As <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45026616/trumps-trade-war-causes-sharp-decline-in-us-imports-from-china">U.S. ports</a> begin to empty and retailers brace for impact, experts warn that we are just beginning to feel the ripple effects of President Donald Trump's new 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. While social media buzz paints an exaggerated picture of ghost ports, the underlying supply chain disruption is very real — and it could soon hit home for American consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Slow Ships, Sudden Shock</h2>



Tariffs don't grind global trade to a halt overnight. Freight ships from China typically take several weeks to reach U.S. ports. But already, the effects of paused or canceled shipments are being seen, particularly at major hubs like the Port of Los Angeles.



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Gene Seroka, executive director of the port, told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/04/29/port-of-las-gene-seroka-on-tariff-impact-retailers-have-about-5-7-weeks-of-full-inventories-left.html">CNBC</a> that shipments from China have "essentially ceased," and the port expects a 35% decline in cargo arriving next week.



Seroka added that large retailers have just five to seven weeks of inventory left before supply issues start to surface. &#8220;Until some accord or framework can be reached with China, the volume coming out of there, save a couple of different commodities, will be very light at best,&#8221; he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Chain Reaction Through the Economy</h2>



According to <a href="https://fortune.com/article/trump-tariffs-empty-shelves-trucking-ports/">Fortune</a>, the slowdown will unfold in stages. In early May, consumers may begin noticing delays and product shortages. By mid-May, the trucking industry could feel the crunch as fewer goods arrive to be transported — resulting in layoffs. <a href="https://www.apolloacademy.com/probability-of-vtrr-90/">Apollo Global Management</a> forecasts that this could spiral into a full-blown recession by mid-summer.



Products expected to be hit hardest include fast fashion, children's toys, and back-to-school supplies. That's because the U.S. imports much of its apparel and low-cost consumer goods from China, and retail shelves are replenished months in advance.



Trending: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fact vs. Fiction at the Ports</h2>



Despite widely shared videos showing empty container yards, not all U.S. ports are equally impacted. The <a href="https://www.nwseaportalliance.com/newsroom/nwsa-q1-2025-teu-volumes-19">Northwest Seaport Alliance</a> reports that the Port of Seattle saw a 20% increase in cargo traffic over the first four months of 2025, compared with the same time last year.



Port Commissioner Ryan Calkins acknowledged the threat of tariffs but urged calm. "There is no reason to panic," he said. "We have a diverse global economy." Still, he cautioned that if the tariffs continue, holiday shopping later in the year could be affected, especially for items like clothing and electronics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Retailers and Officials Scramble</h2>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45037102/walmart-home-depot-target-push-chinese-suppliers-to-resume-shipments-agree-to-absorb-tariffs-report">Major retailers</a> like Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Home Depot (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) have already tried to front-load shipments ahead of the tariff hike. According to Fortune, this led to record import activity at some ports earlier in the year. But experts warn that these stockpiles are only a temporary buffer. Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/import-cargo-levels-to-drop-sharply-amid-new-tariffs-and-uncertainty">said</a> that companies "will pull back and rely on built-up inventories, at least long enough to see what will happen next."



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a>



Unfortunately, what's next remains unclear. The U.S. and China have offered conflicting reports about the status of trade negotiations. In the meantime, supply chain gaps are growing, cancellations of transpacific shipping routes are increasing, and uncertainty looms large.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bottom Line</h2>



While viral videos may not always tell the full story, the impact of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45058018/trumps-145-china-tariffs-spark-seller-backlash-as-amazon-prime-day-2025-faces-pullouts-and-discount-cuts-report">Trump's 145% tariffs</a> on China is already rippling through U.S. supply chains. Consumers may not feel the pain immediately, but signs point to a summer of higher prices, fewer choices, and tough decisions for businesses and shoppers alike.



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Personal Finance

AMZN

Behind The Empty Docks: How Trump's 145% Tariffs Are Gutting U.S. Supply Chains

These large-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUOL#NASDAQ">DUOL</a>) shares rose 27.39% after the company reported better-than-expected financial results and raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45149547" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its FY25 sales guidance</a>. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/duol/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boosted the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWV#NASDAQ">CRWV</a>) shares increased 24.15%.</li>



<li>Tenet Healthcare (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THC#NYSE">THC</a>) stock escalated 21.24% after the company reported better-than-expected financial results and raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45061907" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its FY25 adjusted EPS guidance</a>. Many analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/thc/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boosted the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CARR#NYSE">CARR</a>) stock upped 19.10% after it reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45135625" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> and raised its FY25 guidance</a>.</li>



<li>Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMMT#NASDAQ">SMMT</a>) stock upped 18.90%. Akeso, Inc. announced the Chinese Health Authorities, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved ivonescimab for a second indication based on the results of the Phase 3 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45046531" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trial, HARMONi-2 or AK112-303</a>.</li>



<li>Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AUR#NASDAQ">AUR</a>) stock upped 18.31% last week after the company announced it launched its commercial self-driving <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45128218" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trucking service in Texas</a>.</li>



<li>Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANET#NYSE">ANET</a>) shares were up 16.83% after Rosenblatt upgraded the stock from Sell to Neutral and raised its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/anet/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from $55 to $85</a>.</li>



<li>Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TT#NYSE">TT</a>) stock grew 14.83% after the company reported better-than-expected financial results and raised its FY25 GAAP EPS and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45108290" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sales guidance above estimates</a>. Many analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/tt/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boosted the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXCM#NASDAQ">DXCM</a>) shares escalated 13.90% f<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45149628" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ollowing strong quarterly sales</a>. Many analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/dxcm/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revised the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>XPO Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPO#NYSE">XPO</a>) shares increased 13.81%  after the company reported better-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45099967" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter EPS results</a>. Many analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xpo/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revised the price forecast</a>.</li>
</ol>



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Equities

Large Cap

News

Movers

Trading Ideas

ANET

CARR

CRWV

DUOL

DXCM

EXAS

SMMT

Duolingo, CoreWeave And DexCom Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Apr 28-May 2): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The week was a whirlwind for&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), with a series of news stories that painted a mixed picture for the tech giant. From tariff impacts to potential manufacturing shifts, easing App Store rules, and AI-enabled iPhone sales, the company made headlines on multiple fronts.



Apple Braces for $900 Million Tariff Impact&nbsp;&#8211; During the company&#8217;s fiscal second-quarter earnings call, CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple is anticipating a $900 million cost impact in the June quarter due to tariffs. Cook also stated that the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. during this period will be manufactured in India, with Vietnam serving as the production hub for most iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods sold in the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45156890/apple-ceo-tim-cook-warns-of-900-million-tariff-impact-in-june-quarter-expects-majority-of-iphones-sold-in-us-to-be-made-in-india">Read the full article here.</a>



Tim Cook Discusses Potential iPhone Manufacturing Shift to the U.S.&nbsp;&#8211; In a conversation with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Cook reportedly identified a key factor that could lead to iPhone manufacturing moving to the United States.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45179104/tim-cook-tells-commerce-secretary-lutnick-how-apple-could-bring-iphone-manufacturing-to-us">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45179100/were-spending-1541-eating-out-and-956-on-groceries-a-month-says-one-couple-now-theyre-wondering-is-that-normal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;We&#8217;re Spending $1,541 Eating Out And $956 On Groceries A Month,&#8217; Says One Couple. Now They&#8217;re Wondering, Is That Normal?</a>



Apple Ordered to Ease App Store Rules&nbsp;&#8211; Following a U.S. court ruling against Apple&#8217;s anti-steering practices, Epic Games, backed by Tencent Holdings, proposed a peace deal. The deal involves Epic Games returning Fortnite to the App Store if Apple stops collecting commissions on purchases made outside its App Store and ceases blocking developers from linking to alternative payment methods.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/04/45123864/apple-ordered-to-ease-app-store-rules-in-us-epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-proposes-peace-deal-saying-well-return-fortnite-and-drop-all-litigation-only-if">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Executive Accused of Lying Under Oath&nbsp;&#8211; U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers accused Apple and one of its top executives of deliberately evading a 2021 injunction meant to curb the company&#8217;s control over App Store payments. Rogers stated that Apple&#8217;s vice president of Finance, Alex Roman, &#8220;outright lied under oath&#8221; about when the company decided to impose a 27% commission on certain web-based purchases made through iPhone apps.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45126668/apple-lied-under-oath-judge-says-tim-cook-ignored-internal-warnings-in-epic-games-case-fallout-this-is-an-injunction-not-a-negotiation">Read the full article here.</a>



AI-Enabled iPhone Sales Surge Despite Siri Struggles&nbsp;&#8211; Despite facing scrutiny over delays in rolling out key Apple Intelligence and Siri features, CEO Tim Cook stated that the company&#8217;s AI-powered iPhones are already giving Apple a noticeable sales edge.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45161269/despite-reports-about-apples-ai-and-siri-struggles-tim-cook-says-iphone-16-demand-surged-in-ai-enabled-countries">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45176607/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-relatively-flat-low-volume-weekend-can-change-things-but-well-see" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Hold Steady As Bulls Eye Further Gains &#8211; Benzinga</a>



Photo Courtesy: hanohiki via Shutterstock.com



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

Markets

Tech

General

AAPL

Apple Braces For $900 Million Tariff Impact, Tim Cook Discusses Potential iPhone Manufacturing Shift To US With Lutnick And More: This Week In Appleverse

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity in the financial world, with a particular focus on cryptocurrencies. From Peter Schiff&#8217;s surprising preference for Dogecoin over Bitcoin to Riot Platforms&#8217; Q1 results, there was no shortage of intriguing developments. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories.



Peter Schiff Prefers Dogecoin Over Bitcoin



Known for his criticism of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Peter Schiff has made headlines by expressing a preference for Dogecoin, a meme-based cryptocurrency, over the leading digital currency. Schiff&#8217;s stance on Bitcoin has always been critical, questioning its value and the investment rationale of its holders.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45127948/peter-schiffs-bitcoin-rejection-is-no-surprise-but-the-economist-once-called-dogecoin-a-superior-cryptocurrency">Read the full article here.</a>



Riot Platforms&#8217; Q1 Results



Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>) reported its Q1 financial results after market close on Thursday. The company saw a significant increase in total revenue from $79.3 million in the prior year&#8217;s quarter, primarily driven by a $71.5 million increase in Bitcoin mining revenue.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45154528/bitcoin-miner-riot-platforms-reports-q1-results-shares-slide">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45111384/shiba-inu-burn-rate-skyrockets-2094-what-is-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiba Inu Burn Rate Skyrockets 2,094%: What Is Going On?</a>



Classover Holdings&#8217; $400 Million Equity Deal



Classover Holdings Inc. announced a $400 million equity purchase facility agreement with Solana Strategies Holdings. The funds will support working capital, acquisitions, and a new treasury strategy centered around Solana tokens.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45151295/classover-holdings-kidz-announces-400-million-equity-deal-to-back-solana-based-treasury-strategy-whats-going-on">Read the full article here.</a>



SoFi Reintroduces Crypto



SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>) plans to reintroduce cryptocurrency investing by the end of 2025, following a major shift in the regulatory environment under the Trump administration. SoFi had previously discontinued its crypto investment services in late 2023 due to heightened federal scrutiny of digital assets.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/45084982/sofi-brings-crypto-back-after-trump-policy-changes">Read the full article here.</a>



World Liberty&#8217;s Stablecoin In $2 Billion Deal



Eric Trump announced that the Trump family-backed stablecoin USD1 will be used to close a $2 billion deal with cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The announcement was made at the Token2049 cryptocurrency conference in Dubai.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45160707/eric-trump-says-world-libertys-stablecoin-will-be-used-to-close-a-2-billion-deal-dollar-token-to-also-get-integrated-with-justin-suns-tron-blockchain">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45140147/dogecoin-surges-5-what-is-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogecoin Surges 5%: What Is Going On?</a></li>
</ul>



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



Image Via Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

Media

$BTC

RIOT

SOFI

World Liberty's Stablecoin In $2 Billion Deal, SoFi Reintroduces Crypto And Riot Platforms' Q1 Results: This Week In Crypto

The weekend was a whirlwind of news, with Elon Musk&#8217;s reactions to Ray Dalio&#8217;s warning about U.S. decline and his mixed feelings about his first 100 days in office. Major U.S. retailers are pushing Chinese suppliers to resume shipments, while the Nasdaq has made a significant comeback.



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



Tesla CEO Responds To Dalio&#8217;s Warning



Billionaire investor Ray Dalio recently warned about the future of the United States, predicting a breakdown in the global order and the end of America&#8217;s dominant economic role. Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded by suggesting that China, not the U.S., is now the world&#8217;s true consumption powerhouse.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45063781/elon-musk-reacts-after-ray-dalio-warns-of-us-decline-says-china-has-already-surpassed-america-as-global-consumption-leader">Read the full article here.</a>



Musk&#8217;s Mixed Feelings About DOGE



Elon Musk has expressed mixed feelings about his first 100 days in office, acknowledging progress in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but admitting limitations due to an "entrenched set of interests".



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45163408/doge-not-as-effective-as-id-like-says-elon-musk-calls-reform-really-difficult-like-changing-direction-of-a-fleet-of-supertankers">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/45110267/a-worker-says-weve-been-sold-a-lie-work-like-a-dog-until-65-just-to-enjoy-maybe-10-15-years-of-freedom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Worker Says We&#8217;ve Been Sold A Lie—&#8217;Work Like A Dog Until 65+ Just To Enjoy Maybe 10-15 Years Of Freedom&#8217;</a>



US Retailers Push Chinese Suppliers



Major U.S. retailers, including Walmart Inc., Home Depot Inc., and Target Corporation, have reportedly asked Chinese suppliers to resume shipments, with tariffs to be absorbed by the American retailers.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45037102/walmart-home-depot-target-push-chinese-suppliers-to-resume-shipments-agree-to-absorb-tariffs-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Musk Targets Fed&#8217;s Renovation Spending



Elon Musk called for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate the Federal Reserve's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation spending, escalating his scrutiny of the central bank.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45160426/elon-musk-targets-feds-2-5-billion-headquarters-renovation-as-doge-scrutiny-of-central-bank-intensifies-thats-an-eyebrow-raiser">Read the full article here.</a>



Nasdaq&#8217;s Remarkable Recovery&nbsp;



The Nasdaq has staged a remarkable turnaround in April, transforming from what was initially dubbed the "worst April for the stock market since the Great Depression" to posting gains for the month.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45032188/tom-lee-backs-scott-bessent-white-house-put-theory-as-nasdaq-flips-from-worst-april-start-since-great-depression-to-major-comeback">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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



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



Image via Shutterstock

Economics

Elon Musk Reacts After Ray Dalio Warns Of US Decline, US Retailers Push Chinese Suppliers To Resume Shipments And More: This Week In Economics

Wall Street extended its rally this week, fully erasing the losses suffered after the Trump administration's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45172683/wall-street-eyes-9th-straight-day-of-gains-apple-falls-as-chinese-sales-disappoint-whats-driving-markets-friday">tariff announcement on April 2. </a>



Investor sentiment was buoyed by encouraging developments in trade negotiations and, most importantly, a stronger-than-expected start to earnings season.



Corporate America showed resilience in the face of trade headwinds. Mega-cap tech giants —including Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) — all surpassed Wall Street estimates, with Microsoft logging its best weekly performance in years.



The S&amp;P 500 posted its second consecutive weekly gain, marking its longest winning streak since May 2024.



Top individual performers included Arista Networks Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANET#NYSE">ANET</a>) and Carrier Global Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CARR#NYSE">CARR</a>), both soaring roughly 20% for the week. On the downside, Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BDX#NYSE">BDX</a>) tumbled 20%, making it the worst performer.



Michigan-based automaker General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) topped earnings forecasts yet withdrew guidance for the year amid "massive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45150325/gm-cut-its-2025-forecast-on-tariffs-but-core-business-holds-up-says-goldman-sachs">uncertainty&#8221; over tariffs.</a>



From a sector perspective, industrials and technology led the charge, while energy stocks lagged as crude oil prices slumped. Oil marked its second-worst week of the year, falling to $58 per barrel after Saudi Arabia signaled its readiness to cope with lower prices, stoking speculation that OPEC+ may boost output further in the coming months.



President Donald Trump's threat to impose secondary sanctions on nations buying Iranian oil failed to stabilize crude <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45149446/oil-prices-soar-after-trump-threatens-sanctions-on-iranian-crude-buyers-is-china-on-top-of-the-list">prices, which continued to slide</a>.



Macroeconomic data painted a mixed picture. First-quarter gross domestic product shrank by 0.3%, missing forecasts of a 0.4% rise, largely due to a surge in imports.



Yet, inflation and employment data provided a more positive outlook. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000 in April, beating the 130,000 consensus and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45164558/us-adds-177000-jobs-in-april-topping-forecasts-as-economy-navigates-tariff-impact">underscoring labor market strength.</a>



Meanwhile, Personal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45102421/feds-key-inflation-gauge-cools-before-tariffs-hit-auto-outlays-spike-as-consumers-front-run-price-impacts">Consumption </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45102421/feds-key-inflation-gauge-cools-before-tariffs-hit-auto-outlays-spike-as-consumers-front-run-price-impacts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Expenditure inflation cooled</a>: annual price gains slowed from 2.7% in February to 2.3% in March. Core PCE, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, eased to 2.6% year over year, aligning with expectations and down from 3%.



Looking ahead, markets will focus on the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting starting Tuesday. While no rate change is anticipated, Chair Jerome Powell's Wednesday press conference will be closely watched, especially after renewed calls from President Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45166673/trump-pressures-fed-after-solid-jobs-cooling-inflation-lower-rates-now">to cut interest rates.</a>



Read now: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45173740/5-great-income-buys-for-the-coming-downturn">5 Great Income Buys For The Coming Downturn</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Government

Macro Economic Events

Regulations

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Commodities

Federal Reserve

ETFs

MSFT

Wall Street Fully Recoups Tariff-Led Losses, Economy Contracts In First Quarter Yet April Payrolls Remain Strong: This Week In Markets

The past weekend was a rollercoaster ride for the business world, with a particular focus on the electric vehicle (EV) giant,&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>). From criticism of Tesla&#8217;s robotaxi economics to insider stock sales, the EV industry was abuzz with news. Meanwhile,&nbsp;Ford Motor Co.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) reported a surge in sales, and&nbsp;JetBlue Airways Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JBLU#NASDAQ">JBLU</a>) is reportedly in talks with United Airlines.



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



Jim Chanos Criticizes Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi Economics



Prominent short seller Jim Chanos took a jab at Tesla&#8217;s robotaxi economic projections, labeling them as &#8220;ridiculous.&#8221; Chanos pointed out several overlooked cost factors, including &#8220;dead miles,&#8221; high commercial auto insurance costs, and cleaning expenses.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45096101/short-seller-jim-chanos-slams-tesla-robotaxi-economics-as-ridiculous-citing-dead-miles-insurance-costs-and-cleaning-expenses">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla Chairwoman Continues Insider Stock Sales



Tesla board member Joe Gebbia made headlines with a $1 million insider stock purchase, the company&#8217;s first insider buy in years. This comes just before Chairwoman Robyn Denholm&#8217;s planned stock sale, continuing a pattern of exercising Tesla options and selling off common shares.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/45108729/tesla-chairwoman-files-to-sell-more-stock-continuing-pattern-of-insider-sales-at-ev-giant">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44935272/tesla-reports-q1-after-the-bell-68-expect-the-company-to-miss-analysts-estimates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Will Tesla Beat The Street? 68% Expect Something Markets May Not Be Ready For</a>



Ford Reports 16% Sales Growth in April



Ford CEO Jim Farley announced a 16% increase in sales in April, ahead of the company&#8217;s earnings call with investors. Farley attributed the surge to the positive response from customers to their &#8220;From America, For America&#8221; offer of employee pricing.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45160044/jim-farley-says-ford-sales-grew-16-in-april-ahead-of-earnings-call-customers-have-really-responded-to-our">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla Board Explored Replacing Elon Musk As CEO



Reports emerged that Tesla&#8217;s board had been considering a successor to CEO Elon Musk following significant financial setbacks. However, both Musk and Chair Robyn Denholm have denied these reports.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45124373/tesla-board-explored-replacing-elon-musk-as-tesla-ceo-a-month-ago-report">Read the full article here.</a>



JetBlue In Talks With United Airlines Over Possible Partnership



JetBlue is reportedly in discussions with United Airlines Holdings Inc. over a potential partnership. This comes after talks of an alliance with American Airlines Group fell through in 2023.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45093263/jetblue-in-talks-with-united-airlines-over-possible-partnership-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45001024/trump-administration-announces-exemptions-for-autonomous-driving-companies-in-the-us-eases-self-driving-crash-report-requirements" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi Rollout Gets Timely Boost: Trump Administration Announces Exemptions For Autonomous Driving Companies</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo Courtesy: Ian Dewar Photography On Shutterstock.com

Short Sellers

JBLU

TSLA

Tesla Board Denies Considering Elon Musk Replacement, Ford Reports 16% Sales Growth In April And More: This Week In Mobility

The week has been a whirlwind of political and financial news. From Elon Musk&#8217;s mixed feelings about his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, there&#8217;s a lot to unpack. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories of the week.



Musk&#8217;s DOGE Struggles



Elon Musk, CEO of&nbsp;Tesla Inc., has expressed his concerns about the effectiveness of his role in DOGE. Musk described his initial tenure as &#8220;very, very intense,&#8221; praising his team&#8217;s efforts but also acknowledging the challenges posed by an &#8220;entrenched set of interests.&#8221;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45163408/doge-not-as-effective-as-id-like-says-elon-musk-calls-reform-really-difficult-like-changing-direction-of-a-fleet-of-supertankers">Read the full article here.</a>



Impeachment Proceedings Against Trump



Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) has initiated impeachment proceedings against&nbsp;President Donald Trump. The impeachment articles include accusations related to various actions by the incumbent that Thanedar claims undermine democracy. However, the impeachment articles face slim chances in the Republican-controlled House.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45056899/michigan-democrat-files-impeachment-articles-against-trump-over-real-damage-to-democracy-enough-is-enough">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/tech/25/04/45057119/anthony-scaramucci-once-purchased-1200-worth-of-microsoft-stock-for-his-son-in-1992-and-then-forgot-about-it-three-decades-later-it-quietly-turned-into-a-small-fortune-that-he-didn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Scaramucci Once Purchased $1,200 Worth Of Microsoft Stock For His Son In 1992 And Then Forgot About It — Three Decades Later, It Quietly Turned Into A Small Fortune</a>



Trump&#8217;s First 100 Days



President Trump has now been back in the White House for 100 days. This article provides a comprehensive look at where Trump stands with his election promises, voter polls, signing of laws and executive orders, and the stock market after his first 100 days.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/04/45069781/trumps-first-100-days-what-he-delivered-where-he-fell-short-how-markets-reacted">Read the full article here.</a>



AOC&#8217;s Inquiry into Congressional Stock Trading



Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has used the recent tariff-driven market swings to renew her push for a ban on congressional stock trading. She and other Democrats are calling for transparency and legislative reform to address what they view as systemic ethical risks.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/04/45056354/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-askshow-much-did-majorie-taylor-greene-make-when-she-bought-the-dip">Read the full article here.</a>



Musk&#8217;s Scrutiny of Federal Reserve Spending



Elon Musk has called for DOGE to investigate the Federal Reserve's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation spending. This move escalates his scrutiny of the central bank as he prepares to reduce his role in the government efficiency initiative.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45160426/elon-musk-targets-feds-2-5-billion-headquarters-renovation-as-doge-scrutiny-of-central-bank-intensifies-thats-an-eyebrow-raiser">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45179100/were-spending-1541-eating-out-and-956-on-groceries-a-month-says-one-couple-now-theyre-wondering-is-that-normal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;We&#8217;re Spending $1,541 Eating Out And $956 On Groceries A Month,&#8217; Says One Couple. Now They&#8217;re Wondering, Is That Normal?</a>



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



Image via Shutterstock

Politics

Trump's First 100 Days, Michigan Democrat Files For President's Impeachment, Elon Musk's Scrutiny Of Federal Reserve Spending And More: This Week In Politics

These large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Block, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>) shares tumbled 19.90% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45152696" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worse-than-expected financial results</a>. Analysts slashed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xyz/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Lineage, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LINE#NASDAQ">LINE</a>) shares fell 18.93% after reporting worse-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45093641" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter sales results</a>. Some analysts lowered the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/line/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BDX#NYSE">BDX</a>) stock dipped 17.70%  after the company cut FY25 EPS guidance despite a hike in sales outlook. The company also missed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45140102" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-quarter revenue estimates</a>. Analysts cut <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bdx/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Coca-Cola (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COKE#NASDAQ">COKE</a>) shares decreased 16.36%  after the company reported a year-over-year decrease in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45116927" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter financial results</a>.</li>



<li>Westlake Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLK#NYSE">WLK</a>) stock fell 14.50% after the company reported worse-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45161312" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter sales results</a>.</li>



<li>Pilgrim&#8217;s Pride Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPC#NASDAQ">PPC</a>) stock dived 13.84% after the company reported worse-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45118399" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter financial results</a>.</li>



<li>Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EC#NYSE">EC</a>) shares declined 12.27% probably amid a drop in oil and natural gas prices following a decline in U.S. first-quarter GDP, which could weigh on demand outlook.</li>



<li>Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGI#NYSE">AGI</a>) shares were down 11.59% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45119634" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter results below estimates</a>. The stock may also be down amid a drop in gold spot price.</li>



<li>YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YPF#NYSE">YPF</a>) stock fell 9.09%.</li>



<li>Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRGP#NYSE">TRGP</a>) stock dived 8.87% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45128247" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earnings for the first quarter</a>.</li>
</ol>



Photo via Shutterstock

COKE

FSLR

LINE

TRGP

Block, Becton Dickinson And Pilgrim's Pride Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Losers Last Week (Apr 28-May 2): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

These mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>Pony AI Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PONY#NASDAQ">PONY</a>) shares were up 48.36% after the company reportedly said it is getting closer to profitability and can build its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45049945" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autonomous driving system for less</a>.</li>



<li>Hims &amp; Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) stock rocketed 45.32% after the company announced a collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) to offer a bundled package of all dose <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45074872" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strengths of Wegovy on its platform</a>. B of A Securities analyst raised the price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/hims/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecast from $22 to $26</a>.</li>



<li>ODDITY Tech Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ODD#NASDAQ">ODD</a>) shares surged 42.96% after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results, raised its FY25 guidance, and issued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45111584" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-quarter guidance above estimates</a>. Analysts raised price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ODD/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecasts on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Metsera, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTSR#NASDAQ">MTSR</a>) stock escalated by 38.42% last week.</li>



<li>CG Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CGON#NASDAQ">CGON</a>) stock increased 29.86% after the company announced that cretostimogene grenadenorepvec monotherapy data was presented at the American <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45043205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Urological Association Annual Meeting</a>. Some analysts initiated coverage/ <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/cgon/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boosted the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KNSA#NASDAQ">KNSA</a>) shares upped 29.42% after raising <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45063476" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its FY25 sales guidance</a>.</li>



<li>Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KC#NASDAQ">KC</a>) stock rose 27.34%.</li>



<li>Frontdoor, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTDR#NASDAQ">FTDR</a>) shares were up 25.44% last week after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results and raised its FY25 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45130988" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sales outlook</a>.</li>



<li>ATI Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATI#NYSE">ATI</a>) stock increased 25.39% after it reported better-than-expected quarterly financial results and raised its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45130989" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FY25 adjusted EPS guidance</a>.</li>



<li>Perdoceo Education Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRDO#NASDAQ">PRDO</a>) stock rose 23.72% after it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45149554" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported first-quarter results</a>.</li>



<li>iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IRTC#NASDAQ">IRTC</a>) stock jumped 23.71% after it reported better-than-expected first-quarter results and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45149802" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raised its FY25 sales guidance</a>.</li>
</ol>



Photo by Tada Images via Shutterstock

Mid Cap

CGON

FTDR

HIMS

IRTC

KNSA

MTSR

PONY

PRDO

Pony AI, Hims & Hers And Frontdoor Are Among Top 11 Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (Apr 28-May 2): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The week was abuzz with news from the tech world, with artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage. From potential policy changes affecting AI chip exports to the impact of AI on workloads and coding, the stories were as diverse as they were intriguing. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories.



Trump Administration Eyes AI Chip Restrictions



The Trump administration is reportedly contemplating significant changes to the Biden-era restrictions on AI chip exports. The proposed overhaul targets the Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion, a rule issued by the U.S. Commerce Department under former President Joe Biden. The changes could potentially tighten access to&nbsp;NVIDIA&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)&nbsp;H100 chips.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45090935/trump-administration-targets-biden-era-ai-chip-curbs-could-scrap-country-tiers-and-tighten-access-to-nvidias-h100-chips-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia Designs New AI Chips for Chinese Tech Giants



In response to tightened U.S. export restrictions on its H20 chip,&nbsp;NVIDIA is reportedly developing redesigned AI chips. The company has informed key Chinese customers, including&nbsp;Alibaba Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), ByteDance, and Tencent Holdings, of its plans to create new AI chip designs that comply with U.S. export regulations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45182565/nvidia-designing-new-ai-chips-for-alibaba-bytedance-tencent-after-warning-us-export-ban-on-h20-could-cost-the-company-55-billion-report">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45162929/tim-cook-tells-commerce-secretary-lutnick-how-apple-could-bring-iphone-manufacturing-to-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tim Cook Tells Commerce Secretary Lutnick How Apple &#8216;Could&#8217; Bring iPhone Manufacturing To US</a>



AI Tools: A Boon or a Bane for Workers?



A recent study has found that generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, may not be delivering the productivity benefits they promised. Instead, they could be leading to extra work for some workers. The study examined data from 25,000 Danish workers across professions prone to automation.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/05/45160023/ai-was-supposed-to-save-time-but-many-workers-are-ending-up-with-more-tasks-study">Read the full article here.</a>



Meta&#8217;s Ambitious Revenue Projections for Generative AI Products



Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)&nbsp;has projected that its generative AI products could potentially generate revenue ranging from $460 billion to $1.4 trillion by 2035. This information was revealed in recently unsealed court documents related to the Kadrey v. Meta Platforms Inc. case.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45160454/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-targets-1-4-trillion-revenue-from-generative-ai-by-2035-court-filing-reveals">Read the full article here.</a>



AI&#8217;s Growing Role in Coding at Microsoft



Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp;CEO Satya Nadella revealed that AI now writes up to 30% of the tech giant's code. This marks a significant shift in software development, indicating how AI tools are reshaping the way tech companies build their products.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/45093643/ai-is-reshaping-coding-at-microsoft-says-nadella-30-of-code-now-ai-generated">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45183000/warren-buffetts-right-hand-man-greg-abel-is-quietly-taking-over-day-to-day-leadership-at-berkshire-hathaway-gotten-much-more-involved-in-capital-allocation-decisions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Right-Hand Man Greg Abel Is Quietly Taking Over Day-To-Day Leadership At Berkshire Hathaway: &#8216;Gotten Much More Involved In Capital Allocation Decisions&#8217; </a>



Image Via Shutterstock



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

BABA

NVDA

Nvidia Reportedly Designs New AI Chips For Chinese Tech Giants, Meta Targets $1.4 Trillion Revenue From Generative AI By 2035 And More: Top AI Updates This Week

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



U.S. markets rebounded this week, fully recovering losses incurred since President Donald Trump's April 2 tariff escalation. The S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq each rose by more than 1.3%, with Friday marking the S&amp;P 500's ninth consecutive daily gain — the longest streak since 2004.



The rally was fueled by a stronger-than-expected April jobs report, with 177,000 jobs added, surpassing forecasts of 135,000. Unemployment remained at 4.2%, and sectors like healthcare and transportation led job growth. However, Q1 GDP contracted by 0.3%, the largest drop since 2022, largely due to a surge in imports ahead of tariff implementations.



Corporate earnings contributed to market optimism. Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) exceeded Wall Street estimates, with Microsoft posting its best weekly performance in years. Despite these gains, concerns linger about the long-term economic impact of tariffs, as businesses face uncertainty and potential cost increases.



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



The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/05/45136276/mounjaro-maker-eli-lilly-clocks-45-jump-in-q1-revenue-cuts-2025-profit-outlook-but-not-due-to-tariffs">"Mounjaro maker Eli Lilly clocks 45% jump in Q1 revenue, cuts 2025 profit outlook but not due to tariffs"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) posted a 45% year-over-year revenue increase to $12.73 billion in Q1 2025, driven by strong sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound, but lowered its 2025 EPS forecast to $20.78-$22.28 due to a $1.57 billion charge related to acquired in-process R&amp;D, clarifying that the guidance does not account for potential future tariff changes.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45137383/microsoft-rallies-after-crushing-q3-earnings-goldman-sachs-lifts-target-to-480">"Microsoft rallies after crushing Q3 earnings, Goldman Sachs lifts target to $480"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) beat Q3 estimates with $70.07 billion in revenue and $3.46 EPS, driven by a 35% surge in Azure revenue — 16 points of which came from AI services — prompting Goldman Sachs analyst Kash Rangan to raise the price target to $480.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45038400/plug-power-rallies-as-new-financing-cost-cuts-boost-confidence-in-turnaround-plan">"Plug Power rallies as new financing, cost cuts boost confidence in turnaround plan"</a>, by Anusuya Lahiri, reports that Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLUG#NASDAQ">PLUG</a>) shares rose after the company secured a $525 million debt facility and implemented cost-cutting measures expected to yield over $200 million in annual savings, signaling progress toward profitability.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/45120603/amazon-stock-is-rising-after-the-bell-whats-driving-the-action">Amazon Stock Is Rising After The Bell: What's Driving The Action?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45120458/bloom-energy-reports-better-than-expected-q1-results-details">Bloom Energy Reports Better-Than-Expected Q1 Results: Details</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/45066479/rare-bullish-signal-just-flashed-on-wall-street-will-it-power-sp-500-to-6000">Rare Bullish Signal Just Flashed On Wall Street: Will It Power S&amp;P 500 To 6,000?</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45175831/apple-stock-faces-tariff-related-headwinds-4-analysts-break-down-q2-results-whats-next">"Apple stock faces tariff-related headwinds: 4 analysts break down Q2 results, what's next"</a>, by Chris Katje, reports that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) exceeded Q2 expectations with $95.4 billion in revenue and $1.65 EPS, but analysts from Needham, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America warn that escalating U.S.-China tariffs — projected to cost Apple $900 million in the June quarter — pose ongoing risks to product margins and earnings.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45084597/starbucks-misses-q2-earnings-estimates-ceo-says-optimism-has-turned-into-confidence-i-see-more-opportunity-than-i-imagined">"Starbucks Misses Q2 Earnings Estimates, CEO Says Optimism Has Turned Into Confidence: ‘I See More Opportunity Than I Imagined'"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) posted Q2 revenue of $8.76 billion and adjusted EPS of 41 cents — both below analyst expectations — while CEO Brian Niccol expressed confidence in the company's "Back to Starbucks" turnaround plan, highlighting operational improvements and customer experience enhancements.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45106948/norwegian-cruise-line-tumbles-after-earnings-miss-still-confident-in-2025-guidance">"Norwegian Cruise Line Tumbles After Earnings Miss, Still Confident In 2025 Guidance"</a>, by Akanksha Bakshi, reports that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>) shares fell after the company missed Q1 2025 revenue and earnings estimates, citing a 2.9% revenue decline to $2.13 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.07, but reaffirmed its full-year guidance of $2.05 EPS and $2.72 billion in adjusted EBITDA, despite softening forward bookings amid macroeconomic headwinds.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45152870/bigbear-ai-shares-slide-after-worse-than-expected-q1-report">BigBear.ai Shares Slide After Worse-Than-Expected Q1 Report</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/04/45072193/stock-of-the-day-abbvies-rally-looks-stretched-could-a-reversal-be-next">Stock Of The Day: AbbVie's Rally Looks Stretched — Could A Reversal Be Next?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45086922/whats-going-on-with-restaurant-chain-owner-brinkers-stock-today">Why Did Chili's Restaurant Parent Brinker International Stock Tumble On Tuesday?</a>



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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

ABBV

BBAI

NCLH

PLUG

SBUX

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Lilly, Microsoft, Starbucks — And Markets Fully Recover Tariff Chaos Losses

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.



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



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45171636/exclusive-aprils-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-apple-palantir-nvidia-stocks-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: April&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Apple, Palantir, Nvidia Stocks Rank?</a>



Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending May 2:



 Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WPM#NYSE">WPM</a>): Precious metal and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44903750/gold-price-soars-to-record-highs-eyes-best-2-month-rally-since-2011-on-blockbuster-etf-buying">gold stocks</a> continue to see increase interest from Benzinga readers and this week's article highlights Wheaton Precious Metals. The company's stock is near 52-week highs, but could head higher with continued record highs for gold and upcoming financial results from the company. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of 50 cents on May 8. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in four of the last five quarters. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $436.5 million, up from $296.8 million in last year's first quarter. The company has missed analyst estimates for revenue in three straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. A turnaround in revenue and another beat in earnings per share could strengthen the bullish case for the stock. Several analysts have upgraded the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WPM/analyst-ratings">stock&#8217;s price targets</a> ahead of earnings.



Wheaton Precious Metals shares were down slightly on the week, as seen on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502">Benzinga Pro chart </a>below, while shares are up over 50% in the last year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900087" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173903/Screenshot-393-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUK#NYSE">DUK</a>): The utility company saw increased interest from investors during the week, which could be related to the company's size, its industry or its dividend yield. The interest is also likely coming with the company set to report first-quarter financial results on May 6. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.61, up from $1.44 in last year's first quarter. The company has missed earnings per share estimates in six of the last 10 quarters. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $8.06 billion, up from $7.67 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in four straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. With the stock trading near 52-week highs, investors will likely be expecting a double beat and not a mixed quarter like many of the previous ones have been.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="508" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900088" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173918/Screenshot-394-768x393.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>



Nutanix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTNX#NASDAQ">NTNX</a>): The software company continues to see strong interest from readers and after several weeks of consideration as a stock to highlight makes this week's list. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter financial results on May 28, which is several weeks away. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share and revenue in each of the last eight straight quarters. Investors may be paying attention ahead of the financial results in a company that has shown impressive growth.



"During our second quarter we delivered outperformance across our guided metrics. Our results are benefitting from the strength of the Nutanix Cloud Platform," Nutanix CEO Rajiv Ramaswami <a href="https://ir.nutanix.com/news-releases/news-release-details/nutanix-reports-second-quarter-fiscal-2025-financial-results">said </a>after second-quarter results.



The CEO said the company was working on delivering sustainable, profitable growth and also highlighted a new revolving credit facility and the issuance of convertible notes to help with future growth.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="508" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900089" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173932/Screenshot-395-768x392.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



MercadoLibre Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>): The Latin American e-commerce giant saw increased interest during the week, which could be related to comments made by the company's CEO. MercadoLibre CEO Marcos Galperin said Latin America companies could be winners in a U.S.-China trade war. Galperin said Mexico and other countries could benefit, comments that could make the e-commerce company more attractive to investors. MercadoLibre is set to report first-quarter financial results on May 7. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of $8.30, up from $6.78 in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three of the last four quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. Analyst expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $5.51 billion, up from $4.33 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in more than 10 straight quarters. Another strong quarter could see shares continue to trade near 52-week highs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900090" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02173947/Screenshot-396-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>



Cheniere Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNG#NYSE">LNG</a>): The natural gas company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes as analysts have provided mixed commentary ahead of first-quarter financial results. Some analysts raised price targets, while others lowered<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LNG/analyst-ratings"> their price targets</a> ahead of Q1 results set for May 8. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $2.70 versus $2.13 in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $4.91 billion, up from $4.25 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Another strong quarter and investors looking for energy stocks that could benefit from the current White House administration could make the stock a winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397.png" alt="" class="wp-image-900091" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/02174000/Screenshot-397-768x389.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0502" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/04/44651693/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">April 4</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/44883576/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">April 18</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/45029510/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-62">April 25 </a></li>
</ul>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43041374/exclusive-how-high-will-sp-500-go-under-donald-trump-in-2025-readers-are-optimistic-26-say-this" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: How High Will S&amp;P 500 Go Under Donald Trump In 2025? Readers Are Optimistic, 26% Say This…</a></li>
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Exclusives

MELI

NTNX

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

For years, people have debated why there aren't enough skilled workers to fill all the open trade jobs in the U.S. A Reddit thread this week on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/jobs/comments/1k9rxfu/the_reason_behind_the_skilled_labor_shortage_is/">r/jobs</a> asked a simple question: Is the skilled labor shortage because everyone was told to go to college?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The College Push Was Real, But Not the Whole Story</h2>



Plenty of commenters said yes, the college push was intense. One user recalled, &#8220;Graduated HS in &#8217;06. Anything outside of the college pipeline was painted as a bad idea to me. Trade work and apprentice programs were talked about as if they were slave labor/scams.&#8221;



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<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a></li>
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Another said, &#8220;As a 2007 graduate, all we were told in school was to go to college. The trades were not discussed at all.&#8221;



But that's just one part of the puzzle. Many pointed out that skilled labor jobs <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44880439/80-of-americans-say-the-country-would-be-better-off-with-more-manufacturing-jobs-but-only-25-want-one-themselves">come with real downsides</a>: physically punishing work, inconsistent hours, and pay that often doesn't reflect the toll it takes on the body.



One user shared, &#8220;Worked in the trades for 5 years out of college. Ruined my back and wrists. Have a cushy office design job now&#8230; I will never go back.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8216;You'll Look 50 at 40&#8217;</h2>



The most upvoted comment came from a user who said, &#8220;People hear the &#8216;just join a trade, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/40685893/ive-been-on-call-since-1999-still-this-six-figure-tech-job-doesnt-require-a-college-degree">you'll make 6 figures</a>&#8216; meme and don't realize your first few years you don't make much, the work is hard, and the hours are brutal.&#8221; They added, &#8220;You'll look 50 at 40 and 75 at 55. Your knees, back, and hands will be a disaster by 50.&#8221;



Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?



Others echoed that. One said that the risk of injury is so much worse than in an office job: &#8220;It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when, depending on the severity of your job, and the carelessness of others around you.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">No Shortage, Just Bad Offers</h2>



A recurring theme was that employers often blame a &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44881768/nearly-4-million-manufacturing-jobs-are-opening-as-boomers-retirebut-gen-z-is-not-interested">labor shortage</a>&#8221; when they just don't want to pay better. &#8220;There is no skilled labor shortage. Only an abundance of resume farming,&#8221; one user wrote. &#8220;Employers hold the power to frame the job market the way they see fit.&#8221;



Another added that their company laid off half the maintenance crew, kept production running with forced overtime, and then claimed they &#8220;can't find any skilled labor.&#8221;



As one bluntly put it: &#8220;Yeah, no. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/07/40068579/all-of-us-pay-for-the-fact-that-youre-not-paying-that-person-enough-says-mark-cuban-about-entreprene">It's low wages</a>. Especially here in Oklahoma. This state is set up to protect business owners and to be able to take advantage of employees.&#8221;



See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Training Barriers and Broken Promises</h2>



Even those who try to get into trades say it's not that simple. One said they applied to a steamfitter apprenticeship but had to wait months just to get an interview.



Another mentioned, &#8220;If you want to make real money in any industry, you have to continue learning new things&#8230; But no company out there is going to pay more than base for a worker who only has the basic training.&#8221;



And while success stories do exist, they're the exception. One user warned that the high-paying union gigs are rare. Most people in the trades are making just above fast-food wages.



Others highlighted systemic issues. High schools cut shop classes, training programs are expensive, and some trades are still unwelcoming to women, minorities, and LGBTQ workers.



As one put it, &#8220;College is now the be-all and end-all. Everyone is forced to take out six-figure student loans for a piece of paper that doesn't even guarantee them a job, much less success.&#8221;



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<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

'Yeah, No. It's Low Wages,' A Worker Responds To Whether The Skilled Labor Shortage Is Just Because Everyone Was 'Told To Go To College'

When most investors put billions into a company, they tend to buy in—literally. New phone, new laptop, new earbuds. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43612207/warren-buffett-has-lived-in-his-31500-home-for-67-years-and-calls-it-one-of-his-best-investments-but-warned-a-house-can-be-a-nightmare">Warren Buffett? Not so much</a>.&nbsp;



For years, the Oracle of Omaha held onto a $20 flip phone, even as his Apple investment soared into the tens of billions. The man who could buy a small tech company before breakfast was still using a device most people ditched before Instagram even existed.



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<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a></li>
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Let's rewind.



Back in 2016, Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/10/41188299/if-you-invested-1-000-in-apple-stock-when-warren-buffett-bought-shares-heres-how-much-youd-have">started scooping up Apple shares</a>. By 2018, he had a serious stake. At that point, he was still proudly carrying a Samsung SCH-U320 flip phone—a relic even then. While Apple's CEO Tim Cook was busy running one of the most valuable companies on Earth, he was also trying to convince his biggest shareholder to at least use the product.



"Tim Cook sent me a Christmas card again this year saying he's going to sell me an iPhone this year," Buffett said in a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/10/warren-buffet-isnt-eager-to-trade-his-flip-phone-in-for-an-iphone.html">2018 CNBC interview</a>, holding up his vintage phone like it was a trophy. He even joked that Cook kept reminding him every Christmas.



Still, Buffett didn't budge.



He didn't switch to an iPhone until 2020, a year when Apple's stock price hit a record high, driving the company's valuation near $1.5 trillion. <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/warren-buffett-scored-billions-gain-apple-stock-profit-washed-up-2020-6-1029293940">According to Markets Insider</a>, Berkshire's Apple stake hit roughly $72 billion at the end of 2019—and by mid-2020, that number had jumped by another $11 billion, hitting $83 billion. That single stock made up over 40% of Berkshire's equity portfolio.



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That's when Buffett finally let go of his beloved burner.



"My flip phone is permanently gone," he told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/24/apple-investor-warren-buffett-traded-in-his-flip-phone-for-an-iphone.html">CNBC's Becky Quick on Squawk Box</a> in February 2020. "I've been given several of them, including [from] Tim Cook." He officially switched to an iPhone 11, though he admitted he mostly used it "as a phone" and wasn't diving deep into apps or emoji keyboards. "You're looking at an 89-year-old guy who's barely beginning to get with it," he said.



It's worth noting: Buffett was already managing one of the largest Apple stakes in the world before ever making a single FaceTime call.



His aversion to upgrades isn't new. Back in a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/23/us/warren-buffett-piers-interview/index.html">2013 CNN interview</a>, Buffett pulled out a Nokia flip phone and joked, "This is the one Alexander Graham Bell gave me." He added, "I don't throw anything away until I've had it 20 or 25 years." That wasn't some figure of speech—he meant it. The Nokia was still in his pocket at a time when iPhones had fingerprint scanners.



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The underlying philosophy? Buffett <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44464242/warren-buffett-said-i-love-your-business-i-love-you-ill-give-you-4-billion-but-refused-to-cross-an-ocean-to-see-a-business-before-buying-it">never needed to use a product to see its value</a>. He bought Apple not because he wanted to join the iPhone hype, but because he believed in the business model. And he believed in it enough to let it dominate his portfolio.



Fast forward to 2024, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44349818/warren-buffett-dumped-nearly-70-of-apple-shares-but-its-price-to-sales-ratio-remains-elevated-at-8-2x-warns-this-market-analyst">Buffett began trimming that Apple stake</a>. He sold about 115 million shares in Q1—roughly 13% of Berkshire's total. Then in Q2, Berkshire shed another $80 billion worth of Apple stock. Still, Berkshire retained more than 905 million shares valued at approximately $174 billion, according to company filings. That's 6% of all outstanding Apple shares and nearly one-fifth of Berkshire's entire portfolio.



So while Buffett finally <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45032214/analyst-questions-apples-reported-iphone-shift-to-india-amid-china-tariff-pressures-doesnt-solve-all-the-problems">embraced Apple hardware</a>, he did so at his own pace—and only after Apple stock helped add tens of billions to his bottom line.



Because for Buffett, it's never been about chasing trends. It's about buying value and holding it.



Even if that means holding a flip phone long past its expiration date.



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Warren Buffett Held $72 Billion In Apple Stock — But Still Used A $20 Samsung Flip Phone: 'I Don't Throw Anything Away Until I've Had It 25 Years'

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