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Meridian

Meridian Corp is a bank holding company. Through its banking subsidiary, it operates as a full-service, state-chartered commercial bank providing personal, business lending, and deposit services. It operates in three reportable segments including Bank, Wealth, and Mortgage. The company generates maximum revenue from the Bank segment which consists of commercial and retail banking. It generates interest income from its lending (including leasing) and investing activities and is dependent on the gathering of lower-cost deposits from its branch network or borrowed funds from other sources for funding its loans.

Meridian Corp

<ul>
<li>Tron founder Justin Sun has launched an attack against First Digital Trust.</li>
<li>Sun&#8217;s tactics in the ongoing spat mirror elements of the feud between Binance and FTX.</li>
<li>At the center of the dispute is a $456 million misappropriation claim.</li>
</ul>
While FTX may have well been on its way to its demise, many believe the death blow was Binance founder Changpeng &#8220;CZ&#8221; Zhao&#8217;s public vote of no confidence on the rival exchange. He publicly outlined plans to sell off FTX&#8217;s native token over concerns about its health, triggering a fatal run on the now-defunct platform.
Now, Binance, or at least a firm with close ties to it, may be on the receiving end of a similar attack.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Justin Sun Running Binance&#8217;s Playbook?</h2>
Throughout Wednesday and Thursday, Tron founder Justin Sun <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622834/first-digital-assures-funds-are-backed-11-to-pursue-legal-action-after-justin-suns-allegations-send-fdusd-below-1">shouted to anyone who would listen</a> that First Digital Trust was insolvent. First Digital Trust is the Hong Kong-based entity behind FDUSD, Binance&#8217;s stablecoin of choice.
&#8220;First Digital Trust (FDT) is effectively insolvent and unable to fulfill client fund redemptions. I strongly recommend that users take immediate action to secure their assets,&#8221; Sun <a href="https://x.com/justinsuntron/status/1907453967652786522?t=V1mTVMTbIiyvHgZDy1zjow&amp;s=19">asserted</a> in his first missive on Wednesday.
Despite Sun&#8217;s failure to provide evidence, his claims were enough to trigger a rush of redemptions that saw FDUSD briefly lose its peg and trade as low as $0.87 in a debacle that takes the mind back to the beef between Binance and FTX.
&#8220;Remember when CZ publicly accused FTX of insolvency and triggered a bank run on the exchange?&#8221; One crypto community member <a href="https://x.com/FTPager/status/1907484286036689102?t=PTVt4r0EZgOiSxwbz4uKBQ&amp;s=19">wrote</a>, adding, &#8220;Justin is trying to run the same playbook Insanely malicious especially if this accusation turns out to be false. The emperor has no clothes.&#8221;
Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Unlike the FTX saga, First Digital Trust appears to be holding steady. For now, the market appears to have been appeased by <a href="https://x.com/FirstDigitalHQ/status/1907644502501896519?t=3XhUG8B920N_T5gJ0YCLqA&amp;s=19">data</a> showing the firm processing redemptions and an attestation of its reserves.
Sun&#8217;s attack against First Digital Trust appears linked to a recent legal filing in Hong Kong by Techteryx, the issuer of the TrueUSD stablecoin, against First Digital Trust. This filing was first reported by CoinDesk.
In the legal filing, Techteryx accuses First Digital Trust, which it had appointed as a fiduciary to manage its reserve, of misappropriating $456 million of its funds and failing to pay up when it needed it. Techteryx claims this situation forced it to obtain a bailout from Sun.
Techteryx has long been rumored to be owned by Sun, a claim both parties vehemently deny.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Classic Case of Deflection?</h2>
First Digital Trust has denied the claims alleged in the legal filing while labeling the filing and Sun&#8217;s actions as an attempt to deflect from Techteryx&#8217;s failings.
According to a <a href="https://x.com/FirstDigitalHQ/status/1907716272172970222?t=cXThhyasZD8xAHPBU13R2A&amp;s=19">statement</a> by First Digital Trust, it never moved or invested any of Techteryx&#8217;s funds without the latter&#8217;s express permission. The firm contended that it was the TUSD issuer&#8217;s decision to make illiquid investments. It also contended that redemption of these funds hinged on AML/KYC concerns over Techteryx&#8217;s beneficial owner, which it said the firm has refused to reveal to date.
&#8220;We reiterate that FDT remains fully solvent, and every FDUSD is securely backed 1:1 by cash and cash equivalents. The exact ISIN numbers of all reserves backing FDUSD are clearly outlined in our attestation report, which is publicly available for verification. We are processing redemption requests as usual. We are seeking legal advice and FDT will pursue legal action to protect it&#8217;s [sic] rights and reputation,&#8221; First Digital Trust <a href="https://x.com/FirstDigitalHQ/status/1907716272172970222?t=cXThhyasZD8xAHPBU13R2A&amp;s=19">said</a>.
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</ul>

Personal Finance

Is Justin Sun Taking A Page From Binance's Playbook? How FDUSD Attack Mirrors Binance-FTX Feud

Charlie Munger didn't just play the long game — he practically invented it. The billionaire investor, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and Warren Buffett's right-hand man made it to 99 years old with his wit intact, his house unchanged, and his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44571776/charlie-munger-lived-to-99-and-refused-to-give-up-his-favorite-soda-im-sure-diet-coke-shortens-my-life-a-little-but-i-dont-give-a-damn">Diet Coke still bubbling</a>. But if you asked him, he could've done better. A lot better.
"I'd be the richest man on Earth," Munger told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/30/full-transcript-from-cnbcs-charlie-munger-a-life-of-wit-and-wisdom-.html">CNBC's Becky Quick</a> in a 2023 interview, if he had the chance to rewind the last 100 years. He wasn't joking. Well, maybe a little. But the regret wasn't about yachts or private islands — it was compounding.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Missed the Rich List? Just Compound Earlier, Longer, Better.</h2>
"I would've started earlier, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43759618/charlie-munger-said-the-hardest-part-of-getting-rich-is-the-first-100000-but-from-there-it-snowballs-and-you-can-ease-off-the-gas">compounded longer, compounded better</a>," Munger said, as if those three tweaks wouldn't turn every finance bro's playbook inside out. In classic Munger fashion, he didn't blame bad luck or bad markets. He blamed himself — with a smirk. "I basically screwed up," he said. "Given the hand I dealt, I could've done a lot better."
Keep in mind: this is the same guy who built a billion-dollar fortune, helped shape one of the most successful companies in the world, and lived in the <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/charlie-munger-lived-same-house-203031744.html">same house for over 70 years</a>. But he still thought he left money on the table.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Munger's Mansion Theory: Bigger House, Smaller Happiness</h2>
Unlike many billionaires who bounce between mega-mansions, Munger stayed put. "Having a basic house really helps you," he explained. Fancy houses? Great for parties, not so great for peace of mind.
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He and Buffett saw it play out over and over again. Friends got richer, homes got fancier, but contentment? Not so much. "In practically every case, they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44458811/billionaire-warren-buffett-still-drives-a-2014-cadillac-but-joked-charlie-mungers-idea-of-traveling-in-style-was-an-air-conditioned-bus">make the person less happy</a>," Munger said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Real Trap? Losing Your Sanity</h2>
Money wasn't the hard part. "Staying sane," he said, "that's the trick." That's not a motivational quote — it's a warning. Munger was obsessed with avoiding dumb mistakes: addiction, bad habits, lifestyle creep, and yes, cigarettes.
When asked what the real secret was, he didn't pitch a formula. He just doubled down on what not to do. "Avoid crazy at all costs," he said. "Crazy is way more common than you think."
His entire game plan boiled down to one idea: "You teach me the wrong way to play poker, I will avoid it. You teach me the wrong way to do something else, I will avoid it."
See Also: Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Billionaire Who Thought He Messed Up</h2>
Munger lived for almost a century, built empires, avoided the traps, and made a fortune while calling himself "cautious." But even he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44146342/charlie-munger-said-he-was-passionate-about-getting-rich-but-not-because-i-wanted-ferraris-i-wanted-the-independence">thought he could've done better</a>.
That's the genius and the irony. The man who avoided crazy, skipped the mansions, dodged addiction, and drank Diet Coke like it was a health tonic still thought he left wealth on the table.
Maybe that's what <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/10/41120804/574616">made him great</a>. Or maybe — just maybe — that's why he lived to nearly 100 in the same house, with the same best friend, and the same unbeatable mindset.
Avoid crazy. Avoid regret. Keep it simple. And don't trust anyone who says peanut brittle isn't part of a well-balanced life.
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</ul>

Billionaire Charlie Munger Said He'd Be The 'Richest Man on Earth' If He Could Go Back 100 Years And Start Over — 'I Could Have Done a Lot Better'

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42898261/bill-and-melinda-gates-say-they-raised-their-3-daughters-with-a-middle-class-upbringing-youre-not-allowed-to-tell-people-how-we-flew">Before their 2021 divorce</a>, Bill and Melinda Gates were one of the most powerful philanthropic duos in the world. But in 2018, they hit pause to publicly answer the tough stuff — questions they said people actually asked them. One in particular cut deep:
"Is it fair that you have so much influence?"
Melinda didn't hedge, <a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/2018-annual-letter">writing in the GatesNotes Blog</a>: "No. It's not fair that we have so much wealth when billions of others have so little. And it's not fair that our wealth opens doors that are closed to most people."
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That wasn't a soundbite. It was part of a longer, pointed response about power, access, and privilege. "World leaders tend to take our phone calls," she wrote. "Cash-strapped school districts are more likely to divert money and talent toward ideas they think we will fund."
And Bill didn't dodge the elephant in the room either:
"If we think it's unfair that we have so much wealth, why don't we <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42622967/bill-gates-answers-why-he-doesnt-just-voluntarily-pay-more-in-taxes-people-pay-taxes-as-an-obligation-of-law-not-out-of-charity">give it all to the government</a>?"
His answer? Foundations can take risks governments can't. They can think globally, play the long game, and test bold ideas without waiting for votes or budgets. "We're like an incubator," he explained. "We aim to improve the quality of the ideas that go into public policies and steer funding toward those that have the most impact."
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But just because they had answers didn't mean they were ignoring the optics. They admitted the imbalance. They didn't pretend the system was just.
"We use whatever influence we have," Melinda said, "to help as many people as possible and to advance equity around the world."
The letter, released three years before their separation, also gave rare insight into their working relationship — something <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40004954/melinda-gates-not-surprised-by-warren-buffetts-new-will-to-form-charity-trust-headed-by-his-children">Melinda said often came with imbalance</a> too.
"There were times I felt that disparity—in meetings when I was reticent and he was voluble, or when the person we were meeting with looked toward Bill and not me," she said.
They worked at it. Gave each other feedback. Learned when to pull back and when to push forward. And while Melinda focused more on gender equity, Bill leaned into science and systems. Still, Bill made one thing clear: their decisions were shared.
"Because I've been a public figure longer, and because I'm a man, some people assume I am making the big decisions. That's never been the case."
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In their letter, they weren't defending wealth. They were admitting its outsized power — and trying to explain how they use it. Melinda called it "a basic responsibility" for people with money to give it back. Bill added, "Once you've taken care of yourself and your children, the best use of extra wealth is to give it back to society."
The Gates Foundation, still the largest private foundation in the world, continued to carry both of their names even after their divorce. For a while, they remained co-chairs — but in 2024, Melinda <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/bill-melinda-gates-foundation">announced she would step down</a>.&nbsp;
While she left the foundation's leadership, she didn't leave philanthropy. As part of the transition, she received <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/melinda-gates-step-down-co-chair-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-2024-05-13/">$12.5 billion to pursue her own charitable work</a>, with a focus on women and families through her organization, Pivotal Ventures.
In a world that still questions the role of billionaire influence, their 2018 words haven't aged out: "It's not fair," Melinda wrote."But we're trying to make it count."
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Bill and Melinda Gates Agreed 'It's Not Fair We Have So Much Wealth' — And Say Their Money Opens Doors Most People Will Never Get Through

In an exciting development for astronomy enthusiasts, the Blaze Star, situated 3,000 light-years from Earth, is anticipated to explode soon, promising a unique spectacle in the night sky.
What Happened: The star system T Coronae Borealis, commonly known as the Blaze Star, is on the brink of a nova explosion. This rare event, which happens approximately every 80 years, will render the star visible from Earth for roughly a week.
According to <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/marshall/nasa-global-astronomers-await-rare-nova-explosion/">NASA</a>, T Coronae Borealis — or "T CrB," in astronomer lingo — is actually composed of two celestial bodies: an Earth-sized remnant of a dead star, a.k.a. "white dwarf," and "an ancient red giant slowly being stripped of hydrogen by the relentless gravitational pull of its hungry neighbor." 
Post-explosion, the Blaze Star will radiate thousands of times brighter than its usual luminosity,&nbsp;appearing as a new star&nbsp;in the sky, comparable in brightness to the North Star, Polaris.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40764266/kids-in-a-dorm-room-jeff-bezos-blueprint-for-tomorrows-space-leaders">&#8216;Kids In A Dorm Room&#8217;: Jeff Bezos&#8217; Blueprint for Tomorrow&#8217;s Space Leaders</a>
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime event that will create a lot of new astronomers out there. It's incredibly exciting to have this front-row seat," NASA astronomer Dr. Rebekah Hounsell <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/04/us-news/blaze-star-thats-3000-lightyears-away-will-soon-explode/">told </a>New York Post. 
The Blaze Star is a binary system comprising a white dwarf and an ancient red giant. The white dwarf accumulates&nbsp;hydrogen from the red giant, leading to increased pressure and heat. This buildup ultimately triggers a thermonuclear blast&nbsp;that can be seen across&nbsp;the galaxy.
Why It Matters: The timing of this celestial event remains uncertain. Initially predicted to occur last June, the explosion was then rescheduled for September, and now may happen this month. 
To witness the Blaze Star, one should gaze towards the Northern Crown constellation, drawing a&nbsp;line from the two brightest&nbsp;stars in the Northern Hemisphere, Arcturus and Vega.
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Shutterstock: Jakob Weyde

News

Tech

Blaze Star 3,000 Light-Years Away Set To Explode in Rare Event Visible From Earth: 'Once-In-A-Lifetime Event'

In a swift response to President Donald Trump&#8216;s global tariff hike, global hedge funds and levered exchange-traded funds (ETFs) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44645681/jpmorgan-raises-recession-risk-to-60-as-largest-us-tax-hike-in-60-years-hits-global-economy">have offloaded more than $40 billion of stocks</a>, according to recent notes to clients from banks.
What Happened: The announcement of the severe global tariffs, the highest in over a century, has resulted in a loss of over $4 trillion in stock market value for S&amp;P 500 companies, Reuters reported.
JPMorgan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) has projected that volatility targeting portfolios will sell between $25 billion and $30 billion in equities in the coming days to mitigate risk. Additionally, levered ETFs are expected to sell an extra $23 billion, predominantly in tech stocks, to rebalance by the end of the day.
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In a separate note, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) reported that equities long/short hedge funds globally experienced the largest net selling in nearly 15 years on Thursday, becoming the most bearish since 2011. The bank also noted that portfolio managers primarily increased bets against stocks, credit, and equity ETFs following Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement, which sparked recession fears.
U.S. stocks led the hedge fund sales, with financial shares being net-sold at the fastest pace since 2016. However, sectors like real estate, staples, and utilities, known for weathering recessionary periods well, were the only ones investors bought on a net basis.
Financial experts speaking <a href="https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-14574981/Where-invest-Trumps-tariffs-means-pension-definitive-guide-Mails-money-experts.html">to</a> Britain's The Mail on Sunday see potential for investors in international ETFs, such as the iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INDA#BATS">INDA</a>), Vanguard's Germany All Cap, and the Amundi UK Equity All Cap.
Why It Matters: The sudden sell-off of stocks by global hedge funds and ETFs is a direct result of the tariff hike announced by President Trump.
This move, the largest in over a century, has not only led to a significant loss in stock market value but has also increased the probability of a U.S. recession.
Read Next: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44644765/tom-lee-predicts-a-market-rebound-after-april-9-as-absurd-tariffs-could-spur-potential-negotiations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Lee Predicts a Market Rebound After April 9 As &#8216;Absurd&#8217; Tariffs Could Spur Potential Negotiations</a>
Shutterstock: Westlight

Markets

Trading Ideas

ETFs

INDA

Global Hedge Funds and ETFs Offload Over $40 Billion in Stocks Following Trump's Tariff Announcement

A conservative legal nonprofit, the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) has initiated a lawsuit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44653029/trump-tariffs-trigger-wall-street-bloodbath-sp-500-notches-worst-weekly-drop-since-2020">against President Donald Trump's tariffs</a>, representing a small stationery company based in Florida.
What Happened: According to a report <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/05/trump-tariffs-sink-conservatives-challenge-whether-theyre-legal/">by</a> The Washington Post, an increasing number of conservatives are questioning President Trump&#8217;s authority to impose extensive tariffs. The first legal challenge comes from a small stationery company, Simplified, represented by the NCLA. The NCLA has a track record of successful lawsuits, including one that led to the Supreme Court overturning the Chevron deference last year, significantly reducing the power of federal agencies to regulate various aspects of American life.
The NCLA filed a complaint this week on behalf of Simplified, owned by Emily Ley. The complaint challenges the legality of Trump&#8217;s tariffs imposed on all Chinese imports earlier this year. The NCLA contends that Trump&#8217;s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify the tariffs was unconstitutional as it does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44656995/msnbcs-ruhle-treasury-secretary-bessent-looking-for-an-exit-amid-tariff-chaos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MSNBC&#8217;s Ruhle: Treasury Secretary Bessent Looking for an Exit Amid Tariff Chaos</a>
&#8220;No prior president ever thought the IEEPA allowed him to set tariffs. Reading this law broadly enough to uphold the China tariff would transfer core legislative power,&#8221; NCLA President Mark Chenoweth said in a statement. The lawsuit alleges that the new tariffs will impose hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs on Ley&#8217;s business.
The lawsuit names the United States, Trump, the Executive Office of the President, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the agencies&#8217; leadership as defendants. The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the China import tariff unlawful and to prevent its implementation and enforcement.
Despite the market plunge and fears of a recession, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed the concerns, stating that the administration was &#8220;building the long term,&#8221; as reported <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/06/us-news/scott-bessent-downplays-market-plunge-as-he-doubles-down-on-tariffs/">by</a> The New York Post.
Why It Matters: The lawsuit comes in the wake of global markets plunging after President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, an event he dubbed &#8220;Liberation Day.&#8221;
The tariffs sparked backlash from analysts and fears of retaliation from global trade partners. China, the U.S.&#8217;s largest trade deficit partner, was hit with a steep 34% tariff, leading to an escalation in the global trade war.
Read Next: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44657109/amid-tariff-turmoil-heres-why-mike-johnson-and-john-thune-stand-by-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amid Tariff Turmoil, Here&#8217;s Why Mike Johnson and John Thune Stand by Trump</a>
Shutterstock: Stock Studio 4477

Government

Legal

Conservative Nonprofit Launches Court Challenge to Trump Tariffs — A Sign of Things To Come?

In a 1997 speech, famed investor&nbsp;Peter Lynch imparted his investment wisdom, emphasizing&nbsp;the significance of comprehending the&nbsp;business behind the stock and the ineffectiveness of economic forecasting.
What Happened: Lynch, celebrated for his remarkable stint at&nbsp;Fidelity Investments, divulged his investment insights during the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myu4Nv0pt0U">speech</a>.
He underscored the need to understand&nbsp;the business behind the stock, advising, &#8220;If you can&#8217;t&nbsp;explain to an 11-year-old in&nbsp;two minutes or less, why&nbsp;you own the stock, you&nbsp;shouldn&#8217;t own it.&#8221;
This philosophy is in line with&nbsp;Warren Buffett&#8216;s investment approach, which advocates investing in areas of personal expertise. 
&nbsp;&#8220;If you can&#8217;t explain to an 11-year-old in two minutes or less, why you own the stock, you shouldn&#8217;t own it. Understanding the business behind the stock is the most important principle of investing in the stock market. This is why&nbsp;Buffett&nbsp;only invests into what he understands and what falls in his circle of competence. I buy stuff like Dunkin Donuts, Stop and Shop and made money on them,&#8221; Lynch said during the speech.
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Lynch also rejected the concept of economic forecasting, identifying himself as a &#8220;bottom-up&#8221; investor who zeroes in on individual stocks through comprehensive company and industry analysis.
Lynch further spotlighted&nbsp;the importance of patience in&nbsp;investing, indicating that substantial returns could be reaped even a decade after a company&#8217;s initial public offering. 
He cited Walmart as an instance, underlining&nbsp;that investing is a marathon,&nbsp;not a sprint.
"A decade after Walmart when public in 1970, it only had 15% penetration across the U.S. Thus, one could assume they had plenty of runway ahead to expand across the country, but success wasn't guaranteed, so some investors might have though they already missed the bus," Lynch said while talking about the Walmart stock option.
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Why It Matters: Lynch&#8217;s&nbsp;principles serve as a valuable&nbsp;roadmap for both novice and veteran&nbsp;investors. His emphasis on understanding&nbsp;the business, focusing on individual&nbsp;stocks, and exercising patience resonates&nbsp;with the strategies of successful&nbsp;investors like Buffett. 
His insights serve as a reminder to investors that successful investing hinges on&nbsp;making informed decisions and playing&nbsp;the long game.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/if-you-invested-in-nvidia-in-2022">Here's How Much You Should Have Invested in Nvidia in 2022 To Become a Millionaire Today</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">This Alternative Asset Has Outpaced the S&amp;P 500 Since 1995, Delivering an Average Annual Return of 11.4%</a>. </li>
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Shutterstock: AVM Images

Success Stories

Peter Lynch's Advice: 'If You Can't Explain to an 11-Year-Old in Two Minutes or Less Why You Own the Stock, You Shouldn't Own It'

A 2014 "<a href="https://x.com/ThomasSowell/status/1907788632267645294">60 Minutes" interview with Elon Musk</a> is suddenly back in rotation on X and it's not hard to see why. With headlines swirling about Musk backing away from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency and calls for federal spending cuts growing louder, the clip is a timely throwback to a different kind of Musk headline—one where he wasn't slashing budgets <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44079465/report-says-elon-musks-businesses-have-been-awarded-38-billion-in-government-contracts-since-2003-heres-what-taxpayers-are-funding">but writing checks to the government</a>.
In the resurfaced interview, journalist Scott Pelley zeroed in on Tesla's taxpayer-funded boost. "Taxpayers essentially loaned you, Tesla, almost $500 million. How much of that do you still owe?"
Musk, calm as ever, replied, "We paid the whole loan back with interest and a prepayment penalty last year."
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When asked why he paid the loan off early, Musk said the taxpayers had supported Tesla, so, as he put it, "we ought to repay them as soon as we can." He added, "Since we had the ability to do it and the stock markets were good, let's pay it back with interest and a thank you note, by the way. I said, ‘really appreciate it. Thank you.'"
That's not just talk. In 2010, Tesla received a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. It was part of a broader effort to jumpstart clean energy and EV innovation in the U.S.&nbsp;
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In May 2013, Tesla wrote a check to the U.S. government for the full balance—nine years ahead of schedule—making it the first American automaker to fully repay its ATVM loan. And they didn't just slide the check under the door. The repayment came with interest and a prepayment penalty, signaling Musk wasn't looking for a discount or an exit ramp.
Even more notable? The thank-you note.
"I would like to thank the Department of Energy and the members of Congress and their staffs that worked hard to create the program," Musk <a href="https://ir.tesla.com/press-release/tesla-repays-department-energy-loan-nine-years-early">said in a statement</a> in 2013, "and particularly the American taxpayer from whom these funds originate. I hope we did you proud."
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That line alone could be a headline in 2025. Because these days, Musk is associated more with government belt-tightening than borrowing. As a leader of DOGE, he's been at the helm of a controversial crackdown on federal spending—that has resulted in the cutting more than 280,000 jobs and the trimming department budgets across the board. But now, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44611347/is-elon-musk-leaving-doge-role-trump-tells-cabinet-move-could-happen-soon-report">reports suggest Musk is stepping back</a> from that post, citing the need to refocus on his own companies.
With <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44621408/market-access-has-a-price-trump-unveils-list-of-tariffs-countries-targeted">tariffs looming and funding debates heating up</a>, the clip is more than nostalgia—it's a reminder that Musk has played nearly every position on the public funding field: borrower, taxpayer, and budget-slasher-in-chief.
So yes, he had almost a full decade left to pay off Tesla's loan. But in true Musk fashion, he didn't wait around. And he left a thank-you note when he left.
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Elon Musk Paid Off Tesla's $465 Million Government Loan 9 Years Early With Interest, Penalties —And a Message to Taxpayers: 'I Hope We Did You Proud'

Anthony Scaramucci has publicly criticized President Donald Trump&#8216;s recent tariff policies.
What Happened: Scaramucci, who had a brief stint in the Trump administration in 2017, has been a consistent critic of the president. His latest remarks were in reaction to Trump&#8217;s decision to impose new tariffs on the majority of the U.S.&#8217;s major trading partners.
Following a significant plunge in&nbsp;the stock market and global&nbsp;markets in the wake of Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; announcement, Scaramucci expressed his criticism on a social media platform. In a post on X, he stated, &#8220;There&nbsp;is stupid and then there&nbsp;is Donald Trump Stupid: DTS.&nbsp;A new global low.&#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">There is stupid and then there is Donald Trump Stupid: DTS. A new global low.
&mdash; Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scaramucci/status/1908126278147809714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Furthermore, Scaramucci lambasted Trump&#8217;s team for being in an &#8220;echo chamber of stupidity&#8221; with regards to&nbsp;its trade policy. His comments&nbsp;came on the heels of China&#8217;s retaliation against the U.S.&#8217;s&nbsp;tariffs with its own on&nbsp;Thursday.
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Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement triggered a global selloff, resulting in the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling&nbsp;more than 1,600 points on&nbsp;Thursday. 
Despite the market&#8217;s reaction, Trump likened&nbsp;the United States to a&nbsp;patient requiring surgery, suggesting that the market drop was anticipated.
Why It Matters: The ongoing trade war has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that the tariffs could harm the U.S. economy. Scaramucci&#8217;s comments highlight the growing concern among some former Trump administration officials about the potential economic fallout from the president&#8217;s trade policies.
Moreover, the market&#8217;s reaction to the tariff announcement underscores the potential global economic impact of these policies. 
The significant drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average following the announcement indicates the level of concern among investors about the potential economic consequences of the ongoing trade war.
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Shutterstock: Al Teich

Politics

Scaramucci on Tariffs: 'There Is Stupid and Then There Is Donald Trump Stupid'

<ul>
<li>Block CEO Jack Dorsey has offered his thoughts on how Bitcoin could fail.</li>
<li>Dorsey&#8217;s thoughts go against the current prevailing narrative.</li>
<li>The Block CEO&#8217;s statements have unsurprisingly sparked pushback.</li>
</ul>
Is Bitcoin meant to be a medium of exchange, a store of value, or maybe both? This question continues to be the subject of serious debate, especially in core Bitcoin circles.
The debate has now been rehashed by statements from Twitter co-founder and Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>) CEO Jack Dorsey.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Debate On Relevance</h2>
Dorsey has asserted that Bitcoin will fail if it becomes nothing more than a store of value. He said this while speaking with Haley Berkoe, product marketing manager of Block subsidiary and Bitcoin-focused development firm Spiral, on a "Presidio Bitcoin" podcast <a href="https://youtu.be/0PaV_6vjkXI?si=H_Aj15tOhYcsakmG">episode</a> last week. According to him, Bitcoin succeeds through payments.
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Dorsey&#8217;s statements come at a time when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44628685/bitcoin-is-a-realistic-global-reserve-asset-experts-say">the leading narrative for Bitcoin</a> is that it has the potential to become a store of value on par with gold due to its limited supply. This thesis has left many unwilling to spend their coins in hopes that the asset&#8217;s value will continue to grow.
But in Dorsey&#8217;s telling, the current store of value focus presents a path to &#8220;irrelevance.&#8221;
&#8220;I think it has to be payments for it to be relevant on the every day. Otherwise, it&#8217;s just something you kind of buy and forget and only use in emergency situations or when you want to get liquid again. So I think if it doesn&#8217;t transition to payments and find that everyday use case, it just gets increasingly irrelevant. And that&#8217;s failure to me,&#8221; he told Berkoe.
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Addressing scaling and volatility concerns, Dorsey advocated for a focus on creating simple and accessible payment solutions that prioritize speed, privacy, and security. He argued that with time, greater accessibility, and a renewed focus on the ideals that birthed the cryptocurrency, the issue of volatility will also eventually be addressed.
Dorsey appeared to hold the view that Bitcoin had currently veered away from its original vision.
&#8220;There&#8217;s tons of stuff we need to do to really get back to the white paper, which is, you know, a system for electronic peer-to-peer digital cash like we have not seen that yet,&#8221; he asserted.
Dorsey's statements have unsurprisingly sparked pushback.
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For example, Bitcoin Keeper Lead Developer Ben Kaufman <a href="https://x.com/_benkaufman/status/1907542073781125140?t=5SP2EfWJ5g8c0mQxgi41Lg&amp;s=19">contended</a> that contrary to Dorsey&#8217;s statements, Bitcoin was more needed as a store of value than a means of payment.
&#8220;Bitcoin has value because it is needed. It is needed to store value as governments erode the value of their currencies. It is needed for payments to circumvent financial censorship. Currency devaluation affects everyone, while payment censorship affects small groups,&#8221; he wrote.
Interestingly, &#8220;Satoshi Nakamoto,&#8221; the pseudonymous creator of the cryptocurrency, did appear to envision a future for Bitcoin as a store of value, widely quoted as <a href="https://x.com/danheld/status/1084848069470957568?t=PjCF_YWkAkCWkPR2VIcfqg&amp;s=19">saying</a>, &#8220;It might make sense just to get some in case it catches on.&#8221;
Time will tell which narrative will prevail or whether both can coexist. In the meantime, however, speculators appear to have the upper hand as the asset <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44636065/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-dump-on-tariff-news">trades like a tech stock</a>.
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Jack Dorsey Says Bitcoin Fails If It Is Not Used For Everyday Payments

The escalating trade war spearheaded by President Donald Trump is causing unease among Republicans, corporate America, and even Trump&#8217;s allies.
What Happened: The intensifying trade war has sparked concern among Republicans on Capitol Hill, corporate America, and allies of President Trump. Despite the economic implications, Republican lawmakers are currently tolerating the situation due to fear of Trump&#8217;s wrath.
Lobbyists are quietly urging lawmakers to safeguard their interests, but they too are fearful of becoming targets. Even insiders from Trump&#8217;s circle, concerned about the impact of the tariffs, are hoping for intervention from elsewhere.
An anonymous public affairs operative <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/04/trump-tariffs-fear-lobby-business-congress-00006608">told </a>Politico, &#8220;There&nbsp;is zero incentive for any&nbsp;company or brand to be&nbsp;remotely critical of this administration.&#8221; This fear is widespread across sectors, with an energy industry official expressing similar sentiments.
With Trump&#8217;s firm grip over Washington, he has faced little opposition to policies that are disrupting the global economy, damaging America&#8217;s&nbsp;relationships with its closest allies, and making deep&nbsp;unilateral cuts to the federal&nbsp;government.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44656680/trumps-10-tariff-on-most-imports-is-finally-here-taking-effect-saturday">Trump&#8217;s 10% Tariff On Most Imports Is Finally Here, Taking Effect Saturday</a>
As the Trump administration doubles down on tariffs, it&#8217;s&nbsp;unclear what the breaking point&nbsp;will be for officials and&nbsp;lobbyists representing the most-impacted constituencies.&nbsp;
Advocates for affected industries are&nbsp;trying to gauge the durability of the new tariffs, cautious about voicing strong opposition in case&nbsp;the administration decides to quickly&nbsp;scale them back.
Despite the expectation of a louder pushback after the implementation of&nbsp;a baseline tariff of 10&nbsp;percent on all imported goods&nbsp;and higher &#8220;reciprocal&#8221;&nbsp;tariffs on dozens of other&nbsp;countries, no&nbsp;major trade group has filed&nbsp;litigation as of Friday midday.
"He campaigned on this," one GOP senator said as panic stirred in the Senate hallways. "This is just the beginning."
Even on Capitol Hill,&nbsp;fear is spreading among GOP&nbsp;lawmakers as the market loses trillions of dollars. However, most Republicans are currently&nbsp;unwilling to call on Trump&nbsp;to back down.
Why It Matters: The escalating trade war is not only causing economic disruption but also creating a climate of fear among lawmakers, corporate America, and even those within Trump&#8217;s circle. The reluctance to challenge the administration&#8217;s policies, despite the potential economic fallout, underscores the extent of Trump&#8217;s influence. 
The situation also raises questions about the potential long-term impact on the global economy and America&#8217;s relationships with its allies.
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Shutterstock: Bigc Studio

Trump's Trade War Intensifies, Stirring Unease Among Republicans and Corporate America

Investors can choose from a wide range of assets. Stocks and crypto are two of the most liquid investments that can produce higher returns, but that's not the investment renowned New York Times bestselling author Scott Galloway praised in a recent podcast interview.
He views real estate as one of the top investments due to its tax advantages and cash flow. While some people don't like real estate's relative illiquidity, Galloway views it as a strength.
"It's a form of forced savings," the NYU professor and finance expert stated.
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</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Real Estate Offers Tremendous Leverage</h2>
Not only does real estate act as a form of forced savings, but it also offers tremendous leverage. You can buy a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41320015/guess-what-percent-of-households-have-over-1-million-you-might-be-shocked-by-the-number-of-milli">$1 million</a> property with a $200,000 down payment if you put 20% down. If you have a good credit score and a low debt-to-income ratio, you might even get away with a 3% down payment.
Very few investment opportunities allow you to put down $30,000 to gain ownership of $1 million worth of assets. You have to contend with mortgage payments for up to 30 years, but if you earn rental income from the property, you break even while building up equity.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Investment Properties Can Also Lower Your Tax Bill</h2>
Real estate is one of the most tax-advantaged assets available. Investors can write depreciation off their expenses, and Section 179 allows investors to use accelerated depreciation to keep tax bills low. Some investors buy multiple properties each year and use Section 179 to defer income taxes continuously.&nbsp;
While Section 179 would result in significant capital gains if you sold the property, rules like the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1031-exchanges-are-here-to-stay">1031 exchange</a> and step-up basis can help investors avoid taxes on their gains. You save money on taxes, and the lack of liquidity turns real estate into a store of value. In that regard, real estate is similar to gold as a hedge against inflation.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building a Real Estate Portfolio</h2>
Real estate investors have access to plenty of leverage, but you still have to make monthly mortgage payments. Furthermore, you will need a good credit score and enough money for a down payment.
See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Putting more money down will reduce how much you pay in interest, while if you make the 3% minimum down payment, you can get started sooner.&nbsp;
It's good to brush up on the basics of real estate before rushing to make investments. Savvy investors often use a property's cap rate to gauge its potential returns. Higher cap rates come with higher potential returns and elevated risks. You can arrive at this calculation if you divide a property's net operating income by its market value.
It's best to focus on increasing your income and minimizing your expenses before you get started with real estate. Earning more money will make it easier to get started, but savvy investors can also raise money through crowdfunding.&nbsp;
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</ul>

Scott Galloway Says This Is The Best Investment for Lowering Your Tax Bill: 'It's a Form of Forced Savings'

<ul>
<li>Losses in crypto security incidents in Q1 nearly doubled compared to Q1 2024.</li>
<li>A continued dominance of so-called access control attacks has raised concerns.</li>
<li>Behind Q1&#8217;s alarming hack numbers, there was at least one positive trend.</li>
</ul>
The cryptocurrency industry is no stranger to hacks and scams, but Q1 was particularly rough, and that might be putting it mildly.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bad Actors Make A Killing</h2>
$2 billion.
That&#8217;s how much was lost in crypto security incidents in Q1, according to a Tuesday security <a href="https://hacken.io/insights/q1-2025-security-report/">report</a> from Web3 security outfit Hacken. For context, the figure represents a 96% increase over what the industry lost in Q1 2024 and is almost equivalent to the $2.25 billion lost in the whole of 2024.
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Of the $2 billion lost in Q1, over $1.6 billion was lost to so-called access control exploits, over $300 million was lost to rug pulls, over $96 million was lost to phishing scams, and over $29 million was lost to smart contract vulnerabilities.
The dominance of access control exploits is significant as a variation of it has led to the largest exploits for three consecutive quarters.&nbsp;
Access control exploits see bad actors target the infrastructure surrounding a project, like its website front-end, to gain access and steal user funds. In the past three quarters, it has proved particularly effective in targeting Safe multi-sig crypto wallets, which are thought to provide additional security by eliminating a single point of failure.
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As highlighted by Hacken, access control exploits targeting Safe multi-sigs were behind the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39846707/wazirx-declares-230m-hack-a-force-majeure-event-pledges-full-investigation">$235 million WazirX exploit</a> in Q3 2024, the $55 million Radiant Capital exploit in Q4 2024, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43886224/bybit-founder-confirms-1-4-billion-ethereum-hack-blames-masked-transaction">the infamous $1.5 billion Bybit hack</a> in Q1, the largest in the quarter by far and the largest exploit in history.
According to Hacken, the trend highlighted a failure to secure the surrounding infrastructure around these multi-sigs as much as the smart contracts behind the wallet. Security practices suggested by the firm included implementing human-readable signing to allow signers to see clearly the details of the transaction they are consenting to, securing off-chain components like web interfaces, and promoting operational discipline among signers.
Meanwhile, in addition to this access control exploit concern, Hacken highlighted that bad actors displayed new money laundering tricks in Q1.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hackers Moving Away From Mixers?</h2>
Typically, when funds are stolen in the cryptocurrency space, they are funneled through mixers to obscure their origins, but bad actors may now be turning to a very different venue: trading platforms.
In this approach, bad actors open large leveraged bets with their loot while hedging against that bet elsewhere with clean capital. They then let the leveraged position get liquidated while retaining the profits from the hedged position.
&#8220;By sacrificing the origin wallet and creating a loss event on-chain, the attacker distances themselves from the stolen capital while retaining its economic value,&#8221; the report wrote.
See Also: Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a>
Another approach these malicious actors are exploring is staging sandwich attacks to reframe stolen funds as profits from DeFi arbitrage.
Still, behind Q1&#8217;s alarming hack numbers and the growing sophistication in how bad actors launder their loot, the cryptocurrency industry was able to largely maintain one positive trend.
Specifically, the industry did not see a significant rise in decentralized finance exploits in line with a steady decline in the previous four quarters. According to Hacken, this suggested that protocol design is maturing.
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<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
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$2B Lost In 90 Days: How Losses In Crypto Security Incidents In Q1 2025 Increased 96% Y/Y

Investing in dividend-paying <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44565770/30-year-old-with-65k-in-stocks-sparks-debate-focusing-mostly-on-etfs-but-now-betting-on-bonds-small-caps-and-international-plays">stocks</a> is a widespread strategy for those pursuing a regular income and long-term wealth growth.
Many investors, especially those looking for stability, prefer <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44551261/early-retiree-making-17000-a-year-in-dividends-shares-top-7-stock-picks-says-ive-zero-regrets">dividends</a> because they generate regular payouts, often perceived as a safer choice than growth-focused assets. While dividend stocks may not always offer huge returns, they can act as a reliable income stream, particularly during market downturns or job loss.
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<li>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>.</li>
</ul>
For young investors, building a dividend portfolio early can compound significantly in the long run. A 23-year-old investor recently turned to Reddit for advice on his $75,000 portfolio, sparking a debate on the best strategy.
The investor has built an impressive portfolio generating $1,828 in annual dividend income. His holdings include a combination of dividend stocks, ETFs, and alternative assets like crypto and gold.
Investing $1,000 per week, the poster shared that he believes in sacrificing when you&#8217;re young for the life you want to live later: &#8220;My motto is &#8216;Work hard now so you can live life to its fullest when it&#8217;s harder.&#8217; The idea is to have additional income so that even if your job pays worse down the line, you&#8217;re not fu&#8211;ed. I&#8217;ve already made close to $15,000 in investments. The rest was money I invested over a few years. So $60,000.&#8221;
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
The 23-year-old&#8217;s strategy leans heavily on dividends, but besides sharing his picks, he&#8217;s also asked the members of the online discussion board for the best approach on optimizing his portfolio further. The r/Dividends community has jumped to the comment section to share its insights and suggestions, which circled around investing in growth-focused assets rather than dividends for now and shifting to dividends down the road.
Still, many commenters congratulated the young investor on his picks, so let&#8217;s dive deeper into those.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">23-Year-Old With $75,000 Portfolio and $1.828 Dividend Income Shares Top 6 Picks</h2>
Citizens Financial Group
Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFG#NYSE">CFG</a>) is a regional bank providing various retail and commercial banking products and services. Investors love CFG for its steady income and its position in the financial sector. The company pays investors around 4,06% in annual dividends.
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JEPI#NYSE">JEPI</a>)​ is an exchange-traded fund that generates a higher regular income for investors while maintaining possibilities for capital appreciation. Delivering approximately 7.62% in annual dividends, JEPI invests in S&amp;P 500 stocks with low volatility and uses options strategies to yield revenue.
See Also: Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a>
JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF
JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JEPQ#NASDAQ">JEPQ</a>)​ focuses on producing income and capital appreciation by investing in U.S. large-cap growth stocks, mainly those included in the NASDAQ-100 Index. Like JEPI, it employs options strategies to boost the yield and pays investors around 11.14% in dividends per year.
Invesco QQQ Trust
Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies on the exchange. Many people choose QQQ for its exposure to innovative tech and growth enterprises. Compared to JEPI and JEPQ, QQQ generates a lower dividend yield, around 0.63% per year.
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>) concentrates on high-quality, high-dividend-paying U.S. stocks with a record of constant payouts. Generating approximately 3.73% in dividend yield annually, investors pick SCHD for its focus on dividend growth and quality companies.
SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust
SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) tracks the performance of the S&amp;P 500 Index and provides broad market exposure with average dividends, which is a perfect choice for long-term growth. SPY pays investors around 1.22% in annual dividends.
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<li><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></li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

JEPI

JEPQ

SCHD

23-Year-Old Investor With $75K Portfolio, $1.8K Dividend Income Reveals Top Assets – Asks 'What I Should Look At Or Add To?' Reddit Debates

It's finally spring, and for the first time in a while, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/housing-market">housing market</a> is starting to show signs of life. After a long stretch of minimal activity, more "For Sale" signs are cropping up across the country. Inventory is climbing, which is good news for buyers who've been waiting for more choices—but the big question is: will people actually take the plunge?
Even with more homes on the market, buying isn't exactly easy right now. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mortgage-rates">Mortgage rates</a> are still hovering around 6.65% for a 30-year fixed loan, which, while slightly better than earlier in the year, remains high by historical standards, according to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/03/nx-s1-5349453/spring-home-buying-mortgage-rates">NPR</a>. And home prices haven't cooled much either.
Over the past five years, the median price of a home has surged by about 47%, making affordability a major concern for many would-be buyers. Still, there are reasons for optimism. In February, the number of existing homes for sale was up 17% compared to the same time last year, and March saw a 10% increase in new listings, according to NPR.
The so-called "lock-in effect"—where homeowners with ultra-low mortgage rates felt trapped in their current homes—may be easing as life events, job changes, or simple restlessness nudge people to move. Realtor.com <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/march-2025-data/">data</a> shows that sellers are getting more flexible, with more than 17% of listings featuring price reductions in March—the highest level for any March since 2016.
But it's not all smooth sailing. Pending home sales—homes under contract—were actually down 5.2% in March compared to a year ago, suggesting many buyers are still hesitant. That hesitation is especially evident in competitive markets, where buyers like one couple in Connecticut have found themselves outbid even after offering well above asking. Others decide to sit tight, are worried about job stability, or are just burned out from the hunt.
Meanwhile, new rules around how agents are paid have added another layer of complexity. Buyers now have to sign an agreement outlining their agent's compensation before they can even tour homes, and sellers are no longer automatically covering the buyer's agent commission. While many agents say the change hasn't had a huge effect yet, the added negotiations aren't exactly making the process easier, according to NPR.
So while more homes are finally hitting the market, uncertainty still hangs over this spring season—leaving buyers and sellers alike wondering if this will be the moment when things finally start moving again.
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Photo: K303/Shutterstock

Financial Advisors

Real Estate

More Homes Hit The Market, But Pending Sales Dip As Buyers Hesitate

Entrepreneur and investor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mark-cuban" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban</a>&nbsp;is one of the most well-known figures in the business and sports worlds. Cuban is also pretty open to sharing advice and tips on how to make money and potentially become a millionaire.
In 2022, Cuban shared four rules to making money and becoming a millionaire in an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gq.com/video/watch/first-million-gq-sports-my-first-million-mark-cuban" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GQ</a>, as shared by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/18/mark-cuban-simple-rules-for-making-money-becoming-millionaire.html?utm_term=Autofeed&amp;utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_content=Intl&amp;utm_source=Facebook&amp;fbclid=IwAR1Yxtyqv6lCRGMyPrVM7QBr4u994gI7NdBtOohtDFtIubCUpbncTQKZ0jU#Echobox=1674052744" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNBC</a>.&nbsp;
&#8220;If you want to be a millionaire, you can do it, but there&#8217;s a couple things you have to be able to accomplish,&#8221; Cuban said.
Rule 1: &#8220;Find something you can be good at. Then, be great at it.&#8221; Cuban&#8217;s first rule is possibly the most important. He advises that people need to focus on their strengths and develop those skills as their focus area. This could be a certain vocation, a sport, or creating content. A passion for something can often translate into putting in the necessary work and effort to be successful.
Rule 2: &#8220;Know how to sell.&#8221; CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/13/mark-cuban-used-a-14-second-pitch-to-make-money-at-his-first-sales-job.html">reported</a> that Cuban sold trash bags door-to-door when he was 12 years old to earn money to buy sneakers. Cuban bought the trash bags for $3 and sold them for $6. Part of Cuban&#8217;s sales pitch was the offer to be available by phone whenever someone needed the trash bags. He also offered to deliver them in his wagon.
You may not be a billionaire like Mark Cuban, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
Rule 3: &#8220;Be curious and always learning.&#8221; Finding something a person is good at and becoming great is a key step. Another key step might be continuing to learn and getting better at the subject or skill. Cuban has preached over the years that people should be willing to continue learning and striving to improve.
Rule 4: &#8220;When you walk into a room, you (need to know) your s&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A; better than anyone else in the room.&#8221;
Cuban said this is the important step before starting your own company and being able to &#8220;control your own destiny.&#8221;
Cuban has often shared that great leaders and businessmen often fail several times before making it. It doesn&#8217;t matter how many times you fail, he says. Being right only once can make a difference in life.
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This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated. 
Image: Shutterstock

Education

Entrepreneurship

Startups

Small Business

Mark Cuban Reveals 4 Rules To Becoming A Millionaire: 'Find Something You Can Be Good At. Then...'

The S&amp;P400 index, which tracks the top mid-cap stocks, fell 9.1% last week and 4.8% last Friday. However, these mid-cap stocks emerged as winners. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CORT#NASDAQ">CORT</a>) shares surged 36.28% after the company disclosed that the ROSELLA Phase 3 trial of relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer met its primary endpoint of improved progression-free survival, as assessed by blinded <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44569564" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">independent central review (PFS-BICR)</a>.</li>
<li>Mr. Cooper Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COOP#NASDAQ">COOP</a>) stock escalated 28.44% after the company announced Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKT#NYSE">RKT</a>) will acquire it in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44565671" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a $9.4 billion all-stock deal</a>.</li>
<li>Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRRM#NASDAQ">VRRM</a>) shares rose 10.90%.</li>
<li>Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GT#NASDAQ">GT</a>) stock rose 10.35% after Deutsche Bank upgraded it from Hold to Buy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/gt/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and announced a $13 price forecast</a>.</li>
<li>Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRGS#NASDAQ">PRGS</a>) stock upped 9.30% after the company reported better-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44570749" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter financial results</a>.</li>
<li>Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LW#NYSE">LW</a>) stock rose 9.24% after the company reported better-than-expected third-quarter financial results and issued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44629158" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FY25 sales guidance above estimates</a>.</li>
<li>Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>) stock rose 5.62%.</li>
<li>Loar Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOAR#NYSE">LOAR</a>) shares increased 5.26% after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44560215" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">company reported quarterly results</a>.</li>
<li>PVH Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PVH#NYSE">PVH</a>) shares gained 4.68% last week following strong <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44572437" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Q4 financial results</a> and the announcement of plans to enter into a $500 million accelerated share repurchase program.</li>
</ol>
Photo by Sorbis via Shutterstock

Mid Cap

Movers

CELH

COOP

CORT

LOAR

PRGS

VRRM

How Some Mid Cap Stocks Outshone The S&P 400's Dramatic Drop Last Week (Mar 31-Apr 4)

In today's job market, mastering AI skills might seem like the golden ticket to getting hired. But at tech consultancy Accenture (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACN#NYSE">ACN</a>), CEO Julie Sweet relies on a surprisingly simple question to spot top talent. And no, it has nothing to do with AI expertise.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The One Question That Separates Hires From Rejects</h2>
In a recent interview on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuctzvVhYJo">"In Good Company" podcas</a>t with Norges Bank Investment Management CEO Nicolai Tangen, Sweet shared her go-to interview question: "What have you learned in the last six months?"
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</ul>
Her reasoning is straightforward. If a candidate struggles to answer, it's an instant red flag. "A lot of the time people ask me, ‘How do I know if someone's a learner?' And it's a very simple way to know," Sweet explained.&nbsp;
"If someone can't answer that question—and by the way, we don't care if it's, ‘I learned to bake a cake'—then we know that they're not a learner."
Her response highlights a fundamental shift in hiring strategies. Companies no longer just want employees with a strong resume; they want dynamic, adaptable thinkers who actively seek out new knowledge.
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/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $100.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI Is Reshaping How Companies Hire</h2>
Sweet's focus on learning isn't just a quirky interview technique—it reflects a broader transformation happening across industries. The rise of generative AI has upended job descriptions, forcing companies to rethink the qualities they value in employees.
Sweet<a href="https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2025/01/14/global-ceos-anxious-over-ai-adoption/"> recently shared</a> that she had met with 30 CEOs across various regions, including Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the U.S., discussing AI's growing role in business. She noted that while some companies are ready to implement AI solutions, others are still exploring its potential.&nbsp;
But rather than prioritizing technical know-how, she believes the best employees are those who can quickly adapt to AI-driven changes.
See Also: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
LinkedIn Chief Operating Officer Daniel Shapero echoed this sentiment last June in an interview with <a href="https://fortune.com/2024/06/26/ai-workplace-relationship-economy-linkedin-karin-kimbrough/">Fortune</a>. His approach? He asks candidates how they've used AI in their daily work to gauge their willingness to experiment with new technology.
"What that demonstrates is, if you're comfortable using AI, then you're more likely to be someone that helps their organization become more AI-centric," Shapero explained.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A New Era for HR Departments</h2>
As companies scramble to keep up with technological advances, HR departments are becoming more crucial than ever. Sweet believes HR is now one of the most important fields to be in because, aside from AI, talent development is at the top of every CEO's agenda.
"I think the best thing to be right now, one of the best fields to be in, is HR," Julie Sweet told &nbsp; <a href="https://fortune.com/europe/2025/04/01/accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-new-hires-learned-last-6-months/">Fortune</a> last week. "Because right after gen AI on CEOs' agendas is talent, and how you train talent has to completely change."
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<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Accenture Boss Julie Sweet's Simple Question Determines Who Gets Hired—And It's Not About AI Skills

Last week, shares across several sectors, mainly technology, fell as investors reacted to macro and supply chain uncertainty amid President Trump&#8217;s sweeping Liberation Day tariffs and retaliatory responses from major trading nations. The S&amp;P 500 index fell about 9.1%.
These large-cap stocks were the worst performers. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) shares dipped 26.81%.</li>
<li>Microchip Technology Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHP#NASDAQ">MCHP</a>) shares dived 25.63%.</li>
<li>Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MFG#NYSE">MFG</a>) stock declined 25.18%.</li>
<li>Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VG#NYSE">VG</a>) stock was down 24.82%. UBS initiated coverage of the company with a Buy rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/vg/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced a price forecast of $14</a>.</li>
<li>Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDC#NASDAQ">WDC</a>) shares plummeted 24.82%.</li>
<li>GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEHC#NASDAQ">GEHC</a>) stock fell 24.37%</li>
<li>Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) shares decreased 24.13%</li>
<li>Southwest Airlines Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>) stock tumbled 22.98%.</li>
<li>Affirm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>) stock fell 22.62%. Stride Bank announced a payments program partnership with the company, through which it will become a new card <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44586154" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issuing partner for the Affirm CardTM</a>.</li>
<li>Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>) shares were down 22.39%.</li>
</ol>
Image via Shutterstock

Equities

Large Cap

AFRM

DELL

GEHC

MCHP

S&P500 Fell 9.1% Last Week And These Large Cap Stocks Were Obliterated (Mar 31-Apr 4)

The S&amp;P 500 index fell about 9.1% last week (Mar 31-Apr 4), making it one of the worst performances for the benchmark. These large-cap stocks defied the index. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWV#NASDAQ">CRWV</a>) stock gained 19.55% last week on reports that Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google is looking to rent Nvidia's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) Blackwell Chips from the company.</li>
<li>Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKT#NYSE">RKT</a>) shares surged 18.19% after Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods upgraded the stock from Underperform to Market Perform and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44612611" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raised its price forecast from $12 to $14</a>.</li>
<li>GameStop Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) upped 8.10% last week after it raised $1.5 billion in a private offering and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44638041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryan Cohen increasing his stake</a> in the company.</li>
<li>Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) stock upped 7.58%. Shares of consumer staples stocks gained as tariff uncertainty may be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44641614" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">driving a shift toward defensive stocks</a>.</li>
<li>Molina Healthcare Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOH#NYSE">MOH</a>) shares increased 7.39%. The company recently reported that it has 1.75 million shares sold short, which is 4.16% of all regular shares <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44634528" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">available for trading</a>.</li>
<li>Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPC#NASDAQ">PPC</a>) stock rose 5.63%.</li>
<li>Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROST#NASDAQ">ROST</a>) shares were up 3.90%. Citigroup analyst Paul Lejuez upgraded the company from Neutral to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/rost/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Buy and announced $146 price forecast</a>.</li>
<li>Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAH#NYSE">BAH</a>) stock gained 3.72% last week.</li>
<li>TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TJX#NYSE">TJX</a>) shares increased 3.34%. Citigroup analyst Paul Lejuez upgraded the company from Neutral to Buy and raised the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/tjx/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> price forecast from $128 to $140</a>.</li>
<li>NVR, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVR#NYSE">NVR</a>) shares increased 3.19% amid a drop in Treasury yields.</li>
</ol>
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