KKR Real Est Finance Tr Azioni (NYSE: KREF)

KKR Real Est Finance Tr (NYSE:KREF) Azioni

KKR Real Estate Finance

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc is a real estate finance company that focuses on originating and acquiring senior mortgage loans secured by CRE assets. The investment is to originate or acquire senior mortgage loans collateralized by institutional-quality CRE assets that are owned and operated by experienced and well-capitalized sponsors and located in liquid markets with underlying fundamentals. KKR manages investments across multiple asset classes, including private equity, real estates, energy, infrastructure, credit, and hedge funds. The company's investment objective is capital preservation and generating attractive risk-adjusted returns for its stockholders over the long term, through dividends.

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KREF

STWD

Analisi dei migliori titoli finanziari con rendimenti da dividendi eccezionali, ideali per chi cerca guadagni stabili in un mercato incerto.

Dividendi d&#39;oro: 3 azioni finanziarie con rendimenti superiori al 9%

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FNWB

HRTG

VIRT

4 azioni finanziarie a rischio crollo questo mese. Scopri quali sono per proteggere i tuoi investimenti dal probabile ribasso.

Le azioni che potrebbero crollare questo mese: ecco le 4 da evitare

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Common Stock

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. 6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

American Express Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) will release earnings results for the first quarter, before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AXP/earnings">opening bell on Thursday, April 17.</a>
Analysts expect the New York-based company to report quarterly earnings at $3.47 per share, up from $3.33 per share in the year-ago period. American Express projects to report quarterly revenue at $16.93 billion, compared to $15.8 billion a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On March 25, CLEAR extended its partnership with American Express for its second one year renewal term.
American Express shares fell 1.9% to close at $252.92 on Wednesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AXP/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Richard Shane maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $325 to $244 on April 8, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>Citigroup analyst Keith Horowitz maintained a Neutral rating and slashed the price target from $320 to $300 on March 24, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Ryan Nash maintained a Buy rating and slashed the price target from $367 to $330 on March 18, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.</li>
<li>Baird analyst David George upgraded the stock from Underperform to Neutral with a price target of $265 on March 14, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 71%.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst Donald Fandetti maintained an Overweight rating and increased the price target from $355 to $370 on Jan. 31, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 71%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying AXP stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="590" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17031550/image-11-1024x590.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875901" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17031550/image-11-1024x590.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17031550/image-11-300x173.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17031550/image-11-768x443.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17031550/image-11.png 1096w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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Photo via Shutterstock

Earnings

Top Wall Street Forecasters Revamp American Express Expectations Ahead Of Q1 Earnings

Rio Tinto And AMG Metals & Materials Signed A Memorandum Of Understanding To Jointly Assess The Feasibility Of Developing An Integrated Low-carbon Aluminium Project Powered By Renewable Energy In India

KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>) will release earnings results for the first quarter, before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/key/earnings">opening bell on Thursday, April 17</a>.
Analysts expect the Cleveland, Ohio-based company to report quarterly earnings at 32 cents per share, up from 20 cents per share in the year-ago period. KeyCorp projects to report quarterly revenue at $1.75 billion, compared to $1.53 billion a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On March 13, KeyCorp plans purchase up to $1.0 billion of common shares in open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
KeyCorp shares fell 1.3% to close at $14.07 on Wednesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KEY/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>Baird analyst David George upgraded the stock from Neutral to Outperform with a price target of $18 on April 7, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 71%.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo maintained an Overweight rating and slashed the price target from $22 to $20 on March 28, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 66%.</li>
<li>Citigroup analyst Keith Horowitz maintained a Buy rating and slashed the price target from $20 to $19 on March 24, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Manan Gosalia maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut the price target from $22 to $20 on March 13, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.</li>
<li>RBC Capital analyst Gerard Cassidy reiterated an Outperform rating with a price target of $18 on Jan. 22, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 69%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying KEY stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="596" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17030453/image-10-1024x596.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875872" style="width:559px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17030453/image-10-1024x596.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17030453/image-10-300x175.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17030453/image-10-768x447.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17030453/image-10.png 1088w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44836567/jim-cramer-nrg-energy-is-very-good-utility">Jim Cramer: NRG Up, Deluxe Out, Nvidia &#8216;You Have To Trim&#8217;</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

KeyCorp Gears Up For Q1 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts

Bill Gates says artificial intelligence will soon wipe out chronic shortages of skilled workers like doctors and teachers, eventually forcing societies to rethink the value of time and the concept of &#8216;work hours&#8217;.
What Happened: Speaking on Indian entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath's "People by WTF" podcast, the Microsoft co‑founder predicted that "AI will have changed things enough that just this pure capitalistic framework probably won't explain much" within two decades. 
Robots with dexterous "hands" and large‑language models with "free intelligence," he argued, will make it routine to staff hospitals, classrooms, and factory floors.
"We've always had a shortage — doctors, teachers, people to work in factories… those shortages won't exist," Gates said. "AI will come in and provide medical IQ, and there won't be a shortage."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Bill Gates x Nikhil Kamath Part 2 &#x7C; People by WTF &#x7C; Ep.8" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YY7J1pHfSyY?list=PLVPkbpccdn996PFFnil1ZETF6RSs7KsLg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44856587/former-google-ceo-predicts-that-ais-sprint-toward-super-intelligence-could-put-a-smartest-human-in-every-pocket-by-2031">Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Predicts AI Sprint Toward Super Intelligence Could Put &#8216;Smartest Human&#8217; In Every Pocket In 6 Years</a>
His forecast stretches well beyond the office cubicle. Advances in vision, robotics, and language processing, he said, will let machines swing hammers on construction sites, scrub hotel rooms, and diagnose illnesses in rural clinics that struggle to attract physicians. With production constraints lifted, Gates expects shorter workweeks and earlier retirements to become feasible, adding, "It's going to require almost a philosophical rethink about, ‘OK, how should time be spent?'" 
Gates acknowledged that a world of abundance is hard to picture for anyone who has "spent almost 70 years in a world of shortage," but he urged economists to start mapping policies for an era when markets no longer ration scarce human labor. "My kids — and certainly my grandkids — a lot of their lives will be in that very changed world," he said.
Why It Matters: Gates' blueprint for doctor‑ and teacher‑level AI is hardly new. Back on The Today Show, he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42438799/bill-gates-predicts-ai-in-the-workforce-will-lead-to-so-much-leisure-time-but-itll-create-a-what-do-we-do-with-all-that-time-problem">warned</a> that mass automation could hand humanity so much "leisure time" that society will face a "‘Wow, what do we do with all that time?' problem," even as he celebrated pilot projects that already "enhance education" and streamline MRIs. In an older interview, Gates noted that the real <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41056506/bill-gates-says-ai-positives-outweigh-concerns-well-be-experiencing-increased-productivity-in-a-lot">near‑term upside</a> of AI is "using it in a positive way, in areas like health and education … we'll be experiencing increased productivity in a lot of areas," repeating the very shortage‑busting logic he later shared with Kamath.
The Microsoft co‑founder <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44481583/bill-gates-thinks-you-might-only-work-2-3-days-a-week-thanks-to-ai-but-also-says-legitimately-people-are-like-wow-this-is-a-bit-scary">drove the point home</a> on The Tonight Show in March 2025, asking Jimmy Fallon, "Should we … just work like 2 or 3 days a week?" because AI will render once‑rare skills "commonplace" and, by extension, slash the traditional five‑day grind — a prospect he called "kind of profound" and "a bit scary."
Photo Courtesy: Alexandros Michailidis On Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44856114/nvidia-says-it-follows-us-government-instructions-on-what-it-can-sell-and-where-amid-trade-war-escalation-with-china" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia Says It Follows US Government Instructions On What It Can Sell And Where Amid Trade War Escalation With China</a>

Tech

Bill Gates Says His Kids And Grandkids Will Live In A 'Very Changed World' As AI Puts An End To Shortage Of Teachers And Doctors

On Wednesday, Roger Dassen, CFO of ASML Holdings NV (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>), a lithography equipment supplier to Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), acknowledged the contradiction between the U.S. government encouraging domestic chip manufacturing and imposing tariffs on crucial manufacturing tools.
What Happened: During the <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/04/44832382/nvidia-supplier-asml-beats-revenue-and-eps-estimates-euv-product-mix-performance-milestones-drive-q1-says-ceo">company's first-quarter earnings</a> call, analyst Andrew Gardiner from Citi pointed out the inconsistency in the U.S. strategy.
Gardiner highlighted the irony that, while the government is encouraging companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) to set up semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the U.S., it is simultaneously imposing tariffs on essential tools required for this process.
He noted that this policy creates a roadblock for companies like ASML, which supplies critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment such as lithography machines.
In response, Dassen said that this contradiction has not gone unnoticed by the industry, customers, and the Donald Trump administration. &#8220;I think it is this complexity that is being recognized.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855693/intel-stock-down-nearly-47-in-the-past-year-reportedly-joins-nvidia-in-facing-export-hurdles-to-china-as-us-implements-new-ai-chip-licensing-requirements">Intel Shares Have Dropped 47% In The Past Year, Now Chipmaker Faces China AI Chip Curbs Just Like Nvidia Amid Trade Tensions</a>
&#8220;U.S. administration has also said, we&#8217;re reviewing the entire ecosystem to figure out how to deal with this,&#8221; he stated, adding, &#8220;I think it is this complexity that is being recognized. And that&#8217;s why I think they&#8217;ve said they need a bit more time to understand how to do this and how they can achieve the objective with more onshoring of chip manufacturing in the United States.&#8221;
 &#8220;I think that&#8217;s the background of the of the delay that we now see and of the anticipated and announced review of this ecosystem.&#8221;
Why It's Important: During the earnings call, analyst Timm Schulze-Melander asked ASML about the pricing structure of its order backlog, specifically how much is set up as "ex works" (where customers handle shipping and customs) versus how much ASML is responsible for, including duties and delivery.
&#8220;In general, we are the importers into the country. But of course, that is actually a bit irrelevant because, at the end of the day, it depends on the contractual agreements that we have with the customers — how you pass on tariff increases there.&#8221;
He went on to add that the company believes these costs should be fairly shared across the supply chain, not borne by ASML alone.
Earlier, while speaking with reporters, Dassen also said that ASML has no intention of shifting more of its production to the U.S. to reduce tariff risks, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-16/asml-orders-miss-estimates-as-uncertainty-over-us-tariffs-loom">reported</a> Bloomberg.&nbsp;
"Most of the final assembly of what we do happens here in the Netherlands," he noted.
Dassen also stated that ASML plans to pass a substantial portion of any tariffs onto its customers, arguing that the financial impact should be distributed fairly, especially to those importing the machines into the U.S., who he believes should carry the bulk of the cost.
ASML, the Dutch tech firm whose major clients include TSMC and Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), posted first-quarter revenue of €7.742 billion ($8.764 billion), surpassing analyst expectations of €7.760 billion by 12.94%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ASML/earnings">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Price Action: ASML shares declined by 7.06% on Wednesday and have fallen more than 30% over the past year.
Based on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings</a>, ASML scores a solid 67.07% in growth, though it lags in momentum and value metrics. Curious how Nvidia, Intel, and others stack up? Check out Benzinga Edge for deeper insights.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ASML"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17023321/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-12.03.16%E2%80%AFPM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875785" /></a></figure>
Photo courtesy: Skorzewiak / Shutterstock.com
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

ASML

INTC

NVDA

Trump Administration Sees The Conflict Between US Chip Goals And Tariffs, Says Nvidia-Supplier ASML's CFO

Kosmos Energy Marks Milestone With First LNG Cargo Shipment At Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project In Mauritania And Senega

Outlook
On 3 April 2025, the US government announced changes to US import tariffs, followed by a suspension of these tariffs for most countries for 90 days, announced on 9 April 2025. As global markets continue to adjust to the recent tariff changes, we are actively assessing the potential impact on our operations, supply chain, and pricing strategies. Engagements with the relevant stakeholders are ongoing and we remain focused on ensuring continuity, mitigating potential disruptions and identifying any upside opportunities for&nbsp;Sasol. We continue to maintain strong liquidity and strict cost management, which supports our ability to navigate external uncertainties.
Our ongoing hedging programme aims to ensure downside protection of the balance sheet. To date, the FY25 hedging programme is now complete, while the FY26 programme is nearing completion, with only Q4 FY26 oil hedges still open. The average Brent crude oil floor price for Q4 FY25 is ~US$64/bbl, with FY26 hedge floors averaging ~US$60/bbl. Please refer to the hedging update on the last page.
Market guidance for Gas, Oryx, SO and Natref remains intact. Aligned with the management decision taken to reduce own production of poor quality coal and replace it with higher quality external purchases, Mining's production outlook has been revised downward to 28 - 30 mt. The associated mining cost per ton is now expected to range between R650 - R670 per ton. Fuels sales volumes are expected to decrease to 1 - 3% lower than FY24 largely due to the supply disruptions. Chemicals Africa sales volumes are also projected to be 2 - 4% lower than FY24, driven by lower SO production and the uncertainty surrounding ongoing global tariff disputes.
International Chemicals sales volumes are expected to be at the lower end of our previous guidance, which indicated a 4 - 8% decrease compared to FY24. This is primarily due to the unplanned Louisiana Integrated Polyethylene LLC (LIP) JV cracker outage in the US and the uncertainty surrounding ongoing global tariff disputes.
Financial metrics for FY25 remain broadly in line with guidance. Cash fixed cost increase is expected to remain below inflation and capital expenditure to be at the lower end of our guided range of R28 - R30 billion.

Sasol Revises FY25 Outlook: Mining Production At 28-30mt, Fuels Sales Down 1-3%, Chemicals Africa Sales Down 2-4%, International Chemicals Sales Down 4-8%

Sasol's Nine Months Ended March 31, 2025 Mining Productivity -2% YoY, Gas Production +2% YoY, SO Production Volumes -3% YoY, And Total Chemicals Sales Volumes -6% YoY

Revenue is expected to be between US$28.4 billion and US$29.2 billion;And, based on the exchange rate assumption of 1 US dollar to 32.5 NT dollars,Gross profit margin is expected to be between 57% and 59%;Operating
Revenue is expected to be between US$28.4 billion and US$29.2 billion; And, based on the exchange rate assumption of 1 US dollar to 32.5 NT dollars,
Gross profit margin is expected to be between 57% and 59%; Operating profit margin is expected to be between 47% and 49%.

Guidance

Taiwan Semiconductor Expects Q2 Revenue Of $28.4B-$29.2B Vs $26.79B Est, Gross Margin Of 57%-59%

With U.S. stock futures trading higher this morning on Thursday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Wall Street expects Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) to report quarterly earnings at $5.72 per share on revenue of $10.52 billion after the closing bell. Netflix shares gained 0.6% to $967.72 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Analysts are expecting UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $7.29 per share on revenue of $111.60 billion. The company will release earnings before the markets open. UnitedHealth shares fell 0.7% to $581.10 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>F.N.B. Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FNB#NYSE">FNB</a>) posted better-than-expected earnings for its first quarter on Wednesday. F.N.B. shares climbed 5% to $12.84 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul>
<li>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) reported a 60% surge in its net profit for the first quarter, also topping market expectations. TSMC shares gained 0.4% to $152.30 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts expect D.R. Horton Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHI#NYSE">DHI</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $2.65 per share on revenue of $8.03 billion before the opening bell. D.R. Horton shares gained 1.3% to $119.10 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out:
<ul>
<li> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44836567/jim-cramer-nrg-energy-is-very-good-utility">Jim Cramer: NRG Up, Deluxe Out, Nvidia &#8216;You Have To Trim&#8217;</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: marekfromrzeszow / Shutterstock

NFLX

Netflix, UnitedHealth Group And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Thursday

California has launched a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, seeking to put an end to his extensive tariff regime, which the state feels is being illegally implemented.
What Happened:&nbsp;On Wednesday, California became the first state to legally challenge the Trump administration&#8217;s extensive tariff plans. These plans have caused significant market instability and strained the United States&#8217;&nbsp;relationships with its trading partners and allies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/16/trump-tariff-lawsuit-california.html">CNBC</a>&nbsp;reported.
&#8220;Donald Trump does not have&nbsp;the authority to unilaterally impose&nbsp;the largest tax hike of&nbsp;our lifetime with his destructive&nbsp;tariffs,&#8221; stated California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The lawsuit argues that Trump&#8217;s invocation of the&nbsp;International Economic Emergency Powers Act&nbsp;to implement his reciprocal tariff plan is both &#8220;unlawful and unprecedented.&#8221;
The lawsuit, lodged in the&nbsp;U.S. District Court in northern&nbsp;California,&nbsp;seeks to have Trump&#8217;s tariffs&nbsp;&#8220;declared null and void,&#8221; indicating that the situation is causing &#8220;immediate and irreparable harm&#8221; to California—the nation&#8217;s largest state in terms of economy, manufacturing, and agriculture.
The White House has criticized Newsom over the lawsuit, with spokesman Kush Desai telling POLITICO that the Governor should instead focus on &#8220;California's rampant crime, homelessness, and unaffordability.&#8221;
Notably, California has already filed 15 lawsuits against Trump since January. &#8220;That&#8217;s our state of mind,&#8221; said Governor Newsom. &#8220;That&#8217;s why we&#8217;re asserting ourselves on behalf of 40 million Americans.&#8221;
Why It Matters: This lawsuit comes on the heels of a similar <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44802211/5-small-businesses-hit-trump-with-lawsuit-over-tariffs-trade-deficits-are-not-an-emergency">legal action</a> initiated by five American small businesses. These businesses accused Trump of abusing his powers to impose trade taxes under the guise of a national emergency, despite no such emergency existing.
The companies submitted the complaint to the U.S. Court of International Trade, arguing that Trump unlawfully invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify global tariffs on imports without Congressional approval or clear economic justification. 
California&#8217;s lawsuit is significant as the state is not only home to large tech companies but also premium agricultural produce such as almonds, figs, olives, walnuts, raisins and artichokes. "As the fifth largest economy in the world, California understands global trade policy is not just a game," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/quote/spy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NYSE">QQQ</a>) <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/quote/qqq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, ended 2.22% and 3.02% lower, respectively, on Wednesday, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44830819/big-short-fame-steve-eisman-says-nvidias-best-days-are-not-behind-it-but-trump-is-the-wild-card-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Big Short&#8217; Fame Steve Eisman Says Nvidia&#8217;s &#8216;Best Days Are Not Behind It&#8217; But Trump Is The Wild Card In Current Market</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

California Becomes The First State To Sue Trump Over 'Unlawful' Tariff Regime Seeking To Declare It 'Null And Void': 'Global Trade Policy Is Not Just A Game'

Reported Earlier, Gran Tierra Energy Secures $75M Credit Facility To Enhance Liquidity And Operational Flexibility

President Donald Trump joined preliminary tariff negotiations with Japanese officials on Wednesday, calling the discussions a &#8220;great honor&#8221; and claiming &#8220;big progress&#8221; as the two economic powers navigate contentious trade issues.
What Happened: Japan, facing a 10% baseline tariff and 25% duties on cars, auto parts, steel, and aluminum, is among the first countries to formally begin negotiations after Trump imposed tariffs on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44781719/us-stock-futures-nikkei-climb-on-trumps-electronics-tariff-pause-iphone-parts-makers-surge-in-tokyo">global imports earlier this month</a>.
&#8220;President Trump has stated that he wants to give top priority to the talks with Japan,&#8221; Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in Tokyo after the meeting, reported Reuters, while cautioning that &#8220;negotiations will not be easy going forward.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17015016/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-6.49.24%E2%80%AFAM-1024x279.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875695" style="width:596px;height:auto" /></figure>
The talks come as Japan reported a $63 billion trade surplus with the United States for its fiscal year through March, according to Japan&#8217;s Finance Ministry. This growing imbalance has long frustrated Trump, who claims U.S. businesses have been &#8220;ripped off&#8221; by foreign trade practices.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44855681/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-steady-amid-stock-meltdown-as-fed-chair-jerome-powell-signals-crypto-rules-relaxation-popular-analyst-identifies-key-support-level-for-eth">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Steady Amid Stock Meltdown As Fed Chair Jerome Powell Signals Crypto Rules Relaxation: Popular Analyst Identifies Key Support Level For ETH</a>
Why It Matters: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emphasized a &#8220;first mover advantage&#8221; for countries willing to quickly negotiate, noting more than 75 nations have requested <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44812727/bessent-says-tariffs-on-china-are-far-from-a-joke-dismisses-treasury-dumping-fears">talks since Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement</a>.
The 90-day partial pause on the higher tariffs provides a limited window for agreement. 
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni heads to Washington on Thursday for similar tariff discussions, with South Korea scheduled for talks next week.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855538/cathie-woods-crypto-shuffle-pours-5-2-million-into-newly-listed-solana-staking-fund-dumps-bitcoin-etf-and-buys-robinhood-dip">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Crypto Shuffle: Pours $5.2 Million Into Newly Listed Solana Staking Fund, Dumps Bitcoin ETF And Buys Robinhood Dip</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

Government

Economics

Trump Joins Japan Tariff Talks, Calls Progress 'Big' As $63 Billion Trade Surplus Looms

Guidance for full-year 2025
Group revenues expected in the range of € 840 - 880 m (2024: € 797.0 m)
R&amp;D expenditures are expected in a range of € 40 - 50 m (2024: € 50.8 m)
Adjusted Group EBITDA is expected to reach € 30 - 50 m (2024: € 22.6 m)
Outlook 2028
Group revenues CAGR 2024-2028 targeted to be in a range of 8 - 12 %
Adj. EBITDA margin 2028 expected to be above 20 %

Evotec 2025 Outlook: Revenues To Grow 5%-10%, Reaching €840M-€880M (Vs. €879.457M Est.), Sees Adj. EBITDA Of €30M-€50M; For 2028 Outlook, Expects 8%-12% CAGR And An EBITDA Margin Above 20%

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Germany Producer Price Index (MoM) For March -0.7% Vs. -0.1% Est.; -0.1% (Revised) Prior

Evotec (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EVO#NASDAQ">EVO</a>) reported quarterly losses of €(1.11) per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of €(0.75) by 48 percent. This is a 136.17 percent decrease over losses of €(0.47) per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of € 797.00 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of € 801.87 million by 0.61 percent.

Earnings Misses

Evotec FY 2024 GAAP EPS €(1.11) Misses €(0.75) Estimate, Sales €797.00M Miss €801.87M Estimate

Bhutan is contemplating the use of its hydropower resources for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) mining to stimulate its economy without compromising its environmental goals.
What Happened:  In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, Ujjwal Deep Dahal, CEO of Bhutan&#8217;s sovereign wealth fund, Druk Holding and Investments Ltd., revealed the Himalayan nation&#8217;s intentions for green cryptocurrency mining, referring to coins produced using clean and renewable energy sources.
Dahal said that each digital coin mined in Bhutan using hydropower effectively &#8220;offsets&#8221; a coin mined using fossil fuels.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"></a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44831018/cathie-wood-declares-financial-services-revolution-after-data-shows-decentralized-finance-surpassing-traditional-banking-system">Cathie Wood Calls It &#8216;Financial Services Revolution&#8217; After Ark Analyst Highlights DeFi&#8217;s Dominance Over Traditional Banking System</a>
Since 2019, the sovereign wealth fund, which controls Bhutan&#8217;s only power generation utility, has been incorporating cryptocurrencies into its portfolio, Dahal added. As of this writing, it owns a Bitcoin stash worth over $646, <a href="https://intel.arkm.com/explorer/entity/druk-holding-investments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a> to blockchain analytics platform Arkham, making it a bigger holder than <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43738696/el-salvadors-bitcoin-president-nayib-bukele-meets-michael-saylor-to-accelerate-adoption">El Salvador</a>.
Bhutanese officials were also considering the possibility of large conglomerates purchasing Bhutan&#8217;s &#8220;green&#8221; coins to fulfill their environmental, social, and governance norms, the report noted. 
Apart from cryptocurrency mining, Dahal emphasized that training Bhutan&#8217;s youth&nbsp;in blockchain and artificial intelligence technology&nbsp;could fuel job growth in the country. 
Notably, Bhutan recorded a youth unemployment rate of 19% in 2024, up from 15.9% in 2023, according to government statistics.
Why It Matters: Leading officials in the Bhutan government have been actively endorsing hydro-powered Bitcoin mining as a viable and eco-friendly venture.
Bhutan&#8217;s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44805594/bhutans-bitcoin-bet-prime-minister-explains-how-crypto-curbed-civil-service-exodus">deemed it a &#8220;simple, strategic choice,&#8221;</a> capable of delivering billion-dollar returns.
Earlier in January,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42892791/bhutans-special-administrative-region-announces-strategic-reserve-consisting-of-bitcoin-ethereum-bnb-coin-bhutan-is-open-to-other-cryptos-says-changpeng-cz-zhao" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a special administrative region</a>&nbsp;in the country announced that it would hold a multi-cryptocurrency strategic reserve, consisting of Bitcoin, Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), to boost its economic resilience.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $84,390.03, up 1.16% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44603859/bitcoin-braces-for-trump-tariff-announcement-short-term-optimism-has-the-upper-hand-experts-say" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Braces For Trump Tariff Announcement: &#8216;Short-Term Optimism&#8217; Has The Upper Hand, Experts Say &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Framalicious On Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$ETH

$SOL

Bhutan Flexes Hydropower For Bitcoin Mining, Explores Sale Of 'Green' Coins

On Wednesday, in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44780047/mark-zuckerbergs-empire-in-jeopardy-as-meta-faces-antitrust-battle-in-court">ongoing antitrust trial</a> against Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), former COO Sheryl Sandberg testified about the company's efforts to block advertisements from potential competitors like 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>) Google Plus, KakaoTalk, and LINE.
What Happened: During the trial, Sandberg addressed internal communications from 2011 and 2012 that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims show Meta's efforts to block competitors from advertising on its platform, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/04/16/meta-sheryl-sandberg-ftc/">reported</a> the Washington Post.
The FTC's lawyer, Susan Musser, questioned Sandberg about an email she sent to staff after Google launched Google Plus, in which she acknowledged that the new platform was Meta&#8217;s &#8220;real competition.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44778760/netflix-debuts-openai-backed-search-engine-that-lets-you-discover-movies-and-tv-shows-based-on-emotions-not-just-titles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Netflix Debuts OpenAI-Backed Search Engine That Lets You Discover Movies And TV Shows Based On Emotions, Not Just Titles</a>
Sandberg explained that her comments were intended to "rally the troops" in response to a much larger tech company launching a product strikingly similar to Facebook.
When questioned by Meta's lawyers, she added that she believed Meta faced other competitors both then and now, naming platforms like YouTube, Pinterest (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PINS#NYSE">PINS</a>), and eventually TikTok.
Earlier in the day, Zuckerberg <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44807557/mark-zuckerberg-proposed-wiping-all-friends-connections-and-make-users-start-again-to-keep-facebook-culturally-relevant-antitrust-trial-reveals">returned to the witness stand</a> for the third time in as many days. He admitted that Meta's short-form video feature, Reels, is "pretty good," but quickly pointed out that TikTok still outpaces both Facebook and Instagram combined.
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.
Why It&#8217;s Important: The trial also revealed confidential conversations between Sandberg and Zuckerberg during their deliberations over the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38163559/if-you-invested-1000-in-meta-platforms-when-mark-zuckerberg-acquired-instagram-for-1b-in-2012-he">$1 billion purchase of Instagram</a>.
In a text message from spring 2012, Zuckerberg asked Sandberg if she believed the price was excessive, to which she replied, &#8220;Yes.&#8221;
When questioned by a Meta attorney about whether she still held that view, Sandberg said, "I think I was wrong. I think I was very wrong."
The FTC&#8217;s case against Meta is rooted in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44821791/meta-platforms-used-buy-or-bury-strategy-to-monopolize-social-media-ftc-says">allegations of a &#8220;buy or bury&#8221; strategy</a>.&nbsp;
The trial also revisited Meta&#8217;s past acquisition attempts, such as the $6 billion offer to acquire Snap Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>), <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44832468/snapchat-rejection-resurfaces-as-mark-zuckerberg-defends-meta-in-ftc-trial-and-the-tech-mogul-still-thinks-he-couldve-done-it-better-we-would-have-accelerated-their-growth">which Zuckerberg defended</a>.
Price Action: On Wednesday, Meta shares dropped 3.68%, ending the trading day at $502.31, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
The company currently holds a momentum score of 55.37% and a growth score of 74.89%, based on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META">Benzinga's exclusive Edge Rankings</a>.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how Meta stacks up against</a> Snapchat, Alphabet, and other leading tech firms.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17012650/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-10.56.44%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875668" /></a></figure>
Read More:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44735140/most-people-dont-have-the-balls-to-do-it-says-mark-cuban-praising-musk-for-going-all-in-with-his-own-money-f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Most People Don't Have The Balls To Do It,' Says Mark Cuban, Praising Musk For Going ‘All In' With His Own Money For His Startups</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Markus Wissmann on Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Legal

Media

GOOG

GOOGL

PINS

SNAP

Sheryl Sandberg Testimony In Meta Antitrust Trial Touches On Efforts To Stifle Ads From Google Plus, KakaoTalk — Mark Zuckerberg Says TikTok Bigger Than Facebook, Instagram Combined

Great Southern Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GSBC#NASDAQ">GSBC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.47 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.27 by 15.75 percent. This is a 30.09 percent increase over earnings of $1.13 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $49.33 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $48.76 million by 1.18 percent. This is a 10.08 percent increase over sales of $44.82 million the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

GSBC

Great Southern Bancorp Q1 2025 GAAP EPS $1.47 Beats $1.27 Estimate, Sales $49.33M Beat $48.76M Estimate

TikTok&#8216;s U.S. public policy chief, Michael Beckerman, is leaving his Washington-based role to transition to a global advisory position.
The departure comes as President Donald Trump recently <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44655624/trumps-tariff-hike-pushes-back-tiktok-us-deal-as-china-opposes-the-sale-extending-the-deadline-for-bytedances-divestment">extended the deadline for ByteDance&#8216;s sale</a> of TikTok&#8217;s U.S. assets by 75 days, The Information <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/tiktok-policy-chief-fought-ban-leave-job">reported</a> on Wednesday, citing a staff memo.
ByteDance did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a>'s request for comment.
Meanwhile, competition to acquire TikTok&#8217;s international operations intensifies, with AppLovin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NYSE">APP</a>) confirming a preliminary bid in an exchange filing. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and a group led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44645102/applovin-wants-tiktok-but-can-it-beat-amazon-and-onlyfans-to-the-punch">reportedly exploring potential bids</a>.
Beijing&#8217;s resistance complicates the sale, which affects over 170 million American users. The White House has taken an active role in negotiations, with Vice President JD Vance expressing optimism that terms will be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43604572/jd-vance-quarterbacking-tiktok-deal-will-his-venture-capital-experience-secure-a-win?tblci=GiAShVRBa42nCBtWlx7IMC67Vo2BcWpr85L5I7snseW6sCCN1VcolqTZ7-yIiJzNATDviEo&amp;_gl=1&#x2A;uzxmwu&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;MTUxNzE3MzM4LjE3Mzc1OTI3Mzc.&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;R1MxLjIuMTczNTg4MjcyMS4xLjEuMTczNTg4Mjg5Ny42MC4wLjA.&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTc0NDg2NDM0Mi4xLjAuMTc0NDg2NDU5MC4wLjAuMA..">finalized by the deadline</a> that was set on April 5.
This forced divestiture occurs amid broader tech industry scrutiny, as Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) simultaneously fights a Federal Trade Commission antitrust case seeking divestiture of Instagram and WhatsApp. Prosecutors allege Meta employed an illegal &#8220;buy or bury&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44821791/meta-platforms-used-buy-or-bury-strategy-to-monopolize-social-media-ftc-says">strategy to dominate social networking</a>.
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</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: XanderSt / Shutterstock.com

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