In a quarter that began with fears of a tech wreck following President Donald Trump&#8216;s sweeping tariff announcements, Wall Street&#8217;s tech darlings pushed sector benchmarks to one of their strongest quarterly gains on record, reigniting optimism for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech">a continued summer rally</a>.



The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>), which tracks the broader tech sector, soared 22% during the second quarter of 2025. 



That marked its best quarterly performance since the second quarter of 2020, when central banks pumped liquidity into the system to combat the COVID-19 crisis, and its second-best quarter since the aftermath of the dot-com collapse in 2002.



From the April lows—hit just after Trump&#8217;s tariff policies were unveiled—the XLK has rocketed 45%, registering its strongest 13-week rally since June 2020 and second-best since the ETF was launched in 1998.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Tech Stocks Log Historic Quarter </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30145340/image-448-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-967444" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30145340/image-448-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30145340/image-448-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30145340/image-448-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30145340/image-448-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30145340/image-448-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 Stocks Drove Over Half Of XLK&#8217;s Historic Rally</h2>



Five stocks were responsible for about two thirds of the tech sector&#8217;s total return during the quarter.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) was the single most important contributor. Shares of the AI darling jumped 43.2%, contributing 537 basis points, or 5.37%, to XLK&#8217;s quarterly performance thanks to its 14.6% weight. </li>



<li>Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) followed closely. With a 14.24% weighting, it added 420 basis points to the index through a 31.8% price gain.</li>



<li>Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) climbed 62.2%, contributing 229 basis points to the sector performance. </li>



<li>Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NASDAQ">ORCL</a>) delivered a 56.5% return in the quarter, driving 154 basis points of performance for XLK.</li>



<li>Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) rocketed 59.7%, responsible for 141 basis points of the sector&#8217;s rise. The rally coincides with the software company&#8217;s expansive role within the Trump administration (Palantir <a href="https://sam.gov/opp/f71acee6010c423db4902446a59a690c/view" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">received</a> a <a href="https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal?q=PIID:%2270CTD022FR0000170%22&amp;s=FPDS.GOV&amp;templateName=1.5.3&amp;indexName=awardfull&amp;x=0&amp;y=0&amp;sortBy=SIGNED_DATE&amp;desc=Y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$30 million</a> contract to develop a tracking platform to aid Immigration and Customs Enforcement).</li>
</ul>



Together, these five stocks delivered 14.81 percentage points, accounting for nearly 67% of the XLK's total quarterly return.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46081553/nvidia-stock-forecast-trump-china-golden-cross-ai">Nvidia&#8217;s Big Moment Is Back—Stock Exploded 500% The Last Time This Happened </a>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Company</th><th>Q2 Price Return</th><th>XLK Weight</th><th>Contribution to XLK&#8216;s quarterly performance</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Nvidia Corp. </td><td>+43.2%</td><td>14.56%</td><td>+537 basis points (5.37%)</td></tr><tr><td>Microsoft Corp.</td><td>+31.8%</td><td>14.24%</td><td>+420 basis points (4.20%)</td></tr><tr><td>Broadcom Inc.</td><td>+62.2%</td><td>4.89%</td><td>+229 basis points (2.29%)</td></tr><tr><td>Oracle Corp.</td><td>+56.5%</td><td>3.48%</td><td>+154 basis points (1.54%)</td></tr><tr><td>Palantir Technologies Inc. </td><td>+59.7%</td><td>3.08%</td><td>+141 basis points (1.41%)</td></tr><tr><td>Total (Top 5 Contributors)</td><td>—</td><td>40.25%</td><td>+1,481 basis points (14.81%)</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Author&#8217;s own elaboration based on Koyfin data</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What To Expect For Tech Stocks In Q3? History Says: Watch July</h2>



While the third quarter is generally positive for tech, the gains tend to show up early. 



According to Seasonax data, looking at last 20 years the XLK has averaged a 2.7% gain from July 1 to October 1, with gains in 14 of those years.



However, recent third quarters haven't been kind. In 2022, the ETF fell 3.9%. In 2023, it dropped 4.5%. In 2024, it slid another 3.7%.



July, on the other hand, tells a different story. 



It's historically the strongest month for tech. XLK has averaged a 2.86% return in July over the past two decades, with gains in 76% of those years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Golden Cross Signal May Support The Trend</h2>



On June 30, the XLK triggered a golden cross, a bullish technical setup where the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day average. It often signals the start of a longer-term uptrend.



A backtest of this strategy—buying on the golden cross and selling on the next death cross—shows solid historical performance since 2009. 



Only one of the nine trades posted a loss. Most produced double-digit returns, particularly during strong bull markets. The latest signal adds another reason to believe this rally could extend through the summer—at least for now.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Buy Date</th><th>Sell Date</th><th>Buy Price</th><th>Sell Price</th><th>Total Return</th><th>Annualized Return</th><th>Days Held</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2009-06-02</td><td>2010-07-07</td><td>18.03</td><td>20.52</td><td>+13.8%</td><td>+12.2%</td><td>400</td></tr><tr><td>2010-10-19</td><td>2011-08-05</td><td>23.79</td><td>24.65</td><td>+3.6%</td><td>+4.6%</td><td>290</td></tr><tr><td>2011-12-12</td><td>2012-12-10</td><td>25.81</td><td>28.70</td><td>+11.2%</td><td>+10.3%</td><td>364</td></tr><tr><td>2013-02-14</td><td>2015-08-27</td><td>29.71</td><td>40.14</td><td>+35.1%</td><td>+12.6%</td><td>925</td></tr><tr><td>2015-11-27</td><td>2016-02-05</td><td>43.86</td><td>40.48</td><td>-7.7%</td><td>-34.0%</td><td>70</td></tr><tr><td>2016-04-11</td><td>2018-12-03</td><td>44.08</td><td>69.64</td><td>+58.0%</td><td>+17.5%</td><td>967</td></tr><tr><td>2019-04-02</td><td>2020-04-28</td><td>75.07</td><td>90.50</td><td>+20.6%</td><td>+18.5%</td><td>392</td></tr><tr><td>2020-05-29</td><td>2022-03-16</td><td>97.04</td><td>147.99</td><td>+52.5%</td><td>+25.0%</td><td>656</td></tr><tr><td>2023-02-24</td><td>2025-03-31</td><td>136.10</td><td>202.78</td><td>+49.0%</td><td>+22.4%</td><td>767</td></tr></tbody><tfoot><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Average</td><td>+26.5%</td><td>+9.6%</td><td>537</td></tr></tfoot></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Author&#8217;s own elaboration based on TradingView data</figcaption></figure>



Now Read 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46096528/nasdaq-100-record-highs-rally-historical-performance">Nasdaq 100 Hits Record Highs After 30% Rally: History Suggests It&#8217;s Not Done Yet </a></li>
</ul>



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Nvidia, Palantir Fuel Historic Tech Rally — And It's Far From Done

Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) shares soared to a new all-time high Monday morning, driven by investor enthusiasm following CEO Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s ambitious plans to restructure the company&#8217;s artificial intelligence division. The move signals a deep commitment to developing &#8220;superintelligence,&#8221; advanced AI systems capable of outperforming humans.



What To Know: Per a Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-30/zuckerberg-announces-meta-superintelligence-effort-more-hires">report</a>, this strategic pivot includes the formation of Meta Superintelligence Labs, which will be spearheaded by Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of the data-labeling startup Scale AI. 



Meta&#8217;s focus on AI has been further solidified by a recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46141985/metas-play-for-voice-ai-could-shake-up-the-competition">$14.3 billion investment</a> in Scale AI and the recruitment of top talent from rivals such as OpenAI and Google. These aggressive steps into the AI landscape have bolstered investor confidence in Meta&#8217;s future growth potential.



The company&#8217;s recent significant investments in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46117348/meta-secures-more-clean-energy-for-power-hungry-ai-and-data-center-growth">renewable energy</a> to power its energy-intensive AI data centers have also been well-received. This comprehensive strategy, combining cutting-edge AI development with sustainable operational goals, has propelled Meta&#8217;s share price to record highs in 2025.



Analyst Ratings: Driven in part by the company&#8217;s standout <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45117948/meta-q1-earnings-eps-beat-revenue-up-16-ai-approaches-1-billion-monthly-actives-capital-expenditures-forecast-raised">first-quarter</a> financial results in April, Wall Street <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META/analyst-ratings">analysts</a> have echoed the bullish sentiment, with several firms reiterating positive ratings and raising their price targets for Meta. 



In the last week of June alone, Piper Sandler reiterated its Overweight rating while significantly lifting its price target to $808. Similarly, UBS and Citigroup maintained their Buy ratings, increasing their price targets to $812 and $803, respectively. 



This wave of upward revisions from major financial institutions reflects a strong consensus that Meta&#8217;s strategic initiatives, particularly in artificial intelligence, will continue to drive significant value for shareholders.



Price Action: According to data from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, META shares are trading marginally higher by 0.36% to $736.29 Monday afternoon. The stock has a 52-week high of $747.90 and a 52-week low of $442.65. META stock is also higher by some 25% in the second quarter of 2025.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/entertainment/25/06/46122235/mark-zuckerberg-hated-the-social-network-film-dont-tell-him-a-sequel-is-coming">Mark Zuckerberg Hated &#8216;The Social Network&#8217; Film: Don&#8217;t Tell Him A Sequel Is Coming</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy META Stock</h2>



Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument. 



For example, in Meta Platforms&#8217; case, it is in the Communication Services sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.



Image: Shutterstock

News

Meta Pursues 'Superintelligence' With New OpenAI Hires, Stock Climbs To Fresh Highs

Artificial intelligence stocks are on a heater in 2025.&nbsp;



Take Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), which is up 17.5% year-to-date and up 45.5% over the past three months. Then there's AI intelligence powerhouse CoreWeave (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWV#NASDAQ">CRWV</a>), which is up a whopping 331% over the last 90 days alone. Or consider AI software developer Palantir (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), whose stock price is up 72.9% year-to-date and has increased by 405% over the past year.



Those are robust companies that have built a brand name for themselves in the AI realm and are obvious picks for investors looking to capitalize on the AI freight train of 2025. That said, they&#8217;re not the only names investors should be tracking in the AI market, especially after their rapid rise, which may make some investors concerned that most of the upside is behind them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How The Pros Are Trading Strength Into Q3 — Live Today</h2>



Most traders chase headlines. The pros focus on trends that last. Today, Tuesday at 6 PM ET, see how Tim Melvin, Ryan Faloona, and Anne-Marie Baiynd are using market strength, momentum signals, and long-term setups to stay ahead of the next big move. Their tactics are precise and built for this market. Register <a href="https://benzinga.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OJ2FBspHSJSSVNlW8zGapw#/registration">HERE</a> now — limited seats available.



&#8220;This is the first inning of a nine-inning game for AI revolution, and the next generation of winners hasn't even been invented yet,&#8221; said Alan Haworth, senior financial advisor at Clare Market Investments. &#8220;The first round will be NVDA, MSFT, AMZN, GOOG, and a few other megacaps.&#8221;



For discerning investors, it's also a good idea to dig below the surface and uncover gems that aren't pure pay-play artificial intelligence stocks, but have ties to the AI sector.



 &#8220;2025 marks the start of stage two, where the operating and expansion layers are emerging as the real drivers of value,&#8221; said Shay Boloor, chief market strategist at Futurum Equities. &#8220;The explosive returns of phase one laid the tracks. But phase two is where we find compounding utility, and that's where the next decade of upside lives.&#8221;



Which companies indirectly tied to AI make the grade right now for technology investors at the mid-point of 2025? These stocks are getting a green light from market experts.



Astera Labs Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALAB#NASDAQ">ALAB</a>). This Santa Clara, California-based semiconductor company specializes in solving AI and cloud computing data and network bottleneck issues. ALAB stock is down 31% year-to-date, but it's making up ground quickly. Over the past 90 days, the firm's stock price has increased by 52.5%, mainly due to its partnership with AIChip Technologies, a high-profile Taiwan-based chipmaker. &#8220;AI data centers are scaling laterally,&#8221; Boloor said. &#8221; Astera Labs owns the high-speed interconnects (PCIe, CXL, Ethernet) that make cluster performance viable.&#8221;



Astera Labs Inc. has a consensus price target of $ 97.50 based on the ratings of 15 analysts, as noted by Benzinga Ratings.



Oklo, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKLO#NYSE">OKLO</a>). Oklo is carving a clear path to profit in the nuclear industry, providing clean energy through the design and deployment of fast-fission power plants. The company's stock is up 160.2% year-to-date as demand grows, driven by states like New York exploring new nuclear power initiatives and AI companies requiring more power for their data centers. &#8220;AI demands energy 24/7,&#8221; Bollor noted. &#8220;Small modular nuclear is no longer a fringe idea &#8211; it's foundational.&#8221;



Oklo has a consensus price target of $58.14, according to Benzinga Ratings.



Vistra Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>). This Texas-based power generator is essentially an AI infrastructure play as its nuclear plants provide the 24/7, reliable power sources that AI data centers require.



 &#8220;VST is currently trading at 12x forward earnings and, while they haven&#8217;t signed a data center deal yet, they&#8217;re well-positioned to do so in the immediate future especially following their $1.9B acquisition of seven natural gas-fired power plants that are set to add 2,600 megawatts of capacity across five states,&#8221; said Liam Hunt, director of research at IncomeInsider.org.



Vistra has a 95.5 Momentum Rating, according to Benzinga Ratings.



Adobe (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADBE#NASDAQ">ADBE</a>). At first glance, this digital marketing and media services company may not seem like an obvious choice as an AI-linked company. Yet a closer look reveals that Adobe is doing a solid job of immersing agentic AI into the creative marketplace. Adobe&#8217;s Brand Concierge program and its AI-fueled workflow products and services are helping Adobe gain a solid foothold in the AI market, primarily through close partnerships with major industry players.



&#8220;Goldman Sachs puts ADBE among what it calls the top &#8216;Phase 3&#8217; AI monetizers,&#8221; said Dan Buckley, chief analyst at DayTrading.com. &#8220;These are firms generating revenue through AI, not just as speculative future promises, that are currently undervalued.&#8221;



Adobe has a consensus price target of $511.77, according to Benzinga Ratings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaway On AI Insider Stock Plays</h2>



The message for Main Street investors is clear and direct: stop chasing the obvious AI names and focus on the &#8216;picks and shovels&#8217; plays.



&#8220;Identify companies that benefit from AI adoption and scaling without trading at AI valuations,&#8221; Hunt said. &#8220;Utilities with data center exposure offer growth potential that tracks the AI boom at a more reasonable price point. Additionally, energy infrastructure plays have a strong chance of outperforming the mega-cap tech stocks everyone&#8217;s watching.&#8221;



&#8220;In short, diversify across the AI value chain rather than betting everything on chip stocks,&#8221; he added.



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



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4 Fast-Rising AI Stocks You Probably Haven't Heard Of

U.S. equities opened higher on the final trading day of the first half, with tech-heavy indexes extending record highs by midday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">trading in New York.</a>



Risk appetite remained firm as geopolitical tensions eased and hopes grew that upcoming U.S. trade talks could yield tangible progress. Market sentiment was further supported by rising expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut, with Fed futures currently assigning a 93% chance of a rate cut in September.



The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 rose 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed nearly 200 points, breaking above the 44,000 mark.



President Donald Trump signaled openness to extending the July 9 deadline for reinstating reciprocal tariffs, adding that he remained optimistic about reaching key agreements in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Canada's withdrawal of its digital services tax helped improve the outlook for U.S. tech firms and reignited momentum in trade negotiations with Washington.



In currency markets, the U.S. Dollar Index is set for its fifth consecutive monthly decline, marking its longest losing streak since 2017 and its worst half-year performance since 1991, with a 10.5% drop year-to-date.



Treasury yields edged lower, with the 10-year yield dipping to 4.25% and the 30-year yield retreating to 4.80%, snapping a three-month streak of increases.



Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) slipped 1% to $107,330, consolidating after a strong second-quarter rally of 30%.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/forex/25/06/46175116/weaker-dollar-stocks-beneficiaries-foreign-revenue">Dollar&#8217;s Biggest Crash In Decades: These 7 Stocks Could Win Big</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Major Indices</td><td>Price</td><td>1-day chg. %</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>22,668.63</td><td>0.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>44,027.78</td><td>0.5%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>6,196.12</td><td>0.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>2,173.65</td><td>0.1 %</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:40 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>



According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) rose 0.4% to $617.00.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) rose 0.5% to $440.00.</li>



<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;soared 0.5% to $550.93.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) inched 0.2% higher $215.86.</li>



<li>The&nbsp;Technology&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) outperformed, up 0.8%; the&nbsp;Consumer Discretionary&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) lagged, down 0.6%.</li>
</ul>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) shares jumped 13% after reaching a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over its $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNPR#NYSE">JNPR</a>), pending final court approval.</li>



<li>First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) shares rose 9% to $163 after the U.S. Senate advanced a bill preserving solar leasing tax credits.</li>



<li>Other solar stocks also rallied, with SolarEdge Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SEDG#NASDAQ">SEDG</a>), up 5% and SunRun Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>), up 15%. Read now:</li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/46171994/emerging-markets-stocks-dollar-outlook">A Weaker Dollar Just Unlocked A Surprise 2025 Winner — And Smart Money Is Moving In</a> Photo: khunkornStudio via Shutterstock</li>
</ul>

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Wall Street Extends Record Highs, Dow Jones Hits 44,000: What's Driving Markets Monday?

A sharp decline in the U.S. dollar is reigniting investor interest in emerging markets, prompting billions to flow into investment products tracking equities, despite Wall Street dominating headlines <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46163305/sp-hits-record-high-amid-easing-trade-tensions-investor-sentiment-improves-fear-index-remains-in-greed-zone">with new all-time highs.</a>



The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEMG#NYSE">IEMG</a>)—the top vehicle for U.S. investors seeking exposure to EM equities—registered $2.95 billion in inflows in June, its strongest monthly influx since January 2023. 



Emerging market stocks are on track for a 5% monthly gain in both May and June, setting up the strongest two-month performance since late 2022.



The surge marks a significant shift in global positioning, particularly as investors seek relative value and macro tailwinds beyond U.S. assets, with the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) dropping to its lowest level in over three years.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101209/image-441-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-967042" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101209/image-441-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101209/image-441-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101209/image-441-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101209/image-441-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101209/image-441-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Weaker Dollar Reshapes Emerging Markets</h2>



Bank of America's chief investment strategist Michael Hartnett sees a powerful confluence of global forces working in favor of emerging markets. 



In his recent note, the analyst said the rise of artificial intelligence is increasing demand for the raw materials that many EM countries produce, while a weakening U.S. dollar is removing one of the main barriers to capital inflows. 



With EM equities still trading near multi-decade lows relative to U.S. stocks, Hartnett suggested the current setup makes an &#8220;easy allocation decision.&#8221;



Emerging markets have underperformed U.S. stocks – as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) – by 70% since 2013, yet they&#8217;re up about 10% year-to-date—on track for their best year since 2017.



Chart: Emerging Markets Have Lagged US Stocks By 70% Since 2013



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101933/image-443-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-967055" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101933/image-443-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101933/image-443-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101933/image-443-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101933/image-443-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30101933/image-443-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Positioning To EM Stocks Still Light </h2>



David Hauner, head of emerging markets strategy at Bank of America, reinforced the bank&#8217;s optimistic view on EM assets.



He has maintained a bullish stance since President Donald Trump's inauguration and sees room for further upside, as investor positioning remains lighter than expected—despite solid year-to-date gains and a broadly weaker U.S. dollar.



He added that while U.S. fiscal concerns are rising, the main risk for EM would be "an unexpected dollar rebound" from the upcoming trade talks.



Historically, emerging markets have been vulnerable to rising U.S. yields, especially on the long end of the curve. However, recent price action tells a different story. Despite higher 30-year Treasury yields, EM local bonds and currencies have remained resilient.



"As long as DXY is down, EM returns tend to stay positive—even when U.S. yields rise," said Hauner. 



Bank of America's historical data supports that view. Since 2008, when the Dollar Index declined, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index posted gains 72% of the time, with average monthly returns between 2.2% and 2.8%, depending on the movement in long-term U.S. yields.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Scenario</th><th>MSCI EM Stocks Win Rate (Avg Return)</th><th>MSCI EM Currency Win Rate (Avg Return)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>DXY Down / 30Y Yield Up</td><td>72% (2.8%)</td><td>81% (1.1%)</td></tr><tr><td>DXY Down / 30Y Yield Down</td><td>74% (2.2%)</td><td>88% (1.1%)</td></tr><tr><td>DXY Up / 30Y Yield Up</td><td>42% (-1.4%)</td><td>35% (-0.5%)</td></tr><tr><td>DXY Up / 30Y Yield Down</td><td>39% (-1.5%)</td><td>35% (-0.5%)</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Data: Bank of America</figcaption></figure>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/06/46166959/sp500-stocks-outlook-etf-analysis">This S&amp;P 500 ETF Saw A 30-Month Buying Spree — Now It&#8217;s Over </a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Analyst Color

Emerging Markets

Emerging Market ETFs

Global

IEMG

A Weaker Dollar Just Unlocked A Surprise 2025 Winner — And Smart Money Is Moving In

A historic inflow streak into the world&#8217;s biggest exchange traded fund has come to a sudden end in June, with the S&amp;P 500 benchmark fund losing billions even as Wall Street <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46163999/us-stocks-likely-to-open-higher-continuing-record-setting-advances-june-has-never-seen-an-all-time-high-since-1950-highlights-expert">celebrated fresh record highs. </a>



The Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) saw $5.69 billion in outflows during the month, marking its first monthly net redemption since December 2022 and the second-largest outflow since the fund's launch in 2015.



The redemptions signal a notable divergence between market performance and investor behavior. The S&amp;P 500 reached new all-time highs in late June, yet large swaths of institutional and retail investors opted to take profits and reduce exposure.



Over the three years leading up to June 2025, the VOO ETF attracted $250 billion in inflows, overtaking the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) to become the world's largest ETF.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="528" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30083412/image-437-1024x528.png" alt="" class="wp-image-966892" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30083412/image-437-1024x528.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30083412/image-437-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30083412/image-437-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30083412/image-437-1536x792.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/30083412/image-437-2048x1056.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Broad-Based Redemptions Across Some Large-Cap ETFs</h3>



The outflows from Vanguard's S&amp;P 500 ETF were far from an isolated case, as other major large-cap funds also saw significant investor withdrawals.



The Invesco Equal-Weight S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSP#NYSE">RSP</a>) shed $1.6 billion in June, marking its steepest monthly outflow since March 2020. 



Meanwhile, the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) posted $1.7 billion in redemptions, its largest since December 2020. 



Even the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (CBOE: MAGS), a relatively new fund focused on mega-cap tech names, saw $102 million in outflows—only the second monthly decline in assets since its debut in November 2023.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Are Investors Pulling Back Amid Record Highs?</h3>



Veteran Market strategist Ed Yardeni said investor sentiment remains cautious, despite easing geopolitical concerns and progress on trade policy under President Donald Trump.



"Though the stock market is back on record-high ground after a couple of big worries have dissipated, investors remain wary, sentiment readings show," Yardeni said in a note on Monday.



Yardeni highlighted the ceasefire in the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran and improved outlooks regarding Trump&#8217;s proposed trade policies, yet noted that traditional sentiment indicators like the AAII Bull-Bear Ratio and Investor Intelligence surveys remain subdued.



"Stock investors always find something to worry about," Yardeni said. 



In Yardeni's view, the disconnect between price action and sentiment could suggest that a large portion of the current rally is being driven by passive or algorithmic flows, rather than broad-based investor enthusiasm. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Technical Strength vs. Macro Uncertainty</h3>



On the technical front, Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial, recently indicated that historical patterns suggest momentum tends to continue after a market reaches new highs.



According to Turnquist&#8217;s analysis, after reaching new highs, the S&amp;P 500 posted average and median 12-month returns of 9.7% and 8.6%, respectively. Notably, 74% of those occurrences led to positive performance over the following year.



Still, Turnquist flagged macro risks that could limit further gains.



 "A lot of good news is arguably priced into the market," he said.



Further upside in equities, Turnquist added, will likely hinge on several variables aligning: upside earnings surprises, lower-than-expected tariff levels, passage of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" with limited market disruptions, and ideally, a moderation in interest rates on the longer end of the yield curve.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46166058/elon-musk-birthday-trump-tax-bill-economy">Elon Musk&#8217;s Birthday Wish: Kill The Bill Before It Kills The Economy</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Ratings

MAGS

This S&P 500 ETF Saw A 30-Month Buying Spree — Now It's Over

On June 28, his 54th birthday, Elon Musk didn't post celebratory photos or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/elon-musk">launch a new product.</a>



Instead, he launched another blistering denunciation of President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill, calling it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46159125/elon-musk-calls-trumps-megabill-political-suicide-says-it-is-utterly-insane-and-destructive-will-destroy-millions-of-jobs-in-america">"utterly insane and destructive"</a> in a post on X (formerly Twitter)—an attack that reignited a political feud and underscored a deeper ideological rift between two of the most influential figures in American public life.



The legislation in question, nicknamed the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46159430/trumps-major-bill-advances-in-senate-amid-late-night-vote-salt-provision-compromise-stirs-controversy">"Big, Beautiful Bill"</a> by the Trump administration, is a nearly 1,000-page proposal that combines deep tax cuts with significant spending reductions and industry-specific subsidies. The bill, which passed the House by a narrow margin in May, is now under intense scrutiny in the Senate, where Republican leaders are racing to meet Trump's self-imposed July 4 deadline.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/education/25/06/46157568/happy-birthday-elon-musk-54-facts-and-figures-about-tesla-spacex-ceo-on-his-54th-birthday">54 Things You Might Not Know About Elon Musk</a></li>
</ul>



The Tesla and SpaceX CEO&#8217;s criticism wasn't subtle. "The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country," he wrote in an X post on June 28. "It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future".



His comments came just hours before the Senate was scheduled to vote on whether to open debate on the bill. Musk, who previously served as head of the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been increasingly vocal in his opposition since leaving the administration in May.



Musk's latest broadside wasn&#8217;t a one-off outburst. It was the culmination of a month-long escalation that began on June 3, when Musk first labeled the legislation a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45757029/elon-musk-slams-congressional-spending-bill-as-a-disgusting-abomination">"disgusting abomination"</a>. What followed was a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45800612/trump-says-musk-has-trump-derangement-syndrome-as-battle-over-bill-heats-up-had-a-great-relationship-dont-know-if-we-will-anymore">public unraveling of the Musk-Trump alliance</a>, complete with televised rebukes, social media barbs, and threats to sever political and financial ties.



But beyond the spectacle lies a more consequential question: What does Musk's opposition signal about the future of U.S. economic policy—and the fragile coalition behind it?



What's In The Big, Beautiful Bill?



The legislation combines sweeping tax cuts with deep spending reductions and targeted subsidies for fossil fuels, defense, and border enforcement. It also raises the debt ceiling by $5 trillion—the largest single increase in U.S. history.



While the bill passed the House in May, it has faced turbulence in the Senate, where moderate Republicans have balked at its impact on the deficit and the rollback of clean energy incentives. Musk's intervention has only intensified that pressure.



Musk's critique aligns with concerns raised by economists and industry leaders. Jesse Jenkins, an energy systems engineer at Princeton, called the bill's energy provisions "truly so bad," noting that automakers, utilities, and manufacturers alike oppose them. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates the bill's tax provisions alone would reduce federal revenue by more than $4 trillion over the next decade.



Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46160881/bernie-sanders-slams-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-as-a-gift-for-billionaires-the-most-dangerous-piece-of-legislation-in-modern-history">Bernie Sanders Slams Trump&#8217;s Bill As &#8216;The Most Dangerous Piece of Legislation In Modern History'</a>



According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill would increase the federal deficit by more than $3 trillion over the next decade. While proponents argue that the tax cuts will spur growth, critics—including some within the GOP—warn that the deficit impact could be severe.



Musk Warns Of &#8216;Political Suicide For The Republican Party&#8217;



Musk's opposition isn't limited to clean energy. He has framed the bill as a threat to American competitiveness. "It's political suicide for the Republican Party," he wrote, citing a poll by the Tarrance Group that reportedly shows declining support for the bill among independent voters. By favoring legacy sectors like coal and oil, the outspoken entrepreneur argues, the legislation undermines innovation in AI, space, and advanced manufacturing—areas where the U.S. is competing globally.



The tech billionaire&#8217;s opposition carries weight not just because of his platform—he is the most-followed person on X—but because of his political capital. He was the largest individual donor to Trump's 2024 campaign, contributing over $250 million. He also briefly served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role in which he led aggressive reductions in the federal workforce and spending cuts.



What Happens Next?



The Senate remains divided. With a razor-thin Republican majority, any defections could derail the bill. Musk's high-profile opposition may embolden moderate GOP senators who are already uneasy about the bill's deficit impact and industry favoritism.



Meanwhile, Musk's birthday broadside has dominated headlines, shifting attention from legislative details to the broader question of who shapes economic policy in 2025: elected officials or billionaire technocrats.



As the Senate prepares for a critical vote, one thing is clear—Musk's birthday wish wasn't for cake or candles. It was for Congress to kill the bill before, in his words, it kills the economy.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46087914/teslas-europe-sales-slide-for-5th-straight-month-elon-musk-led-ev-giants-market-share-shrinks-to-1-3">Tesla&#8217;s Europe Sales Slide For 5th Straight Month: Elon Musk-led EV Giant&#8217;s Market Share Shrinks To 1.3%</a></li>
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Photo: Shutterstock

Elon Musk's Birthday Wish: Kill The Bill Before It Kills The Economy

Florida Sen.&nbsp;Rick Scott&nbsp;(R) and several Republican colleagues have proposed an amendment to President Donald Trump&#8216;s healthcare bill that could significantly cut Medicaid spending.



What Happened: The amendment, if passed, would restrict&nbsp;the expansion of Medicaid under&nbsp;the&nbsp;Affordable Care Act, also known&nbsp;as ObamaCare,&nbsp;<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5376222-scott-pushes-medicaid-reduction/">reported</a>&nbsp;The Hill on&nbsp;Sunday. This could lead to an additional $313 billion cut in Medicaid spending by blocking able-bodied adults without dependent children in Medicaid expansion states from receiving the enhanced 9-to-1 Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).



A preliminary analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the Senate bill would cut Medicaid spending by $930 billion, even without Scott's proposed amendment. If the amendment is adopted, it could slash future Medicaid spending by an additional $1.24 trillion. Scott's office claims the amendment alone would save $313 billion over the next decade.



Scott, along with&nbsp;Sen. Mike Lee&nbsp;(R-Utah) and&nbsp;Sen. Ron Johnson&nbsp;(R-Wis.), have been actively persuading&nbsp;Republican colleagues to vote for&nbsp;the amendment. Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;John Thune&nbsp;(R-S.D.) has pledged his support for the amendment.



SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46160509/irans-top-diplomat-to-un-says-uranium-enrichment-to-continue-an-inalienable-right" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iran&#8217;s Top Diplomat To UN Says Uranium Enrichment To Continue: An &#8216;Inalienable Right&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: The proposed Medicaid cut is part of a broader Republican effort to reform healthcare spending. The move comes amid growing concerns about the sustainability of Medicaid and other social welfare programs, particularly in light of the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/46014120/social-security-and-medicare-funds-could-run-dry-earlier-than-expected-new-report-shows">warnings</a>&nbsp;that the Social Security and Medicare funds could run dry earlier than expected.



Earlier this year, House Speaker&nbsp;Mike Johnson&nbsp;(R-La.)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45716936/speaker-mike-johnson-says-4-8-million-wont-lose-medicaid-unless-they-choose-to-do-so-calls-gop-cuts-an-important-and-frankly-heroic-thing">defended</a>&nbsp;the GOP&#8217;s proposed Medicaid cuts, arguing that those who lose Medicaid will do so by personal choice. However, the proposed cuts have also sparked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44098458/if-a-bill-is-put-in-front-of-me-that-guts-benefits-i-will-not-vote-for-it-gop-faces-internal-divide-over-medicaid-cuts">internal divisions</a>&nbsp;within the Republican party, with some members warning that drastic reductions could harm millions of Americans who rely on the program.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46109576/buffett-premium-fading-away-the-oracle-of-omahas-retirement-casts-shadow-on-berkshire-hathaways-stock-value-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Buffett Premium&#8217; Fading Away? The Oracle Of Omaha&#8217;s Retirement Casts Shadow On Its Stock Value: Report &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
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 Image via Shutterstock



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

Senate Republicans Propose $313 Billion Cut In Medicaid Spending In Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'

U.S. futures rose on Monday after a record close on Friday. Futures of major benchmark indices were trading higher.



As the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45603240/trump-agrees-to-extend-50-tariffs-on-europe-until-july-9-it-was-my-privilege-to-do-so">July 9 deadline</a> for President Donald Trump&#8216;s reciprocal tariffs comes closer, on Friday, he suggested that the deadline for a U.S.-EU trade deal might not be set in stone.



&#8220;We can do whatever we want,&#8221; he told reporters at the White House. &#8220;We could extend it. We could make it shorter.&#8221; The pause temporarily reduced tariffs to 10%, but they could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46156587/trump-says-july-tariff-deadline-not-set-in-stone-we-can-do-whatever-we-want">revert to higher rates</a> unless Trump's executive order from April 9 is amended.



The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.25% and the two-year bond was at 3.72%. The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool&#8217;s</a> projections show markets pricing a 78.8% likelihood of the Federal Reserve keeping the current interest rates unchanged in its July meeting. 



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Futures</td><td>Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>0.46%</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.39%</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq 100</td><td>0.62%</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>0.44%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Monday. The SPY was up 0.46% at $617.72, while the QQQ advanced 0.72% to $552.03, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



Cues From Last Session:



On Friday, several sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed with strong gains, led by communication services, consumer discretionary, and industrials stocks. However, energy and healthcare bucked the prevailing market trend, concluding the session in negative territory.



Overall, U.S. stocks settled higher, with the S&amp;P 500 reaching fresh intraday records as investors responded positively to easing global trade tensions and diminishing geopolitical risks, prompting robust buying activity.



Sentiment received a significant boost from President Trump&#8217;s announcement that the U.S. is in the process of finalizing multiple trade agreements.



Trump indicated that four to five deals are either completed or nearing completion ahead of a crucial July 9 deadline. Further bolstering investor confidence, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed a new U.S.-China trade accord, which notably includes tariff reductions and provisions for safeguarding rare earth imports.



Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NK#NYSE">NK</a>) surged by 15% on Friday after the athletic apparel giant reported quarterly earnings that comfortably surpassed Wall Street&#8217;s expectations.



Similarly, Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) saw its shares advance by 6% following a bullish analyst note issued by RedBurn Atlantic, highlighting positive sentiment for the aerospace giant.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Performance (+/-)</td><td>Value</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>0.52%</td><td>20,273.46</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>0.52%</td><td>6,173.07</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones</td><td>1.00%</td><td>43,819.27</td></tr><tr><td>Russell 2000</td><td>0.019%</td><td>2,172.53</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts:



Following Friday&#8217;s record-breaking rally, Ryan Detrick from Carson Research highlighted historical data and said that the S&amp;P 500 index has never made an all-time high in June since 1950, whereas it has only happened twice in February, excluding this year.



<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">Stocks just made a new all-time high in June. Stocks have never peaked in June. &#x1f9d0; <a href="https://t.co/ItYm8vmOog">pic.twitter.com/ItYm8vmOog</a>&mdash; Ryan Detrick, CMT (@RyanDetrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanDetrick/status/1938949133832003645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Meanwhile, he also reiterated that the bull market that began in October 2022 was still active.



He underscored that the S&amp;P 500 has been higher in a post-election year in nine of the past 10 cycles, going back 40 years to 1985.



&#8220;Strength now is normal, it is next year you need to worry about,&#8221; he added.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The S&amp;P 500 has been higher in a post-election year nine of the past 10 cycles (going back 40 years to 1985). Strength now is normal, it is next year you need to worry about. <a href="https://t.co/DgnALlx9pe">pic.twitter.com/DgnALlx9pe</a>&mdash; Ryan Detrick, CMT (@RyanDetrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanDetrick/status/1939518814808363480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



He also highlighted that the market rebounded from April lows to turn positive for the year by the end of July for the first time since 2009.



&#8220;With a day to go until the official midpoint of &#8217;25, the S&amp;P 500 is up 5% YTD,&#8221; he said.



<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">With a day to go until the official midpoint of &#39;25, the S&amp;P 500 is up 5% YTD. Only once was it down more YTD at the lows and come all the way back to in the green by the end of June and that was 2009. <a href="https://t.co/uFy3mLJBBJ">pic.twitter.com/uFy3mLJBBJ</a>&mdash; Ryan Detrick, CMT (@RyanDetrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanDetrick/status/1939522723526381690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research highlighted that tariff delays and AI spending have propelled the S&amp;P 500 index to new highs.



&#8220;Trump started to moderate his stance on tariffs on April 9, and AI companies reiterated their commitment to spend tens of billions of dollars on AI capital investments during April&#8217;s Q1 earnings season. Also boosting the S&amp;P 500 is the record high in S&amp;P 500 forward earnings,&#8221; he stated.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a>



Upcoming Economic Data



Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on this week:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>On Monday, June&#8217;s Chicago Business Barometer (PMI) will be released by 9:45 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>On Tuesday, June&#8217;s S&amp;P final U.S. manufacturing PMI will be out by 9:45 a.m., and May&#8217;s construction spending and job openings data will be released by 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>June&#8217;s ISM manufacturing data will be out by 10:00 a.m., whereas auto sales data will also be released on Tuesday.</li>



<li>On Wednesday, June&#8217;s ADP employment data will be out by 8:15 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>On Thursday, initial jobless claims data for the week ended June 28, along with June&#8217;s employment, unemployment, hourly wages, and May&#8217;s trade deficit data, will all be out by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>June&#8217;s S&amp;P final U.S. services PMI will be released by 9:45 a.m., whereas ISM services data and May&#8217;s factory orders data will be out by 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>



<li>Markets will be closed on Friday, July 4, for Independence Day.</li>
</ul>



Stocks In Focus:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Progress Software Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRGS#NASDAQ">PRGS</a>) was up 2.02% in premarket on Monday as analysts expect it to report quarterly earnings of $1.30 per share on revenue of $237.52 million after the closing bell.</li>



<li>Quantum Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QMCO#NASDAQ">QMCO</a>) rose 1.99% as analysts expect it to report a loss of $1.17 per share on revenue of $65.95 million, after the closing bell.</li>



<li>Venus Concept Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VERO#NASDAQ">VERO</a>) jumped 37.61% in premarket after Madryn Asset Management increased its stake in the company to 85.5%.</li>



<li>IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IGC#NYSE">IGC</a>) gained 3.46% in premarket after reporting a quarterly loss of 1 cent per share, versus market estimates of a loss of 2 cents per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $330,000, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $305,000.</li>



<li>Klotho Neurosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLTO#NASDAQ">KLTO</a>) surged 29.26% in premarket after announcing progress in manufacturing its investigational ALS gene therapy. The therapy utilizes a unique RNA splice variant of the human alpha-Klotho gene, licensed from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.</li>



<li>Globavend Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GVH#NASDAQ">GVH</a>) climbed 15.11% after partnering with global online beauty retailer Strawberrynet to target Australia&#8217;s $8.7 billion cosmetics market, aiming to boost premium beauty product accessibility and expand Globavend&#8217;s e-commerce logistics.</li>



<li>Perfect Moment Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PMNT#NYSE">PMNT</a>) zoomed 16.89% after announcing that it intends to offer to sell shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. All of the shares of common stock are to be sold by the Company.</li>



<li>Genius Group Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GNS#NYSE">GNS</a>) advanced 13.71% after announcing its Board&#8217;s plan to distribute proceeds from any future legal victories equally between shareholders and the purchase of Bitcoin for its treasury.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:



Crude oil futures were trading lower in the early New York session by 0.03% to hover around $65.50 per barrel.



Gold Spot US Dollar rose 0.37% to hover around $3,286.47 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $3,500.33 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was lower by 0.21% at the 97.1950 level.



Asian markets ended higher on Monday, except Hong Kong's Hang Seng and India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex indices. Japan's Nikkei 225, Australia's ASX 200, China&#8217;s CSI 300, and South Korea's Kospi indices rose. European markets were lower in early trade.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46162886/us-housing-market-is-not-just-broken-its-rigged-says-craig-shapiro-as-mamdani-vows-to-build-200000-publicly-subsidized-homes-freeze-rent-in-nyc">US Housing Market Is &#8216;Not Just Broken, It&#8217;s Rigged,&#8217; Says Craig Shapiro As Mamdani Vows To Build 200,000 Publicly Subsidized Homes, Freeze Rent In NYC</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: godongphoto / Shutterstock.com

KLTO

PMNT

PRGS

QMCO

VERO

US Stocks Likely To Open Higher, Continuing Record-Setting Advances: June Has Never Seen An All-Time High Since 1950, Highlights Expert

The landmark trade agreement between President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially took effect Monday, delivering immediate tariff relief for the United Kingdom&#8217;s automotive and aerospace exports to the United States.



What Happened: The deal reduces U.S. tariffs on UK cars from 27.5% to 10%, creating a quota system allowing up to 100,000 British vehicles annually at the reduced rate. 



This represents significant savings for manufacturers, with the British government estimating hundreds of millions in annual cost reductions that could protect hundreds of thousands of jobs.



The aerospace sector secured even greater benefits. U.S. tariffs on UK aircraft parts and engines, previously at 10%, were eliminated. This directly benefits companies like Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/25/05/45293839/trump-starmer-strike-us-uk-trade-deal-steel-cars-beef">which supplies engines</a> to Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>).



&#8220;British car manufacturers can now export to the U.S. at a significantly reduced 10% tariff rate &#8211; down from 27.5% &#8211; and aerospace goods will see 10% tariffs removed, saving sectors hundreds of millions each year,&#8221; said Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46162859/trump-threatens-to-cut-federal-funding-for-nyc-if-zohran-mamdani-doesnt-do-the-right-thing-as-future-mayor-if-he-does-get-in-im-going-to-be-president">Trump Threatens To Cut Federal Funding For NYC If Zohran Mamdani Doesn&#8217;t Do The &#8216;Right Thing&#8217; As Future Mayor: &#8216;If He Does Get In, I&#8217;m Going To Be President&#8230;&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: The agreement has drawn <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45314561/trumps-uk-trade-deal-draws-criticism-from-ford-gm-stellantis-this-hurts-american-automakers-suppliers-and-auto-workers">criticism from major U.S. automakers</a> in May. The American Automotive Policy Council, representing General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), and Stellantis NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>), argued the deal creates unfair competition. &#8220;It will now be cheaper to import a UK vehicle with very little U.S. content than a USMCA-compliant vehicle from Mexico or Canada that is half American parts,&#8221; the group stated.



University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers called the luxury car exemptions &#8220;politically insane,&#8221; noting that high-end brands like Bentley and Aston Martin effectively <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45342313/trumps-uk-trade-carveouts-baffles-economist-justin-wolfers-bentley-rolls-royce-exemption-is-politically-insane">dodge tariffs while basic commodities face duties</a>.



The UK becomes the only country to secure such preferential treatment under Trump&#8217;s tariff regime. The deal also eliminates the 50% global tariff on UK steel and aluminum, with commitments to work toward zero tariffs on core steel products.



This marks the first major trade breakthrough since Trump paused global tariffs for 90-day negotiations in April. 



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46162550/as-sp-500-charges-off-april-lows-dan-niles-says-investors-will-forget-about-valuations-holds-microsoft-nvidia-cisco-but-sees-holiday-demand-crash-risk">As S&amp;P 500 Charges Off April Lows, Dan Niles Says Investors Will &#8216;Forget About Valuations&#8217;—Holds Microsoft, Nvidia, Cisco But Sees Holiday Demand Crash Risk</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: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com

Politics

STLA

Trump–Starmer Trade Deal Kicks In: UK Luxury Cars Get 10% Tariff, Rolls-Royce Engines Fly Duty-Free Into US

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed further improvement in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Friday.



U.S. stocks settled higher on Friday, with the S&amp;P 500 surging to fresh records during the session as investors responded to easing trade tensions and geopolitical risks with robust buying.



President Donald Trump said the U.S. is in the process of finalizing multiple trade agreements, suggesting that four to five deals are either completed or close to completion ahead of a key July 9 deadline. Sentiment was further lifted after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed a new U.S.-China trade accord that includes tariff reductions and safeguards for rare earth imports.



Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) jumped 15% on Friday after reporting quarterly earnings that crushed Wall Street expectations. Boeing Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) advanced 6% following a bullish analyst note from RedBurn Atlantic.



Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with communication services, consumer discretionary and industrials stocks recording the biggest gains on Friday. However, energy and health care stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.



The Dow Jones closed higher by around 432 points to 43,819.27 on Friday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.52% to 6,173.07 with the index gaining as much as 0.76% to a high of 6,187.68 earlier during the session, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.52% to 20,273.46 during Friday's session.



Investors are awaiting earnings results from Progress Software Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRGS#NASDAQ">PRGS</a>) and Quantum Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QMCO#NASDAQ">QMCO</a>) today.



What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?



At a current reading of 64.6, the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Friday, versus a prior reading of 62.7.



The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46136470/jim-cramer-just-revealed-1-oil-stock-he-actually-wants-to-own">Jim Cramer Just Revealed 1 Oil Stock He Actually Wants To Own</a> </li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Pre-Market Outlook

S&P Hits Record High Amid Easing Trade Tensions: Investor Sentiment Improves, Fear Index Remains In 'Greed' Zone

Leading cryptocurrencies rose Sunday as President Donald Trump called Bitcoin&#8217;s growing adoption a &#8220;great thing&#8221; for the United States.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+1.18%</td><td>$108,713.46</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+3.07%</td><td>$2,511.22</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+3.03%</td><td>$0.1688</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin hit the upper reaches of $108,000, as trading volume for the apex cryptocurrency jumped over 25% in the last 24 hours. Its market dominance rose further to 64.6%.



The asset received a new round of support from Trump, who said Bitcoin was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46148904/donald-trump-says-bitcoin-takes-a-lot-of-pressure-off-the-dollar">helping to ease pressure on the dollar</a> and that its growing adoption was &#8220;a great thing" for the U.S.



Ethereum also erupted late evening, reaching intraday highs of $2,523.32.&nbsp;



The rally resulted in nearly $200 million in cryptocurrency liquidations in the last 24 hours, with $164 million in shorts wiped out.



Bitcoin&#8217;s open interest rose 3.82% in the last 24 hours. Interestingly, the majority of top trader accounts on Binance with open BTC positions were short as of this writing.



The "Greed" sentiment persisted in the market, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.



Top Gainers (24 Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Arbitrum (ARB)</td><td>+17.14%</td><td>$80.3639</td></tr><tr><td>Pyth Network (PYTH)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+11.69%</td><td>$0.1105</td></tr><tr><td>Immutable (IMX)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+8.19%</td><td>$0.4675 </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.3 trillion, following an increase of 0.15% in the last 24 hours.



Stock futures rallied overnight Sunday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures climbed 215 points, or 0.49%, as of 9:41 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 rose 0.25%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.35%.



The U.S. stock market pushed into record territory, with the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite notching new highs on Friday.



Meanwhile, Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46156587/trump-says-july-tariff-deadline-not-set-in-stone-we-can-do-whatever-we-want">signaled flexibility on the July deadline</a> for reinstating U.S. tariffs on various countries. "We can do whatever we want," he told reporters at the White House.



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Rekt Capital noticed Bitcoin nearing a major weekly resistance level that, if broken, could propel it to new highs.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin is once again approaching the final major Weekly resistance that, once broken, would unlock new All Time Highs (red)<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crypto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://t.co/73kL0TtfWK">pic.twitter.com/73kL0TtfWK</a>&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1939266221884494159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Another cryptocurrency chartist, Autumn Riley, stated that despite sideways movement, Bitcoin showed a bullish structure with higher lows, indicating that sell pressure was waning.



"Most people are seeing BTC just going sideways, but there's actually a lot happening inside this range," the analyst added.



<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">Most people are seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> just going sideways, but there's actually a lot happening inside this range. If you look at the 15-minute chart, the structure is bullish. Every time price sweeps a high, it reacts down but keeps making higher lows. The pressure from sellers is fading… <a href="https://t.co/rpVyGbWzIC">pic.twitter.com/rpVyGbWzIC</a>&mdash; Autumn Riley (@Autumn_Rileyy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Autumn_Rileyy/status/1939255855934824634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo Courtesy: sundaemorning on Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46117165/bitcoin-consolidating-at-107000-heres-what-will-drive-the-market-in-q3">Bitcoin Consolidating At $107,000: Here&#8217;s What Will Drive The Market In Q3</a></li>
</ul>

Cryptocurrency

Markets

Movers

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Climb As Trump Labels Growing BTC Adoption As 'Great Thing': Sell Pressure On Largest Crypto May Be Fading Away, Says Analyst

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39449125/apple-glass-potential-competitor-to-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-may-take-longer-to-develop-report">potential to outshine</a> Meta Platforms, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) Ray-Ban smart glasses, says analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.



What Happened: Over the weekend, Kuo highlighted Apple&#8217;s lag in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45580078/apple-could-reportedly-launch-ai-smart-glasses-next-year-and-here-is-what-all-they-are-expected-to-do">the smart glasses</a> market, especially compared to Meta&#8217;s Ray-Ban models.



&#8220;Apple could build the best Meta Ray-Ban–like smart glasses on the market,&#8221; Kuo said, &#8220;Yet its decision-making in this area has been surprisingly slow.&#8221;



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45830549/pierre-ferragu-takes-apple-to-task-for-dismissing-the-ai-revolution-has-its-head-in-the-sand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierre Ferragu Takes Apple To Task For Dismissing The AI Revolution: ‘Has Its Head In The Sand'</a>



Despite this, Kuo expressed confidence that Apple's renewed push for hardware innovation could lead to significant market shifts.



&#8220;Better late than never,&#8221; he said, adding, &#8220;Apple&#8217;s renewed push for hardware innovation is undoubtedly good news for the supply chain.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I believe—and I doubt anyone would disagree—that Apple could build the best Meta Ray-Ban–like smart glasses on the market. Yet its decision-making in this area has been surprisingly slow. Putting AI aside for a moment, this category could cannibalize at least some AirPods demand,… <a href="https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ">https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ</a>&mdash; 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1939429560610959363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Kuo's observation came after he shared a research update and key findings, noting that Apple is working on at least seven head-mounted and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45580078/apple-could-reportedly-launch-ai-smart-glasses-next-year-and-here-is-what-all-they-are-expected-to-do">smart glasses projects</a>, with some slated for release from 2027 onward.



This includes Vision Pro M5 Version, Vision Air, All-New Design Vision Pro 2nd Generation, XR Glasses and display accessory.



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



<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 believe—and I doubt anyone would disagree—that Apple could build the best Meta Ray-Ban–like smart glasses on the market. Yet its decision-making in this area has been surprisingly slow. Putting AI aside for a moment, this category could cannibalize at least some AirPods demand,… <a href="https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ">https://t.co/nuqahpVnVQ</a>&mdash; 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1939429560610959363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It's Important: Earlier this month, Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya harshly criticized Apple's future innovation potential on the All-In podcast, arguing the company has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46068152/whats-next-for-apple-chamath-palihapitiya-fires-back-dont-think-they-have-any-chance-of-anything-dismisses-glasses-and-ai-hopes">no chance of delivering</a> major breakthroughs.



There's a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45486193/why-is-apple-still-behind-on-ai-expert-dissects-reasons-behind-iphone-maker-lagging-likes-of-microsoft-and-amazon-despite-poaching-googles-ai-chief">growing skepticism about Apple's capacity</a> to stay ahead in emerging technologies like AI and spatial computing, particularly when compared to agile startups and major rivals such as Alphabet Inc.'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>) and Meta.



Previously, it was reported that Apple executives have discussed the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46041473/apple-eyes-perplexity-ai-acquisition-while-facing-shareholder-lawsuit-over-exaggerated-ai-progress-report">possibility of acquiring</a> Perplexity AI, but the startup said it is not aware of any current or planned acquisition talks.



Price Action: Data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> shows that Apple's stock has fallen by 17.54% year-to-date and has declined 7.23% over the past year.



Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings suggest that Apple's shares remain on a downward trajectory across short, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">More detailed performance data is available here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/29231718/Screenshot-2025-06-30-at-8.29.11%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-966157"/></a></figure>



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



Photo Courtesy: Muhammad Raid Ahyan 2105 on Shutterstock.com



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>



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

AAPL

GOOG

GOOGL

Apple Has the Potential To Crush Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Says Ming-Chi Kuo, But The Tech Giant Has Been 'Surprisingly Slow'

Chinese fintech giant Ant Group disclosed on Monday that it invested a record 23.45 billion yuan ($3.26 billion) in research and development during 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of increased R&amp;D spending since 2021.



What Happened: The Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) affiliate revealed the figures in its 2024 sustainability report, according to Reuters, highlighting its commitment to technology advancement amid China&#8217;s artificial intelligence boom.



Ant Group, formerly known as Ant Financial, operates China&#8217;s dominant mobile payments platform, Alipay, and has been rebuilding its operations following regulatory setbacks that derailed its 2020 initial public offering. Chinese regulators halted the company&#8217;s planned IPO at the last moment and imposed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45200539/alibabas-ant-group-eyes-hong-kong-ipo-for-ant-international-as-it-pushes-forward-with-fintech-growth">antitrust measures on domestic tech giants</a>.



The substantial R&amp;D investment comes as the parent company, Alibaba, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46069690/alibaba-accelerates-global-ai-push-targets-overseas-data-centers">accelerates its global AI expansion</a>. Alibaba has committed 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) over three years for cloud computing and AI infrastructure development. The company plans to extend its Qwen large language models to overseas data centers by 2025, operating 29 facilities globally, including two in the United States.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46159125/elon-musk-calls-trumps-megabill-political-suicide-says-it-is-utterly-insane-and-destructive-will-destroy-millions-of-jobs-in-america">Elon Musk Calls Trump&#8217;s Megabill &#8216;Political Suicide,&#8217; Says &#8216;It Is Utterly Insane and Destructive,&#8217; Will &#8216;Destroy Millions of Jobs in America&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: Recent partnerships with Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Siemens AG (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SIEGY#OTC">SIEGY</a>), and Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) underscore Alibaba&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45975004/alibaba-updates-llms-to-power-ai-on-apple-devices-in-china">strategic AI positioning</a>. Benchmark analyst Fawne Jiang identified Alibaba as &#8220;a leading beneficiary of accelerated AI adoption in China.&#8221;



Ant Group has explored listing its Singapore-registered overseas arm, Ant International, on the Hong Kong stock exchange as it seeks growth opportunities beyond mainland China. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45200539/alibabas-ant-group-eyes-hong-kong-ipo-for-ant-international-as-it-pushes-forward-with-fintech-growth">reported 100 million users</a> for its tap-and-pay service launched in June 2024.



Alibaba shares have surged over 58.05% in the past 12 months as investors recognize the company&#8217;s AI potential amid U.S.-China <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46113383/us-china-trade-deal-could-be-finalized-next-week-says-harvard-scholar-they-are-going-to-stabilize-this">trade relations prospects</a>.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><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">Apple Has the Potential To Crush Meta&#8217;s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Says Ming-Chi Kuo, But The Tech Giant Has Been &#8216;Surprisingly Slow&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: THINK A / Shutterstock.com

BABA

SIEGY

China's Ant Group Boosts R&D Spending To Record $3.26 Billion In 2024 Amid AI Push

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk, publicly criticized President Donald Trump&#8216;s One Big Beautiful Bill, which advanced in the Senate Saturday night, calling it &#8220;utterly insane&#8221; and &#8220;destructive.&#8221;



What Happened: Musk&#8217;s criticism comes in the midst of an ongoing public disagreement with President Trump, who is a supporter of the bill. Musk&#8217;s criticism is aimed at the sections of the bill that propose tax hikes on a range of energy projects.



These include solar, battery, geothermal, wind, and nuclear energy projects. Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company Musk heads, has significant interests in both battery energy storage systems and solar photovoltaics.



Musk took to X, his personal social media platform, to express his concerns about the bill. He stated that it &#8220;will destroy millions of jobs&nbsp;in America and cause immense&nbsp;strategic harm to our country!&#8221;. 



He also criticized the bill for its perceived bias towards &#8220;industries of the past&#8221;, which he believes will be detrimental to future industries.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country! Utterly insane and destructive. It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future. <a href="https://t.co/TZ9w1g7zHF">https://t.co/TZ9w1g7zHF</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1939051424995786839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Latest Musk referred to a poll saying, "Polls show that this bill is political suicide for the Republican Party."</figcaption></figure>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45828038/trump-vs-musk-trump-hints-at-canceling-musks-contracts-well-take-a-look-at-everything-hes-got-a-lot-of-money-heres-how-musk-responded">Trump vs. Musk: Trump Hints at Canceling Musk&#8217;s Contracts: &#8216;We&#8217;ll Take a Look at Everything, He&#8217;s Got a Lot of Money.&#8217; Here&#8217;s How Musk Responded</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">Polls show that this bill is political suicide for the Republican Party <a href="https://t.co/HJwKZ9g4tu">pic.twitter.com/HJwKZ9g4tu</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1939069416756650401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The proposed legislation also includes&nbsp;a new subsidy for coal&nbsp;used in steel production. This public criticism from Musk has led to a strain in his relationship with President Trump. Following Musk&#8217;s comments, Tesla&#8217;s shares fell by 14% after the president threatened to review government contracts awarded to Musk&#8217;s companies.



Despite expressing regret over some of his posts, Musk continues to voice his opposition as the legislative debate over the bill approaches.



Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s criticism of the Senate&#8217;s domestic policy package is significant given his position as the CEO of Tesla, a company heavily invested in renewable energy. The proposed tax increases on energy projects could potentially impact Tesla&#8217;s business operations and future growth.



The public feud with President Trump and the subsequent threat to reassess government contracts for Musk&#8217;s companies has already had a noticeable impact on Tesla&#8217;s share price. 



This ongoing situation highlights the potential risks and uncertainties faced by companies in the renewable energy sector.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45826692/trump-musk-feud-may-not-end-anytime-soon-as-president-says-he-has-no-plans-to-speak-to-the-tesla-ceo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump-Musk Feud May Not End Anytime Soon As President Says He Has No Plans To Speak To The Tesla CEO</a>



Image: Shutterstock/Shutterstock AI

TSLA

Elon Musk Calls Trump's Megabill 'Political Suicide,' Says 'It Is Utterly Insane and Destructive,' Will 'Destroy Millions of Jobs in America'

You may not have noticed, but on Sunday, June 22, the world of cars changed forever. 



That was when regular consumers for the first time got to take a $4.20-ride around Austin, Texas, in driverless taxis, courtesy of Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Elon Musk.



The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46045542/tesla-launches-robotaxi-in-austin-elon-musk-calls-it-a-culmination-of-a-decade-of-hard-work">robotaxi test</a> took place in a sectioned, geofenced area of Austin, with selected Tesla owners in the back seat, a Tesla employee on hand for emergencies in the front passenger seat, and no one physically behind the wheel.



By the end of the day, feedback began rolling in on social media, and it was overwhelmingly positive.



"We took two approximately 15-minute rides around Austin and the key takeaways are that it was a comfortable, safe, and personalized experience," <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46049232/dan-ives-hails-very-impressive-robotaxi-ride-in-austin-predicts-55-upside-for-tesla-stock-as-golden-age-begins">noted</a> Dan Ives, a Wedbush analyst, in a research note released later in the day on June 22.  



"The robotaxis we experienced today were foundational, and there is a path for the future where these robotaxis may also have Grok integration, interior customization, and a much more user-centric focus as there&#8217;s no longer a need to focus on the driver experience," Ives added.



He&#8217;s not alone.



"Today transportation changed FOREVER!" said<a href="https://x.com/JoshWest247/status/1932618098777137590"> JoshWest247 on X</a>, after his test drive. "Robotaxi=FREEDOM!"



Amidst talk of the Tesla robotaxi adding $1 trillion in value to the company, plans are afoot to manage vehicle growth gradually, with 50 in operation by the fourth quarter of 2025 in Austin and 1,000-plus on the streets by year-end 2026. Tesla is also mapping out a California robotaxi expansion, targeting 2026, pending approval from the state. Over time, Tesla aims to replace Model Ys with its Cybercab robotaxi vehicle.



At first glance, the driverless future is golden, although there's plenty of highway miles ahead for industry leaders. At the very least, the Austin tests may serve as the launch point of a revolutionary new industry that changes everything we think we know about road transportation.



"Tesla's autonomous taxi test in Austin signals a very real shift toward mainstream adoption of robotaxis, not just a speculative future," said Kazimieras Urbonas, car analyst and supplier excellence manager at Ovoko, a technology-based auto parts company. "The major takeaway is that we're no longer just talking about autonomy, we're piloting it at scale. This shows growing maturity in Tesla's FSD (Full Self-Driving) tech, which will inevitably pressure other automakers to speed up their timelines."



According to Urbonas, driverless transport will be one of the most transformative changes in mobility, comparable to the transition from combustion to electric power. "While rollout will vary by region due to infrastructure and legal constraints, the long-term implications for logistics, ride-hailing, and even public transport are enormous," he noted. "Think safer roads, lower costs, and new urban design models."



As the smoke cleared from the test date, Wall Street commenced buzzing over the trading prospects of autonomous vehicle makers and which companies may be left behind as history is made with the first driverless taxi rollout.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Independence From Trading Tool Chaos</h2>



Stop switching between news apps, scanners, and alert systems that don't communicate with each other. Get our exclusive Benzinga Wire, smart filtering, and integrated tools in one professional platform. Declare Trading Independence <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/4th-of-july-sale/?utm_campaign=bzpro-4th&amp;el=Res[…]mail}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_adType=SponsorAd&amp;utm_ad=RD062825">HERE</a> at 60% off.



Which stocks will rock on as robotaxis get all too real, and which will go the way of horse and carriage after Henry Ford rolled up in a small, four-wheeled vehicle he called a Quadricycle on June 4, 1896? Here are a few candidates on both sides of the road.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winners</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tesla</h3>



Benzinga Quality Ranking: 83.17



The carmaker's share price only popped by 1.2% in the five days following the Austin robotaxi tests, but the moment may have established Tesla as the king of the driverless transport hill, for now at least. Tesla has a lot on the line with autonomous vehicles, which comprises about 59% of the company's price target, amounting to $181 per share or $800 billion in implied value, according to RBC Capital.



"If Tesla can iron out safety concerns and scale fast, they could dominate the driverless car industry," said John Ellmore, EV Fleet Editor at UK-based KnowYourBusiness.



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



Benzinga Quality Ranking: 86.66



Google's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Waymo driverless taxi doesn't get the massive press that Tesla and Musk garner, but it's actually ahead of the curve on robotaxi testing. It's already up and running in four U.S. cities, with plans to roll out its autonomous vehicles in 17 more. It intends to launch commercially by 2026 or 2027. All told, Waymo is expected to account for 10% of the AV marketplace by the end of the decade.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nvidia</h3>



Benzinga Growth Ranking: 98.61



Chipmaking giant Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) should benefit from the headway made by companies like TSLA and Waymo. "Nvidia's chips already power most autonomous driving systems," Urbonas said. "More driverless vehicles equal more demand."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Losers</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Uber</h3>



Benzinga Growth Ranking: 97.49



Uber's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) stock hasn't suffered from Tesla's wave of media coverage following its Austin testing weekend – it's up 8.36% this week alone. Analysts point to Uber's burgeoning relationship with Waymo and the fact that the company has entered into AV testing with Volkswagen and Pony AI.



Yet over the long haul, Uber doesn't seem to have a clear-cut path in competing with driverless taxis, which promise to be cheaper and more pervasive once Tesla and Waymo vehicles hit the open road.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lyft</h3>



Benzinga Growth Ranking: 56.43



San Francisco-based ride-sharing company Lyft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LYFT#NASDAQ">LYFT</a>) has seen its shares rise to the mid-teens (it was trading at $15.46 on June 27). Its stock is up 19% year-to-date. The firm plans to roll out its own AV line in Dallas over the next few months, with plans to expand to Canada and Europe the following year.



Still, the math is working against Lyft. It's already behind Uber in the rideshare market by a 30%-to-70% ratio. The company will be hard-pressed to compete with industry heavyweights like Tesla, which is expected to reach a $1 trillion market share within the next five years.



"Traditional ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Lyft could see margin compression as autonomous fleets reduce human labor costs," Urbonas added.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Traditional auto makers and auto parts companies</h3>



Legacy automakers without robust EV and autonomous vehicle pipelines could fall behind. 



"That's particularly the case with those companies reliant on fleet sales and dealer-driven models," Urbonas said. "Auto parts suppliers focused on mechanical components (e.g., internal combustion parts) could also struggle as electric-autonomous systems reduce part complexity and maintenance."



Traditional auto repair chains could also struggle, and they won't be alone.



"Fewer moving parts mean fewer breakdowns," said Luis Montes, a heavy-duty transport equipment expert and chief editor at Fortis HD.  "Fuel providers take a hit if the shift is electric-heavy. Public transport might also lose funding if private driverless fleets get political backing. Even parking real estate will lose relevance if cars start circulating instead of idling."



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



Photo: Shutterstock

LYFT

UBER

Winning And Losing Stocks From Tesla's Driverless Taxi Test

This week told a familiar story with fresh twists—inflation isn't backing down, and global tensions are once <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/macro-economic-events#more-news" rel="noreferrer noopener">again steering the market mood</a>.



The latest data showed that the Personal Consumption Expenditures, or PCE price index, rose 2.3% in May from a year earlier, slightly up from April&#8217;s 2.2%, snapping <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46137796/inflation-is-heating-up-again-are-tariffs-to-blame" rel="noreferrer noopener">a two-month cooling trend</a>.



While the monthly increase stayed steady at 0.1%, concerns grew that rising tariffs on foreign goods could soon hit U.S. consumers harder.



The economic unease was only amplified on Friday, when President Donald Trump abruptly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46150909/trump-canada-tariffs-dollar-deal" rel="noreferrer noopener">called off all trade talks with Canada</a>.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/45930878/canada-risks-losing-billions-annually-without-critical-minerals-action" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canada Risks Losing $8.7B Annually Without Critical Minerals Action</a>



His move came in response to Canada&#8217;s newly introduced Digital Services Tax, which he slammed as a direct attack on American tech companies. Declaring retaliation was imminent, Trump promised to announce new tariffs on Canadian goods within a week—sending markets tumbling and investors rushing for cover.



Amid the macroeconomic jitters and geopolitical headlines, several companies delivered key corporate updates and earnings results that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets" rel="noreferrer noopener">kept investors tuned in</a>.



Earnings Results



FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDS#NYSE">FDS</a>) reported quarterly sales of $585.52 million, surpassing&nbsp;analyst expectations&nbsp;of $580.50 million and representing a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46053063/factset-reports-q3-revenue-beat-client-growth-leadership-shift-with-jpmorgan-hire" rel="noreferrer noopener">5.9% year-over-year gain.</a>



FactSet announced that&nbsp;Phil Snow will retire as CEO and a member of the Board, effective early September 2025.&nbsp;



Technology



NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) &nbsp;leaped over Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) to become the most valuable company in the world on Thursday, with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46151686/nvidia-just-became-the-worlds-most-valuable-stock-is-it-time-for-a-semiconductor-etf-rethink" rel="noreferrer noopener">market capitalization crossing $3.7 trillion. </a>But as the chipmaker solidifies its position as the foundation of the AI era, one segment of Wall Street is somewhat lagging behind —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs" rel="noreferrer noopener">semiconductor ETFs</a>.



Microsoft postponed the commercialization of its in-house next-gen&nbsp;artificial intelligence chip, Maia (code-named Braga), by at least six months from 2025 to 2026 due to unexpected changes to its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46149318/microsofts-next-gen-ai-chip-still-lags-nvidias-blackwell-postpones-launch" rel="noreferrer noopener">design and staffing constraints.</a>



Alphabet Inc. (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>) has been dealt a legal blow in Japan as a court has ruled that the company infringed on patents held by&nbsp;Pantech, resulting in a ban on the sale of its&nbsp;Pixel 7&nbsp;series smartphones.



Alphabet Inc.&nbsp;has appointed&nbsp;Kobi Bar-Nathan&nbsp;as the new finance chief for its rapidly expanding&nbsp;Google Cloud division. He commenced his role in June 2025, bringing&nbsp;extensive experience&nbsp;from key finance leadership positions at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134725/google-cloud-hires-former-oracle-cfo-as-ai-race-heats-up" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Cloud.</a>



Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)&nbsp;is making a return to high-budget theatrical releases with the opening of its racing drama &#8220;F1&#8221;&nbsp;on Friday. The film&#8217;s reported $300 million budget highlights both the company&#8217;s determination to make a mark in Hollywood and the persistent financial <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/06/46142591/apples-f1-movie-burns-300-million-still-waiting-on-a-profit" rel="noreferrer noopener">challenges it&nbsp;faces in this arena.&nbsp;</a>



Artificial Intelligence (AI)



Softbank Group Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>) CEO&nbsp;Masayoshi Son&nbsp;said that he plans to position the company as the&nbsp;leading platform provider&nbsp;in the artificial super intelligence (ASI) sector within the next decade, aiming to rival major tech firms like&nbsp;Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in" rel="noreferrer noopener">.</a>



Apple&#8217;s Siri&nbsp;is far behind&nbsp;OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT, according to a comparison conducted by&nbsp;Deepwater Asset Management, receiving an &#8220;F&#8221; while ChatGPT<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156830/siri-gets-f-while-openais-chatgpt-scores-an-a-gene-munster-says-heres-what-apple-needs-to-fix-before-2026-launch-to-stay-relevant-in-ai" rel="noreferrer noopener"> has scored an &#8220;A.&#8221;</a>



Automobiles



Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has revealed that it pumped nearly $10 billion into its U.S. operations&nbsp;during the last fiscal year and plans to allocate<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46046720/tesla-doubles-down-on-us-elon-musk-plans-another-8-billion-investment-after-spending-nearly-10-billion-in-2024" rel="noreferrer noopener"> an additional $8 billion this year.</a>



Ford Motor Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>):&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Jim Farley&nbsp;voiced skepticism about&nbsp;Tesla&#8217;s autonomous driving strategy, underscoring the necessity of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156654/ford-ceo-jim-farley-believes-waymos-approach-makes-more-sense-than-elon-musk-led-teslas-when-you-have-a-brand-like-ford-you-have-to-be-really-careful" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumer trust and prudence</a>.



Xiaomi Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACY#OTC">XIACY</a>)&nbsp;unveiled the company&#8217;s first all-electric SUV, the YU7, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/06/46132552/telsla-model-y-rival-xiaomi-yu7-suv-receives-nearly-300000-orders-in-1-hour-in-china" rel="noreferrer noopener">as a rival to&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/06/46132552/telsla-model-y-rival-xiaomi-yu7-suv-receives-nearly-300000-orders-in-1-hour-in-china" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla.</a>



General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) has issued a recall for over 62,468 vehicles in the U.S. over <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46111407/general-motors-recalls-over-62000-vehicles-for-brake-issue-that-could-potentially-result-in-a-fire-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">a brake pressure sensor issue.</a>



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Consumer Tech News (June 23–June 27): Inflation Stirs, Trade Tensions Flare, And Big Tech Makes Big Moves

The past week has been a whirlwind of developments in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. From executive orders aimed at boosting AI development to corporate strategies and endorsements, the race for AI supremacy is heating up. Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories that made headlines.



Trump&#8217;s AI Power Play



The Trump administration is reportedly preparing executive actions to strengthen the U.S. AI sector, with the goal of outpacing China in the global AI race. The proposed actions aim to alleviate power grid constraints and speed up data center construction, both of which are vital for AI development. This news comes from sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156509/trumps-ai-power-play-executive-orders-aim-to-outpace-china-rewire-us-grid-in-fight-for-tech-supremacy-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Masayoshi Son&#8217;s AI Ambition



SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son has declared his intention to position his company as the leading platform provider in the artificial super intelligence (ASI) sector within the next decade. Son&#8217;s ambitious plan aims to rival major tech firms like Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46134697/softbanks-masayoshi-son-sets-sights-on-artificial-super-intelligence-domination-with-bets-on-openai-and-ampere-im-all-in">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156518/elon-musk-reacts-after-tesla-completes-autonomous-delivery-of-model-y-from-factory-to-customer-home-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts After Tesla Completes Autonomous Delivery Of Model Y: From Factory To Customer Home Across Town, Through Highways</a>



Musk Endorses Nadella&#8217;s AI View:



Tesla CEO Elon Musk endorsed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's perspective on the practical impact of AI. Musk supported Nadella&#8217;s emphasis on AI's benefits to sectors like healthcare, education, and productivity. Nadella had stressed that AI must produce results that are "socially useful."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46136541/elon-musk-backs-satya-nadellas-view-that-ai-must-produce-socially-useful-results-the-real-question-in-the-next-five-years-is">Read the full article here.</a>



AI-Driven Workforce Reduction at Amazon:



Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that AI will likely reduce the company's corporate workforce. This announcement has led to a stark warning from former Amazon Vice President Ethan Evans, who advises employees to adapt or face elimination.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46110289/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-warns-of-ai-driven-workforce-reduction-amzn-wont-keep-everyone-says-ex-vp-ethan-evans-in-warning-to-employees">Read the full article here.</a>



Nadella Praises Palantir&#8217;s FDE Model



Nadella praised Palantir Technologies Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) Forward Deployed Engineer model as "fantastic." This has sparked industry debate about the data analytics company's unique approach to product development.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46109638/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-praises-palantirs-fde-model-as-fantastic-insiders-say-its-not-consulting-it-builds-the-product-customers-need">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46133153/tesla-robotaxi-has-a-major-advantage-over-rivals-waymo-and-zoox-says-gary-black-could-be-very-signif" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Robotaxi Has A Major Advantage Over Rivals Waymo And Zoox, Says Gary Black: &#8216;&#8230;Could Be Very Significant&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

Palantir's FDE Model Gets Praise, Softbank's Ambition, And Musk's Nadella Endorsement: This Week In AI

The past week has been a whirlwind of tech and entertainment news, with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) at the center of it all. From the box office success of their Brad Pitt-starrer &#8216;F1: The Movie&#8217; to the company&#8217;s ambitious plans for AI and iOS updates, Apple has been making waves in multiple sectors. Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories.



&#8216;F1: The Movie&#8217; Races Ahead, &#8216;M3GAN 2.0&#8217; Lags



Apple&#8217;s Original Films&#8217; &#8220;F1: The Movie,&#8221; has surpassed expectations, raking in $10 million in previews and is set for a $115 million global opening. Meanwhile, &#8220;M3GAN 2.0&#8221; has had a slower start. The racing drama, directed by Joseph Kosinski, earned $7 million from Thursday night shows and $3 million from sneak screenings, according to The Hollywood Reporter.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/entertainment/25/06/46156319/apples-brad-pitt-starrer-f1-the-movie-sets-the-pace-with-10-million-in-previews-poised-for-115-million-global-opening-m3gan-2-0-faces-slower-start-despite-strong-sequel">Read the full article here.</a>



Chamath Palihapitiya Criticizes Apple&#8217;s Innovation Prospects



Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya has expressed skepticism about Apple&#8217;s potential for future breakthroughs during an episode of the All-In podcast. He stated that the tech giant has no &#8220;chance of anything&#8221; when it comes to upcoming innovations.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46068152/whats-next-for-apple-chamath-palihapitiya-fires-back-dont-think-they-have-any-chance-of-anything-dismisses-glasses-and-ai-hopes">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46156518/elon-musk-reacts-after-tesla-completes-autonomous-delivery-of-model-y-from-factory-to-customer-home-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts After Tesla Completes Autonomous Delivery Of Model Y: From Factory To Customer Home Across Town, Through Highways</a>



Apple Plans to Use AI to Speed Up Custom Chip Design



Apple is reportedly planning to use generative artificial intelligence to expedite the development of its custom chips, according to senior executive Johny Srouji. During a speech in Belgium, Srouji highlighted the potential of generative AI in enhancing chip design productivity.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46010207/apple-hardware-executive-says-iphone-maker-plans-to-use-ai-for-speeding-up-custom-chip-design-high-potential-in-getting-more-design-work-in-less-time">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Considers Perplexity AI Acquisition Amid Lawsuit



Apple executives have reportedly discussed the potential acquisition of Perplexity AI internally. Adrian Perica, Apple&#8217;s head of M&amp;A, proposed the idea to senior leaders, including services chief Eddy Cue. This comes as Apple faces a shareholder lawsuit over exaggerated AI progress reports.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46041473/apple-eyes-perplexity-ai-acquisition-while-facing-shareholder-lawsuit-over-exaggerated-ai-progress-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Tweaks Liquid Glass in iOS 26 Beta 2 After Readability Criticism



Following widespread criticism over poor readability, Apple has rolled out iOS 26 Beta 2 with key changes to its new Liquid Glass user interface. The company adjusted the background blur in Control Center to make buttons and sliders more legible



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46066274/apple-liquid-glass-gets-tweaks-in-ios-26-beta-2-after-early-testers-slam-readability-issues-heres-what-else-has-changed">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Opens iOS 26 Lock Screen Animation to Third-Party Music Apps



Apple is reportedly extending one of iOS 26&#8217;s new features—animated album art on the lock screen—to third-party music and audio apps, breaking its exclusive tie to Apple Music.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45942472/apple-opens-ios-26-lock-screen-animation-to-spotify-and-other-third-party-music-apps-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46133153/tesla-robotaxi-has-a-major-advantage-over-rivals-waymo-and-zoox-says-gary-black-could-be-very-signif" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Robotaxi Has A Major Advantage Over Rivals Waymo And Zoox, Says Gary Black: &#8216;&#8230;Could Be Very Significant&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

Apple's F1 Surpasses Expectations, Chamath Palihapitiya's Criticism, AI For Chip Design, And Perplexity Acquisition In Consideration: This Week In Appleverse

The past week in the world of cryptocurrency was nothing short of eventful. From legislative moves aimed at curbing alleged corruption in cryptocurrency ventures to bold predictions about Bitcoin&#8217;s dominance, the week was filled with intriguing developments.



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



Adam Schiff Takes Aim At Trump&#8217;s Crypto Ventures



In a bid to curb what he calls &#8220;corruption in plain sight,&#8221; Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced legislation targeting cryptocurrency ventures by President Donald Trump and other senior administration officials. Schiff&#8217;s proposed COIN Act seeks to put an end to the alleged corruption in these ventures.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46067898/trumps-crypto-ventures-have-been-lucrative-but-adam-schiff-says-he-is-bringing-in-a-law-to-">Read the full article here.</a>



Tim Draper Foresees Bitcoin&#8217;s Dominance



Billionaire investor Tim Draper predicts that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) will completely dominate the dollar within the next five years. Draper, a long-time Bitcoin advocate, attributes this potential dominance to the unprecedented innovation on the Bitcoin network.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/06/46107772/tim-draper-says-this-will-be-the-fate-of-bitcoin-and-the-dollar-in-5-years-billionaire-highlights-apps-built-on-btc-that-matter">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46150671/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-trade-flat-on-friday-but-one-major-leg-up-left-says-trader" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Trade Flat On Friday But &#8216;One Major Leg Up Left,&#8217; Says Trader</a>



Cathie Wood&#8217;s Exciting Prediction for Bitcoin



Despite Bitcoin&#8217;s 400x rise, Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, believes that the &#8220;next exciting leg&#8221; of Bitcoin&#8217;s growth journey is just beginning. Wood&#8217;s comments came in response to billionaire hedge fund manager Philippe Laffont&#8217;s views on Bitcoin.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46087464/bitcoins-400x-rise-aside-cathie-wood-says-the-next-exciting-leg-is-just-beginning">Read the full article here.</a>



Tom Lee&#8217;s Prediction for MicroStrategy



Tom Lee, head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors, predicts that Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), formerly known as MicroStrategy, could deliver superior returns compared to Bitcoin itself as the cryptocurrency rallies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/06/46089976/tom-lee-says-microstrategy-could-outpace-bitcoin-gains-goes-up-a-lot-more-as-btc-rallies">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump Family-Backed Crypto Venture&#8217;s New App



World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, plans to launch a new app aimed at making it easier for lay investors to use cryptocurrencies. The Trump family, which holds a 75% claim on the venture&#8217;s net revenues, has faced criticism due to potential conflicts of interest.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46107720/trump-family-backed-world-liberty-financial-plans-to-launch-a-new-app-that-will-make-it-eas">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46146124/bitcoin-yields-of-up-to-8-are-no-longer-a-fantasy-heres-whos-offering-them" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Yields Of Up To 8% Are No Longer A Fantasy: Here&#8217;s Who&#8217;s Offering Them</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

MSTR

Trump's Crypto Ventures, Draper And Cathie Wood's Bitcoin Predictions, MSTR Estimates, And More: This Week In Crypto

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