Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) Chief Executive Elon Musk's controversial stint at President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency ended in May, but debate persists over what he gained or lost, and how it affected his businesses.



Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk, recently told <a href="https://x.com/SkyNews/status/1927840326456168919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1927840326456168919%7Ctwgr%5E8e719785e1bf5a1f15ae066df5103fbf614ab132%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffuturism.com%2Ferrol-musk-elon-politics">Sky News</a> that he warned his son against taking part in politics, given both his nature and the realities of political life.



"He's a very straightforward person," the senior Musk said. "He's not terribly complicated at all. He's not a very good conversationalist. He's not a very good politician at all."



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Errol, who often publicly criticizes his billionaire son, said that politics has no boundaries and called it the "deepest pool of human endeavor."



"As I explained to him as well, that politics is a swimming pool that hasn&#8217;t got a bottom, it hasn&#8217;t got sides. No matter which way you go, you are never gonna get to the edge," Errol added.



The two Musks have a strained relationship. In 2017, during an <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/elon-musk-the-architect-of-tomorrow-120850/">interview</a> with Rolling Stone, Elon called his father a &#8216;terrible human being.&#8217;



"My dad will have a carefully thought-out plan of evil. He will plan evil," he said at the time.&nbsp;



Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wiseradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation.&nbsp;</a>



Earlier this year, Errol <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/style/elon-musk-father-errol-comments.html#:~:text=On%20a%20recent%20episode%20of,five%20sons%20all%20brought%20up.">criticized</a> Elon's parenting during the "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gagYfbwVXFU">Wide Awake</a>" podcast, saying he "hasn't been a good dad."



"He hasn't got the gift of the gab and apart from that, he likes the idea that everyone who works for him must be an A student," Errol said. "And of course, when you work in government you can&#8217;t have that."



Tesla shares are down 14% so far this year as the company's EV deliveries continue to plunge globally. In May, Tesla sales <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/teslas-german-car-sales-continue-decline-may-2025-06-04/">fell</a> for the fifth consecutive month in Britain, Germany, and Italy.



Wells Fargo recently <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/wells-fargo-says-tesla-shares-to-drop-60percent-as-sales-slump-.html?taid=68484d55c5f45e0001b957d3&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_content=main&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter">said</a> in a note that Tesla shares could drop 60% amid weak deliveries and rising competition. Analyst Colin Langan said Tesla's global deliveries in May fell 23% year over year and added that the company's potential tailwinds, such as autonomous driving, are not likely to offset its delivery declines.



"Most investor attention is directed at the June 12th Austin Robotaxi deployment. We doubt the likely limited debut will be enough to overshadow the poor fundamentals," Langan said. He has a $120 price target for the stock.



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Personal Finance

TSLA

Elon Musk's Father Says He Warned His Son Against Going Into Politics – 'He's Not a Very Good Politician At All'

These ten large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the holiday-shortened week. Are they a part of your portfolio?



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Centene Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNC#NYSE">CNC</a>) stock fell 37.82% amid a sharp selloff after it withdrew its 2025 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46209736" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GAAP and adjusted EPS guidance</a>. Several analysts downgraded the stock and lowered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNC/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their price forecasts</a>.</li>



<li>Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOH#NYSE">MOH</a>) stock declined 17.69% amid a broader selloff in health insurance stocks following Centene&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46209736" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">withdrawal of forward guidance</a>.</li>



<li>Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRCL#NYSE">CRCL</a>) stock plunged 11.64% amid a pullback after recent highs. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CRCL/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">also initiated ratings on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Tempus AI Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>) stock dipped 10.78% after the company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46186497" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">priced an upsized</a> $650 million debt offering due 2030, $250 million more than initially planned.</li>



<li>AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>) stock lowered 9.92% amid a pullback after recent highs.</li>



<li>AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVAV#NASDAQ">AVAV</a>) stock fell 9.6% after the company announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46183842" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a proposed $750 million common stock</a> offering and $600 million in convertible notes to repay debt and expand manufacturing.</li>



<li>Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AR#NYSE">AR</a>) stock declined 8.88% amid concerns that OPEC+ members may increase oil output, putting pressure on crude prices.</li>



<li>Korea Electric Power Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEP#NYSE">KEP</a>) stock dropped 8.61% after the company reportedly decided to freeze electricity rates for Q3.</li>



<li>Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXE#NASDAQ">EXE</a>) stock lost 8.37% amid pressure on energy names due to speculation around an OPEC+ production hike.</li>



<li>Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) stock decreased 7.37% after it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46190208" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported a 24.1% year-over-year drop</a> in June deliveries. The broader U.S.-listed Chinese stock sector was also under pressure due to tariff uncertainty as President Trump signaled he may not extend the 90-day tariff pause beyond July 9.</li>
</ol>



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Large Cap

News

Movers

Trading Ideas

ASTS

AVAV

CRCL

Circle Internet, Centene And Li Auto Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Losers Last Week (June 30-July 4): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride in the world of business and tech. From Elon Musk&#8217;s ongoing feud with President Donald Trump to Tesla&#8217;s declining sales in Canada, there&#8217;s been no shortage of drama. Amidst all this, Boeing&#8217;s 737 had a midair scare and Tesla confirmed the introduction of new affordable models. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



China Supports Musk Amid Trump Feud



Elon Musk, CEO of&nbsp;Tesla Inc., has found an unexpected ally in Chinese social media users amidst his ongoing feud with U.S. President Donald Trump. The hashtag #MuskWantsToBuildAnAmericaParty has gone viral on Weibo, China&#8217;s equivalent of Twitter.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46216023/after-trump-warns-elon-musk-to-close-up-shop-china-rallies-behind-worlds-richest-man-theres-no-need">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla&#8217;s Sales Drop In Canada



Tesla researcher Troy Teslike has highlighted a significant drop in Tesla&#8217;s sales in Canada, predicting GAAP losses for the company starting in Q1 2026. The decline is largely attributed to political controversy.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46162850/tesla-sales-in-canada-have-dropped-to-nearly-zero-says-researcher-expects-elon-musk-led-ev-giant-may-report-losses-starting-2026">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/06/46161226/gary-black-warns-tesla-q2-deliveries-will-disappoint-says-cheaper-models-could-cannibalize-sales-and-see-ideal-re-entry-22-below-current-levels" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Gary Black Warns Tesla Q2 Deliveries Will ‘Disappoint' — Says Cheaper Models Could Cannibalize Sales</a>



Boeing 737&#8217;s Midair Scare



A&nbsp;Boeing Co.&nbsp;737-800, operated by Japan Airlines Co., made an emergency landing after a pressurization system failure forced a rapid descent from 32,800 feet. All 191 passengers and crew survived without injuries.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46214283/boeing-737s-violent-26000-foot-plunge-left-passengers-legs-shaking-as-japan-airlines-flight-make">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla To Introduce Affordable Models



Amid declining sales, Tesla has confirmed that it will introduce more affordable models to its lineup. &#8220;The accessibility of our products is fundamental to our mission,&#8221; the company stated in its 2024 impact report.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46212911/amid-declining-sales-elon-musks-tesla-confirms-new-affordable-models-will-be-introduced-this-year">Read the full article here.</a>



BYD Launches Long-Range Trim Of Seagull EV



BYD Co. Ltd., a rival to Tesla, has unveiled a new, longer-range trim of its best-selling car, the Seagull EV, in China. The long-range trim is priced at $11,000 and offers 252 miles of CLTC range on a single charge.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46187880/tesla-rival-byd-launches-11000-long-range-trim-of-its-best-selling-seagull-ev-as-price-war-heats-up">Read the full article here.</a>



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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/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>



Photo courtesy: VTT Studio / Shutterstock.com

Tech

Elon Musk's Tesla Troubles, Boeing's Midair Scare And More: This Week In Mobility

The past week has been a whirlwind of political activity, with President Donald Trump making headlines on multiple fronts. From signing a controversial tax and spending bill to announcing tariff hikes, the President has been at the center of several major stories. Here&#8217;s a quick round-up of the top five stories that dominated the weekend.



Trump Signs Tax and Spending Bill 



President Donald Trump signed a sweeping tax and spending bill into law on Friday, a move that the Congressional Budget Office projects will significantly increase the federal deficit and leave millions uninsured. The bill was signed amidst a July 4 picnic at the White House, with Trump declaring it a historic win.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263434/trump-signs-sweeping-tax-and-spending-bill-that-cbo-says-will-add-3-3-trillion-to-us-deficit-cut-health-coverage-for-11-8-million-americans">Read the full article here.</a>



US to Raise Tariffs 



President Trump announced that his administration will begin informing trading partners about new tariffs on their exports starting this Friday. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on August 1, with new tariff levels ranging from 10% to 70%. This move is part of Trump's strategy to favor straightforward agreements over complex negotiations.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263399/trump-says-us-will-raise-tariffs-to-up-to-70-as-july-9-deadline-looms">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263399/trump-says-us-will-raise-tariffs-to-up-to-70-as-july-9-deadline-looms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Says US Will Raise Tariffs To Up To 70% As July 9 Deadline Looms</a>



Gavin Newsom&#8217;s South Carolina Tour 



California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to embark on a South Carolina tour next week, sparking rumors about his potential presidential run in 2028. The tour, named "On the Road With Governor Gavin Newsom", aims at "building partnerships, uplifting communities, and showing rural voters they aren&#8217;t forgotten."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46256467/gavin-newsom-is-going-to-south-carolina-next-week-to-remind-rural-voters-there-they-arent-forgotten-presidential-run-in-2028-on-the-cards">Read the full article here.</a>



Obama&#8217;s Warning on Health Care



Former President Barack Obama warned that more than 16 million Americans risk losing their health coverage as House Republicans struggle to advance President Donald Trump‘s sweeping tax and spending package that includes significant cuts to Medicaid funding. Obama urged Americans to "call your representative today and tell them to vote no on this bill."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46240012/obama-warns-16-million-americans-could-lose-health-care-as-gop-pushes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-with-deep-medicaid-cuts">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump Calls for Jerome Powell&#8217;s Resignation



President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the resignation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, following accusations from the Federal Housing Finance Agency Director that Powell provided misleading testimony. Trump voiced his demand for Powell's resignation on Wednesday via a post on Truth Social.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46237506/trump-says-jerome-powell-should-resign-immediately-after-fhfa-director-alleges-fed-chair-lied-about-2-5-billion-renovation-plan">Read the full article here.</a>



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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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>



Photo courtesy: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com

Politics

Trump's Sweeping Tax Bill, Tariff Hikes, Gavin Newsom's Tour And More: This Week In Politics

As we wrap up another eventful week, the tech world continues to buzz with exciting news and predictions. From Mark Cuban&#8216;s bold forecast about the future of AI to IBM&#8216;s surprising performance, there&#8217;s plenty to catch up on. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories that caught our attention over the weekend.



Mark Cuban Predicts AI Will Create The First Trillionaire



Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban shared his belief that artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to the creation of the world&#8217;s first trillionaire. During the &#8220;High Performance&#8221; podcast by CNBC, Cuban suggested that the future trillionaire will likely be someone who innovatively harnesses AI. He speculated that this groundbreaking innovation might emerge from an unexpected source.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46263675/mark-cuban-predicts-ai-will-create-the-first-trillionaire-and-it-could-just-be-one-dude-in-the-basement">Read the full article here.</a>



IBM Outperforms Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla in 2025



As Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) became the most valuable publicly traded company, another tech giant, nicknamed &#8216;Big Blue,&#8217; has quietly outpaced the Magnificent 7 and the Jensen Huang-led tech giant in 2025. International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) has emerged as one of the most profitable artificial intelligence plays this year.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46259795/everyone-talked-about-nvidia-apple-and-tesla-but-this-one-tech-stock-has-left-them-all-behind-in-2025">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46260599/ripples-national-bank-ambition-how-could-it-disrupt-stablecoins-and-traditional-banking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ripple's National Bank Ambition: How Could It Disrupt Stablecoins And Traditional Banking? Ripple's National Bank Ambition: How Could It Disrupt Stablecoins And Traditional Banking? &#8211; Benzinga</a>



Elon Musk&#8217;s xAI Hires Katie Miller Amid Controversial Permit Win



Elon Musk&#8217;s artificial intelligence startup xAI has hired Katie Miller, wife of President Donald Trump&#8217;s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, as a communications manager. This comes just as the company secured a controversial permit for its Memphis data center operations.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46259534/elon-musks-xai-hires-trump-aide-stephen-millers-wife-katie-amid-controversial-memphis-data-center-permit-win">Read the full article here.</a>



Experts Debate AI&#8217;s Impact On Employment



The impact of artificial intelligence on employment continues to be a hot topic of debate. Market veteran Jim Cramer thinks that &#8220;AI is still not trusted,&#8221; while others see trouble brewing in the labor market due to the automation of several human-led jobs.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46257861/jim-cramer-contradicts-ai-led-job-cuts-at-white-collar-firms-as-cathie-wood-says-its-hurting-entry-level-jobs-heres-how-experts-debunk-ais-impact-on-employment">Read the full article here.</a>



Dan Ives Urges Apple to Acquire Perplexity AI



Tech analyst Daniel Ives has urged Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) to make quick moves and acquire Perplexity AI for its search engine. Ives stated that Apple needs to &#8220;make a move,&#8221; during an interview with CNBC.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46216283/dan-ives-urges-apple-to-make-a-move-saying-that-perplexity-acquisition-is-a-no-brainer-its-a-matter-of-when-and-not-if">Read the full article here.</a>



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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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

AAPL

NVDA

Cuban's AI Prediction, IBM's Rise, Musk's New Hire And More: This Week In AI

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). From introducing new features to its iOS 26 update to the box office success of &#8216;F1: The Movie&#8217;, Apple has been making headlines in multiple sectors. Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories.



Apple&#8217;s iOS 26 Update to Combat Spam



Apple is set to roll out a new feature with iOS 26 that aims to curb spam by automatically filtering and silencing unwanted texts in its Messages app. This enhanced spam screening tool is expected to provide users with a more streamlined and spam-free experience.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46258668/apples-ios-26-will-silence-spam-texts-automatically-with-new-messages-update-that-filters-unknown-senders-into-hidden-folders">Read the full article here.</a>



Low AI Expectations Boost Apple Stock



According to Gene Munster from Deepwater Asset Management, Apple&#8217;s stock bump on Monday shows just how eagerly investors are waiting for signs that the company is serious about artificial intelligence. The rumors of a Siri upgrade alone fueled a 2% stock jump.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46186723/apple-investors-have-shockingly-low-ai-expectations-says-gene-munster-siri-upgrade-rumors-alone-fueled-a-2-stock-jump">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46263690/melinda-french-gates-tried-to-hold-it-together-for-the-family-and-foundation-but-indicates-bill-gate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melinda French Gates Tried To Hold It Together For The Family And Foundation—But Indicates Bill Gates&#8217;s Infidelity Left Her No Choice</a>



&#8216;F1: The Movie&#8217; Surpasses Expectations



Apple&#8217;s Brad Pitt-starrer ‘F1: The Movie' has been a box office success, surpassing expectations and adding another feather to Apple&#8217;s cap in the entertainment sector.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46159050/apples-f1-surpasses-expectations-chamath-palihapitiyas-criticism-ai-for-chip-design-and-perplexity-acquisition-in-consideration-this-week-in-appleverse">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Stock Eyes Rebound



Despite being down 15% year-to-date, Apple&#8217;s stock is eyeing a rebound. A mix of seasonal strength, rising App Store revenue, and improving sentiment could set up the stock for a rare comeback.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46260998/apple-store-stock-performance-july-analysis">Read the full article here.</a>



iPhone Sales Bounce Back in China



Apple&#8217;s iPhone sales are set for a significant rebound in China in the second quarter of 2025, with both Huawei Technologies and Apple leading the charge in year-on-year growth. However, the pressure from Huawei and Xiaomi continues to intensify.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46246152/iphone-sales-bounce-back-in-china-but-huawei-and-xiaomi-intensify-pressure">Read the full article here.</a>



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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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>



Photo courtesy: jamesteohart / Shutterstock.com

iOS 26 Spam Filter, AI Expectations, F1 Success And More: This Week In Appleverse

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the U.S. economy. From a rare warning sign in the labor market to a surprising jobs report, the week was filled with unexpected turns. The gold market saw a potential rise, while the Federal Reserve faced criticism from President Donald Trump. Amidst all this, the middle class&#8217;s struggles were highlighted by a renowned economist.



Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories.



Labor Market Sends Warning Signal



The U.S. labor market is showing a concerning sign as private sector payrolls fell in June for the first time in over two years. This has raised concerns about the economy&#8217;s health and increased speculation about Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Private employers cut 33,000 jobs last month, according to the ADP National Employment Report.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46218795/labor-market-payrolls-june-interest-rates">Read the full article here.</a>



JPMorgan&#8217;s Bet on Gold



Despite U.S. stocks trading at all-time highs, JPMorgan&#8216;s mid-year outlook suggests a potential storm brewing that could see gold soar, the dollar weaken, and markets reset in the second half of 2025. The investment bank forecasts the S&amp;P 500 to finish the year at 6,000, implying a modest 3.5% pullback from current levels.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/07/46233083/something-big-is-brewing-in-gold-stocks-and-the-dollar-jpmorgans-half-year-2025-outlook">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46161059/apple-has-the-potential-to-crush-metas-ray-ban-smart-glasses-says-ming-chi-kuo-but-the-tech-giant-has-been-surprisingly-slow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Has the Potential To Crush Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Says Ming-Chi Kuo, But The Tech Giant Has Been ‘Surprisingly Slow'</a>



Trump&#8217;s Attack On Fed Chair



President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of keeping interest rates "artificially high" and insisting the benchmark should drop to &#8220;1% or 2%". Trump claimed Powell&#8217;s policies force the government to refinance roughly $9 trillion in debt at punitive costs.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46165110/donald-trump-calls-fed-chair-jerome-powell-a-bad-person-who-keeps-rates-artificially-high-says-benc">Read the full article here.</a>



US Middle Class Struggles



Economist Richard Baldwin argued that America&#8217;s middle-class struggles have less to do with globalization and more to do with a chronic failure to provide adequate social policy. Baldwin believes that unlike other advanced economies, the U.S. hasn&#8217;t implemented the policies needed to cushion economic shocks.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46214509/america-has-no-will-to-help-its-middle-class-says-economist-richard-baldwin-so-politicians-find-a-c">Read the full article here.</a>



Surprising June Jobs Report



The official U.S. jobs report for June delivered a surprisingly sharp turnaround from the gloom triggered by ADP private payroll data just 24 hours earlier. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 147,000 in June, the strongest reading so far in 2025, up from an upwardly revised 144,000 in May and well above economists' expectations.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46244105/june-jobs-report-nonfarm-payroll-adp-data">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45489038/us-stocks-likely-to-open-lower-after-moodys-downgrade-bear-market-isnt-fully-recovered-yet-but-it-is-close-says-expert" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Stocks Likely To Open Lower After Moody's Downgrade: ‘Bear Market Isn't Fully Recovered Yet, But It Is Close,' Says Expert</a></li>
</ul>



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/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>



Photo: Miha Creative via Shutterstock

Economics

Labor Market Woes, Gold's Rise, Trump's Fed Attack, Middle-Class Struggles And A Surprising Jobs Report: This Week In Economy

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride in the world of finance and cryptocurrency. The spotlight was on President Donald Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217; and its potential implications for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, concerns about America&#8217;s debt crisis continue to mount and Robinhood&#8217;s latest move in blockchain technology has stirred up the market.



Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories.



Bitcoin And Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217;



President Donald Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217; has been the talk of the town, especially its potential impact on Bitcoin. The bill, which passed through the Senate, is expected to lead to a significant fiscal expansion. Market analysts suggest that the bill&#8217;s projected impact on government spending, inflation, and the U.S. dollar could drive a shift toward Bitcoin as investors look for alternative stores of value.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46227149/every-new-trillion-of-debt-in-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-is-free-adertising-for-bitcoin-expe">Read the full article here.</a>



Big Beautiful Bull Run For Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP



Despite the absence of direct crypto measures in the &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217;, market watchers believe that the broader economic fallout could create tailwinds for Bitcoin and digital assets. Data from Santiment suggests that the bill&#8217;s passage may be bullish for cryptocurrencies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46220570/how-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-could-create-a-big-beautiful-bull-run-for-bitcoin-ethereum-xr">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46260174/this-bitcoin-collector-turned-500-into-over-10-million-by-selling-100-physical-bitcoin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Bitcoin Collector Turned $500 Into Over $10 Million By Selling 100 &#8216;Physical&#8217; Bitcoin</a>



America&#8217;s Debt Crisis: No Fix In Sight?



Silicon Valley investor and economic commentator Balaji Srinivasan has voiced concerns about America&#8217;s looming debt crisis. He stated that the U.S. is heading towards a national bankruptcy, with the real debt exceeding $175 trillion.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46213919/elon-musk-is-100-correct-says-balaji-srinivasan-america-is-broke-and-there-is-no-fi">Read the full article here.</a>



Robinhood&#8217;s Blockchain Move



Macro strategist Raoul Pal has praised&nbsp;Robinhood Markets&#8217;&nbsp;decision to launch tokenized stock offerings. He described it as a move towards the &#8220;democratization of finance&#8221;, allowing users in Europe to gain exposure to U.S. private companies such as SpaceX and OpenAI.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46186180/raoul-pal-says-robinhood-letting-users-trade-openai-spacex-through-blockchain-is-democratization-of-finance-end-of-public-vs-private-markets-has-begun">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Dip: A Buying Opportunity?



The cryptocurrency markets saw modest declines following the Senate&#8217;s passage of the &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217;. The macro uncertainty combined with Bitcoin&#8217;s ongoing range-bound technical structure is keeping momentum subdued. However, some traders believe that the early July dip could present a good buying opportunity.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46206003/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-dip-but-early-july-dip-buys-will-age-well-trader-says">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46260124/social-media-without-middlemen-wallstreetbets-founder-backs-creator-controlled-platform" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Media Without Middlemen? WallStreetBets Founder Backs Creator-Controlled Platform</a></li>
</ul>



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/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' And Its Impact On Bitcoin, America's Debt Crisis And Robinhood's Blockchain Move: This Week In Crypto

Wall Street powered through the shortened holiday week, with both the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 climbing to fresh record highs, as upbeat economic data and major policy shifts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">helped fuel investor confidence.</a>



Optimism got an extra boost after President Donald Trump announced a surprise trade deal with Vietnam. The agreement includes a 20% tariff on all Vietnamese imports and a 40% tariff on transshipped goods. In return, U.S. companies will get full access to Vietnam's domestic market, a key win for American exporters. 



Markets responded positively, with investors viewing it as a signal that Trump is favoring targeted trade enforcement over sweeping tariffs.



Read also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46241070/trumps-vietnam-trade-deal-with-40-tax-on-transshipments-may-result-in-chinese-backlash-say-economists-they-want-inflation">Trump&#8217;s Vietnam Trade Deal With 40% Tax On Transshipments May Result In Chinese Backlash, Say Economists: &#8216;&#8230;They Want Inflation&#8217;</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Congress Passes Trump&#8217;s OBBBA, Economic Data Outperform</h3>



The U.S. Senate passed the bill on July 1, 2025, in a narrow 51–50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.



The House of Representatives followed on July 3, approving the final version of the bill in a 218–214 vote.



The White House announced that President Donald Trump will sign the bill into law on July 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET—a symbolic moment timed with Independence Day.



Labor market data surpassed expectations: Nonfarm payrolls rose by 147,000 in June, exceeding the projection of 110,000. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%, defying forecasts for a rise to 4.3% and hitting its lowest level since January. A big surprise came from government hiring, which added 73,000 jobs — the largest<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46244105/june-jobs-report-nonfarm-payroll-adp-data"> jump since March 2023.</a>



On the industrial side, new orders for U.S. manufactured goods jumped 8.2% in May to $642 billion. This was the largest monthly surge since 2014 and the third-largest on record, as firms moved quickly to capitalize on the temporary suspension of "Liberation Day" tariffs.



This economic resilience complicates the Federal Reserve's outlook for near-term rate cuts. Chair Jerome Powell said the door remains open for a potential rate cut at the July 30 meeting, though he emphasized the importance of incoming data. Yet, after the robust jobs report, market-based odds for a cut fell sharply to just 7%.



Read also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46258864/ray-dalio-warns-us-debt-per-family-will-rise-85-to-425000-over-next-10-years-as-house-passes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill"> Ray Dalio Warns US Debt Per Family Will Rise 85% To $425,000 Over Next 10 Years As House Passes Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big Beautiful Bill&#8217;</a>



In tech news, Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) announced a new round of layoffs affecting 9,000 employees — about 4% of its global workforce.



Michigan-based automakers were among the week's top gainers. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) jumped 10% this week after reporting a 14% year-over-year increase in second-quarter U.S. vehicle sales, reaching 612,095 units. The surge was led by strong demand for its Maverick and F-Series pickup trucks.



General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) also topped the week&#8217;s best-performer ranking after posting a 7% rise in quarterly sales to 746,588 vehicles. 



Now read: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46262055/greed-mode-on-why-tesla-nvidia-palantir-and-bitcoin-plays-could-rip">Greed Mode On: Why Tesla, Nvidia, Palantir And Bitcoin Plays Could Rip </a></li>
</ul>

Government

Macro Economic Events

Regulations

Econ #s

MSFT

Wall Street Ends Holiday Week At Record Highs As Jobs, Trade Deal Lift Sentiment: This Week In Markets

President Donald Trump signed his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46240478/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-advances-as-house-gop-squeezes-out-219-213-win" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sweeping tax and spending package</a> into law on Friday after it narrowly passed both houses of Congress last week.



The signing keeps his second-term agenda alive and sets the stage for big shifts in corporate taxes, consumer spending, and tech-sector investments.



Markets took the news in stride. Both the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 climbed to fresh record highs, lifted by solid economic data and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/07/46262523/trump-fed-policy-markets-records-vietnam-trade-deal-obbba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">promise of policy stability</a>.



For investors, the week delivered a rare mix of bullish momentum and clear direction.



Adding to the surprise, Trump unveiled a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46241070/trumps-vietnam-trade-deal-with-40-tax-on-transshipments-may-result-in-chinese-backlash-say-economists-they-want-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new trade deal with Vietnam</a>. The agreement imposes steep tariffs—20% on Vietnamese imports and 40% on transshipped goods—but opens up full access for U.S. companies to Vietnam&#8217;s domestic market, a major win for American exporters, especially in consumer tech and electronics.



Technology



Nvidia Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Jensen Huang stock just closed at&nbsp;$159.34&nbsp;on Thursday, less than&nbsp;3%&nbsp;shy of the historic<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46261478/nvidias-4t-countdown-will-next-weeks-chart-print-a-trillion-dollar-breakout" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;$4 trillion&nbsp;market cap milestone.</a>



If it hits&nbsp;$164, it&#8217;ll become the first chipmaker — and only the second U.S. company after&nbsp;Microsoft Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) – to touch that number.



Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is rolling out a new feature with&nbsp;iOS 26&nbsp;that aims to curb spam by automatically filtering and silencing unwanted<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46258668/apples-ios-26-will-silence-spam-texts-automatically-with-new-messages-update-that-filters-unknown-senders-into-hidden-folders" rel="noreferrer noopener"> texts in its&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46258668/apples-ios-26-will-silence-spam-texts-automatically-with-new-messages-update-that-filters-unknown-senders-into-hidden-folders" rel="noreferrer noopener">Messages</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46258668/apples-ios-26-will-silence-spam-texts-automatically-with-new-messages-update-that-filters-unknown-senders-into-hidden-folders" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;app.</a>



As part of the iOS 26 update, Apple is getting an enhanced spam screening tool within its Messages app



Alphabet&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google has been hit with an antitrust complaint by a group of independent publishers<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46263522/googles-ai-overviews-features-sparks-new-antitrust-battle-with-european-publishers-report" rel="noreferrer noopener"> from the European Union.</a>



The complaint is related to Google&#8217;s AI Overviews, a feature that provides AI-generated summaries above traditional hyperlinks in search results.



Alibaba Group Holding Limited&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) announced a strategic partnership with website builder&nbsp;Wix.com Ltd.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WIX#NASDAQ">WIX</a>) to simplify global commerce for entrepreneurs and small businesses <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46226194/whats-going-on-with-alibaba-stock-today" rel="noreferrer noopener">in more than 200 markets.</a>



Alibaba Group announced the pricing of HK$12.023 billion ($1.5 billion) in zero-coupon exchangeable bonds due 2032, marking the Chinese e-commerce giant&#8217;s latest move to fuel its artificial intelligence<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46257814/alibaba-prices-1-5-billion-via-zero-coupon-bonds-to-fund-ai-cloud-push" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> and cloud expansion strategy.</a>



President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;said the U.S. is&nbsp;poised to resume negotiations&nbsp;with China as early as Monday or Tuesday over a potential deal involving<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46263734/trump-says-we-pretty-much-have-a-deal-as-he-reveals-us-will-resume-tiktok-deal-talks-with-china-soon" rel="noreferrer noopener"> TikTok&#8217;s U.S. operations.</a>



Artificial Intelligence (AI)



OpenAI CEO&nbsp;Sam Altman&nbsp;said AI can now perform entry-level employee tasks, while Gen Z workers increasingly view artificial intelligence as a workplace companion rather than competition, as tech leaders predict the first billion-dollar <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45809827/sam-altman-says-ai-can-replace-interns-but-gen-z-is-already-treating-it-like-a-work-buddy" rel="noreferrer noopener">single-person company could emerge next year.</a>



Apple&nbsp;has the&nbsp;potential to outshine Meta Platforms&#8217; (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)&nbsp;Ray-Ban&nbsp;smart glasses, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46161059/apple-has-the-potential-to-crush-metas-ray-ban-smart-glasses-says-ming-chi-kuo-but-the-tech-giant-has-been-surprisingly-slow" rel="noreferrer noopener">says analyst&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46161059/apple-has-the-potential-to-crush-metas-ray-ban-smart-glasses-says-ming-chi-kuo-but-the-tech-giant-has-been-surprisingly-slow" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ming-Chi Kuo</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46161059/apple-has-the-potential-to-crush-metas-ray-ban-smart-glasses-says-ming-chi-kuo-but-the-tech-giant-has-been-surprisingly-slow" rel="noreferrer noopener">.</a>



Apple&nbsp;investors are waiting for signs that the company is serious about artificial intelligence, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46186723/apple-investors-have-shockingly-low-ai-expectations-says-gene-munster-siri-upgrade-rumors-alone-fueled-a-2-stock-jump" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deepwater Asset Management&#8217;s Gene Munster</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46186723/apple-investors-have-shockingly-low-ai-expectations-says-gene-munster-siri-upgrade-rumors-alone-fueled-a-2-stock-jump" rel="noreferrer noopener">.</a>



A report emerged that the tech giant is exploring using large language models from&nbsp;OpenAI&nbsp;or&nbsp;Anthropic&nbsp;to power a revamped version of&nbsp;Siri&nbsp;by spring 2026.



Automobiles &amp; Airlines



Boeing (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) secured a $2.8 billion contract from the U.S. Space Force to develop and produce strategic <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46258103/boeing-wins-2-8-billion-us-space-force-contract-to-build-nuclear-resilient-satellites-for-strategic-communications" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite communications systems.</a>



The contract covers Boeing&#8217;s Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program, which will deliver two satellites with options for two additional units.



Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) released its second-quarter<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46221375/tesla-stock-jumps-on-strong-q2-deliveries" rel="noreferrer noopener"> production and delivery results for 2025.</a>



Tesla produced 410,244 vehicles and delivered 384,122 globally. The popular Model 3/Y vehicles accounted for the vast majority of these figures, with 373,728 deliveries for the quarter. The company also noted the deployment of 9.6 GWh of its energy storage products.



Lucid Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>)&nbsp;said it produced 3,863 vehicles in the second quarter, up from 2,212 vehicles<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46235023/lucid-reports-q2-production-delivery-numbers-shares-stall" rel="noreferrer noopener"> produced in the&nbsp;first quarter.</a>



Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) produced 5,979 vehicles between April and June and delivered 10,661 units<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46224223/rivians-production-dips-for-next-gen-models-volkswagen-infusion-boosts-outlook" rel="noreferrer noopener"> from its Normal, Illinois, plant. </a>Despite a planned reduction in output to prepare for its 2026 lineup, Rivian reaffirmed its full-year delivery guidance of 40,000 to 46,000 vehicles.



NIO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) shipped 24,925 units in June, reflecting a 17.5% increase over the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46191725/nios-june-sales-surge-as-trump-casts-doubt-on-ev-future" rel="noreferrer noopener"> same month last year.</a>



Xiaomi (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACF#OTC">XIACF</a>) is exploring options to sell its vehicles overseas. CEO&nbsp;Lei Jun&nbsp;shared the company&#8217;s plans during a livestream.



Image: Shutterstock

General

BABA

GOOG

GOOGL

LCID

RIVN

XIACF

Consumer Tech News (June 30–July 4): Trump's Tax Bill Advances, S&P Hits Record, Nvidia Nears $4 Trillion, Apple Debuts iOS 26 Spam Filter

These eleven large-cap stocks were the best performers in the holiday-shortened week. Are they a part of your portfolio?



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Symbotic Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYM#NASDAQ">SYM</a>) stock gained 28.93% last week.</li>



<li>NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) stock upped 22.15%, along with apparel and retail stocks, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46230421">which gained</a> on Trump's trade deal announcement with Vietnam, a key supplier to the industry. Argus Research also upgraded Nike <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NKE/analyst-ratings">from Hold to Buy</a>.</li>



<li>First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) stock rose 18.89% after the U.S. Senate passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which extended renewable project timelines and cut China from the supply chain. The bill also removed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46249974">the proposed excise tax</a>.</li>



<li>Datadog, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDOG#NASDAQ">DDOG</a>) stock gained 18.33% after it was announced that it would <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46248451">join the S&amp;P 500 index</a> on July 9, 2025.</li>



<li>Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) stock jumped 16.17% after the DOJ cleared its Juniper Networks Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNPR#NYSE">JNPR</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46172737">acquisition</a>. Also, Bank of America Securities maintained a Buy rating and raised its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HPE/analyst-ratings">price forecast to $23</a>.</li>



<li>Summit Therapeutics Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMMT#NASDAQ">SMMT</a>) stock upped 15.15% after Bloomberg reported it is in $15 billion-valued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46249640">partnership talks</a> with AstraZeneca (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NYSE">AZN</a>). UBS also initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SMMT/analyst-ratings">a $30 price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>Carnival Corporation &amp; plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>) stock rose 14.48% as it prepares to launch its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46236882">new private cruise destination</a>, Celebration Key. The company also announced an offer to raise 1 Billion euros via senior unsecured notes to refinance debt.</li>



<li>POSCO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PKX#NYSE">PKX</a>) stock gained 14.43% last week.</li>



<li>Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WYNN#NASDAQ">WYNN</a>) stock gained 14.02% after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46204670">Macau's June gaming revenue</a> rose 19% year-over-year to $2.6 billion, beating expectations.</li>



<li>SharkNinja, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SN#NYSE">SN</a>) stock rose 13.95% amid sector-wide gains from Trump's Vietnam trade deal announcement benefiting consumer goods supply chains.</li>



<li>Snap Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>) shares gained 13.88% last week after Wells Fargo raised its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/46207800">price forecast on the stock</a> from $8 to $11.</li>
</ol>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46252229/netflix-is-worth-half-trillion-and-one-analyst-forecasts-trillion-dollar-valuation">Netflix Is Worth Half Trillion And One Analyst Forecasts Trillion Dollar Valuation</a></li>
</ul>



Image via Shutterstock

DDOG

FSLR

JNPR

SMMT

SNAP

WYNN

NIKE, Datadog And Snap Are Among Top 11 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (June 30-July 4): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

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



Markets closed out a holiday‑shortened week with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 reaching fresh record highs. The rally was powered by unexpectedly strong job growth, robust factory orders, and a surprise U.S.-Vietnam trade deal that lifted sentiment.



Under the Vietnam deal, the U.S. will impose a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports and 40% on transshipped goods, while offering U.S. companies tariff‑free access to Vietnam's domestic market — a strategic win ahead of the July 9 tariff deadline.



With June payrolls beating forecasts (+147,000 jobs, unemployment at 4.1%) and industrial orders surging, markets concluded the week on a confident note. Still, rate‑cut odds dropped sharply as the job strength reduced the case for a July Fed cut.



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







The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46236303/datadog-stock-surges-on-sp-500-inclusion">"Datadog stock surges on S&amp;P 500 inclusion"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Datadog Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDOG#NASDAQ">DDOG</a>) jumped more than 9% after being named to replace Juniper Networks in the S&amp;P 500, a move expected to trigger increased institutional buying and index-tracking fund inflows.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46250801/sharplink-gaming-sbet-stock-is-trending-today-whats-going-on">"SharpLink Gaming stock is trending today: what's going on?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that SharpLink Gaming Inc. (NASDAQ: SBET) shares rose about 6% mid‑day on Thursday after the company highlighted its Ethereum treasury strategy — staking its ETH reserves into protocols, earning 102 ETH in late June, and announcing it will ring the Nasdaq closing bell in celebration of the move.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46204827/stock-of-the-day-bank-of-america-breaks-out">"Stock of the Day: Bank of America breaks out"</a>, by Mark Putrino, reports that Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) appears to have broken through a key resistance level — suggesting rising demand may be propelling the stock into a sustained upward trend.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/07/46210595/650-later-rocket-lab-ceo-isnt-one-bit-worried">650% Later, Rocket Lab CEO Isn't One Bit Worried</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46260998/apple-store-stock-performance-july-analysis">Apple's App Store Just Had A Blowout Quarter — And That Might Be The Signal Bulls Needed</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46246380/iren-stock-is-rising-thursday-whats-going-on">IREN Stock Is Rising Thursday: What's Going On?</a>







The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/guidance/25/07/46209736/centene-withdraws-2025-guidance-shares-dive">"Centene withdraws 2025 guidance, shares dive"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Centene Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNC#NYSE">CNC</a>) stock plunged over 21% after it pulled its full-year 2025 guidance — citing a preliminary actuarial review showing a $1.8 billion reduction in risk adjustment revenue and a projected $2.75 EPS hit — triggering a sell‑off across the health insurance sector.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46235023/lucid-reports-q2-production-delivery-numbers-shares-stall">"Lucid reports Q2 production, delivery numbers, shares stall"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>) produced 3,863 vehicles in Q2 and delivered 3,309, both record highs year‑over‑year but short of Wall Street estimates, causing shares to stall despite continued progress in scaling production and demand.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46242782/why-qualcomms-stock-isnt-soaring-like-its-rivals">"Why Qualcomm's stock isn't soaring like its rivals"</a>, by Anusuya Lahiri, reports that Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) has delivered modest 6% year‑to‑date gains — trailing the PHLX Semiconductor Index's 13% and Nvidia's 43% — due to its heavy reliance on handset markets and slower diversification into AI and data‑center chips.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46222916/centenes-guidance-withdrawal-spooks-sector-oscar-health-stock-falls">Centene's Guidance Withdrawal Spooks Sector, Oscar Health Stock Falls</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46220830/united-health-stock-is-sliding-today-whats-going-on">United Health Stock Is Sliding Today: What's Going On?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46252812/webull-stock-is-sliding-after-the-close-whats-going-on">Webull Stock Is Sliding After The Close: What's Going On?</a>







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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Markets

BULL

IREN

OSCR

QCOM

RKLB

SBET

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Datadog, Centene, Lucid — And US Makes Surprise Trade Deal With Vietnam

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



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



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46157351/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-71">EXCLUSIVE: June&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do CoreWeave, Nvidia, Apple Stock Rank?</a>



Here&#8217;s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending July 4:



US Foods Holding Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USFD#NYSE">USFD</a>): The food service distributor saw increased interest from readers during the shortened holiday week. JPMorgan maintained a Neutral rating on the stock while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/USFD/analyst-ratings">raising the price target </a>from $82 to $85. US Foods shares trade near all time highs with momentum coming from the earnings report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45297979/whats-going-on-with-us-foods-stock-on-thursday">back in May.</a> The company missed Street estimates for earnings per share and revenue, while reporting a 4.5% year-over-year sales increase and increased gross profits and total case volume. The company's net income was up 40% year-over-year in the first quarter. After a strong quarterly report and a June defense agency contract award win, the company could be one to watch.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="497" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972632" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165727/Screenshot-486-768x382.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FNV#NYSE">FNV</a>): Interest has been rising in gold and precious metals stocks in recent weeks. This week's Stock Whisper Index sees a precious metals company make it, but one of a different nature. Unlike past stocks that mine the metals that have made the list, Franco-Nevada is a gold-focused royalty and streaming company. The company does not operate mines or conduct exploration, instead owning a portfolio of royalties and streams. Franco-Nevada has a history of increasing its dividend and could be viewed as a safer bet in the sector than some of the other companies. UBS maintained a Buy rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FNV/analyst-ratings">raised the price target</a> from $205 to $210.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="496" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972633" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165742/Screenshot-487-768x382.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Johnson Controls International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JCI#NYSE">JCI</a>): The commercial HVAC and building management company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes with analysts increasing their price target on the stock in recent months. Johnson Controls shares recently hit new all time highs with the stock up 35% year-to-date in 2025. Investors could be getting ready for upcoming third-quarter financial results, which are expected in late July. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share and revenue in two straight quarters. The strong recent earnings momentum along with an increased share buyback plan could see shares continue to take out new highs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972634" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165757/Screenshot-488-768x390.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>): One of the largest defense contractors, Northrop Grumman saw increased interest from readers during the week with tensions in the Middle East<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46045651/northrop-grumman-jumps-5-overnight-as-b-2-bombers-return-to-missouri-after-36-hour-iran-strike-trump-says-job-well-done"> remaining heightened.</a> The company manufactures the B2 bomber and is involved in several other top defense weapons used. Investors are likely anticipating the company's second-quarter financial results later this month with analysts forecasting earnings per share to grow to $6.70 and revenue to decline to $10.11 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine of the last 10 quarters and for revenue in seven of the last 10 quarters. Northrop Grumman could be a winner if tension escalates in the Middle East and potentially thanks to increased defense spending by the US and other nations.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972635" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165811/Screenshot-489-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>): The biotech best known for its work on HIV and Hepatitis drugs recently<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/fda/25/06/46023093/fda-approves-gileads-game-changing-twice-yearly-shot-to-prevent-hiv-transmission-critics-slam-28k-price-tag"> received FDA approval</a> for Yeztugo, the first and only twice-yearly option in the US for pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of HIV in adults. While the company received approval there are questions over how much the drug will be priced at with Gilead working with insurers to increase coverage options. High pricing of the drug could cause pushback against the company, while also helping boost revenue and earnings. Gilead is set to report quarterly financial results in August and could provide an update on the drug. The company has beaten analyst estimates in five straight quarters and beaten analyst revenue estimates in nine of the last 10 quarters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0703"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="494" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490.png" alt="" class="wp-image-972636" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490-300x148.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03165827/Screenshot-490-768x379.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week's report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0703" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45827517/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-68" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 6</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/45938888/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-69" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 13</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46043300/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-70" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 20</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46157351/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-71">June 27</a></li>
</ul>



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46236448/exclusive-2025s-first-half-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-nvidia-tesla-apple-stock-rank">EXCLUSIVE: 2025&#8217;s First Half Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Nvidia, Tesla, Apple Stock Rank?</a></li>
</ul>

Long Ideas

Exclusives

GILD

USFD

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

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Abry Partners hired JPMorgan Chase <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/auction">to find a buyer</a> for physician social network Sermo, Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/07/02/abry-sermo-sale-physician-social-network">reports</a>. Bids are expected to be between $600 million and $800 million. Boston-based Abry first <a href="https://abry.com/news-article/sermo-announces-significant-investment-from-abry-partners/">invested</a> in Sermo in 2019.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Verint Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRNT#NASDAQ">VRNT</a>), a provider of call center software, is working with an adviser on a potential sale. Thoma Bravo is interested, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-01/thoma-bravo-is-said-to-be-in-talks-to-acquire-verint-systems?srnd=phx-deals&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">per</a> Bloomberg. Despite a 28% stock drop this year, Verint recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/45781756/verint-stock-jumps-after-q1-beat-confident-fy26-guidance">beat revenue estimates</a>. The company spun off its analytics arm, Cognyte, in 2021.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Paramount Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NASDAQ">PARA</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARAA#NASDAQ">PARAA</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/07/46212970/trump-wins-16-million-settlement-from-paramount-over-cbs-60-minutes-kamala-harris-interview-but-no-apology-issued">agreed to pay $16 million</a> to President Donald Trump's future library as a way to settle a lawsuit over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris. Trump had sued for $20 billion, claiming CBS deceptively edited the segment. CBS denies wrongdoing. The settlement may help clear regulatory hurdles for Paramount's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/07/39658163/paramount-board-endorses-merger-with-skydance-media-as-david-ellison-nears-acquisition-of-m">pending $28 billion merger</a> with Skydance Media. Private equity firms RedBird Capital and KKR back the deal. The FCC launched a probe into CBS's New York station after Trump took office, and &#8220;60 Minutes&#8221; producer Bill Owens <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/23/nx-s1-5372796/60-minutes-executive-producer-resigns-saying-shows-indepependence-was-compromised">resigned</a> in April, citing editorial interference. Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather called it &#8220;a sad day for journalism&#8221; and &#8220;a sad day for '60 Minutes' and CBS News.&#8221; In an interview with <a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/dan-rather-paramount-trump-suit-settlement-sell-out-1236446675/?utm_campaign=feed&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=later-linkinbio">Variety</a>, the renowned journalist put it plainly: &#8220;It was distortion by the president and a kneeling down and saying, ‘yes, sir,' by billionaire corporate owners."</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Euronext is in <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-01/euronext-says-it-s-in-talks-to-buy-athens-stock-exchange?srnd=phx-deals&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">talks</a> to acquire the Athens Stock Exchange operator (ATHEX). The proposed share exchange deal would value ATHEX at 6.90 euros per share, or 399 million euros fully diluted. Euronext says the move reflects its confidence in Greece's economic potential. Talks are still in early stages. If successful, it would mark Euronext's latest expansion, adding to its portfolio of exchanges across seven European countries.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Spectris has <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/spectris-agrees-to-5-64-billion-kkr-takeover-withdraws-advent-recommendation-3dc7c625?mod=deals_news_article_pos1">agreed</a> to a 4.1 billion pounds ($5.64 billion) buyout by private equity firm KKR, scrapping a prior deal with Advent International. The new offer gives shareholders 39.72 pounds per share and beats Advent's 37.63-pounds-per-share offer. Separately, KKR is also acquiring Australian poultry producer ProTen from Aware Super for A$1.3 billion.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Athora, a savings and retirement services group backed by Apollo Global Management, is &#8220;days away&#8221; from <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/apollo-backed-athora-closes-in-on-6bn-pension-insurance-corporation-deal-13391631">inking</a> a near-6 billion pound purchase of Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), according to Sky News.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Off The Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) completed its $14 billion purchase of Juniper Networks (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNPR#NYSE">JNPR</a>), following a U.S. antitrust <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.443490/gov.uscourts.cand.443490.217.2.pdf">settlement</a>.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Open Cosmos has <a href="https://x.com/Open_Cosmos/status/1940697021234688033">acquired</a> Connected, a Portugal-based space-tech company specializing in IoT connectivity from space. The deal strengthens Open Cosmos's capabilities in narrowband IoT and expands its footprint in Portugal, which it says is a growing hub for space innovation. The acquisition is described as one of the fastest successful exits in European space-tech and aligns with the EU's long-term vision for sovereign and scalable space infrastructure.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Canned-food giant Del Monte Foods has <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/del-monte-foods-announces-strategic-action-to-strengthen-financial-position-and-pursue-a-value-maximizing-sale-302496385.html">filed</a> for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, launching a court-supervised sale process in a bid to accelerate its turnaround. The company, known for canned fruits, College Inn broths and Joyba teas, said it secured $912.5 million in financing from existing lenders to continue operations during the proceedings. CEO Greg Longstreet called the move a "strategic step forward" aimed at building a stronger, long-term business. Del Monte, founded nearly 140 years ago, will remain open during the bankruptcy process.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notes From The Block</h2>



M&amp;A volumes globally continue to decline, according <a href="https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/deals/trends.html">to</a> PwC&#8217;s Brian Levy.



&#8220;They dropped by 9% in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2024, while deal values are up 15%. We continue to see transactions in companies with a local focus within national borders, as well as in service companies or others less susceptible to tariffs,&#8221; Levy wrote in a June 24 blog post. 



Strong cash flow and &#8220;healthy prospects&#8221; are key. A May 2025 PwC survey found that 30% of U.S. companies paused or reconsidered deals due to tariff uncertainty, signaling ongoing disruption for dealmakers in the months ahead.



&#8220;We expect dealmakers to feel the continued fallout over the coming months,&#8221; Levy adds.



Separately, the mixed job market — like the one we&#8217;re currently in — provides a clue as to how the second half of 2025 will unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46188699/goldman-sachs-now-expects-3-fed-rate-cuts-in-2025-amid-weak-jobs-data-modest-trump-tariff-effects">If rate cuts follow</a>, expect a rebound in M&amp;A activity.



Buyers typically see value in sectors under labor pressure, and sellers feel more urgency <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46244105/june-jobs-report-nonfarm-payroll-adp-data">if hiring slows</a> or margins compress.



Bain &amp; Co. says it&#8217;s &#8220;already seeing evidence that some companies are not allowing tariffs (and the changed economic world order they represent) to derail M&amp;A activity.&#8221; 



While deal activity dipped in April, deal value rebounded in May, the firm <a href="https://www.bain.com/insights/m-and-a-midyear-report-2025-separating-signal-from-noise/">wrote</a> in its mid-year report. This may partly reflect late-stage deals, as well as the fortitude of executives and the muted impact of U.S. tariff announcements. 



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/25/06/46138385/deal-dispatch-darden-bahama-breeze-nba-ma-heats-up">For last week&#8217;s edition of the Deal Dispatch, click here</a>. 



Now Read



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/hedge-funds/25/07/46243248/michael-burry-estee-lauder-snub-china">Beauty And The Bear: Michael Burry, Estee Lauder Snub China</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Edited by Benzinga using Shutterstock

SPACE

Asset Sales

Global

PARA

PARAA

VRNT

Deal Dispatch: Trump Settlement Clears Way For Paramount Merger, Euronext Eyes Greece, KKR Strikes Twice

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market Overview</h2>



Bulls were on parade last week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average leading the rally higher. It finished up 2.30% on the week, but fell just short of a new all-time high. The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq hit new all-time highs, and finished up 1.72% and 1.62%, respectively. We're starting to see greed creep back into the tape, and I'm not ruling out a blowoff top at this point. Still, any dips that follow through should be bought, especially on the crypto side of the market. Stimulus is coming, as the only way out of this fiscal mess is to grow our way out of it. We have an abbreviated report this week due to the holiday. Take some time to rest! It's very important especially in these markets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stocks I Like</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Life360 (Ticker: LIF) – 31% Return Potential</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="303" data-id="973731" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093435/Picture1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973731" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093435/Picture1.png 624w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093435/Picture1-300x146.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /></figure>
</figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What's Happening</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Life360, Inc. (LIF) is a technology-driven company focused on providing family safety and location-sharing services, leveraging data and digital platforms to enhance user experiences and deliver innovative solutions for family connectivity and protection.</li>



<li>The company has been steadily profitable over the past year, although there was a dip in earnings in the most recent quarter. Still, they reported revenue of $103.62 million and earnings of $5.37 million.</li>



<li>This valuation on LIF is sky-high. P/E is at 501.69, Price-to-Sales is at 12.46, and EV to EBITDA is at 427.88.</li>



<li>At a technical level, LIF is coiling within a bull flag formation. This is a very bullish setup that can lead to another leg higher in prices.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why It's Happening</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The integration of "Tile" trackers and the rollout of new features in adjacent categories such as family financial tools, elderly care, and auto insurance are enhancing Life360's platform value. These innovations not only increase user engagement but also open up new monetization avenues, diversifying revenue streams and reducing reliance on any single segment.</li>



<li>Life360's international penetration is accelerating, with MAUs outside the US growing 46% year-over-year in 2024. Regional penetration rates remain well below domestic levels—10% in the UK, 11% in Australia, and just 14% in the US—leaving ample headroom for further expansion.</li>



<li>Other revenue streams, including advertising and partnerships, grew 41% to $36 million in 2024. With a massive and engaged user base, Life360 is well-positioned to capitalize on targeted advertising and strategic partnerships. Analysts expect advertising revenue to continue growing significantly, providing a powerful incremental tailwind that could surprise to the upside and drive further stock gains.</li>



<li>​​Life360's MAUs reached approximately 83.7 million in Q1 2025, reflecting a 30% year-over-year increase. This rapid expansion is especially impressive given the company's already substantial user base, suggesting that Life360's brand and platform are resonating deeply with families worldwide. </li>



<li>Life360 delivered a blowout first quarter in 2025, with total revenue surging 32% year-over-year to $103.6 million, marking its strongest Q1 ever. This performance was fueled by record highs in Monthly Active Users (MAUs), paying subscribers, and net additions, demonstrating that the company's platform is experiencing accelerating adoption even as consumer spending remains cautious.</li>



<li>Subscription revenue soared to $277.8 million for full-year 2024, up 26% year-over-year, and continued to accelerate into Q1 2025.</li>



<li>Analyst Ratings:</li>



<li>UBS: Buy</li>



<li>JMP Securities: Market Outperform</li>



<li>UBS: Buy</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">My Action Plan (31% Return Potential)</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>I am bullish on LIF above $55.00-$56.00. My upside target is $85.00-$87.00.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">UP Fintech (Ticker: TIGR) – 54% Return Potential</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="303" data-id="973732" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093458/Picture2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973732" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093458/Picture2.png 624w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093458/Picture2-300x146.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /></figure>
</figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What's Happening</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>UP Fintech Holding Limited (TIGR) is a technology-driven online brokerage company focused on providing innovative, accessible, and user-friendly trading platforms, leveraging data and digital solutions to enhance investor experiences and streamline financial services.</li>



<li>Revenue is trending in the right direction for TIGR, but there are still earnings problems. The latest report showed revenue of $121.27 million, but no earnings to report.</li>



<li>Valuation in TIGR is decent. P/E is at 21.44, Price-to-Sales is at 3.86, and EV to EBITDA is at 7.46.</li>



<li>From a charting standpoint, TIGR is coiling tightly within a triangle formation. If it clears resistance, look for a big breakout higher.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why It's Happening</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The company added 60,900 new funded accounts in Q2 2025, a 111.2% year-over-year increase. This rapid expansion in active users is a clear sign of UP Fintech's growing brand appeal and successful marketing strategies. Higher user growth translates to more trading activity, greater cross-selling opportunities, and a broader foundation for future revenue.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Both institutional and retail clients contributed positively to net asset inflows in Q2, demonstrating UP Fintech's broad market appeal and diversified client base<a href="https://in.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-tigerlogic-q2-2025-revenue-surges-55-93CH-4855472">1</a>. A balanced mix of client types enhances revenue stability and reduces dependence on any single segment, making the company more resilient to market fluctuations.</li>



<li>UP Fintech boasts a gross profit margin of 83.8%, underscoring its ability to scale efficiently and maintain strong pricing power. High margins are a hallmark of sustainable business models in fintech, providing ample room for reinvestment in technology and user acquisition while supporting future profitability.</li>



<li>UP Fintech reported that client assets reached a new record high in Q2, increasing by double digits compared to the previous quarter. Sustained net asset inflows indicate growing trust from both retail and institutional clients, which not only boosts recurring revenue but also enhances the company's valuation through a larger, more engaged user base.</li>



<li>UP Fintech delivered total revenue of $122.6 million in Q1 2025, representing a massive 55.3% increase compared to the same period last year.</li>



<li>The company's net profit surged by an impressive 146.7% in Q1 2025, fueled by heightened trading activity and increased commission income.</li>



<li>Analyst Ratings:<ul><li>Daiwa Capital: Hold</li></ul>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Citigroup: Sell</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">My Action Plan (54% Return Potential)</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>I am bullish on TIGR above $8.25-$8.50. My upside target is $14.50-$15.00.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market-Moving Catalysts for the Week Ahead</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What's the Story on Jobs?</h3>



It seems to be a recurring theme over the past several months where the ADP and BLS employment reports show completely different narratives. This happened again last week where the ADP report showed a weakening labor market, but BLS showed a resilient one.



So, what's the real story? All I know is I'm seeing more reports of companies laying off workers and hearing stories about people finding it more difficult to find work. Part of it has to do with artificial intelligence, but part of it is also cost-saving measures from companies.



We've been looking at September for the next rate cut. I would forget about a rate cut in July at this point. Between the new budget bill and rate cuts on the horizon, it looks like this market is about to get pumped to another level.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Lull in the Headlines?</h3>



We have FOMC minutes this week, but don't let the absence of other data releases fool you. I'm looking right at the July 9 tariff deadline, which could potentially be a source for the market's next round of volatility.



Some deals have been struck although there appears to be some lingering issues with Japan and the European Union especially. At the end of the day, any exporting nation wants and basically needs to sell to the U.S. market.



And don't even get me started on the delusional idea that tariffs are inflationary. Nobody believes taxes are inflationary, and tariffs are a tax. You can agree or disagree with the idea of tariffs, but never let political biases creep into your portfolio. It's job is to make money, not be right.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sector &amp; Industry Strength</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="303" data-id="973733" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093522/Picture3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973733" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093522/Picture3.png 624w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093522/Picture3-300x146.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /></figure>
</figure>



Overall, the state of the stock market's sectors continues to point to bullish momentum and more upside. All of the right sectors continue to lead, and save for consumer discretionary (XLY), all of the right sectors continue to lag year-to-date.



Eight of the eleven S&amp;P sectors are solidly in positive territory year-to-date. Industrials (XLI) are still on top of the throne, but we saw quite a rebound from the communications (XLC) sector in recent sessions.



Utilities (XLU) and consumer staples (XLP) are right in the middle of the pack, which is another boon for bulls. If either of these sectors, or even healthcare (XLV) starts to climb in the next week or two, we can start preparing for a market pullback. Until then, ride the wave.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>1 week</td><td>3 Weeks</td><td>13 Weeks</td><td>26 Weeks</td></tr><tr><td>Basic Materials</td><td>Technology</td><td>Technology</td><td>Industrials</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Editor's Note: This tape's all about growth – for now.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Comparing Leaders (Sector ETF: XLI/XLK)&nbsp;</h3>



I want to stack the two most important sectors of the moment this week to see where the money is flowing. Industrials (XLI) have been the leader year-to-date, but technology (XLK) has been the leader since the April 7 bottom.



This is reflected in the ratio chart between XLI and XLK, as it topped out in April and has been trending lower ever since. The big question now is whether we see a wedge formation or a channel, as these two scenarios suggest two very different outcomes.



If this is a channel, I expect XLK to keep outperforming XLI, but if this is a wedge, then we'll see XLK slow down and XLI reassume leadership. For the overall market, XLK leading is more bullish.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="303" data-id="973737" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06094010/Picture6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973737" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06094010/Picture6.png 624w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06094010/Picture6-300x146.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /></figure>
</figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Junk Bonds Leading (Sector ETF: HYG/IEI)&nbsp;</h3>



You know what they say – credit leads – and when we see leadership from junk bonds (HYG), it's hardly a bearish signal, especially when it comes to its performance against 3-7 Year Treasuries (IEI).



Note how credit spreads blew out during the correction into the April 7 low. If anything, that was the event of the year, and the likelihood of that happening again in the next 6 months is not very high.



With respect to the longer-term trend, it was a higher-low, but it did take out the low from summer 2024. So, at this point, it's new all-time highs or bust for this ratio. If we're going to be bullish, we don't want to see this ratio turn sharply lower.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="303" data-id="973735" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093804/Picture4-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973735" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093804/Picture4-1.png 624w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093804/Picture4-1-300x146.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /></figure>
</figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">My Take:</h3>



Junk bonds trade like stocks more than bonds, hence their "junk" status. But when it's leading, it suggests a calm sailing environment. Bull markets climb a wall of worry, and the press does a great job at keeping people worried as all the signals point to higher prices ahead.



Junk bonds give us an idea on the state of liquidity. When market conditions worsen, people seek safety in Treasuries and higher-quality names. Obviously, junk bonds do not fall into that category of quality.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a><a></a>Cryptocurrency&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="303" data-id="973736" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093811/Picture5.png" alt="" class="wp-image-973736" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093811/Picture5.png 624w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06093811/Picture5-300x146.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px" /></figure>
</figure>



Don't be surprised if we finally see a liftoff in the price of Bitcoin in the coming days. It continues to consolidate above the critical $100,000-$105,00 support level that acted as major resistance throughout early 2025. Above this key technical level, bulls are in control of this market.



The duration of this wedge formation lends itself to the idea of a massive move coming. the very least, we're looking for it to go above 130,000-135,000, but I want to see a new all-time high in the coming days first.



It's still in an uptrend, but has spent the past several weeks consolidating near the highs, which as a rule, is bullish price action. There's no need to complicate things here, although I am starting to look at some other coins for even more upside. Stay tuned.



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Opinion

TIGR

The Insider Report: Is There Anything More Patriotic than New All-Time Highs?

President Donald Trump&#8216;s approval rating among Baby Boomers has seen a significant surge, potentially solidifying his political base as we approach the 2026 midterm elections.



What Happened:&nbsp;The latest Quantus Insights poll shows a significant shift in&nbsp;Trump&#8217;s approval rating among baby&nbsp;boomers. Last month, the approval and disapproval ratings were evenly split at 49 percent. 



However, this month&#8217;s poll reveals a 15-point swing in Trump&#8217;s favor, with 56 percent approval and 41 percent disapproval.



Despite declining approval ratings among younger Americans and other key demographics, this turnaround emphasizes Trump&#8217;s enduring appeal among older conservatives. Baby boomers, who were instrumental in Trump&#8217;s 2024 victory, continue to be a vital part of his political base.



While the Quantus Insights poll&nbsp;indicates a surge in boomer support for Trump, other polls suggest&nbsp;that his approval rating among&nbsp;this demographic has remained relatively&nbsp;consistent in recent months. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45482902/poll-shows-trumps-approval-rating-underwater-on-nearly-everything-from-economy-to-abortion">Poll Shows Trump&#8217;s Approval Rating Underwater on Nearly Everything From Economy to Abortion</a>



A&nbsp;YouGov/Economist poll found Trump&#8217;s rating&nbsp;among over-65s holding steady at&nbsp;45 percent approve/53 percent disapprove&nbsp;in June—barely changed from May&#8217;s&nbsp;numbers of 45/51.



Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s standing with boomers, however, could be jeopardized in the coming months following the passage of Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Big Beautiful Bill&#8221; last Thursday. 



This legislation is set to slash approximately&nbsp;$1.1 trillion in health care&nbsp;spending and result in 11.8&nbsp;million people losing Medicaid health&nbsp;insurance over the next decade,&nbsp;according to&nbsp;estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional&nbsp;Budget Office.



Recent polls show&nbsp;that a majority of Americans&nbsp;oppose Trump&#8217;s One Big Beautiful&nbsp;Bill Act. A Quinnipiac poll&nbsp;conducted June 22-24 found that&nbsp;55 percent of Americans oppose&nbsp;the bill. 



A Fox News&nbsp;survey from June 13-16 put&nbsp;opposition even higher, at 59&nbsp;percent. This opposition, particularly from a demographic reliant on healthcare, could potentially impact Trump&#8217;s approval ratings in the future.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/04/44971154/trump-fails-to-impress-americas-young-shows-poll-as-they-still-favor-biden-only-15-think-us-on-right-track">Trump Fails To Impress America&#8217;s Young, Shows Poll As They Still Favor Biden — Only 15% Think US On Right Track</a>

Donald Trump's Approval Rating Jumps Among Baby Boomers — Here's What's Driving It

Elon Musk&#8216;s announcement of the formation of the America Party has drawn the attention of several prominent figures, including Mark Cuban <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44348205/scaramucci-sees-trouble-ahead-for-musk-trump-relationship-everyone-flames-out-with-trump">and Anthony Scaramucci</a>.



What Happened: On Saturday, Musk, a previous supporter of President Donald Trump, revealed the creation of the new party after a disagreement with Trump over his spending bill.



Musk, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen born abroad, is ineligible to run for president but can endorse third-party candidates. On July 4, he conducted a poll asking if people desired a new party, with a majority of 65.4% respondents in favor. Subsequent to the poll, Musk declared the establishment of the America Party on X.



Notable figures such as billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and ex-White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci have shown interest in the new party. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46265725/elon-musk-announces-formation-of-america-party-emerges-in-wake-of-donald-trumps-historic-spending-bill">Elon Musk Announces Formation of &#8216;America Party&#8217; Emerges in Wake of Donald Trump&#8217;s Historic Spending Bill</a>



<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">I would like to meet to discuss. My DMs are open. <a href="https://t.co/5Cljhy7FU6">https://t.co/5Cljhy7FU6</a>&mdash; Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scaramucci/status/1941604620947579060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Cuban indicated his willingness to collaborate with the Center for Competitive Democracy to assist the party in getting on ballots, while Scaramucci showed interest in meeting to discuss the party.



<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">I work with <a href="https://twitter.com/voterchoice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@voterchoice</a> . They will help you get on ballots. That is their mission. <a href="https://t.co/o4ERVGwQNH">https://t.co/o4ERVGwQNH</a>&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1941613414461174071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



However, the party has also been met with criticism. Steve Bannon, Trump&#8217;s former chief strategist, criticized the party on his podcast, while Roger Stone, a seasoned Republican strategist, voiced concerns about the party potentially dividing the Republican vote.



Why It Matters: This move by Musk could potentially disrupt the current two-party system in the U.S. politics. 



The interest shown by high-profile figures like Cuban and Scaramucci suggests that the America Party could gain significant traction. 



However, concerns about splitting the Republican vote highlight the challenges the new party may face in the political landscape.



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Anthony Scaramucci Wants 'To Discuss' New Party With Musk, Mark Cuban Offers Ballot Access Aid

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has come under scrutiny for distributing an email that inaccurately describes the impact of President Donald Trump&#8217;s new tax legislation on Social Security benefits.



What Happened: The email, which has been shared by several beneficiaries, claims that the new tax law will eliminate federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for the majority of recipients, offering immediate financial relief to seniors, according <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/social-security-administration-sends-misleading-email-lauding-trumps-n-rcna216990">to</a> a report by NBC News on Friday.



"The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation's economy," the email stated, as per the report.



This message was also posted on the SSA&#8217;s website on Thursday.



Contrary to the email&#8217;s claims, the legislation, which<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263434/trump-signs-sweeping-tax-and-spending-bill-that-cbo-says-will-add-3-3-trillion-to-us-deficit-cut-health-coverage-for-11-8-million-americans"> Trump has signed</a>, does not abolish these taxes. The bill, passed through budget reconciliation, is unable to modify Social Security. However, it does introduce temporary tax deductions for seniors.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46258994/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-hands-5-billion-win-to-big-pharma-report">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217; Hands $5 Billion Win To Big Pharma: Report</a>



Trump&#8217;s Council of Economic Advisers has stated that these new deductions will alleviate the tax burden on Social Security benefits for most seniors. Despite this, Trump has repeatedly made the false claim that the legislation eliminates these taxes.



Critics, including former SSA officials and congressional Democrats, have condemned the email as misleading and politically motivated. Former SSA official Jeff Nesbit described the email as &#8220;unbelievable&#8221; and &#8220;unconscionable,&#8221; emphasizing that such political statements are unprecedented for the agency.



Why It Matters: According to projections by the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will significantly increase the federal deficit and reduce health coverage for millions of Americans.



The bill, celebrated by Trump as a historic victory, is part of a broader economic strategy that includes raising tariffs on imports, as detailed in Trump&#8217;s recent announcement about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263399/trump-says-us-will-raise-tariffs-to-up-to-70-as-july-9-deadline-looms">new tariffs set to take effect</a> soon.



Economist Justin Wolfers has criticized Trump&#8217;s economic policies, describing them as the largest redistribution of wealth from the poor to the rich in American history.



He highlights that the tax cuts primarily benefit the wealthy, with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45937660/trumps-one-big-beautiful-bill-is-the-largest-redistribution-from-poor-to-rich-in-american-history-sa">Congressional Budget Office</a> projecting significant gains for high-income households by 2027, while lower-income households face a decline.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46263434/trump-signs-sweeping-tax-and-spending-bill-that-cbo-says-will-add-3-3-trillion-to-us-deficit-cut-health-coverage-for-11-8-million-americans">Trump Signs Sweeping Tax And Spending Bill That CBO Says Will Add $3.3 Trillion To US Deficit, Cut Health Coverage For 11.8 Million Americans</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Social Security Administration Sends 'Unbelievable' Email On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill': Report

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