Precede The Next Push</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

$XRP

Cryptocurrencies Surge, Bitcoin Mining Costs Soar, SEC Chair Calls For Clear Crypto Regulations: This Week In Crypto

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the markets, with significant shifts and potential economic shocks looming on the horizon. From the unique advantage of the US in navigating economic shifts due to its dollar-denominated debt, to the escalating tariff war initiated by President Donald Trump, the economic landscape is rife with uncertainty. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories that shaped the week.



Dollar-Denominated Debt: A Privilege for US Policymakers



Amidst the ongoing market shifts, the U.S.&#8217;s unique position as the issuer of the world&#8217;s reserve currency provides it with a significant advantage. According to Bob Elliot, co-founder, CEO, and CIO of Unlimited and former investment committee member of Bridgewater Associates, the US can prioritize domestic economic conditions due to its debt being denominated in US dollars.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44971850/us-policymakers-are-privileged-says-expert-as-its-debt-in-usd-can-help-avoid-balance-of-payment-crisis">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Trade War: Deals, Higher Taxes, and Potential Recession Avoidance



JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) predicts that the ongoing tariff war could lead to agreements between the U.S. and its trade partners, along with a significant rise in tax rates. The global investment strategy team at JPMorgan Wealth Management has projected that the effective tax rate could surge to between 10% and 20%.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891073/donald-trumps-trade-war-jpmorgan-predicts-deals-higher-taxes-and-potential-recession-avoidance">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44994275/gold-now-worth-100x-more-than-silver-analysts-say-its-time-to-buy-the-underdog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gold Now Worth 100x More Than Silver: Analysts Say It&#8217;s Time To Buy The Underdog</a>



Trump&#8217;s Approval Rating: A Mixed Bag



Despite economic uncertainty, President Donald Trump&#8217;s approval rating stands at 45% in a new Gallup poll. However, an Economist/YouGov poll shows a 16 point drop since he took office in January.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44890428/trumps-gallup-approval-stands-at-45-topping-same-point-in-first-presidency-but-hes-down-16-in-economist-survey">Read the full article here.</a>



Recession on the Horizon?



As the global trade war escalates due to unprecedented U.S. tariffs, Peter Mallouk, the CEO of Creative Planning, has mapped out three possible economic scenarios, with the worst-case outcome forecasting a deep recession and a potential stock market plunge of up to 60%.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44644834/recession-imminent-analyst-flags-60-market-crash-risk-under-worst-tariff-scenario">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Tariffs: A Potential $30 Trillion Blow



Former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence H. Summers warns that the tariffs imposed by President Trump could cost the economy $30 trillion, describing them as the "most expensive and masochistic" move by the U.S.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622754/tariffs-are-most-expensive-and-masochistic-could-cost-30-trillion-to-the-economy-erasing-300k-per-family-explains-former-treasury-secretary-larry-summers">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/45007990/stay-big-sell-rips-hartnett-doubts-bull-market-without-3-key-catalysts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Stay BIG, Sell Rips&#8217;: Hartnett Doubts Bull Market Without 3 Key Catalysts</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

US Dollar Dominance, Trump's Trade War, And The Threat Of Recession: This Week In Economy

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