Laser Photonics (NASDAQ:LASE) Azioni

Laser Photonics

Laser Photonics Corp is an integrated manufacturing company for photonics-based industrial products and solutions, primarily laser cleaning technologies. Its laser-blasting technologies are focused on disrupting the sandblasting and abrasives blasting markets. The company offers a portfolio of integrated laser-blasting solutions for corrosion control, rust removal, de-coating, pre-welding and post-welding, laser cleaning, and surface conditioning. Its laser-blasting solutions are applicable in every industry dealing with materials processing, including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, consumer products, shipbuilding, aerospace, machine manufacturing, nuclear maintenance and de-commissioning, and surface coating.

Laser Photonics Corporation - Common Stock

Laser Photonics Corp

LASER ENERGETICS INC by Laser Energetics, Inc.

Laser Energetics Inc

LASER MASTER INTL INC by Laser Master International, Inc.

Laser Master International Inc

LaserBond Ltd

Lasertec Corp

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>) chief executive Sundar Pichai is touting a new kind of "API" — what he jokingly calls Artificial Pokémon Intelligence — after the company's Gemini 2.5 Pro model cleared a fifth gym badge in the classic Game Boy title &#8216;Pokémon Red&#8217;.
What Happened: "We are working on API, Artificial Pokémon Intelligence," Pichai wrote on X while quote‑tweeting a progress report from Google AI product lead Logan Kilpatrick.
Kilpatrick's post shows a timeline chart of Gemini's run through the game: from its first rival battle in &#8216;Pallet Town&#8217; to claiming the &#8216;Soul Badge&#8217; roughly 500 in‑game hours later. "Just earned its 5th badge — next‑best model only has 3 so far," he noted, adding that Gemini is operating with an "agent harness" that feeds screen pixels and button presses back to the language model for long‑horizon planning.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We are working on API, Artificial Pokémon Intelligence:) <a href="https://t.co/C11Bf6rAXA">https://t.co/C11Bf6rAXA</a>
&mdash; Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) <a href="https://twitter.com/sundarpichai/status/1913464625393524967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The playful benchmark arrives weeks after rival Anthropic bragged that its Claude 3.7 Sonnet model beat three gym leaders using a similar setup designed to test extended reasoning. Anthropic called Pokémon a "toy benchmark," but said the game's puzzles reveal how well an AI can remember objectives, navigate mazes and manage limited resources over tens of thousands of actions.
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891778/nvidia-not-acting-in-us-interests-says-chamath-palihapitiya-questions-how-alibaba-or-deepseek-are-one-step-ahead">Nvidia Not Acting In US Interests, Says Chamath Palihapitiya — Questions, How Alibaba Or DeepSeek Are One Step Ahead</a>
Google's internal scorecard goes further. The line graph in Kilpatrick's tweet lists more than two dozen milestones — from snagging the PokéFlute to toppling Team Rocket's hideout — suggesting Gemini can chain subtasks and back‑track across the 8‑bit world map.
While neither company claims &#8216;catching 'em all&#8217; solves real‑world problems, the AI arms race reveals a broader push toward "agentic" AIs able to run software, explore virtual environments, and eventually automate complex digital chores.
Why It Matters: Pichai, who isn&#8217;t one for too many tongue-in-cheek or funny posts on social media, does like to stand up to Gemini critics whenever he feels the need to step in. On Alphabet's Q4 earnings call, CEO Sundar&nbsp;Pichai acknowledged China's DeepSeek as a fast‑moving rival but said Google's Gemini <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43487551/sundar-pichai-acknowledges-deepseeks-ai-advancementsbut-says-googles-gemini-still-leads-in-cost-performance-and-latency">still leads</a> on cost, efficiency, and raw performance.
Pressed later on revenue plans, he told analysts the model is starting with free and paid tiers, but that advertising will "likely" be layered on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43488268/googles-gemini-ai-could-soon-include-adssundar-pichai-hints-at-future-monetization-beyond-subscriptions">over time</a>. In short, Gemini remains technically ahead for now, and Google expects to squeeze value from it through both subscriptions and future ad integration.
Image via Shutterstock
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44891849/steve-bannon-says-elon-musk-is-evil-blasts-his-brain-chip-ambitions-as-technofeudalist-plot-to-hijack-humanitys-future">Steve Bannon Says Elon Musk Is &#8216;Evil,&#8217; Blasts His Brain Chip Ambitions As &#8216;Techno‑Feudalist&#8217; Plot To Hijack Humanity&#8217;s Future</a>

Tech

GOOG

GOOGL

Sundar Pichai Jokes About 'Artificial Pokémon Intelligence' After Gemini Pro Beats Claude At Classic GameBoy Title

Economist Mohamed El‑Erian warns that President Donald Trump's trade and tariff regime has set the U.S. up for one of two extremes: either a &#8220;Thatcher‑Reagan era on steroids,&#8221; or &#8220;Jimmy Carter's stagflation all over again,&#8221; and he puts the odds at 50‑50.
What Happened: The former CEO of fixed income giant PIMCO says everyone inside and outside the Trump administration broadly agrees that the economy is in for a &#8220;bumpy journey.&#8221; The disagreement, he says, &#8220;is on the destination,&#8221; while speaking on MSNBC&#8217;s Velshi on Sunday.
El-Erian says there are two views on this, one is the administration&#8217;s view, that we will emerge from this with a fairer trading system, where the rest of the world reduces tariff and non-tariff barriers, while also taking responsibility for their own defense.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">A clip from this morning's conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/AliVelshi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AliVelshi</a>. Thank you Ali for having me on your show.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/economy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#economy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/markets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#markets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/growth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#growth</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/inflation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#inflation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MSNBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MSNBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/MWP4tAbqeS">pic.twitter.com/MWP4tAbqeS</a>
&mdash; Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm/status/1914059835684893055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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He also adds that we will emerge with an &#8220;unleashed private sector that takes advantage of innovations,&#8221; and a &#8220;slimmed down government&#8221; that reduces the deficit. El-Erian calls this optimistic view &#8220;Thatcher-Reagan on steroids.&#8221;
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44891949/chinese-commerce-ministry-pledges-retaliation-against-countries-isolating-beijing-with-us-at-the-expense-of-chinas-interests">Xi Jinping&#8217;s China Pledges Retaliation Against Countries Isolating Beijing By Giving Into Trump Administration&#8217;s &#8216;Unilateral Bullying,&#8217; Says It Will &#8216;Never Accept It&#8217;</a>
The other view, he says, is getting stuck in stagflation, adding that this is going to be &#8220;Jimmy Carter all over again,&#8221; referring to the period in the 1970s, when the U.S. economy experienced high inflation and low economic growth, during the Presidency of Jimmy Carter.
&#8220;We are likely to see high unemployment, high inflation, and the defragmentation of the international system,&#8221; he says, referring to the latter scenario, before adding that &#8220;it&#8217;s a 50-50 proposition.&#8221;
Why It Matters: El-Erian has repeatedly warned of the <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44554304/goldman-sachs-raises-us-recession-risk-to-35-expects-inflation-at-3-5-in-2025-amid-tariff-uncertainties-economist-mohamed-el-erian-highlights-stagflationary-twist">stagflation risk</a> to the U.S. economy stemming from the tariffs, and this was even before the blanket reciprocal tariffs imposed on &#8216;Liberation Day.&#8217;
There have been several bullish takes on the tariffs in recent weeks, with Ark Invest&#8217;s Cathie Wood <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/04/44795609/cathie-wood-says-trumps-shock-therapy-tariff-policies-may-have-been-necessary">saying that</a> &#8220;they may have been necessary.&#8221;
This was followed by renowned supply-side economist Arthur Laffer, who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44881540/cathie-wood-says-shes-trusting-trump-will-get-call-on-tariffs-right-investors-shorting-the-equity-market-now-will-be-caught-flat-footed-or-worse">criticized the tariffs</a>, but also highlighted the positive changes they can bring about in global trade, before lauding Trump&#8217;s negotiation style, and espousing his faith in the President to get it right.
Others, such as JPMorgan &amp; Chase Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) CEO Jamie Dimon, have been less than enthusiastic, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44717888/jpmorgan-jamie-dimon-warns-recession-now-likely-outcome">predicting a recession</a> as &#8220;the likely outcome&#8221; due to tariff-related uncertainties. 
Last week, Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>) President Jonathan Gray <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44871428/blackstone-president-warns-of-recession-risk-tied-to-trumps-tariffs">repeated the same</a>, adding that &#8220;The recession risk is directly tied to the length of the uncertainty.&#8221;
Read More:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891827/what-trucking-volumes-tell-us-about-trade-tariffs-and-the-economy-agriculture-and-oil-up-retail-and-manufacturing-in-freefall">What Trucking Volumes Tell Us About Trade, Tariffs, And The Economy? Agriculture And Oil Up, Retail And Manufacturing In Freefall</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

News

Economics

Fairer Trade Or Economic Trainwreck? El‑Erian Breaks Down The Administration's Two Futures

The Vatican has announced the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. 
Born in 1936, Pope Francis was the first South American Pope and became known as the &#8220;People&#8217;s Pope&#8221; for advocating for the poor and those fleeing war and hunger. The pontiff, serving as the Bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church, assumed the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced his death in a <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-dies-on-easter-monday-aged-88.html">statement</a> issued by the Vatican. He said: &#8220;Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.&#8221;
The process for selecting a new pope — the &#8220;conclave&#8221; — typically occurs between 15 and 20 days following the death of a pontiff.
On Feb. 14, the Pope was hospitalized for bronchitis. He was later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and received blood transfusions due to low platelet levels linked to anemia. By February 22, his condition became critical due to a prolonged respiratory crisis, and the next day, he showed signs of mild kidney failure.
He was discharged after a 38-day hospital stay on March 23 and made his first public appearance in five weeks, smiling and giving a thumbs up from a balcony at Gemelli.
He went back to the Vatican, unexpectedly stopping at his favourite basilica on the way, before starting two months of prescribed rest and recovery.
On Sunday, he greeted the crowds at the Easter Sunday Service, just one day after meeting U.S. Vice President JD Vance and family. 
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Pope Francis, First South American Pontiff And 'People's Pope,' Dies At 88

Commission-free trading platform Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) has seen cryptocurrencies take a larger share of its reported revenues in recent years, rendering it susceptible to their market movements to some extent.
What happened: None other than CEO Vlad Tenev conceded in a December interview that the HOOD stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42665004/robinhood-ceo-says-open-to-holding-bitcoin-for-investment-purposes-but-it-could-complicate-things-for-investors">was "highly correlated"</a> with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), the world's largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, despite Robinhood not accepting Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset.
Tenev made the remark when Bitcoin was in the middle of a bull run, having crossed the $100,000 milestone earlier in the month.
At the time, the correlation coefficient between Bitcoin and the HOOD stock was around 0.70, <a href="https://in.tradingview.com/chart/XlzxagWe/">according </a>to TradingView, indicating a strong positive linear relationship between the two assets. This meant that as one increased, the other tended to follow suit.
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/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44891685/gary-black-shares-polymarket-data-says-trump-tariffs-have-pushed-odds-of-2025-recession-to-57">Gary Black Shares Polymarket Data, Says Trump Tariffs Have Pushed Odds Of 2025 Recession To 57%</a>
The coefficient rose further to 0.96 in late January, almost indicating a perfect correlation.&nbsp;
However, starting in February, HOOD and BTC began to decouple, with the coefficient falling from 0.91 on Jan. 31 to a low of -0.72 by Feb. 9. The high negative values implied an inverse relationship, i.e., if one rises, the other falls.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="551" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21033816/Screenshot-2025-04-21-121223-1024x551.png" alt="" class="wp-image-879130" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21033816/Screenshot-2025-04-21-121223-1024x551.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21033816/Screenshot-2025-04-21-121223-300x161.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21033816/Screenshot-2025-04-21-121223-768x413.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21033816/Screenshot-2025-04-21-121223.png 1512w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: TradingView</figcaption></figure>
Indeed, while Bitcoin dipped below $100,000 around this time, HOOD continued to rise. Note that this was the time when President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would i<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43418661/trump-announces-new-tariffs-on-goods-from-canada-mexico-and-china-will-go-into-effect-from-feb-1">mpose new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China</a>.
After Feb. 10, though, the situation began to reverse, with the coefficient steadily rising to 0.78 within a month. Since then, the value has remained bound between 0.60 and 0.78. Evidently, both assets have moved sideways during the last month and a half.
Why It Matters: Robinhood will announce its first quarter 2025 financial results on April 30.&nbsp;
The firm recorded a more than <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43682382/robinhood-ceo-vlad-tenev-reveals-what-hes-most-excited-about-as-crypto-revenue-skyrockets-8x-stock-surges-15-after-hours">fivefold surge in cryptocurrency volumes</a> in the fourth quarter, with cryptocurrency revenue accounting for more than half of its total transaction-based revenue.
However, the firm&#8217;s dominance may not be sustained in the first quarter, as cryptocurrency transactions fell by 14% in February, exceeding drops in equities and options, according to a press release.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin traded at $87,464.25, up 3.11% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.&nbsp;Since 2025 began, Bitcoin has lost 6.36% of its value.
Shares of HOOD closed 1.21% higher at $41.18 during Friday&#8217;s regular session. Year-to-date, the stock has gained 10.52%.
HOOD stock demonstrated a high momentum and growth score as of this writing. Visit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings </a>to check how other cryptocurrency trading-related stocks rank on these parameters.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44890965/shiba-inu-team-issues-major-anti-scam-alert-heres-what-you-need-to-know">Shiba Inu Team Issues Major Anti-Scam Alert: Here&#8217;s What You Need To Know</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

Markets

$BTC

HOOD

Robinhood's Vlad Tenev Once Deemed HOOD Stock 'Highly Correlated' With Bitcoin—Here's How The Relation Has Shifted In 2025

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• MainStreet Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MNSB#NASDAQ">MNSB</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.21 per share on revenue of $17.21 million. 
• HBT Finl (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBT#NASDAQ">HBT</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.56 per share on revenue of $57.31 million. 
• Comerica (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.13 per share on revenue of $831.34 million. 
• Yunji (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YJ#NASDAQ">YJ</a>) is expected to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
• Dynex Cap (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DX#NYSE">DX</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.37 per share on revenue of $11.41 million. 
• Washington Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WASH#NASDAQ">WASH</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.63 per share on revenue of $53.16 million. 
• Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BOH#NYSE">BOH</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.89 per share on revenue of $169.27 million. 
• Guaranty Bancshares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GNTY#NYSE">GNTY</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.71 per share on revenue of $31.10 million. 
• Capital City Bank Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCBG#NASDAQ">CCBG</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.74 per share on revenue of $59.75 million. 
• Addex Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADXN#NASDAQ">ADXN</a>) is estimated to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
• Western Alliance (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $1.78 per share on revenue of $791.97 million. 
• Equity Lifestyle Props (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELS#NYSE">ELS</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.83 per share on revenue of $399.02 million. 
• SmartFinancial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMBK#NYSE">SMBK</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.55 per share on revenue of $46.23 million. 
• Servisfirst Bancshares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFBS#NYSE">SFBS</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.18 per share on revenue of $134.10 million. 
• Home Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBCP#NASDAQ">HBCP</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.14 per share on revenue of $30.90 million. 
• Trustco Bank (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRST#NASDAQ">TRST</a>) is projected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• AZZ (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZZ#NYSE">AZZ</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.98 per share on revenue of $367.78 million. 
• Metropolitan Bank Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCB#NYSE">MCB</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.56 per share on revenue of $68.40 million. 
• Hexcel (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HXL#NYSE">HXL</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.43 per share on revenue of $478.67 million. 
• Zions Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZION#NASDAQ">ZION</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.18 per share on revenue of $795.15 million. 
• AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGNC#NASDAQ">AGNC</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.40 per share on revenue of $436.71 million. 
• WR Berkley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WRB#NYSE">WRB</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.04 per share on revenue of $3.02 billion. 
• Cathay General (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CATY#NASDAQ">CATY</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.95 per share on revenue of $186.16 million. 
• Wintrust Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WTFC#NASDAQ">WTFC</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $2.49 per share on revenue of $643.83 million. 
• Calix (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CALX#NYSE">CALX</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.13 per share on revenue of $206.98 million. 
• Cadence Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CADE#NYSE">CADE</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.64 per share on revenue of $451.05 million. 
• Flexsteel Industries (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLXS#NASDAQ">FLXS</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.81 per share on revenue of $109.47 million. 
• BOK Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BOKF#NASDAQ">BOKF</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.99 per share on revenue of $520.72 million. 
• Medpace Hldgs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MEDP#NASDAQ">MEDP</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $3.09 per share on revenue of $540.55 million. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings

ADXN

AGNC

BOKF

CADE

CALX

CATY

CCBG

FLXS

GNTY

HBCP

MEDP

MNSB

SFBS

SMBK

TRST

WASH

WTFC

ZION

Earnings Scheduled For April 21, 2025

Finance maven, Aswath Damodaran, has highlighted against a simplistic interpretation of &#8220;buying the dip&#8221; in his latest blog post, underscoring how this contrarian investing strategy could not always benefit the investors without a thoughtful approach.
What Happened: The professor of finance at the Stern School of Business in New York University, Damodaran, has dissected the various paths to taking on contrarian bets while cautioning investors against simply buying every downward price movement without understanding the narrative.
Buying the dip could be &#8220;akin to catching a falling knife,&#8221; explains Damodaran, as initial market drop can be a prelude to a much larger sell-off off with there may be no near-term bounce back.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, Damodaran outlines several distinct paths for contrarian investors:
<ul>
<li>The Value Contrarian: Focuses on fundamentally undervalued companies unfairly punished by the market, patiently buying dips in sound businesses for long-term value recognition.</li>
<li>The Sentiment Contrarian: Bets against widespread market pessimism, buying dips based on the belief that overreactions create opportunities, provided fundamentals remain intact.</li>
<li>The Catalyst-Driven Contrarian: Buys dips in companies facing temporary issues, anticipating a specific event will resolve the problems and trigger a market re-evaluation.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44891949/chinese-commerce-ministry-pledges-retaliation-against-countries-isolating-beijing-with-us-at-the-expense-of-chinas-interests">Xi Jinping&#8217;s China Pledges Retaliation Against Countries Isolating Beijing By Giving Into Trump Administration&#8217;s &#8216;Unilateral Bullying</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44891949/chinese-commerce-ministry-pledges-retaliation-against-countries-isolating-beijing-with-us-at-the-expense-of-chinas-interests">&#8216;</a>
Why It Matters: Damodaran thinks that buying when the markets are falling takes &#8220;a mindset, a time horizon, and a stronger stomach&#8221; than most people have.
&#8220;Buying when the rest of the market is selling takes a mindset, a time horizon, and a stronger stomach than most of us do not have,&#8221; he adds.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of due diligence and conviction. Contrarian investing requires rigorous research to understand the underlying business, its financials, and the reasons for the market&#8217;s negative perception.
Without this conviction, investors are likely to panic and sell at the first sign of further decline, negating the potential benefits of their contrarian bet.
Lastly, leveraging a long-term view and risk tolerance, Damodaran said that he has initiated limit buy orders for BYD, MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>), and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), which he aims to add to his portfolio. His BYD order was triggered on April 7th at under $80, while orders for Palantir and Mercado Libre remain active.
Price Action: By Thursday&#8217;s market close, the S&amp;P 500 had fallen 14.1% from its record high of 6,147.43. The Dow Jones was down 13.15% from its 52-week peak, and the Nasdaq 100 had dropped 17.84% from its high.
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, ended on a mixed note on Thursday. The SPY was up 0.14% to $526.41, while the QQQ declined 0.018% to $444.10, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pr</a>o data.
On Monday, the futures of Dow Jones, S&amp;P 500, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were down 0.71%, 0.68%, and 0.70%, respectively, at the time of writing.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44880321/scott-bessent-says-china-wont-weaponize-us-treasuries-citing-risk-to-rmb-and-exports-we-do-buybacks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scott Bessent Says China Won't ‘Weaponize' US Treasuries, Citing Risk To RMB And Exports: ‘We Do Buybacks'</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

General

MELI

PLTR

Dean Of Valuation Aswath Damodaran Warns Buying The Dip Akin To Catching A Falling Knife, Says It Takes A 'Stronger Stomach' Than Most Have

Kasikornbank Public (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KPCPY#OTC">KPCPY</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.68 per share. This is a 9.68 percent increase over earnings of $0.62 per share from the same period last year. The company reported $1.45 billion in sales this quarter. This is a 3.06 percent increase over sales of $1.41 billion the same period last year.

KPCPY

Kasikornbank Public Q1 EPADS $0.68 Up From $0.62 YoY, Sales $1.45B Up From $1.41B YoY

Former 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>) chief executive Eric Schmidt says Beijing's sudden surge in artificial‑intelligence spending could vault China past the United States unless Washington redoubles its efforts — and he's urging President Donald Trump to do more than scrap his predecessor's policies.
What Happened: "As a result of the incredible success of DeepSeek, the Chinese government … has decided this is another national priority. They're pouring billions of dollars into this," Schmidt told tech investor Ameer&nbsp;Haj‑Ali during an online chat.
"So never underestimate the Chinese competition here." He added a blunt warning: "China is going to win this race … unless we get our act together."
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Former Google CEO: &quot;China Will Win AI Race Unless We Act Now&quot; &#x7C; Founder Psychology, Talent Wars, AI" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DI-LKs3GpeE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44892201/2025-largely-doesnt-matter-for-tesla-says-gene-munster-elon-musk-company-poised-for-a-major-rebound-in-2026-and-beyond">2025 &#8216;Largely Doesn&#8217;t Matter&#8217; For Tesla, Says Gene Munster: Elon Musk Company Poised &#8216;For A Major Rebound In 2026 And Beyond&#8217;</a>
Trump has already revoked President Joe Biden's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/01/43106379/trump-reverses-bidens-ai-policies-on-day-1-what-it-means-for-tech-giants-nvidia-amd-alphabet">2023 AI‑safety order</a> and signed a new directive, as <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-artificial-intelligence-executive-order-eef1e5b9bec861eaf9b36217d547929c?utm_source=chatgpt.com">reported</a> by AP, pledging to build systems "free from ideological bias." The President has since tightened <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44828742/nvidia-stock-is-tumbling-after-hours-heres-why">export bans</a> on AI chips to China that cost NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) an estimated $5.5 billion in sales.
Schmidt argued that any U.S. strategy must embed democratic norms. "It's imperative that the winner in AI win using American values and not Chinese values," he said. "The American traditionally liberal values of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of movement … would be forgotten" if China sets the rules.
Why It Matters: Schmidt&#8217;s China warning arrives amid a growing debate on U.S.-China relations and the control of AI technologies. Former Facebook exec and well-known investor Chamath Palihapitiya over the weekend <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891778/nvidia-not-acting-in-us-interests-says-chamath-palihapitiya-questions-how-alibaba-or-deepseek-are-one-step-ahead">accused Nvidia</a> of not acting in the best interest of the U.S., alleging the chipmaker&#8217;s efforts to bypass export controls.
In February, reports revealed that Chinese tech giants Tencent Holdings (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCEHY#OTC">TCEHY</a>), Alibaba Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), and ByteDance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43931074/chinese-tech-giants-like-tencent-alibaba-and-bytedance-rush-to-buy-nvidias-h20-ai-chips-as-deepseeks-low-cost-models-fuel-massive-demand-surge">increased</a> their orders for Nvidia&#8217;s H20 AI chips, spurred by the rise of DeepSeek's cost-efficient AI models.
Photo Courtesy: Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO on Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44892181/tim-cook-says-hiking-at-national-parks-one-of-his-favorite-things-to-do-but-rangers-struggling-with-staffing-cuts">Tim Cook Says Hiking At National Parks One Of His &#8216;Favorite Things To Do&#8217; But Rangers Struggling With Staffing Cuts</a>

BABA

NVDA

TCEHY

Eric Schmidt Warns 'China Is Going To Win' AI Race Unless Washington Fights With Funding And Instills 'American Values' At The Core

In a recent post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump defended his stance on tariffs and outlined a list of 8 non-tariff practices that countries resort to.
What Happened: Trump, in a Truth Social post on Sunday, outlined a series of practices he labels as &#8220;non-tariff cheating.&#8221; This includes currency manipulation, VATs acting as tariffs, export subsidies, and protective agricultural standards, among others. He also pointed out counterfeiting, piracy, and IP theft, which according to him cost over $1 trillion annually.
Trump criticized business leaders who oppose tariffs in another post, stating, &#8220;The&nbsp;businessmen who criticize tariffs are&nbsp;bad at business, but really&nbsp;bad at politics.&#8221; He further asserted that he is the &#8220;greatest friend that American capitalism&nbsp;has ever had.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="608" height="394" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21031045/image-34.png" alt="" class="wp-image-879061" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21031045/image-34.png 608w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/21031045/image-34-300x194.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /></figure>
Trump also mentioned the proclamation of &#8220;LIBERATION DAY,&#8221; stating that numerous world leaders and business executives have sought his help for relief from tariffs. He stressed the importance of other countries rectifying the &#8220;wrongs of decades of abuse,&#8221; and urged businesses to establish themselves in America.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44890554/there-is-complete-meltdown-in-the-building-defense-secretary-loses-four-key-staffers-in-a-single-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘There Is Complete Meltdown in the Building': Defense Secretary Loses Four Key Staffers in a Single Day &#8211; Benzinga</a>
Why It Matters: Trump's support for tariffs is a key part of his economic policy, which he defends as a way to counter non-tariff barriers (like quotas, safety standards, and licensing rules) that he says unfairly restrict U.S. exports.
However, it has been found that not just other countries but even the U.S. frequently employs a protectionist measure known as the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) on imports. The TRQ functions more like a non-tariff barrier, as it doesn&#8217;t directly impose duties.
A 2024 study by the St. Louis Federal Reserve found that non-tariff barriers (NTBs) affect over two-thirds of U.S. imports—ranging from components to finished goods—across 15 manufacturing sectors, as reported by Fortune. The study underscores significant differences between tariffs and NTBs across industries and concludes that NTBs are widespread in all sectors of U.S. imports.
&#8220;&#8230;these nations charge the U.S. only slightly higher tariffs than the U.S. levies on their exports, and heap on far fewer non-tariff barriers than we do,&#8221; stated <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/04/16/trump-tariffs-non-tariff-barriers-most-protectionist-nations/">Fortune&#8217;s</a> Shawn Tully. &#8220;Trump's best solution would be offering to lower those NTBs that raise prices for American consumers and hobble our productivity in exchange for our trading partners' agreement to lower their restrictions,&#8221; added Tully.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891778/nvidia-not-acting-in-us-interests-says-chamath-palihapitiya-questions-how-alibaba-or-deepseek-are-one-ste" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia Not Acting In US Interests, Says Chamath Palihapitiya — Questions, How Alibaba Or DeepSeek Are One Step Ahead</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.

Trump Defends Tariffs, Lists 'Non-Tariff Cheating' Tactics Like Currency Manipulation And IP Theft — Calls Himself The 'Greatest Friend' Of American Capitalism

Gene Munster, the Managing Partner of Deepwater Asset Management, predicts a major rebound for Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) in 2026, despite expecting a dip in the company&#8217;s earnings per share (EPS) and revenue estimates for the year.
What Happened: Munster suggests that Tesla&#8217;s 2025 performance is largely irrelevant to investors. He believes that the year is setting the stage for a significant recovery in 2026 and beyond. Munster anticipates a 10% decline in deliveries, which make up about 75% of Tesla&#8217;s business, in 2025. However, he predicts a 35% growth in deliveries in 2026, supported by an improving EV outlook, a healing brand,&nbsp;and the launch of a&nbsp;new model, according to a report by&nbsp;<a href="https://deepwatermgmt.com/tesla-march-preview-2025-largely-doesnt-matter/">Deepwater Management</a>.
In a post on X on Friday, Gene Munster stated, &#8220;Elon's message last quarter was that it's all about 2026, and I'd expect he doubles down on that.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> earnings are next Tuesday. Elon's message last quarter was that it's all about 2026, and I'd expect he doubles down on that. <a href="https://t.co/clGibeJSjP">https://t.co/clGibeJSjP</a>
&mdash; Gene Munster (@munster_gene) <a href="https://twitter.com/munster_gene/status/1913234811147190744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Although revenue is expected to be soft and automotive gross margins may decline in 2025, Munster remains optimistic about Tesla&#8217;s long-term investment potential. He emphasizes Tesla&#8217;s potential to lead in physical-world AI, autonomy, and robotics as crucial drivers of its future success.
While the projected non-GAAP EPS for 2026 is still below the Street&#8217;s estimate, Munster emphasizes that Tesla&#8217;s earnings are more than sufficient&nbsp;to finance its transition to&nbsp;real-world AI and autonomy. He also highlights that Tesla concluded 2024 with $37 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and investments, offering further confidence in the company's financial stability.
&#8220;Elon will reaffirm his confidence that this transition is unfolding faster than most expect, and that Tesla's product lineup is well-positioned to lead throughout the coming decade,&#8221; stated the Deepwater Managing Partner. 
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44883642/peter-schiff-rings-alarm-after-foreign-investors-dump-6-5-billion-in-us-equities-in" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Schiff Rings Alarm After Foreign Investors Dump $6.5 Billion In US Equities In A Week, Quips &#8216;Trump Thought Tariffs Would Bring Capital Into America&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Tesla&#8217;s recent struggles include a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44882075/tesla-reportedly-scales-back-cybertruck-production-shifts-workers-as-sales-plummet-the-parking-lot-keeps-getting-emptier">sales slump </a>and scaled-back Cybertruck production. This has led some analysts like Dan Ives of Wedbush to suggest that Elon Musk should <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44891383/elon-musk-needs-to-leave-the-government-and-get-back-to-being-ceo-of-tesla-says-dan-ives-ahead-of-q1-earnings">refocus </a>on Tesla. Reports suggest that Musk's attention to DOGE has frustrated some investors, who feel it diverts his focus from Tesla. Meanwhile, recent talks indicate that his involvement with the government may soon end, possibly freeing him up to concentrate more on Tesla
However, despite a Q1 miss, analysts like Alexander Potter from Piper Sandler believe in Tesla&#8217;s future growth potential, especially from robotaxis and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/04/44850615/teslas-future-growth-from-robotaxis-and-new-products-intact-despite-q1-miss-analyst">new products</a>. Munster&#8217;s predictions align with this optimistic outlook, suggesting that the current struggles are temporary and that a major rebound is on the horizon.
Tesla holds a momentum rating of 92.50% and a growth rating of 67.70%, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga's Proprietary Edge Rankings</a>. The Benzinga Growth metric evaluates a stock&#8217;s historical earnings and revenue expansion across multiple timeframes, prioritizing both long-term trends and recent performance. For an in-depth report on more stocks and insights into growth opportunities,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/screener/top-momentum-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/screener/top-momentum-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">up for Benzinga Edge.</a>
Year-to-date, Tesla stock has lost more than 36%. On Thursday, it edged 0.07% lower on $241.37, as per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">BenzingaPro</a>. 
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44891715/tech-bull-says-time-ticking-for-trade-deals-as-earnings-season-gathers-steam-calls-nvidias-china-disclosure-a-gam" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tech Bull Says &#8216;Time Ticking&#8217; For Trade Deals As Earnings Season Gathers Steam, Calls Nvidia&#8217;s China Disclosure A Game Of Who Blinks First</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.

TSLA

2025 'Largely Doesn't Matter' For Tesla, Says Gene Munster: Elon Musk Company Poised 'For A Major Rebound In 2026 And Beyond'

On Saturday, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) CEO Tim Cook marked National Park Week by expressing his love for hiking, even as U.S. national parks face staffing shortages and budget cuts.
What Happened: Over the weekend, Cook took to X, formerly Twitter, and celebrated National Park Week, stating, "Hiking at our national parks is one of my favorite things to do, and Apple Maps has thousands of amazing trails and hikes to discover. Happy #NationalParkWeek!"
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Hiking at our national parks is one of my favorite things to do, and Apple Maps has thousands of amazing trails and hikes to discover. Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalParkWeek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NationalParkWeek</a>! <a href="https://t.co/ar9C6BW1XL">pic.twitter.com/ar9C6BW1XL</a>
&mdash; Tim Cook (@tim_cook) <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook/status/1913653825652588793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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National Park Week, which runs from April 19–27, 2025, aims to highlight the beauty and significance of America's national parks, from iconic landscapes to historic sites.
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: Cook's post came amid growing concerns about staffing issues within the National Park Service, which has faced challenges due to federal layoffs and a reduced workforce.
The NPS laid off around 1,000 employees in February 2025, just ahead of the peak season, exacerbating the agency's already strained operations.
According to NPS officials, the agency has seen a 15% decrease in full-time staff over the past decade, impacting park services such as reservations, clean-up, and educational programs, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/02/26/nx-s1-5307908/national-parks-layoffs-visitors-disruptions">reported</a> NPR.
A bit of relief came when the Donald Trump administration allowed the NPS to fill seasonal positions that had been frozen due to a federal hiring ban. This move permits the hiring of up to 7,700 seasonal workers, above the three-year average of 6,350 positions, the report noted.
Photo Courtesy: Laura Hutton on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/03/44554189/openai-and-microsoft-back-mcp-standard-in-major-shift-toward-interoperable-ai-agents-that-can-think-click-and-navigate-the-web-but-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-appears-to-be-mulling-over-it-in-shakespearean-fashion-to-mcp-or-not-to-mcp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI And Microsoft Back MCP Standard For Web-Surfing AI Agents; Google's Sundar Pichai Asks A Shakespearean Question</a></li>
</ul>
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.

AAPL

Tim Cook Says Hiking At National Parks One Of His 'Favorite Things To Do' But Rangers Struggling With Staffing Cuts

Hesai Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSAI#NASDAQ">HSAI</a>) announced it will introduce a next-generation LiDAR system for Level 3 autonomous driving.
What Happened: According to Reuters, Hesai Group CEO David Li shared on Monday that the company will launch its updated LiDAR system in 2026.
Li says the new system will provide autonomous driving cars with &#8220;double&#8221; the detection distance of its current best-selling model, the AT128.
No further details or technical specifications were shared following the announcement. Hesai&#8217;s customers include several EV companies like Nio Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>), XPeng Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>), as well as Aurora Innovation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AUR#NASDAQ">AUR</a>) and Chinese autonomous vehicle company Pony AI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PONY#NASDAQ">PONY</a>).
Why It Matters: The news comes in as development of autonomous driving is picking up speed, with companies like Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and 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>) Waymo among the biggest players in the segment.
Tesla had recently shared the development of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44787364/tesla-deploys-unsupervised-fsd-at-giga-texas-to-move-cars-from-factory-to-lot">autonomous driving technology</a> via a post on the social media platform X, showcasing a Model 3 and a Cybertuck utilizing Full-Self Driving (FSD.)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44834045/tesla-touts-fsd-capabilities-elon-says-predicts-cars-will-soon-drive-itself-right-to-your-house">made a prediction</a> that a Tesla vehicle would be able to drive to people's houses by itself, &#8216;this year,' in a post on X. However, it&#8217;s worth noting that Musk's company still utilizes a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44529187/elon-musk-says-tesla-doesnt-need-lidar-because-people-dont-shoot-lasers-out-of-their-eyes-yet-his-ev-company-quietly-spent-over-2-million-on-the-technology-in-2024-as-china-takes-global-lead">camera-based system</a> for its FSD, unlike Waymo, which opts for a LiDAR system instead.
Price Action: HSAI stock has declined more than 32.11% year-to-date, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility">following this link</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44891383/elon-musk-needs-to-leave-the-government-and-get-back-to-being-ceo-of-tesla-says-dan-ives-ahead-of-q1-earnings">Elon Musk &#8216;Needs To Leave&#8217; The Government And Get Back To Being CEO Of Tesla, Says Dan Ives Ahead Of Q1 Earnings</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

HSAI

PONY

XPEV

Nio, XPeng Supplier Hesai Group Announces Next-Gen LiDAR For Level 3 Autonomous Driving

FOUR

Reported Friday, Shift4 Extends Global Blue Tender Offer To May 6 As Minimum Condition And 96.42% Threshold Are Met

LITB

Reported Friday, LightInTheBox Transitions To Manufacturer-To-Consumer Model, Enhancing Efficiency And Competitive Pricing

VCSA

Reported Friday, Vacasa Special Committee Rejects Revised Davidson Kempner Proposal, Reaffirms Support For Casago Transaction

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index remained in the &#8220;Extreme Fear&#8221; zone on Friday.
U.S. stocks settled mostly lower on Thursday, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 500 points during the session. The 30-stock index recorded losses for the third day, while all three major indices closed the holiday-shortened trading week on a lower note.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) shares dipped over 22% on Thursday after the company reported worse-than-expected first-quarter results and cut its FY25 adjusted EPS guidance below estimates. Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares fell around 3% on Thursday, after declining around 7% in the previous session.
However, Eli Lilly &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) shares staged their sharpest single-day rally in nearly 25 years Thursday, after unveiling data from a pivotal trial that could cement its leadership in a weight-loss drug market projected to more than triple in size by 2030.
On the economic data front, U.S. housing starts dipped 11.4% month-over-month to an annualized rate of 1.324 million in March. U.S. initial jobless claims declined by 9,000 from the previous week to 215,000 during the second week of April, versus market estimates of 225,000. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index fell 39 points to a reading of -26.4 in April, and down from market estimates of 2.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with energy, consumer staples, and real estate stocks recording the biggest gains on Thursday. However, information technology and health care stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.
The Dow Jones closed lower by around 527 points to 39,142.23 on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.13% to 5,282.70, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.13% to 16,286.45 during Thursday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from Zions Bancorporation, National Association (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZION#NASDAQ">ZION</a>), AZZ Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZZ#NYSE">AZZ</a>), and Comerica Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>) today.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
At a current reading of 20.9, the index remained in the &#8220;Extreme Fear&#8221; zone on Friday, versus a prior reading of 21.4.
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.
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