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



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



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



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Another said, &#8220;As a 2007 graduate, all we were told in school was to go to college. The trades were not discussed at all.&#8221;



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

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

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



Peter Schiff Prefers Dogecoin Over Bitcoin



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



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



Riot Platforms&#8217; Q1 Results



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



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



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



Classover Holdings&#8217; $400 Million Equity Deal



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



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



SoFi Reintroduces Crypto



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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RIOT

SOFI

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



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



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



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



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

Exclusives

Trading Ideas

MELI

NTNX

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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CARR

MSFT

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

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



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



Jim Chanos Criticizes Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi Economics



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



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



Tesla Chairwoman Continues Insider Stock Sales



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



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



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



Ford Reports 16% Sales Growth in April



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



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



Tesla Board Explored Replacing Elon Musk As CEO



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



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



JetBlue In Talks With United Airlines Over Possible Partnership



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



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



Read Next:



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



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



Photo Courtesy: Ian Dewar Photography On Shutterstock.com

Short Sellers

General

JBLU

TSLA

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

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



Musk&#8217;s DOGE Struggles



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



Impeachment Proceedings Against Trump



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



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



Trump&#8217;s First 100 Days



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



AOC&#8217;s Inquiry into Congressional Stock Trading



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



Musk&#8217;s Scrutiny of Federal Reserve Spending



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



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



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



Image via Shutterstock

Politics

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

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



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



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



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



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



The Bulls



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The Bears



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

ABBV

BBAI

NCLH

PLUG

SBUX

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

Cryptocurrency markets are treading water as the market enters a quiet stretch ahead of a key week for macroeconomic data.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>$97,490.40</td><td>+0.9%</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>$1,852.16</td><td>+0.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td><td>$149.98</td><td>-0.2%</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td>$2.21</td><td>-0.5%</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>$0.1815</td><td>+0.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td><td>$0.00001348</td><td>-1%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Notable Statistics:



<ul>
<li>IntoTheBlock data shows large transaction volume increasing by 19.6% and daily active addresses falling by 0.9%. Transactions greater than $100,000 are down from 10,529 to 10,084 in a single day. Exchanges netflows are down by 133.6%.</li>



<li>Coinglass data reports 71,325 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $135.88 million.</li>
</ul>



Notable Developments:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45168129/bitcoin-up-25-from-tariff-lows-heres-the-case-for-new-all-time-highs-soon">Bitcoin Up 25% From Tariff Lows: Here&#8217;s THe Case For New All-Time Highs Soon</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45165364/aptos-eyes-real-world-utility-beyond-nfts-and-defi-says-ecosystem-head-ash-pampati">Aptos Eyes Real-World Utility Beyond NFTs And DeFi, Says Ecosystem Head Ash Pampati</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45170022/bitcoin-hovers-around-97000-but-this-is-a-fragile-rally-analyst-warns">Bitcoin Hovers Around $97,000 But This Is A &#8216;Fragile Rally,&#8217; Analyst Warns</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/guidance/25/05/45152230/strategy-q1-earnings-bitcoin-treasury-company-raises-its-btc-yield-and-btc-gain-targets-for-2025">Strategy Q1 Earnings: Bitcoin Treasury Company Raises Its &#8216;BTC Yield&#8217; And &#8216;BTC $ Gain&#8217; Targets For 2025</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45154528/bitcoin-miner-riot-platforms-reports-q1-results-shares-slide">Bitcoin Miner Riot Platforms Reports Q1 Results, Shares Slide</a></li>
</ul>



Top Gainers:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Pudgy Penguins (CRYPTO: PENGU)</td><td>$0.01233</td><td>+13%</td></tr><tr><td>EOS (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eos/usd">EOS</a>)</td><td>$1.85</td><td>+9.5%</td></tr><tr><td>Immutable (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">IMX</a>)</td><td>$0.6441</td><td>+8.2%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: Bitcoin trader Cole sees Bitcoin forming a potential rising wedge, often a bearish pattern. With an uptick in long positions and light weekend liquidity, he warns of a possible pullback toward the daily open or support near $95,000–$95,500.



<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"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> watching Potiential rising wedge closely as we head into weekend. Low volume weekend can change things but we'll see. Seeing a lot of longs opening up here, see if we get a pullback to D/O or $95k-$95.5k support &#x1f91d;&#x1f3fb; <a href="https://t.co/pRZWN7mDRM">https://t.co/pRZWN7mDRM</a> <a href="https://t.co/8eztNTiP6z">pic.twitter.com/8eztNTiP6z</a>&mdash; Cole (@_ColesTrading) <a href="https://twitter.com/_ColesTrading/status/1918351013075128511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Titan of Crypto <a href="https://x.com/Washigorira/status/1918335784223904072">points</a> to the SuperGuppy indicator, which just flipped bullish on the weekly chart, signaling a momentum shift back in favor of the bulls and potentially confirming the start of a longer-term uptrend.



Adding to the bullish narrative, Ted Pillows <a href="https://x.com/TedPillows/status/1918310412073717802">compares</a> Bitcoin's structure to gold's previous rally pattern &#8211; accumulation, breakout, highs, then re-accumulation. He sees BTC currently beginning its next leg up, projecting a new high by Q2 2025 based on that historic rhythm.



<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"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> is just following Gold&#39;s rally. Accumulation phase followed by a breakout which led to a new ATH. After that, BTC entered the re-accumulation phase and broke out of it in Q4 2024. For the past few months, BTC was back into the consolidation phase and now it has started… <a href="https://t.co/UCDDvtxxmh">pic.twitter.com/UCDDvtxxmh</a>&mdash; Ted (@TedPillows) <a href="https://twitter.com/TedPillows/status/1918310412073717802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



On-chain data from Glassnode strengthens the bull case:



<ul>
<li>Long-term holders have <a href="https://x.com/glassnode/status/1918359719619477701">accumulated</a> over 254,000 BTC now aged past 155 days.</li>



<li>Many of these coins were bought above $95,000, and spending remains low, a sign of confidence and reduced desire to sell. </li>



<li>Additionally, BTC holders with 30+ day coins are now <a href="https://x.com/glassnode/status/1918274195886162299">back</a> in profit, easing potential sell pressure from short-term holders.</li>
</ul>



Together, these signals point to early-stage bullish momentum, but with weekend volatility and leveraged longs building, traders remain cautious.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45164011/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-sentiment-rebounds-as-btc-hits-97000">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Sentiment Rebounds As BTC Hits $97,000</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

$DOGE

$EOS

$ETH

$IMX

$SHIB

$SOL

$XRP

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Hold Steady As Bulls Eye Further Gains

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



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



Don't Miss:



<ul>
<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">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>



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



Let's rewind.



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



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



Still, Buffett didn't budge.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Donald Trump will share the spotlight with a massive display of American military might next month, as the U.S. Army gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary with a full-scale parade on June 14 — coinciding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45183970/behind-the-empty-docks-how-trumps-145-tariffs-are-gutting-u-s-supply-chains" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with the president&#8217;s 79th birthday</a>.



Set to unfold on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the &#8220;day-long festival&#8221; will feature over 6,000 troops, more than 100 military vehicles, and close to 50 aircraft, according to Army officials, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9vzrxxjdwo" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports </a>BBC.



Trump has long advocated for a grand military parade reminiscent of France&#8217;s Bastille Day spectacle, which he attended in 2017.



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He initially pitched the idea in 2018, aiming to host it on Veterans Day, but later abandoned the plan due to projected costs nearing $90 million.



White House officials now confirm that planning for the upcoming celebration is in full swing.



Organizers are exploring ways to expand the event with more demonstrations, greater community participation, and larger-scale exhibits of military hardware.



Trump also reignited controversy Friday by proposing to rename Veterans Day as &#8220;Victory Day for World War I,&#8221; arguing that the U.S. deserves more recognition for its decisive role in past global conflicts.



The White House later clarified that the current Veterans Day name will remain intact, though additional commemorations for WWI and WWII victories are being encouraged.



In another proposal, Trump called for May 8 — known internationally as Victory in Europe Day — to be formally observed in the U.S. as &#8220;Victory Day for World War II.&#8221;



While his renaming efforts remain uncertain, Trump will still receive a high-profile salute. The June 14 parade is expected to be both a patriotic showcase and a symbolic nod to his legacy.



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US Army's 250th Anniversary Parade To Coincide With Trump's 79th Birthday

Brazilian startup Mombak has secured $30 million in a Series A funding round led by Union Square Ventures, with participation from existing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44911292/insane-mark-cuban-thinks-us-investors-will-start-exporting-talent-and-funding-startups-abroad-to-cut-costs">investors</a> Kaszek, Bain Capital, and AXA IM Alts, as well as new backers Lowercarbon Capital and Copa Investimentos.



This funding will support Mombak&#8217;s mission to restore degraded farmland in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43137590/microsoft-invests-in-carbon-credits-to-restore-amazon-rainforest-faces-challenges-from-data-center-growth-trumps-fossil-fuel-focus">Amazon rainforest</a> using native species and generate carbon credits for companies seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions, according to<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/brazil-reforestation-startup-mombak-raises-30-million-usv-led-round-2025-04-29/"> Reuters</a>.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mombak&#8217;s Ambitious Growth</h2>



Since its founding in 2021 by Gabriel Silva, former CFO of Nubank, and Peter Fernandez, former CEO of 99, Mombak has planted 5 million native trees across 45,000 acres, an area three times the size of Manhattan, Reuters writes. The company aims to reach 8 million trees planted by June.



&#8220;We are moving from startup to scale-up,&#8221; co-founder Gabriel Silva told Reuters. &#8220;We decided it was time to have a new capital round to invest in this new phase: taking our initial business and doing it in a much larger scale.&#8221;



Mombak&#8217;s approach involves acquiring or partnering with owners of degraded Amazon land to restore native vegetation, generating carbon credits that companies can purchase to offset their emissions. This model not only helps in carbon sequestration but also contributes to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in the Amazon.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Carbon Credit Demand Soars with Big Tech Support</h2>



According to Reuters, Mombak has already signed $150 million worth of carbon removal offtake contracts and expects that number to quadruple within the next year. Major companies such as Google, Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and McLaren Racing have already committed to purchasing credits from Mombak, a sign that big tech is taking nature-based carbon removal seriously,<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/google-buys-carbon-removal-credits-brazil-startup-joining-microsoft-2024-09-19/"> Reuters</a> writes.



Google recently agreed to buy 50,000 metric tons of carbon credits from Mombak by 2030, marking its first carbon removal partnership in South America. Microsoft, ahead of the curve, also signed a contract in 2023 to purchase up to 1.5 million carbon credits from Mombak. Meta has also pledged support through its participation in the Symbiosis Coalition, a group that includes Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, which committed to contracting up to 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removal credits by 2030, according to Reuters.



McLaren Racing, the iconic Formula 1 team, joined this growing list of partners by purchasing credits from the startup as part of its mission to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, Mombak <a href="https://mombak.com/news/mclaren-buys-carbon-credits-in-quest-for-net-zero/">announced</a>. These partnerships signal growing industry confidence in the scalability and quality of Mombak's carbon removal strategy.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Public and Private Capital Fuel Climate Restoration</h2>



In addition to private equity and venture funding, Mombak recently secured $17.8 million through a joint commitment from Santander Brasil and Brazilian state development bank BNDES, Reuters<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/santander-bndes-back-mombak-reforestation-drawing-brazil-climate-fund-2025-04-07/"> writes</a>. This makes Mombak the first reforestation project to receive support from Brazil's $2 billion New Climate Fund, launched in 2023 to advance climate-focused initiatives.



Andy Weissman, managing partner at Union Square Ventures, emphasized the importance of this work, stating, "We believe that carbon removal will be one of the defining industries of the 21st century. We're proud to support Mombak's mission to turn the Amazon into a global engine for climate restoration."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Road Ahead</h2>



With over $200 million raised since its founding, Mombak stands at the intersection of environmental impact and economic innovation. The company's commitment to large-scale reforestation, combined with demand from global corporations, positions it to lead a new wave of climate restoration rooted in natural solutions.



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Google, Microsoft, Meta, And McLaren Back Mombak's $30M Amazon Reforestation Push, Targeting $600M In Carbon Credit Deals By 2025

At the annual shareholder meeting of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-a#NYSE">BRK-A</a>) on Saturday, Warren Buffett has voiced his criticism of the present administration's trade policyAt the annual shareholder meeting of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BRK.A#NYSE">BRK.A</a>) on Saturday, Warren Buffett has voiced his criticism of the present administration&#8217;s trade policy, labeling the imposition of punitive tariffs on global trade as a severe mistake.



What Happened: During the session, Buffett expressed his discontent with the current aggressive trade policy, without directly mentioning President Donald Trump.



Addressing the gathering, Buffett <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LWBphTImy4">said</a>, emphasized, &#8220;Trade should not be a weapon,&#8221; and cautioned against provoking billions of people worldwide with punitive tariffs. 



"Trade should not be a weapon. The United States won. I mean, we have become an incredibly important country, starting from nothing 250 years ago There's not been anything like it," Buffett said. 



"It's a big mistake, in my view, when you have seven and a half billion people that don't like you very well, and you got 300 million that are crowing in some way about how well they've done &#8211; I don't think it's right, and I don't think it's wise," he added.



His remarks were made following the White House&#8217;s recent introduction of the highest import levies in decades, which has caused considerable market instability.



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"I do think that the more prosperous the rest of the world becomes, it won't be at the our expense, the more prosperous we'll become, and the safer we'll feel, and your children will feel someday," Buffett said.



The esteemed investor also underscored the significance of global prosperity, asserting that a prosperous world would not come at the cost of the United States, but rather enhance its safety and prosperity.



In its first-quarter earnings report Berkshire Hathaway noted that tariffs and other geopolitical events have generated &#8220;considerable uncertainty&#8221; for the conglomerate. 



The company also disclosed that it has been operating defensively, selling stocks for 10 consecutive quarters, resulting in a record cash reserve of $347 billion at the end of March.



Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s comments come at a time when the world is grappling with the economic impacts of the current administration&#8217;s hardline trade policy. The policy has been marked by the imposition of high tariffs, leading to significant market volatility and uncertainty. 



This has prompted companies like Berkshire Hathaway to adopt a defensive stance, selling stocks and amassing cash reserves. Buffett&#8217;s criticism of the policy underscores the potential risks and challenges it poses to global trade and prosperity. 



His remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a balanced and cooperative approach to global trade, for the benefit of all nations involved.



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Earnings

Warren Buffett Warns Tariffs Could Backfire on Economy, Says, 'Trade Should Not Be A Weapon. It's A Big Mistake, I Don't Think It's Wise'

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

In the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-a#NYSE">BRK-A</a>) reported a significant drop in its operating earnings announced on Saturday. In the first quarter of&nbsp;2025,&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BRK.A#NYSE">BRK.A</a>) reported a significant drop in its operating earnings announced on Saturday. The company has raised concerns about the potential impact of tariffs on future profits.



What Happened: The conglomerate&#8217;s operating earnings, which include its&nbsp;fully owned insurance and railroad&nbsp;businesses, fell 14% to $9.64&nbsp;billion in&nbsp;the first three months of&nbsp;the year. This is a significant drop from the $11.22 billion reported in the first quarter of 2024.



According to the Berkshire <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/qtrly/1stqtr25.pdf">report</a>, the decline was largely&nbsp;driven by a 48.6% plunge&nbsp;in insurance-underwriting profit, which&nbsp;came in at $1.34 billion&nbsp;for the first quarter, down&nbsp;from $2.60 billion a year&nbsp;prior. Berkshire attributed this to the Southern California wildfires, which&nbsp;led to a $1.1 billion&nbsp;loss in Q1.



The company also suffered an approximate $713 million loss related to foreign exchange due to the dollar losing value in the first quarter. This is in stark contrast to the same period last year when it benefited from a $597 million forex gain.



"Our periodic operating results may be affected in future periods by impacts of ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical events, as well as changes in industry or company-specific factors or events. The pace of changes in these events, including international trade policies and tariffs, has accelerated in 2025. Considerable uncertainty remains as to the ultimate outcome of these events," Berkshire said in the earnings report.



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"The amount of investment gains, losses in any given quarter is usually meaningless and delivers figures for net earnings per share that can be extremely misleading to investors who have little or no knowledge of accounting rules," Berkshire's statement read.



Berkshire also expressed concerns over President Donald Trump&#8216;s tariffs and other geopolitical risks, stating that it&#8217;s unable to predict any potential impact from tariffs at this time. The company&#8217;s cash reserves also increased to a record $347 billion during the first quarter, up from around $334 billion at the end of 2024.



Why It Matters: The steep drop in Berkshire&#8217;s earnings is a cause for concern among investors, given the company&#8217;s wide-ranging portfolio of businesses. The decline in insurance-underwriting profit, in particular, highlights the risks associated with the company&#8217;s insurance operations.



The company&#8217;s concerns over tariffs and geopolitical risks also underscore the uncertainty facing global businesses. The increase in cash reserves, however, suggests that Berkshire is well-positioned to weather potential economic headwinds.



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Berkshire Hathaway's Q1 2025 Earnings Plunge Amid Tariff Concerns, Operating Profit Fell 14%, Cash Hit A Record

According to Bill Eigen, a portfolio manager at JPMorgan Asset Management, markets are significantly reactive to President Donald Trump's social media posts.&nbsp;



What Happened: Speaking to CNBC Friday morning ahead of the April jobs report, Eigen said economic data is quickly taking a back seat.



"We're one Truth Social post away from being up or down 5% every day," Eigen said, describing the current market environment as "fun," but filled with turbulence.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Don&#039;t see anything that&#039;s going to make the deficit better going forward: JPMorgan&#039;s Bill Eigen" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fgzvAQY8h1o?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900955/berkshire-hathaways-q4-profits-soar-71-warren-buffett-says-his-firm-has-paid-more-taxes-than-tech-titans-in-trillions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than ‘Tech Titans' With Market Value in ‘Trillions'</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/plus500-futures" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>



Why It's Important: Trump's posts in the last few months back up Eigen's statement, <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/05/02/markets-swings-truth-social-posts-jpmorgan-potfolio-manager/">noted</a> Fortune. Markets surged after he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44946516/goldman-sachs-ceo-says-trumps-90-day-tariff-pause-increased-the-level-of-uncertainty-triggered-market-repricing">announced a 90-day tariff grace period</a> to negotiate trade deals.



Conversely, they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44940900/us-futures-dollar-jump-amid-trumps-latest-comments-on-fed-nikkei-rebounds-to-three-week-high">tumbled when he posted</a> that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's removal "couldn't come fast enough."



Before his inauguration, Trump moved currency markets by threatening tariffs on Canada and Mexico, causing the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso to fall.



A February JPMorgan study found Trump is posting fewer market-moving messages than during his first term, but momentum is building. About 10% of his recent posts have led to noticeable market shifts, according to Reuters.



Meanwhile, the U.S. labor market <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45164558/us-adds-177000-jobs-in-april-topping-forecasts-as-economy-navigates-tariff-impact">remained resilient in April</a>, with job growth exceeding expectations despite pressure from trade tariffs affecting various sectors.



According to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000, down slightly from March's revised figure of 185,000.



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was up 1.48% on Friday, while the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, was up 1.48%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;138z7gr&#x2A;_gcl_au&#x2A;MjA5Njc0MjY1My4xNzQwODM2NTUw&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;R1MxLjEuMTc0NDY0ODA3Mi4yLjAuMTc0NDY0ODA3NS4wLjAuMA..&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTc0NTgyOTMzMy4xLjEuMTc0NTgyOTYyMy4wLjAuMA..">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



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Donald Trump's Social Media Posts Move Markets More Than Jobs Data, Says JPMorgan Portfolio Manager: 'We're One Truth Social Post Away From Being Up Or Down 5% Every Day'

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