Jamie Dimon, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40914747/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-thinks-social-media-platforms-like-tiktok-and-facebook-are-a-total-stupid-w">outspoken CEO</a> of JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), isn&#8217;t pulling any punches regarding his feelings about U.S. financial regulations. In a fiery speech at a recent conference, Dimon made it clear that the banking industry is fed up with what he describes as overlapping, ill-conceived rules. He's had enough and it&#8217;s time, he says, to &#8220;fight back.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, says it&#39;s time for corporations to &quot;fight back&quot; against regulators. &quot;You know, if you&#39;re in a knife fight, you better damn well bring a knife &#8230; It&#39;s time to fight back.&quot; JPMorgan Chase made an astonishing $50 billion in profits last year. <a href="https://t.co/zWyERJ5LQm">pic.twitter.com/zWyERJ5LQm</a>&mdash; More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MorePerfectUS/status/1851294825548763534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



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According to Dimon, regulations like capital requirements, card payments and open banking have gotten out of control. He thinks these <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41586685/jamie-dimon-rips-stupid-calculations-in-proposed-banking-reforms-calls-for-regulatory-overhaul">regulations hurt companies, </a>particularly smaller ones and prevent growth rather than make the financial system safer. He stated that lower-paid people ultimately face the weight of limited access to financial services.



At the heart of his argument is a belief that banks are getting pushed around by regulators and that it&#8217;s time to push back. He compared the current situation to a knife fight, where bringing a knife is the only way to have a chance. For Dimon, that means not shying away from lawsuits and direct challenges to what he calls unfair regulations.&nbsp;



Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2"> You can still get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $1,000</a>



One point of contention is the Basel III endgame – a set of proposed rules to align U.S. banking standards with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. While regulators argue that these changes will make the industry more resilient to economic shocks, Dimon sees things differently. To him, it's all about the details and he's not convinced that these tweaks are in the best interest of banks or their customers.



Dimon also criticized how card-issuing companies like American Express and Discover can charge more for debit card transactions, while banks face strict limits. To him, this is just another example of a regulation that's &#8220;grossly unfair.&#8221;



See Also: 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"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>



Another target of Dimon&#8217;s criticism was the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/10/41599526/new-consumer-financial-regulations-unlock-data-for-ai">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a> (CFPB). Although their recent decision to facilitate client switching between financial service providers sounds like a win for customers, to Dimon, it creates opportunities for fraud and data breaches. He's not against open banking in theory but he's ready to fight any policy that puts consumers at risk.



And while his name often gets thrown into the ring for top government roles like Treasury Secretary, Dimon has been clear that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/11/41783392/jamie-dimon-doesnt-plans-to-join-trump-administration-affirms-commitment-to-jpmorgan">he&#8217;s not interested</a>. He's focused on leading JPMorgan Chase, which he's done for nearly two decades and fighting what he considers unnecessary and damaging regulations from the outside.



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<li>This Adobe-backed AI marketing startup went from a $5 to $85 million valuation working with brands like L'Oréal, Hasbro, and Sweetgreen in just three years –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-ai"> here's how there's a limited time opportunity to invest at $1,000 for only $0.50/share before closing date.</a></li>



<li>‘Scrolling to UBI': Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2"> invest today with $1,000 for just $0.25/share</a></li>
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Startups

'If You're In A Knife Fight, You Better Damn Well Bring A Knife' – JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Calls For A Stand Against Regulation

An endorsement of Donald Trump by Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk angered some existing owners of vehicles made by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41501607/tesla-q3-earnings-highlights-eps-beat-revenue-miss-shares-climb-on-2025-timeline-for-lower-cost-evs">electric vehicle company</a>.



People who are embarrassed to be driving Tesla vehicles after the 2024 election are buying bumper stickers to show their anger of the Trump endorsement.



What Happened: Tesla owners may <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39804113/exclusive-elon-musk-is-burning-his-own-blue-bridges-by-donating-to-trump-says-market-expert">disagree with Musk</a> many times throughout the year, whether it's his posts on X, views on cryptocurrency or his recent increased political campaigning and funding.



The endorsement of Trump in the 2024 election may have been the final straw for some Tesla owners. While some Tesla owners may decide to sell their vehicle in protest and get a different vehicle, some are likely to keep the vehicle due to Tesla's advanced technology.



Those who love their Tesla vehicles, but are mad at Musk have turned to a solution of plastering anti-Elon Musk bumper stickers on their vehicle.



Matthew Hiller of Hawaii has a sticker business <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadPufferStickers">called </a>Mad Puffer Stickers on Etsy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETSY#NASDAQ">ETSY</a>) that has been among the places where Tesla owners are turning after the election.



Hiller shared with <a href="https://heatmap.news/electric-vehicles/anti-elon-bumper-sticker-tesla">Heatmap </a>that the sticker business is his side hustle to a full-time job at an aquarium. As a fan of making fish stickers and other designs, Hiller used his personal experience of wanting to buy a Tesla in early 2023, but not agreeing with everything Musk stood for.



"When he bought Twitter, he started extreme censoring of information, taking verification marks off The New York Times and things like that to sow discontent, disinformation, and push his agenda. And it was ugly," Hiller said.



Hiller realized that there were likely many people who were now embarrassed to be driving their Teslas around.



"So I made the fist sticker, which said, ‘I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy.'"



Hiller printed up a small run and after a slow initial time to see some sales, the stickers went viral a couple of times. Eventually Hiller was selling five to seven stickers a day and some days he would sell 50 because of a picture going viral.



"And now, at this point, it's gone insane."



Hiller told Heatmap his sales have been "unbelievable" since the 2024 election.



After the election, Hiller said he sold between 250 and 300 in one day and said the sales have "been steady ever since."



"I can barely keep up."



You may not be a billionaire like Elon Musk, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41187322/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">check out five </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/11/42013739/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-43">stocks </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41187322/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>



The sticker entrepreneur said he can barely keep up with the momentum and comes home from the aquarium to start packing stickers until night.



Hiller estimates that he's sold around 10,000 stickers since he started on Etsy and he is currently selling around 180 total stickers per day, a total that doesn't just include anti-Elon Musk stickers.



The most popular sticker sold by Hiller is the "I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy," which he said is by far the top seller. &nbsp;



Along with being a popular seller on Etsy, the anti-Musk bumper stickers are also among the top sellers on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tesla-Bumper-Sticker-Bought-Accessories/dp/B0C4KHKN4S/ref=zg_bs_g_268880011_d_sccl_3/142-4678181-8008934?psc=1">Amazon </a>with Hiller's most popular design ranked among the top five bumper stickers on the e-commerce site, sometimes hitting number one in the category.



"That's insane. People hate Elon more than they love Trump or Kamala?" Hiller added.



Read Next: 



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/11/41985486/if-tesla-stock-hits-all-time-highs-in-2025-will-it-be-driven-by-trump-musk-relationship-benzinga-readers-say-this">If Tesla Stock Hits All-Time Highs In 2025, Will It Be Driven By Trump-Musk Relationship? Benzinga Readers Say This</a>

News

Success Stories

ETSY

TSLA

Tesla Owners Who Don't Like Musk Are Letting Bumper Stickers Do The Talking

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h3>



Evolent Health Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EVH#NYSE">EVH</a>) is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/08/40529349/evolent-health-explores-sale-garners-inbound-interest-from-private-equity-firms">reportedly up for sale</a>. The Arlington, Virginia-based software provide initiated an auction process after receiving takeover inquiries. Among the potential suitors are TPG Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPG#NASDAQ">TPG</a>), Clayton, Dubilier &amp; Rice, and KKR &amp; Co. Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>). Reuters reported that health insurer Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>) may join forces with a private equity partner to pursue a deal.



Kronos Bio Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRON#NASDAQ">KRON</a>), a company focused on developing therapies for cancer, is exploring &#8220;strategic alternatives,&#8221; including an acquisition or merger.The San Mateo, Califonia-based company reported $124.9 million in cash reserves as of Sept. 30. 



Saint-Gobain (PARIS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SGO#PARIS">SGO</a>) is considering a sale of its auto glass unit, which could fetch up to 2.5 billion euro ($2.6 billion), per <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-13/st-gobain-is-said-to-weigh-2-5-billion-sale-of-auto-glass-unit">Bloomberg</a>. The company is reportedly considering this strategic move as part of its broader business evaluation. This sale aligns with Saint-Gobain&#8217;s efforts to streamline its operations and focus on core business areas.



Shell (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHEL#NYSE">SHEL</a>) is seeking to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-13/shell-aims-to-sell-majority-stake-in-carbon-offsets-business?srnd=phx-deals">jettison</a> a majority of its carbon offsets portfolio. The company first launched the portfolio of offsets, which covers dozens of projects, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-08-31/shell-silently-abandoned-its-100-million-a-year-plan-to-offset-co2-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in 2018</a>. 



Unilever (LSE: ULVR) is exploring the sale of some Dutch food brands, including Unox soups and Conimex seasonings. According to Reuters, the company will instead focus on its biggest &#8220;power&#8221; labels.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/11/42024210/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-tesla-disney-gold-and-hedge-funds-project-bitcoin-to-hit-100k-150k">Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Disney, Gold — And Hedge Funds Project Bitcoin To Hit $100K-$150K</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h3>



Alex Jones&#8217;s media company, Infowars, is now the property of satirical publication The Onion. The publication&#8217;s backers were none other than the families <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41982446/jokes-on-jones-onion-backed-by-families-of-sandy-hook-victims-buys-info-wars">of Sandy Hook victims</a>. Observers praised the deal as poetic justice, considering Jones owes over $1 billion in defamation judgments against those families. Jones, who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36168941/elon-musks-controversial-move-alex-jones-returns-to-x-after-user-vote">has garnered sympathy from</a> right-wing personalities like Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson, confirmed the acquisition in a visibly distressed social media video, blaming &#8220;Democrats.&#8221;



Diamond Sports Group&#8216;s restructuring will include reducing its debt from nearly $9 billion to $200 million, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42388454/diamond-sports-group-emerges-bankruptcy">ESPN</a> reports. The restructuring plan received what Diamond categorized as &#8220;nearly unanimous support&#8221; from debt holders. Diamond, currently possessing $100 million in liquidity, will emerge from bankruptcy and operate as a stand-alone entity. Sinclair, the parent company, took on $8 billion in debt to buy regional channels from Fox for $10.6 billion in 2019. That debt contributed to Diamond&#8217;s bankruptcy.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h3>



Currently, there are no concrete indications that Humana Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>) is actively pursuing a sale. Recent speculation regarding Humana being acquired by Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>) was definitively addressed, with Cigna explicitly stating that it is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/11/41877573/cigna-not-pursuing-humana-merger-stock-soars">not pursuing a merger</a> with Humana at this time. This clarification came after rumors reignited post-election, driven by the potential for more lenient antitrust reviews under the new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41979935/golden-years-for-ma-deals-ahead-under-trump-analysts-highlight-top-10-large-cap-candidates">Republican administration and Congress</a>.



Spirit Airlines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAVE#NYSE">SAVE</a>) is no longer in deal talks with Frontier Airlines (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULCC#NASDAQ">ULCC</a>). It&#8217;s now in advanced discussions with bondholders to finalize a bankruptcy plan. The carrier continues to struggle with mounting losses and looming debt maturities. A bankruptcy filing is expected to happen within weeks, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/41932146/spirit-airlines-nears-bankruptcy-creditors-may-approve-equity-cancellation-heres-what-it-means-for-investors-as-shares-fall-with-a-thud">the Wall Street Journal</a>.



MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MEIP#NASDAQ">MEIP</a>) continues to explore M&amp;A opportunities, hiring Oppenheimer &amp; Co., Inc. as an exclusive financial advisor to assist the process. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the company commenced cash preservation efforts that include a reduction-in-force, which will continue in stages as the Company's operational and strategic direction evolves.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Notes From The Block</h3>



Wall Street anticipates a surge in M&amp;A as Republicans take control of Congress and deregulate. Analysts expect Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan's removal, which could ease antitrust scrutiny. Bank of America highlights that Republican administrations, like President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s, historically foster over 50% more financial sector M&amp;A activity compared to Democratic ones. 



Bank of America also predicts that 2025 could mark a better year for M&amp;A as rate cuts take effect and economic conditions stabilize. Here&#8217;s a list of five potential targets the bank compiled. For the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41979935/golden-years-for-ma-deals-ahead-under-trump-analysts-highlight-top-10-large-cap-candidates">full list, click here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Company</th><th>Sector</th><th>Market Cap ($M)</th><th>Free Cash Flows-to-Enterprise Value (%)</th><th>Long-Term Growth Expectations (%)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Universal Health Services Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>)</td><td>Health Care</td><td>13,932</td><td>4.4</td><td>25.3</td></tr><tr><td>Ralph LaurenCorp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RL#NYSE">RL</a>)</td><td>Consumer Disc.</td><td>12,473</td><td>5.99</td><td>10.5</td></tr><tr><td>Paramount Global (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NYSE">PARA</a>)</td><td>Comm. Services</td><td>7,250</td><td>3.4</td><td>46.4</td></tr><tr><td>Jabil Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JBL#NYSE">JBL</a>)</td><td>Technology</td><td>14,480</td><td>6.39</td><td>12.7</td></tr><tr><td>Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAS#NASDAQ">HAS</a>)</td><td>Consumer Disc.</td><td>9,215</td><td>3.6</td><td>27.5</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



For last week&#8217;s Deal Dispatch, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/asset-sales/24/11/41866114/deal-dispatch-prison-companies-in-focus-post-election-tripadvisor-boasts-11b-in-cash">click here</a>.



Now Read: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41699259/nvidia-rides-ai-wave-to-replace-intel-on-dow-jones-industrial-average-ending-its-25-year-run">Nvidia Rides AI Wave To Replace Intel On Dow Jones Industrial Average, Ending Its 25-Year Run</a></li>
</ul>

AAUKF

APTV

ATSG

FFIV

KRON

MEIP

NISTF

PARA

PARIS:SGO

ROIC

SAVE

SHEL

SLGWF

SLNG

TRIP

TSX:SGO

ULCC

Deal Dispatch: Shell, Unilever And More Are On The Sell Side; The Onion Makes Alex Jones Cry Foul

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.



The major indexes, which had been climbing following Trump&#8217;s election victory, lost momentum this week, with the S&amp;P 500 down 2.1%, the Nasdaq dropping 3.2%, and the Dow shedding 1.2%. 



October consumer inflation matched expectations, but producer inflation exceeded forecasts, sparking concerns about the sustainability of disinflation as the year closes. 



Investor sentiment weakened further after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell made unexpectedly hawkish comments, emphasizing the Fed&#8217;s cautious approach and lack of urgency to reduce interest rates. As a result, market expectations for a December rate cut have significantly decreased, leaving traders uncertain <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/24/11/42018463/trumps-post-election-rally-fades-dollar-surges-to-over-1-year-highs-powell-puts-december-interest-rate-cut-into-question-this-week-in-the-market">about the Fed's next steps.</a>



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41988194/trump-plans-to-erase-ev-tax-credit-analyst-says-its-net-bullish-calls-sell-off-wrong-knee-jerk-reaction">Trump Plans To Erase EV Tax Credit: Tesla Analyst Says It&#8217;s &#8216;Net Bullish,&#8217; Calls Sell-Off &#8216;Wrong Knee-Jerk Reaction&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/adam-eckert">Adam Eckert</a>, discusses Donald Trump&#8217;s plan to end the $7,500 EV tax credit, which initially caused a sell-off in Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares. However, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives sees it as a &#8220;net bullish&#8221; move for Tesla long-term, with minimal impact due to the company's strong market position.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41897397/bitcoin-to-peak-between-100k-150k-solana-to-top-600-this-cycle-say-hedge-funds-vcs">Bitcoin To Peak Between $100K-150K, Solana To Top $600 This Cycle, Say Hedge Funds, VCs</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a> reveals predictions from venture capital and hedge fund managers that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) could peak at $150,000 and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) at $600 this bull cycle, reflecting tempered optimism amid recent market volatility.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/11/42015289/disney-q4-report-had-a-lot-to-like-analyst-calls-it-a-high-quality-profit-growth-performer">Disney Q4 Earnings Show &#8216;A Lot To Like&#8217;: Analyst Calls It &#8216;High-Quality&#8217; Profit Growth Performer</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) exceeding Q4 direct-to-consumer profit estimates and unveiling multi-year guidance, prompting analysts like Guggenheim&#8217;s Michael Morris to raise price targets, citing double-digit EPS growth expected by 2026.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/11/41884655/bank-of-america-predicts-positive-stock-re-rating-for-wells-fargo-after-asset-cap-removal">Bank Of America Predicts Positive Stock Re-Rating For Wells Fargo After Asset Cap Removal</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41890600/anthony-scaramucci-optimistic-of-a-us-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-trumps-victory-accelerated-the-cycle">Anthony Scaramucci Optimistic On US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: &#8216;Trump&#8217;s Victory Accelerated The Cycle&#8217;</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/41991912/sam-altman-backed-oklo-reports-q3-earnings-momentum-is-building-every-week">Sam Altman-Backed Oklo Reports Q3 Earnings: &#8216;Momentum Is Building Every Week&#8217;</a>



The Bears



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41932146/spirit-airlines-shares-plunge-nearly-63-after-hours-as-it-delays-q3-results-mulls-equity-cancellation">Spirit Airlines Nears Bankruptcy, Creditors May Approve Equity &#8216;Cancellation:&#8217; Here&#8217;s What It Means For Investors As Shares Fall With A Thud</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/rishabhmishra-benzinga-com">Rishabh Mishra</a>, details Spirit Airlines Inc.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAVE#NYSE">SAVE</a>) 63% share plunge after delaying Q3 earnings and entering restructuring talks, potentially canceling existing equity. 



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/24/11/41888750/gold-etf-hit-with-1-billion-outflow-investors-dump-safe-haven-asset-after-trump-win">Gold ETF Hit With $1 Billion Outflow: Investors Dump Safe Haven Asset After Trump Win</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, highlights a $1 billion outflow from SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) as investors shift from gold, citing expectations of a stronger dollar and economic growth under Donald Trump&#8217;s re-election, while Bitcoin gains popularity as &#8220;digital gold.&#8221;



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41986341/what-is-plug-powers-future-analysts-warn-of-cash-crunch-and-slow-hydrogen-market-growth">What Is Plug Power&#8217;s Future? Analysts Warn Of Cash Crunch And Slow Hydrogen Market Growth</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/lekha-gupta">Lekha Gupta</a>, highlights concerns over Plug Power Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLUG#NASDAQ">PLUG</a>) high cash burn and weak Q3 results, with analysts forecasting revenue below estimates for 2024 and 2025, despite potential DOE loan support and European hydrogen project backing.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41941228/att-data-breach-exposes-50-billion-records-hackers-identified-ransom-paid">AT&amp;T Data Breach Exposes 50 Billion Records: Hackers Identified, Ransom Paid</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41880110/solar-renewables-stocks-crash-after-trump-win-should-you-buy-now-at-cheap-valuations">Solar, Renewables Stocks Crash After Trump Win: Should You Buy Now At Cheap Valuations?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/41902202/trumps-china-hawks-rumored-for-top-roles-yuan-hits-3-month-low">Chinese Currency Hits 3-Month Low: Trump&#8217;s Anti-China Cabinet Appointments Rattle Investors</a>



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



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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Disney, Gold — And Hedge Funds Project Bitcoin To Hit $100K-$150K

The European Union has directed&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) to discontinue geo-blocking on its media services. The European Commission has identified several geo-blocking practices on Apple's platforms, including the App Store, Apple Arcade, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41897368/apple-ordered-by-eu-to-end-geo-blocking-on-app-store-itunes-and-other-apps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Music, iTunes Store, Books, and Podcasts</a>.



Following the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, Taylor Swift's fanbase, known as "Swifties," have reportedly started leaving Elon Musk‘s social media platform X, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41872302/taylor-swift-fans-abandon-elon-musks-x-for-bluesky-how-trumps-election-victory-triggered-swifties-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formerly </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41872302/taylor-swift-fans-abandon-elon-musks-x-for-bluesky-how-trumps-election-victory-triggered-swifties-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41872302/taylor-swift-fans-abandon-elon-musks-x-for-bluesky-how-trumps-election-victory-triggered-swifties-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">, for </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41872302/taylor-swift-fans-abandon-elon-musks-x-for-bluesky-how-trumps-election-victory-triggered-swifties-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluesky</a>.



Gaming



Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) Gaming CEO&nbsp;Phil Spencer&nbsp;has confirmed the company has its sights set on a handheld gaming device under the Xbox brand. He did temper expectations, saying the device is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/11/41948549/xbox-handheld-a-few-years-out-says-microsoft-gaming-ceo-hints-at-cross-platform-games-new-acquisitions" rel="noreferrer noopener">still &#8220;a few years out&#8221;&nbsp;from release</a>.



Nintendo Co., Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTDOY#OTC">NTDOY</a>) filed a lawsuit against a gamer for allegedly streaming pirated games <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/11/41887408/nintendo-sues-streamer-over-pirated-games-claims-millions-dollars-lost-revenue" rel="noreferrer noopener">before their&nbsp;official release dates</a>.



Valve is launching a limited-edition Steam Deck OLED: White Edition on Nov. 18, with global <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/11/41914135/valves-steam-deck-oled-gets-makeover-heres-what-you-need-to-know" rel="noreferrer noopener">availability and limited stock.</a>



Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/11/41884190/did-rockstar-drop-gta-6-trailer-hint-fans-spot-moon-clue-pointing-to-nov-22" rel="noreferrer noopener">Did Rockstar Drop GTA 6 Trailer Hint? Fans Spot Moon Clue Pointing To Nov. 22</a>



Smartphones



Apple introduced an automatic reboot feature for idle&nbsp;iPhones in its latest&nbsp;iOS 18.1 update <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41873261/apples-ios-18-1-update-adds-inactivity-reboot-to-lock-down-unused-iphones-heres-how-it-protects-your-privacy" rel="noreferrer noopener">to bolster device security</a>.



Apple has begun selling repair parts&nbsp;for its latest&nbsp;iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41870693/apple-starts-selling-iphone-16-repair-parts-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-diy-fixes-for-your-iphone" rel="noreferrer noopener">its self-service repair store</a>.



Apple reportedly plans to make its "first foray" into the smart home IP camera market in 2026, aiming for "tens of millions" of annual shipments, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41891237/apples-smart-camera-coming-in-2026-cupertino-eyeing-tens-of-millions-in-annual-shipments-says-top-supply-chain-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41891237/apples-smart-camera-coming-in-2026-cupertino-eyeing-tens-of-millions-in-annual-shipments-says-top-supply-chain-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ming-Chi Kuo</a>.



Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41894509/apples-next-big-bet-think-smaller-says-analyst-there-will-never-be-another-iphone" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple&#8217;s Next Big Bet? Think Smaller, Says Analyst: &#8216;There Will Never Be Another… iPhone&#8217;</a>



Apple reportedly plans to unveil a new AI wall tablet to challenge&nbsp;Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and&nbsp;Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41928049/apples-new-ai-wall-tablet-with-siri-and-video-calling-set-to-challenge-amazon-and-google-in-smart-home-race" rel="noreferrer noopener">in the smart home race</a>.



Apple announced a new feature for its Find My app that allows users to share the location of lost items <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41931360/apples-airtag-users-can-now-share-location-with-airlines-for-faster-recovery-of-lost-luggage" rel="noreferrer noopener">with third parties, including airlines</a>.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41931521/apples-2024-mac-mini-is-a-compact-powerhouse-but-its-power-button-placement-is-not-the-most-accessible-here-are-some-workable-fixes" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple&#8217;s 2024 Mac Mini Is A Compact Powerhouse, But Its Power Button Placement Is Not The Most Accessible: Here Are Some Workable Fixes</a>



Consumer group&nbsp;Which?&nbsp;has filed a £3 billion ($3.81 billion) legal claim against&nbsp;Apple, accusing the tech giant of breaching U.K. competition law <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41964915/apple-faces-legal-action-over-rip-off-icloud-charges-could-pay-out-38b-to-uk-customers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">through its&nbsp;iCloud service</a>.



Online Retail



In a move to attract holiday shoppers,&nbsp;Amazon.com rolled out early Black Friday discounts on a range of&nbsp;Apple products. These deals offer significant savings on the latest MacBook Pro, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41872968/amazon-offers-early-black-friday-deals-with-up-to-350-off-on-apple-macbooks-heres-more" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mac mini, and MacBook Air models</a>.



Amazon is reportedly&nbsp;developing smart eyeglasses for its&nbsp;delivery drivers, aiming to streamline&nbsp;the final stretch of an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41891126/amazons-new-smart-eyeglasses-for-drivers-aim-to-shave-seconds-off-deliveries-but-theres-more-than-what-meets-the-eye" rel="noreferrer noopener">order's journey to a customer's&nbsp;home</a>.



Amazon is preparing to introduce its newest artificial intelligence chips in December. His strategic move aims to leverage Amazon's significant investments in semiconductors and reduce reliance on Jensen <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41895759/amazon-set-to-introduce-new-ai-chips-in-december-to-rival-jensen-huangs-ai-stalwart-we-want-to-be-absolutely-the-best-place-to-run-nvidia" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huang's&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41895759/amazon-set-to-introduce-new-ai-chips-in-december-to-rival-jensen-huangs-ai-stalwart-we-want-to-be-absolutely-the-best-place-to-run-nvidia" rel="noreferrer noopener">NVIDIA Corporation </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41895759/amazon-set-to-introduce-new-ai-chips-in-december-to-rival-jensen-huangs-ai-stalwart-we-want-to-be-absolutely-the-best-place-to-run-nvidia" rel="noreferrer noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)</a>.



Amazon.com&nbsp;confirmed a vendor data breach exposing employee contact information, linking the company to the widening&nbsp;MOVEit&nbsp;hack. The exact number of affected employees is unclear, but a screenshot from the hacking forum shows over 2.8 million lines <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41927913/amazon-confirms-vendor-data-breach-affecting-2-8m-employee-contacts-adds-to-growing-list-of-moveit-hack-victims" rel="noreferrer noopener">in the alleged Amazon dataset</a>.



Socia Media &amp; Technology



Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)&nbsp;is reportedly planning to introduce ads on its&nbsp;Threads&nbsp;platform in early 2025 as&nbsp;Elon Musk's X&nbsp;is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/11/41963996/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-eyes-2025-to-introduce-ads-on-threads-as-elon-musks-x-loses-favor-with-major-brands-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">losing favor with major brands</a>.



Several prominent French media organizations, including those owned by billionaire&nbsp;Bernard Arnault, have filed a lawsuit against&nbsp;Elon Musk's&nbsp;social media platform&nbsp;X&nbsp;for allegedly using <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/11/41964636/elon-musk-bernard-arnault-once-discussed-potential-spacex-louis-vuitton-collab-the-french-billionaires-media-group-has-now-sued-x-over-alleged-unpaid-content-use" rel="noreferrer noopener">their content without compensation</a>.



Google Gemini&nbsp;app has been spotted as a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41891904/googles-standalone-gemini-app-for-iphone-spotted-with-live-activity-what-it-could-mean-for-your-ai-experience" rel="noreferrer noopener">standalone&nbsp;app on the&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41891904/googles-standalone-gemini-app-for-iphone-spotted-with-live-activity-what-it-could-mean-for-your-ai-experience" rel="noreferrer noopener">App Store</a>.



Microsoft President&nbsp;Brad Smith&nbsp;emphasized China's swift technological advancements, suggesting they <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41939983/microsoft-president-warns-beijings-tech-progress-is-catching-up-with-the-west-people-who-dont-go-to-china-too-often-assume-theyre-behind" rel="noreferrer noopener">are on par with Western nations</a>.



Artificial Intelligence



To counter AI-driven misinformation,&nbsp;OpenAI's ChatGPT&nbsp;rejected 250,000 deepfake image requests of candidates in the month<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41870783/chatgpt-denies-250k-deepfake-requests-in-lead-up-to-election-day-aiming-to-curb-ai-driven-misinformation-in-2024-presidential-race" rel="noreferrer noopener"> before the&nbsp;2024 election</a>.



OpenAI CEO&nbsp;Sam Altman&nbsp;has expressed his appreciation for&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;and&nbsp;SpaceX&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk's&nbsp;initial financial <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41893707/openai-ceo-sam-altman-thanks-elon-musk-for-early-support-in-chatgpts-rise-and-shares-advice-hed-give-his-younger-self-at-stanford" rel="noreferrer noopener">backing&nbsp;in&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41893707/openai-ceo-sam-altman-thanks-elon-musk-for-early-support-in-chatgpts-rise-and-shares-advice-hed-give-his-younger-self-at-stanford" rel="noreferrer noopener">ChatGPT</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41893707/openai-ceo-sam-altman-thanks-elon-musk-for-early-support-in-chatgpts-rise-and-shares-advice-hed-give-his-younger-self-at-stanford" rel="noreferrer noopener">-parent</a>.



OpenAI co-founder&nbsp;Greg Brockman&nbsp;has announced his comeback to the AI startup<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41927135/greg-brockman-returns-to-work-at-chatgpts-parent-company-back-to-building-openai" rel="noreferrer noopener"> after a three-month leave</a>.



OpenAI&nbsp;reportedly plans to launch a new&nbsp;AI agent, codenamed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41964846/openais-operator-ai-agent-will-perform-tasks-like-coding-travel-booking-and-more-launch-expected-in-january-next-year-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8220;Operator,&#8221; in January</a>.



Dario Amodei, CEO of&nbsp;Anthropic, predicts&nbsp;AGI could become&nbsp;a reality by 2026 or 2027 but warns that external <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41928832/anthropic-ceo-says-ai-similar-to-human-intelligence-could-be-around-the-corner-well-get-there-by-2026-or-2027" rel="noreferrer noopener">factors may delay progress</a>.



Unbabel, a startup based in Lisbon, has introduced a new AI-powered translation service called Widn.AI. The company's CEO,&nbsp;Vasco Pedro, predicts that human translators might become<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41932536/ai-coming-for-translator-jobs-this-ceo-says-humans-wont-be-needed-for-translation-except-most-difficult-use-cases-in-3-years" rel="noreferrer noopener"> obsolete within the next three years</a>.

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Consumer Tech News (November 11-15): Apple Plans To Launch An AI Wall Tablet, Meta Plans To Introduce Ads On Threads & More

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Man Sentenced To 12 ½ Years For Bitcoin Money Laundering On The Darknet&nbsp;</h2>



Roman Sterlingov was sentenced <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/bitcoin-fog-operator-sentenced-money-laundering-conspiracy">last Friday</a> to 12 years and six months in prison for his operation of the longest-running Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) money laundering service on the darknet. 



Sterlingov was also ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $395,563,025.39 and forfeiture of seized cryptocurrencies and monetary assets valued at approximately $1.76 million. Additionally, he was ordered to forfeit his interest in the Bitcoin Fog wallet, totaling approximately 1,345 bitcoin and currently valued at more than $103 million.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/41949068/bitcoin-could-reach-1-million-by-2037-economist-says-buy-of-a-lifetime-opportunity">Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million By 2037, Economist Says: &#8216;Buy Of A Lifetime&#8217; Opportunity</a>



According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2011 through 2021, Sterlingov was involved in operating Bitcoin Fog, the darknet's longest-running cryptocurrency "mixer." Bitcoin Fog became known as a money laundering service for criminals and processed transactions involving over 1.2 million bitcoin, valued at approximately $400 million at the time the transactions occurred.&nbsp;



"Roman Sterlingov ran the longest-running bitcoin money laundering service on the darknet, and today he paid the price," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.&nbsp;



"In the deepest corners of the internet, he provided a home for criminals of all stripes, from drug traffickers to identity thieves, to store hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds," Monaco said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Launder Cryptocurrency Scam Proceeds</h2>



Daren Li, a dual citizen of China and St. Kitts and Nevis, pleaded guilty <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/foreign-national-pleads-guilty-laundering-millions-proceeds-cryptocurrency-investment-scams">on Tuesday </a>to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in a scheme to launder millions of dollars in proceeds of cryptocurrency investment scams.



According to court documents, Li admitted that he conspired with others to launder funds obtained from victims through cryptocurrency scams and related fraud. Li instructed co-conspirators to open U.S. bank accounts on behalf of shell companies and would then monitor the receipt interstate and international wire transfers of victim funds.&nbsp;



Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/11/41993328/trump-media-insiders-sell-more-than-16-million-in-djt-stock">Trump Media Insiders Sell More Than $16 Million In DJT Stock</a>



Li and his co-conspirators received victim funds in financial accounts they controlled, and then monitor the conversion of victim funds to virtual currency, specifically Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>), and the eventual distribution of the virtual currency to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by Li and his co-conspirators.



"Financial criminals and the money launderers who enable them wreak untold harm, ruining lives in the process," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California.&nbsp;



"Investors should be diligent and on guard against anyone offering quick riches via new, exotic investments. A healthy dose of skepticism could prevent financial ruin down the road," Estrada said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEC Charges Invesco Advisers For Misleading Statements About ESG Investments</h2>



Last Friday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Invesco Advisers, Inc. for making <a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-179">misleading statements</a> about the percentage of company-wide assets under management that integrated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions.&nbsp;



According to the SEC's order, from 2020 to 2022, Invesco told clients and stated in marketing materials that between 70% and 94% of its parent company's assets under management were "ESG integrated." However, these percentages included a substantial amount of assets that were held in passive ETFs that did not consider ESG factors in investment decisions. The SEC's order also found that Invesco lacked any written policy defining ESG integration.



"As stated in the order, Invesco saw commercial value in claiming that a high percentage of company-wide assets were ESG integrated. But saying it doesn't make it so," said Sanjay Wadhwa, Acting Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement.&nbsp;



"Companies should be straightforward with their clients and investors rather than seeking to capitalize on investing trends and buzzwords," Wadhwa added.&nbsp;



Invesco agreed to cease and desist from violations of the charged provisions, be censured and pay a $17.5 million civil penalty to settle the SEC's charges.&nbsp;



Read Next:&nbsp;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/42009316/jeff-bezos-ex-wife-mackenzie-scott-sells-more-amazon-shares">Jeff Bezos&#8217; Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott Sells More Amazon Shares</a></li>
</ul>



Image: NoName_13 from Pixabay

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Financial Crime Weekly: Darknet Money Laundering, Crypto Scams, Invesco Pays $17.5M SEC Penalty

It might surprise you, but Warren Buffett, the 6th richest man in the world with a net worth of over $147 billion, has a unique perk in his wallet: a McDonald's Gold Card that gives him free meals for life at any McDonald's in Omaha, Nebraska.&nbsp;



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Yes, that's right – the Oracle of Omaha gets free McDonald's in his hometown whenever he wants and he's not shy about using it. In a memorable 2007 interview with CNBC, Buffett joked about his fondness for the card, saying, "So that's why the Buffett family has Christmas dinner at McDonald's. It explains a lot of things."



Buffett's love for McDonald's isn't just about the food; it reflects his famously modest lifestyle. Despite his billions, Buffett lives simply, sticking close to his Omaha roots and enjoying the occasional fast-food meal.&nbsp;



Trending: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/connect-invest-real-estate-notes">These high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% &#8211; 9% make earning passive income easier than ever.</a>



According to the HBO documentary Becoming Warren Buffett, he's so committed to his daily McDonald's breakfast that he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41230382/warren-buffett-lets-the-stock-market-decide-his-mcdonalds-breakfast-order-when-its-up-he-spends-">spends no more than $3.17 each morning</a>, choosing his order based on how "prosperous" he's feeling. One day might call for a $2.61 sausage patty meal, while a good day merits a $3.17 bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.



And Buffett isn't the only billionaire with a prestigious McDonald's Gold Card, officially known as a "McGold Card." His close friend and fellow billionaire <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/05/39083570/billionaire-bill-gates-has-a-mcdonalds-gold-card-that-gives-him-free-food-for-life-worldwide">Bill Gates also has one – </a>but with a notable upgrade. Gates' Gold Card is valid worldwide, meaning he can pick up a free meal at any McDonald's, from Tokyo to Paris. Buffett poked fun at this difference in the same 2007 interview, saying, "Bill Gates has one. His is good throughout the world, I guess. Mine is only good in Omaha, but I never leave Omaha, so mine is just as good as his."



Trending: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.



Despite their access to free McDonald's, Buffett and Gates are still known for their frugal habits. Buffett once decided to treat Gates to lunch at McDonald's on a trip to Hong Kong, but there was a twist. As Gates later recounted, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40257868/bill-gates-says-warren-buffett-treated-him-to-lunch-at-mcdonalds-you-offered-to-pay-dug-into-you">Buffett pulled out a stack of McDonald's coupons</a> to pay for their meal, creating a humorous moment between two billionaires accustomed to multi-billion-dollar deals. "Remember the laugh we had when we traveled together to Hong Kong and decided to get lunch at McDonald's? You offered to pay, dug into your pocket and pulled out … coupons," Gates recalled.



These McGold Cards are incredibly rare and exclusive. McDonald's hasn't revealed exactly how many exist, but it's safe to say that only a handful of individuals receive this lifetime free meal privilege.&nbsp;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/100k-cd">$100K Sitting In A CD Account, Should I Move Money Into The Stock Market?</a>



In 2018, McDonald's offered one lucky person a chance to join the elite ranks of McGold cardholders. As part of a promotion to boost its online ordering system, McDonald's launched a contest giving away free food "for life." The winner would receive a McGold Card for two free meals a week for 50 years, valued at $52,350. In 2022, they brought the contest back, awarding 12 cards to fans.&nbsp;



Buffett's McDonald's Gold Card isn't just a quirky billionaire perk – it's a window into his unpretentious way of living. He's a billionaire with access to any luxury, yet he's perfectly happy sticking to his routine, savoring his McDonald's breakfasts and joking about his family's Christmas dinner traditions. For Buffett, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/04/38147010/warren-buffett-says-he-prefers-a-mcdonalds-burger-over-a-100-meal-his-typical-lunch-is-a-quarter">wealth is more about simple joys</a> and a good laugh with friends than any grand show of riches.



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Personal Finance

Warren Buffett Has A 'McGold' Card Granting Him A Lifetime Of Free Food – 'That's Why The Buffett Family Has Christmas Dinner At McDonald's'

President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s transition team is reportedly considering several individuals, including a former Uber executive and three Republican congressmen, for the position of U.S. Department of Transportation chief.



What Happened: The team is considering Emil Michael, a former Uber executive and Trump donor, and three current or former Republican congressmen: Sam Graves, Garret Graves, and Sean Duffy to head the Department of Transportation, Reuters reported, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.



Michael, known for his social connections with billionaire and Trump supporter Elon Musk, is reportedly a strong contender for the role. Other tech executives who backed Trump have also advocated for Michael, the report said, while adding that other contenders could also emerge for the role. 



Why It Matters: According to Reuters, Musk is expected to exert influence on the pick of Transportation Department chief. 



The billionaire contributed millions to a super PAC that supported Trump&#8217;s presidential campaign and also actively campaigned for the President-elect in the swing state of Pennsylvania, sealing his position as a major player in Trump&#8217;s campaign and circle. 



The Department of Transportation has several departments under it which regulate Musk&#8217;s companies including SpaceX and EV giant Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>). While the Federal Aviation Administration <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41041586/spacex-ceo-elon-musk-calls-for-resignation-of-faa-administrator-mike-whitaker">licenses commercial space launch facilities</a> and private sector launches, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulates automakers and determines regulations for autonomous vehicles.



Musk&#8217;s Tesla is actively working towards enabling autonomous driving with its full self-driving (FSD) driver assistance technology. However, FSD has often come under the NHTSA&#8217;s radar <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41398764/nhtsa-opens-probe-into-2-4m-tesla-vehicles-after-reports-of-4-crashes-with-fsd-involved">over vehicle crashes where FSD was deployed</a>. 



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



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Politics

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Former Uber Executive And 3 Congressmen Contenders For Trump's Transportation Chief Role: Report

Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) has issued layoff notices to over 400 members of its professional aerospace labor union, as part of the company&#8217;s ongoing efforts to recover from<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/08/40585703/boeing-737-aircraft-experiences-engine-trouble-during-alaska-airlines-flight-forced-to-turn-around"> financial and regulatory challenges.</a>



What Happened: The layoff notices were sent out last week to members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), <a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-layoffs-union-strike-4a3b21ba7696e2e945708f6a2cb74438">reported</a> AP News. The affected workers will remain on the payroll through mid-January.



In October, Boeing announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41301576/boeing-announces-10-workforce-reduction-amidst-ongoing-struggles-impacting-nearly-17k-employees">plans to cut 10% of its workforce, </a>approximately 17,000 jobs, in the coming months. The company&#8217;s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, stated that the company must &#8220;reset its workforce levels to align with our financial reality.&#8221;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41987257/elon-musks-hedgehog-meme-coin-shrub-outpaces-dogecoin-shiba-inu-gains-surges-3000-in-a-week?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk&#8217;s Hedgehog Meme Coin &#8216;SHRUB&#8217; Outpaces Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Gains, Surges 3,000% In A Week</a>



The layoffs have impacted 438 members of the SPEEA union, with the local chapter representing 17,000 Boeing employees, primarily based in Washington, with some in Oregon, California, and Utah. The affected workers will receive career transition services, subsidized health care benefits for up to three months, and severance pay.



Why It Matters: Boeing, based in Arlington, Virginia, has been grappling with financial and regulatory issues since an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38097239/compensation-package-boeing-assists-alaska-air-with-160m-amid-crisis">incident involving an Alaska Airlines plane in January.</a> Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration has limited the production of the 737 MAX to 38 planes per month, a target Boeing has yet to achieve.



The recent layoffs are part of Boeing&#8217;s broader efforts to navigate its financial challenges. The aerospace giant has been grappling with a series of setbacks, including a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41552860/boeing-plans-to-sell-off-major-assets-as-the-company-scrambles-to-remain-profitable-and-stay-competi">tough market</a> and regulatory issues following a plane fuselage incident in January.



Earlier this month, Boeing&#8217;s unionized Machinists ended a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41736062/boeing-workers-end-seven-week-strike-by-accepting-new-contract-with-major-pay-increases">seven-week strike</a> by accepting a new contract with significant pay increases. This deal, supported by the Biden administration and facilitated by Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, marked a significant development in Boeing&#8217;s labor relations.



Price Action: Boeing stock ended 1.48% higher at $140.19, according to data from<a href="http://pro.benzinga.com"> Benzinga Pro.</a>



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42011035/just-before-bidens-term-ends-taiwan-semiconductor-lands-6-6-billion-in-us-funding-to-build-advanced-chip-plants?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Just Before Biden&#8217;s Term Ends, Taiwan Semiconductor Lands $6.6 Billion in US Funding to Build Advanced Ch</a>



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Markets

Boeing Issues Layoff Notices To Over 400 Aerospace Union Workers Amid Financial Struggles

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed China&#8217;s willingness to collaborate with the U.S. government, regardless of the administration in power. This statement comes amid the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41870809/china-may-benefit-from-trumps-return-to-white-house-despite-his-tariff-plans-says-expert-short-term-pain-but-potentially-long-term-strategic-gain">ongoing U.S.-China tensions </a>and the impending return of Donald Trump to the White House.



What Happened: In a meeting with President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Xi Jinping conveyed China&#8217;s readiness to work with the U.S. to maintain dialogue, expand cooperation, and manage differences for the benefit of both nations. 



"China is ready to work with the US government to maintain dialogue, expand co-operation and manage differences . . . for the benefit of the two peoples," Xi told Biden. 



Biden, in turn, acknowledged the importance of the U.S.-China relationship and emphasized the need to prevent competition from escalating into conflict. The meeting took place just two months before Trump&#8217;s return to the presidency.



"Our two countries cannot let any of this competition veer into conflict," Biden said. 



"Over the past four years I think we've proven it's possible to have this relationship."



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Despite the recent tensions, Xi&#8217;s message was clear: China is willing to work with the U.S. government, regardless of the administration in power. 



Why It Matters: The U.S.-China relationship has been a focal point of global geopolitics, with potential implications for trade, technology, and security. The recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/41902202/trumps-china-hawks-rumored-for-top-roles-yuan-hits-3-month-low">rumored appointments</a> of China hawks to top roles in the Trump administration have already had a significant impact on Chinese markets, with the yuan hitting a three-month low.



Despite these tensions, China has been actively seeking to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41867397/xi-jinping-courts-us-allies-to-counter-trumps-trade-threats-report">engage U.S. allies</a> to mitigate the potential impact of Trump&#8217;s proposed tariffs. Trump has expressed his intention to implement a "pro-American trade policy that uses tariffs to encourage production here and bring trillions and trillions of dollars back home."



Trump&#8217;s victory in the U.S. presidential election has also led to a decline in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/11/41773691/us-listed-chinese-stocks-like-alibaba-jd-nio-fall-after-trumps-win-whats-going-on">U.S.-listed Chinese stocks</a>, with analysts warning of a potential escalation in U.S.-China tensions and its impact on trade policies. Major U.S.-listed Chinese stocks Alibaba Group Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: JD), Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>), NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO), Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>), and XPeng Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>) were trading lower in the U.S. after Trump's victory.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42006530/tesla-ceo-and-doge-co-lead-elon-musk-says-excess-government-spending-causes-inflation-heres-what-experts-say" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla CEO And DOGE Co-Lead Elon Musk Says ‘Excess Government Spending' Causes Inflation: Here's What Experts Say</a>



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Friday marked a &#8220;record-breaking&#8221; night for streaming platform Netflix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) after 60 million households around the world watched the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing event live, the company said on Saturday.



What Happened: Nearly 50 million households also tuned in live to watch the co-main event of Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor, Netflix said. The audience gathered for the event held at the&nbsp;AT&amp;T&nbsp;Stadium&nbsp;in Arlington, Texas, included Evander Holyfield, Shaquille O&#8217;Neal, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jerry Jones, Charlize Theron, and Ralph Macchio, among others. 



&#8220;Paul vs. Tyson gate has surpassed $18 million, double the previous Texas gate record for combat sports in both boxing and MMA, topping Canelo Álvarez&#8217;s record of $9 million,&#8221; Netflix said while adding that 72.3k attendees gathered to witness the fights. 



Paul<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/11/42022601/mike-tyson-vs-jake-paul-netflixs-explosive-boxing-event-ends-with-pauls-victory"> defeated Tyson</a> and Taylor won over Serrano on Friday. 



Why It Matters: Netflix is currently attempting to bolster its live content. While it has previously aired live comedy stand-ups, award shows, roasts, and other special events, Friday was the first time it aired a boxing event live. 



Last month, Netflix reported strong third-quarter financial results. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41391637/netflix-q3-earnings-revenue-beats-eps-tops-q4-guidance-projects-subscriber-boost-from-squid-game-nf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">company's revenue was $9.825 billion</a>, a 15% increase year-over-year, beating the Street consensus estimate of $9.769 billion. The streaming service currently also boasts more than 282 million global paid subscribers.



The successful foray into live sports content could potentially boost Netflix's subscriber base and revenue in the future.



Price Action:&nbsp;Netflix shares ended Friday&#8217;s trading session down 1.57%, closing at $823.96. The stock is up by about 76% year-to-date, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



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Image Credit: Netflix

Entertainment

Sports Betting

Sports

NFLX

Jake Paul Vs. Mike Tyson Boxing Match Sets 'Record-Breaking Night' For Netflix: Streaming Giant Says Nearly 60M Households Tuned In

The current stock market environment is reminiscent of the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39589689/ai-boom-spurs-nvidia-led-us-stock-market-rally-experts-draw-parallels-with-dotcom-bubble-no-one-"> dot-com bubble peak,</a> according to Rob Arnott, the founder and chairman of Research Affiliates. Arnott predicts a significant pullback in the near future.



What Happened: Arnott, who is known for his early predictions of bull market tops, sees parallels between the current market and the dot-com bubble peak, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-crash-rob-arnott-warns-bear-market-tech-bubble-2024-11">reported</a> Business Insider. He does not anticipate an immediate significant pullback but foresees a substantial decline in the near future.



Arnott&#8217;s observations come as the S&amp;P 500, a large-cap index dominated by mega-cap growth firms, surged 5% within <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/11/41977313/will-trumps-election-win-push-sp-500-even-higher-in-final-weeks-of-2024-over-75-say">a week following the election</a> of Donald Trump, closing above 6,000 for the first time. This rapid increase is the latest development in a 66% rally that has lasted over two years.



&#8220;This looks and feels like the year 2000 to me,&#8221; Arnott told the publication. 



&#8220;Are we likely to see a bear market in the next two years for large-cap growth? Yeah.&#8221;



The market&#8217;s record highs are driven by a strong economy and optimism about artificial intelligence and business-friendly policies from the future Trump administration. However, Arnott believes that the AI optimism, which has been the primary driver of the rally, is already fully priced in.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42017638/activist-hedge-fund-valueact-boosts-meta-stake-with-121m-bet-but-ceo-morfit-supports-mark-zuckerberg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Activist Hedge Fund ValueAct Boosts Meta Stake With $121M Bet, But CEO Morfit Supports Mark Zuckerberg's AI Vision: Here's What Investors Should Know</a>



Arnott points to the S&amp;P 500&#8217;s Shiller cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, which is at levels comparable to the dot-com bubble peak. At 37 times earnings, just below the late-2021 peak of 38, before the market fell by 25%, and the 2000 peak of 43, right before a 50% loss.



Arnott also highlights the potential threats to the market&#8217;s bullish narrative, such as the rise of competition for companies like Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and a slower-than-expected pace of AI adoption. However, he added that companies like Nvidia are expected to maintain their 90% market share even as competition intensifies and chip prices eventually decrease.



&#8220;Well, Intel is teetering perilously close to irrelevance, and Nvidia wasn&#8217;t on anyone&#8217;s radar screen five years ago. So disruptors get disrupted.&#8221;



Why It Matters: Arnott&#8217;s warning echoes concerns raised by other market experts. In October, Billionaire Jeremy Grantham warned that the current economy is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/10/41145356/billionaire-who-predicted-2008-crash-and-dot-com-bubble-calls-the-current-economy-the-most-vulnerabl">the most vulnerable market ever.</a> This was after the U.S. stock market&#8217;s surge, fueled by the promise of artificial intelligence, drew comparisons to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s.



These concerns are particularly relevant given the recent performance of MicroStrategy Inc., whose shares<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41892752/microstrategy-shares-hit-24-year-high-jumps-most-since-dot-com-bubble-as-bitcoin-trades-at-record-levels"> hit a 24-year high</a>, marking the highest level since the dot-com bubble in March 2000. This surge was fueled by the rise in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: Bitcoin), a crucial asset held by the company in its portfolio.



Price Action: The S&amp;P 500 Index closed at 5,870.62 points on Friday, it has yielded 23.78% on a year-to-date basis and 30.22% over the last year. The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) which tracks the S&amp;P 500 Index has had a similar momentum in 2024.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42025179/chamath-palihapitiya-regrets-this-3-or-4-billion-crypto-mistake-as-bitcoin-rises-above-90000-would-have-made-a-lot-more-money" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chamath Palihapitiya Regrets This &#8216;$3 Or $4 Billion&#8217; Crypto Mistake As Bitcoin Rises Above $90,000: &#8216;Would Have Made…A Lot More Money&#8217;</a>



Image via Unsplash

Legendary Investor Rob Arnott Says Stock Market 'Looks And Feels Like The Year 2000' As Wall Street Rallies After Trump's Win: '...Likely To See A Bear Market'

The United States has agreed to provide up to $6.6 billion in direct funding to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) to build advanced chip facilities in the U.S.



The deal aims to enhance domestic semiconductor production and bolster national security by reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, Barron's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.barrons.com/news/us-finalizes-up-to-6-6-bn-funding-for-chip-giant-tsmc-65252814" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.



The Biden administration announced that Taiwan Semiconductor's investment will attract $65 billion in private capital to establish three state-of-the-art plants in Arizona.



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The announcement comes just before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office. Trump had previously attacked Taiwan for allegedly undermining the U.S. chip industry and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41845483/taiwan-semiconductor-us-expansion-plans-unfazed-by-trump-win-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">criticized the U.S. Chips Act</a>.



The first of Taiwan Semiconductor's facilities will likely commence operations by early 2025, focusing on producing cutting-edge logic chips. These chips will power next-generation technologies, including 5G/6G smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and AI applications.



Early production at the Arizona plant reportedly matches the quality of Taiwan Semiconductor's facilities in Taiwan, showcasing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41545709/usa-scores-big-win-taiwan-semiconductor-arizona-plant-sees-good-production-yields" rel="noreferrer noopener">strong initial yields</a>.



Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Barron's the importance of manufacturing these advanced chips domestically, emphasizing their role in AI, quantum computing, and military hardware.



The initiative aims to mitigate risks associated with overseas supply chains by producing these chips on U.S. soil, addressing a critical national security concern.



Trending: ‘Scrolling to UBI': Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2"> invest today with $1,000 for just $0.25/share</a>



In addition to the direct funding, the U.S. government is extending up to $5 billion in proposed loans to support Taiwan Semiconductor's Arizona project.



The investment will likely generate approximately 6,000 direct manufacturing jobs. A senior U.S. official told Barron's that at least $1 billion of the allocated funding could be distributed to Taiwan Semiconductor this year, contingent on meeting specific milestones.



Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor remains focused on consolidating its moat while diversifying its footprint beyond Taiwan as global governments dole out attractive subsidies.



The contract chipmaker has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/emerging-markets/24/11/41951575/taiwan-semi-boosts-advanced-chipmaking-with-record-euv-expansion-grabs-56-global-share" rel="noreferrer noopener">ramped up its</a> deployment of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, a vital technology in semiconductor production, even with the substantial expense involved.



Each EUV machine costs more than $100 million, making them some of the most costly assets in the chip manufacturing sector.



Industry analysts suggest that TSMC has significantly boosted its EUV capacity, increasing its share of global EUV installations from 50% in 2020 to 56% by 2023.



In Asia, Japan has also earmarked over $64.9 billion to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41939018/japan-increases-semiconductor-funding-as-us-trade-policies-pressure-taiwan-semiconductor" rel="noreferrer noopener">boost the semiconductor and AI</a> sectors. Taiwan Semiconductor is eyeing a second facility in Japan's Kumamoto region, considering a $13.5 billion investment after its first $8.6 billion wafer factory there.



Additionally, the company intends to establish a third advanced chip plant valued at $20 billion in Kumamoto to produce 3-nanometer chips.



Taiwan Semiconductor stock is up 86% year-to-date.



Price Actions: TSM stock is down -2.57% at $186.01 at the last check on Friday.



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Government

Regulations

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Just Before Biden's Term Ends, Taiwan Semiconductor Lands $6.6 Billion in US Funding to Build Advanced Chip Plants

Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood has been a vocal bull for the cryptocurrency sector for years, specifically for leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), which she recently said could be helped by the incoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41928272/cathie-woods-ark-invest-foresees-crypto-industry-boost-under-incoming-trump-administration">White House administration</a>.



Wood has shared price targets for Bitcoin over the years, including a high of $3.8 million for BTC by the year 2030. Here's a look at how much a small investment in Bitcoin today could increase over time if Wood's various price targets are reached in the future.



Following Wood Into Bitcoin: With Bitcoin<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41778425/bitcoins-all-time-high-a-groundbreaking-milestone-and-strong-post-election-rally-coming-ex"> hitting all-time highs </a>after the 2024 presidential election, big questions remain about how high the leading cryptocurrency can go and how long it will take to reach various milestones like $100,000.



Earlier this year, Wood laid out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/02/30660447/cathie-woods-ark-sees-bitcoin-joining-trillion-dollar-club-by-2030-here-are-its-bea">her price targets </a>for Bitcoin based on a bear case, base case and bull case for the year 2030. Wood also added a new bull case that includes the potential highest price Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37902973/cathie-wood-says-bitcoin-could-skyrocket-to-3-8m-by-2030-thanks-to-institutional-gr">could reach by 2030</a> if companies allocated 5% to Bitcoin.



With Bitcoin trading at $89,384.76 at the time of writing, an investor could buy 0.00112 BTC today with $100. Here is a look at how much that $100 would be worth in the future under Wood's various price targets.



<ul>
<li>Bear Case, $258,500: $100 today would be worth $289.52, up 189.5%</li>



<li>Base Case, $682,000: $100 today would be worth $763.84, up 663.8%</li>



<li>Bull Case, $1,480,000: $100 today would be worth $1,657.60, up 1,557.6%</li>



<li>Bullish Case, $3,800,000: $100 today would be worth $4,256.00, up 4,156.0%</li>
</ul>



As you can see, a small investment would turn into a sizable return if Wood&#8217;s base or bullish predictions come true. Even the bearish price target hitting would more than double the investment from today.



While there&#8217;s no guarantee that any of the price targets will hit, the exercise shows how a small investment in cryptocurrency could add up over time.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/08/34028505/exclusive-why-does-cathie-wood-think-bitcoin-is-going-to-1-million-what-does-she-know-that">EXCLUSIVE: Why Does Cathie Wood Think Bitcoin Is Going To $1 Million — What Does She Know That We Don&#8217;t?</a>



What's Next: Wood recently reiterated her price targets in a CNBC <a href="https://x.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1857483221857865879">interview </a>while highlighting how Ark Invest was early to investing in Bitcoin.



"We were the first public asset manager to gain exposure to Bitcoin in 2015 at $250," Wood said.



Wood said that even with Bitcoin trading around $90,000, the company believes there is a long way to go.



The fund manager said that getting regulatory relief with a new administration is one of the most important things for Bitcoin. Wood also sees Bitcoin being viewed as a new asset class, leading to more institutions and asset allocators wanting to invest in the top cryptocurrency.



Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/01/36605838/ark-invest-ceo-cathie-wood-projects-a-single-bitcoin-could-be-worth-1-5m-by-2020-probabili" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">was also one of several companies&nbsp;</a>to have a Bitcoin ETF approved by the SEC with its&nbsp;Ark 21 Shares Bitcoin ETF&nbsp;(BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKB#BATS">ARKB</a>).



Wood's most recent $3.8 million price target might be one of the biggest from a fund manager and among the most bullish bets on cryptocurrency. The target came from the approval and early success of Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year.



&#8220;With this institutional green light that the SEC has provided, kicking and screaming though it did, the analysis we&#8217;ve done is that if institutional investors were to allocate a little more than 5% of their portfolios to bitcoin, as we think they will over time, that alone would add $2.3 million to the projection I just gave you,&#8221; Wood said.



Adding $2.3 million to the $1.5 million leads to a new price target of $3.8 million for 2030.



The approval of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/bitcoin-etf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the Bitcoin ETFs </a>led Wood to say in an interview that &#8220;the probability of the bull case has increased.&#8221;



Wood and Ark Invest aren't just betting on the success of Bitcoin with its cryptocurrency holdings and the ETF, the company is also investing in crypto-related companies.



The flagship Ark Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>) <a href="https://www.ark-funds.com/funds/arkk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has </a>Coinbase Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) as its third-largest holding, accounting for 9.5% of its assets. Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) is the fund's sixth-largest holding, accounting for 5.0% of its assets.



Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $93,434.36 on Nov. 13, one of several records set after the 2024 election.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41951961/bitcoin-to-100k-benzinga-readers-predict-if-btc-can-hit-new-milestone-before-end-of-2024">Bitcoin To $100K? Benzinga Readers Predict If BTC Can Hit New Milestone Before End Of 2024</a></li>
</ul>



This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.



Image created using a photos courtesy of Ark Invest and Shutterstock.

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Here's How Much $100 In Bitcoin Could Be Worth In 2030 If Cathie Wood's Price Target Is Reached

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41884428/warren-buffetts-166-billion-warning-to-wall-street-has-hit-a-fever-pitch-and-the-financial-world-cant-afford-to-ignore-it">Warren Buffett's</a> investment strategy is a case study in bold and safe play. Nearly $99 billion is pegged on two iconic names: Apple and Coca-Cola. Through Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has channeled a whopping half of his equity holdings into Apple alone and he's held tight to his Coca-Cola shares since the late 1980s.&nbsp;



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<li>This Adobe-backed AI marketing startup went from a $5 to $85 million valuation working with brands like L'Oréal, Hasbro, and Sweetgreen in just three years –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-ai"> here's how there's a limited time opportunity to invest at $1,000 for only $0.50/share before closing date.</a></li>
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His strategy here is simple but powerful – backing companies with brand strength and consistent financials. Apple's stock, for instance, surged 31% this year and many see this as Buffett's savviest move yet. Some say it's his "crown jewel," lauding his foresight in spotting a tech company that's proven as resilient as it is profitable.



But as with any big bet, Buffett's heavy reliance on Apple has sparked some chatter. Skeptics say putting so many eggs in one tech basket could be risky. With tech stocks, there's always the threat of shifting consumer trends, not to mention the occasional market shake-up.&nbsp;



Trending: The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gameflip"> for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market.</a>



And while Apple has shown impressive gains this year, the latest numbers hint at a slight cooling. In the last fiscal year, Apple's total revenue dipped by 0.8% – a small shift but enough to raise eyebrows. Still, Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring believes Apple has room to climb, setting a price target of $273, which would mark a 20% rise from current levels.



Apple's pivot toward services is holding it steady. Though iPhone sales may ebb and flow, Apple's revenues from the App Store, streaming and cloud services have grown by 23% over the past few years.&nbsp;



Services have also helped Apple boost its profit margins, going from 43.3% in 2022 to 46.2% in 2024, catching Wall Street's attention. These margins and the cash flow from services make Apple's high share prices easier to swallow, especially as it could mean bigger dividends for shareholders.



Trending: 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"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>



Then there's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/40046044/grant-cardone-says-buffett-made-508-million-as-an-investor-in-coca-cola-last-year-the-ceo-made-5">Coca-Cola</a>, which stands out as Buffett's textbook choice. It's familiar, steady and beloved worldwide. His initial investment in Coca-Cola in the late ‘80s has since grown to a $27.67 billion stake and despite recent bumps – like a 12% drop from September's peak – investors still see value here.&nbsp;



Morgan Stanley's Dara Mohsenian predicts Coca-Cola could climb to $76 a share, marking a potential 19% increase. Investors love Coca-Cola for its dependable growth and steady dividend payouts. Coca-Cola just raised its dividend for the 62nd consecutive year, offering a 3% yield – a rarity in today's market.&nbsp;



Unlike the roller-coaster nature of tech, Coca-Cola's simpler, time-tested business model gives it a stability that's hard to beat. The company's revenue ticked up, with a 5.0% rise in the first nine months of 2024 alone and management projects 10% organic sales growth for the year – proof of the brand's staying power.



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<li>With over 7.8K investors including Meta, Google, And Amazon Execs — this AI Startup's valuation has skyrocketed from $5 million to $85 million in just three years. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-ai">Be an early investor with just $1,000 for only $0.50/share today before the offer closes in 2 weeks.</a></li>
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$99 Billion Bet: Warren Buffett Invests Heavily In 2 Stocks Expected To Jump 19% And 20%, Wall Street Analysts Predict

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