Imagine this: a hospital conference room, lights low, filled with decision-makers. A sales representative clicks through slides driven by Palantir Technologies&#8217; (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) Foundry platform, highlighting real-time data integration and pinpoint analytics that would <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46640145/how-palantir-tempus-nvidia-backed-recursion-are-disrupting-big-pharma">make Pharma R&amp;D from the past</a> look like it&#8217;s still sending lab results by fax. Down the same hallway, Tempus AI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>) is making its pitch: a genomics-driven diagnostics pipeline that has the potential to condense drug development months into weeks. Down the street, Recursion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RXRX#NASDAQ">RXRX</a>), connected to Nvidia&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) AI muscle, is whipping up molecules more quickly than most of the major pharma companies can convene a patent meeting.



Track Palantir's stock moves <a href="https://archive.ph/o/RcesA/https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



This isn&#8217;t a sci-fi movie. It&#8217;s 2025. And it&#8217;s the future of medicine.



But what if you peek under the hood of most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">healthcare ETFs</a>, and find the list still dominated by old-school giants: Pfizer (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), Merck (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), all good revenue machines, yes, but now stalled in terms of stock momentum and innovation hype. So the elephant-in-the-room question hangs: are ETF issuers missing the real excitement in AI-native biotech?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The ETF Landscape: Are We Still Wearing 2015 Goggles?</h2>



Even with this tectonic shift in where innovation is really occurring, the world of ETFs hasn&#8217;t yet caught up. The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) remains top-heavy in UnitedHealth (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), and Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>). The iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>) is laser-beamed on the usual suspects. 



However, very few thematic funds such as the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKG#BATS">ARKG</a>) have piled into Tempus AI and Recursion — although Cathie Wood&#8217;s ARK is infamous for dipping its toes into Palantir waters.



It raises the question: if AI is reshaping healthcare at its source — the molecule, the diagnosis, the trial protocol — why are investors still paying for exposure to the output, rather than the architects?



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46639976/3-pharma-stocks-that-arent-sweating-the-coming-200-drug-tariffs">3 Pharma Stocks That Aren&#8217;t Sweating the Coming 200% Drug Tariffs</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI-Native Pharma Is Already A Thing And It&#8217;s Moving Fast</h2>



Let&#8217;s begin with the numbers. Palantir is up more than 11% in the past month and has already shown a phenomenal YTD performance as investors prepare for its Q2 earnings. The company&#8217;s expansion into healthcare is no side gig, it&#8217;s quietly establishing itself as the digital scaffolding for hospital systems and military-grade medical planning, too.



Tempus AI, though experiencing a modest 6% retreat in the last month, has remained firm at around $64, indicating market faith in its capability to use AI to industrialize cancer diagnosis. And Recursion Pharmaceuticals has been up 15% since late June, while remaining in loss for the year, a classic biotech early-stage pattern, but now infused with algorithmic drug discovery.



NVIDIA, whose chips reside at the center of Recursion&#8217;s wet-lab-meets-silicon-brain hybrid model, remains the underlying facilitator of this whole thing.



And Big Pharma, meanwhile? Pfizer languishes at around $24, while Merck hovers at around $85, not exactly the material for breakout tales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The ETF Opportunity</h2>



The pressure is obvious. Conventional drugmakers still control manufacturing, regulation, and distribution. But AI-first companies are beginning to own the upstream, the concepts, the iterations, the trial designs. And in a space where delays in R&amp;D can run into billions and cost patient lives, speed and accuracy are no longer niceties — they&#8217;re necessities.



ETF providers now have a choice. Are they going to keep tracking yesterday&#8217;s winners in healthcare, or pre-emptively shift portfolios towards the players really shaping tomorrow&#8217;s innovation?



There is an open invitation here to innovating. A specially designed &#8220;AI &amp; Next-Gen Healthcare ETF&#8221; that combines genomics-based diagnostics, machine learning-assisted discovery, and healthtech infrastructure could grab the very growth that conventional pharma ETFs are not seeing.



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



Palantir, Tempus AI, and Recursion are not merely healthcare-adjacent technology companies. They&#8217;re the leading edge of a very lucrative spear — one that already has pieced biotech&#8217;s old armor. And although Big Pharma is still, well, pharma, it&#8217;s the AI-born upstarts who are flexing the future.



The ETF business might need to begin paying attention, because the actual biotech bull cycle may not be occurring in corner offices, but in server racks, sequencing labs, and real-time data dashboards.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/07/46641666/teslas-earnings-flop-trips-up-these-etfs">Tesla&#8217;s Earnings Flop Trips Up These ETFs</a></li>
</ul>

Sector ETFs

Tech

ETFs

ARKG

NVDA

PLTR

RXRX

Palantir, Nvidia & Tempus AI Could Be Pharma ETF Darlings That Don't Make Pills

Warren Buffett has issued a stark warning about potential Social Security cuts. The billionaire investor emphasized the importance of maintaining current benefit levels, as millions of retirees depend heavily on these payments.



What Happened: Buffett&#8217;s comments come amid growing concerns about the financial stability of Social Security. The program&#8217;s Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund is projected to deplete by 2033, which could lead to a 23% reduction in benefits for seniors, according to a report <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/retirement/warren-buffett-sends-blunt-message-on-social-security-">by</a> The Street.



This potential cut is alarming, given that many retirees already struggle to meet their financial needs with existing benefits.



During the 2005 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, Buffett stated, &#8220;I basically believe that anything that would take Social Security payments below their present guaranteed level is a mistake.&#8221; This sentiment resonates even more today as the threat of benefit reductions looms closer.



Lawmakers have options to avert these cuts, such as adjusting employee wage taxes and altering benefit claim rules. However, time is running out, and immediate action is necessary to prevent a widespread crisis among seniors who rely on Social Security for their livelihood.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46606682/microsoft-is-betting-big-on-a-startup-that-injects-human-and-animal-waste-into-rocks-to-offset-14-9m-">Microsoft Is Betting Big On A Startup That Injects Human And Animal Waste Into Rocks To Offset 14.9M Tons Of Emissions</a>



Why It Matters: The urgency of Warren Buffett&#8217;s warning is underscored by his broader philosophy on success and wealth.



In a recent discussion with students at Georgia Tech, Buffett highlighted that true success is measured not by wealth, but by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/entrepreneurship/25/07/46510607/forget-wealth-warren-buffett-says-this-word-is-the-true-measure-of-success">love and respect one garners</a> from others. This perspective, shared in his biography &#8220;The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life,&#8221; suggests that financial security, like that provided by Social Security, is crucial for a dignified life.



Buffett&#8217;s views on wealth and success have been consistent over the years. At the 1999 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, he expressed a willingness to trade his net worth for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46327199/billionaire-warren-buffett-was-asked-which-is-better-being-rich-or-being-wealthy-he-said-hed-gladly-trade-net-worth-for-extra-years-on-earth">more time on earth</a>, emphasizing the value of life over financial gain. This aligns with his current stance on Social Security, where he advocates for protecting the financial well-being of retirees.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46646636/gary-black-questions-tesla-robotaxi-hype-ahead-of-bay-area-launch-fsd-is-not-fully-autonomous-so-cant-be-scaled-nationally">Gary Black Questions Tesla Robotaxi Hype Ahead Of Bay Area Launch: &#8216;FSD Is Not Fully Autonomous So Can&#8217;t Be Scaled Nationally&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Warren Buffett Issues Urgent Warning On Looming Social Security Cuts

Each week, Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the <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:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/06/46157351/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: June's 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do CoreWeave, Nvidia, Apple Stock Rank?</a>



Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending July 25:



Ensign Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENSG#NASDAQ">ENSG</a>): The healthcare services company saw strong interest from readers during the week after reporting second-quarter financial results. The company beat analyst estimates for both revenue and earnings per share. Ensign Group also raised full-year guidance for both earnings per share and revenue after the report.



"Our local teams achieved another outstanding quarter, raising the bar again for what is possible, even in a quarter where we historically have experienced more seasonality. The clinical results they achieved continue to be the primary driver of our success," Ensign CEO Barry Port said.



The company saw strong results for its same store occupancy and also acquired new operations that Port said will help with "long-term upside." Ensign's portfolio consists of 348 healthcare operations, including 31 that are also senior living operations, in 17 states. The company owns 146 real estate assets, with 110 being operated by an Ensign affiliate.



<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=0725"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="508" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181428/Screenshot-512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-999817" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181428/Screenshot-512.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181428/Screenshot-512-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181428/Screenshot-512-768x391.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



IonQ Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IONQ#NYSE">IONQ</a>): The quantum computing sector continues to be hot for investors and IonQ was searched by an increased number of readers during the week. The company <a href="https://investors.ionq.com/news/news-details/2025/IonQ-Expands-Across-APAC-Through-Strategic-Collaboration-With-Australian-Company-Emergence-Quantum/default.aspx">announced </a>a new collaboration with Emergence Quantum to co-develop electronics and materials. IonQ said the partnership will help the company's global expansion roadmap and help Australia's quantum capabilities. Investors are likely eagerly awaiting the company's second-quarter financial results set for Aug. 6. Analysts expect the company to report a loss of 27 cents per share. IonQ has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three of the last five quarters. Investors expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $17.23, which would be a record. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in more than 10 straight quarters. Recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IONQ/analyst-ratings">analyst activity </a>saw Cantor Fitzgerald initiate the stock with an Overweight rating and price target of $45 and Benchmark maintain a Buy rating and raise the price target from $50 to $55.



<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=0725"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="497" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181442/Screenshot-513.png" alt="" class="wp-image-999819" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181442/Screenshot-513.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181442/Screenshot-513-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181442/Screenshot-513-768x383.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Brinker International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EAT#NYSE">EAT</a>): The restaurant company that owns Chili's and other brands saw increased interest from readers during the week. The company has received <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/EAT/analyst-ratings">mixed ratings from analysts</a> during the month of July with mostly Neutral and Equal-Weight ratings. Most analysts have been raising their price targets on the restaurant company. Brinker will report fourth-quarter financial results in August. Analysts predict the company will show increased earnings per share and revenue on a year-over-year basis. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine of the last 10 quarters and beaten estimates for revenue in seven of the last 10 quarters.



<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=0725"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181457/Screenshot-514.png" alt="" class="wp-image-999820" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181457/Screenshot-514.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181457/Screenshot-514-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181457/Screenshot-514-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



PulteGroup Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHM#NYSE">PHM</a>): The homebuilder company saw strong interest during the week and shares up over 5% after reporting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46543464/pultegroup-posts-solid-earnings-but-revenue-misses-whats-next-for-the-homebuilder">second-quarter financial results</a>. The company beat analyst estimates for earnings per share and narrowly missed a consensus revenue estimate of $4.41 billion with $4.40 billion reported. The company reported 7,639 homes closed and net new orders of 7,083. The company's unit backlog was 10,779 at the end of the quarter. Multiple analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/07/46581345/pultegroup-analysts-increase-their-forecasts-after-better-than-expected-q2-earnings">raised their price targets </a>on the stock after the report with optimism for the company's second half of 2025 outlook.



<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=0725"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="498" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181512/Screenshot-515.png" alt="" class="wp-image-999821" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181512/Screenshot-515.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181512/Screenshot-515-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181512/Screenshot-515-768x382.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Hims &amp; Hers Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>): The telehealth company saw strong interest from readers during the week. Shares traded lower in June after the company announced it would no longer be working with Novo Nordisk, losing direct access to Wegovy. Shares have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46586702/whats-going-on-with-hims-hers-stock-wednesday">rebounded in July </a>ahead of the company's second-quarter earnings report set for Aug. 4. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings per share of 15 cents, up from 6 cents per share in last year's second quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in six straight quarters and nine of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $549.8 million, up from $315.7 million in last year's second quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in more than 10 straight quarters. While this figure would be a beat, it would mark the first time the company didn't grow revenue on a quarter-over-quarter basis in some time. Truist recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HIMS/analyst-ratings">maintained a Hold rating</a> on the stock and increased the price target from $45 to $48. Shares remain up over 100% year-to-date in 2025.



<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=0725"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181526/Screenshot-516.png" alt="" class="wp-image-999822" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181526/Screenshot-516.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181526/Screenshot-516-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24181526/Screenshot-516-768x388.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></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=0725" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46264224/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-72" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">July 4</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46381556/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">July 11</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46508365/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-74">July 18</a></li>
</ul>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46236448/exclusive-2025s-first-half-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-nvidia-tesla-apple-stock-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: 2025's First Half Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Nvidia, Tesla, Apple Stock Rank?</a></li>
</ul>

Long Ideas

Exclusives

Trading Ideas

ENSG

HIMS

IONQ

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

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.



Wall Street rallied as a wave of new trade deals — including agreements with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines — fueled optimism, pushing the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq to fresh record highs. President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during an in-person visit, demanding lower rates in light of trade easing.



Investor sentiment remained upbeat despite rising political friction. Treasury yields increased modestly on speculation about compromised Fed independence, amid calls from influential voices like Mohamed El‑Erian suggesting Powell resign to preserve central bank autonomy.



Looking ahead, markets are watching progress in U.S.–EU trade negotiations — including a meeting between Trump and Ursula von der Leyen — and upcoming economic data. Investor focus is also on whether pressure on the Fed may influence its rate path or institutional reputation.



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/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46607168/google-stock-roars-as-analysts-race-to-raise-price-targets">"Google stock roars as analysts race to raise price targets"</a>, by Chris Katje, reports that Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) delivered its tenth straight quarter of earnings beats — including $96.43 billion in Q2 revenue and $2.31 EPS — prompting firms to raise their price targets on strength in AI‑driven growth across Cloud, Search, and Ads.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46587855/t-mobile-stock-climbs-after-q2-results-crushed-growth-records">"T‑Mobile stock climbs after Q2 results ‘crushed' growth records"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that T‑Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>) beat Q2 estimates with $2.84 EPS and $21.13 billion in revenue, added a record 1.7 million postpaid customers — driving upwardly revised FY2025 guidance — and sent shares higher.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46590824/lendingtree-stock-climbs-as-company-signals-stronger-growth-ahead">"LendingTree stock climbs as company signals stronger growth ahead"</a>, by Akanksha Bakshi, reports that LendingTree Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TREE#NASDAQ">TREE</a>) shares rose after the company highlighted improving lead quality and customer acquisition metrics — citing momentum in core marketplaces and new verticals as drivers of expected stronger growth ahead.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46559708/capital-one-stock-climbs-on-strong-q2-eps-despite-revenue-miss">Capital One Stock Climbs On Strong Q2 EPS, Despite Revenue Miss</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46618339/coursera-stock-rockets-20-higher-after-q2-earnings-report-heres-why">Coursera Stock Rockets 20% Higher After Q2 Earnings Report: Here's Why</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46588567/quantumscape-announces-better-than-expected-q2-results-expands-collaboration-with-powerco">QuantumScape Announces Better-Than-Expected Q2 Results, Expands Collaboration With PowerCo</a>







The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46612958/molina-healthcare-stumbles-cigna-cvs-humana">"Centene, Cigna, Others Drop As Molina's Results Rattle Sector"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOH#NYSE">MOH</a>) missed Q2 earnings expectations — posting $5.48 EPS vs. $6.21 consensus — even as revenue topped estimates, and slashed its 2025 EPS guidance to just over $19 (from $21.50-$22.50), sending shares of Centene Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNC#NYSE">CNC</a>), The Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Humana Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>), and others sharply lower on concerns about medical cost trends and sector-wide risk.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/fda/25/07/46544331/fda-rejects-replimunes-blood-cancer-drug-stock-sinks">"FDA rejects Replimune's blood cancer drug, stock sinks"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Replimune Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REPL#NASDAQ">REPL</a>) shares plunged after the FDA rejected the company's investigational oncolytic virus therapy for blood cancers, citing deficiencies in clinical data and risk-benefit analysis — prompting investor concern about future development timelines and capital needs.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46589727/viking-therapeutics-stock-slides-after-company-misses-q2-earnings-estimates">"Viking Therapeutics stock slides after company misses Q2 earnings estimates"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Viking Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) shares tumbled after reporting a Q2 loss of $0.58 per share — wider than the expected $0.46 loss — while R&amp;D expenses surged to $60.2 million and the company ended the quarter with $808 million in cash.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46606784/c3-ai-stock-is-tumbling-thursday-whats-going-on">C3 AI Stock Is Tumbling Thursday: What's Going On?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46641084/wall-street-stock-bubble-2025">Is A Stock Market Crash Imminent? Bubble Warnings Grow Louder</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46569958/mara-holdings-stock-is-moving-lower-wednesday-heres-why">MARA Holdings Stock Is Moving Lower Wednesday: Here's Why</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>.



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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: T-Mobile, LendingTree, Molina Healthcare — And Trade Deal Optimism Boosts Markets

Wall Street closed the week higher, with tech-heavy indices notching fresh records as upbeat corporate earnings, resilient macro data and breakthrough trade deals converged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">to boost risk appetite.</a>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>SPY ETF has rallied 5% over the past month.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPY"> See the chart here. </a></li>
</ul>



The U.S. finalized new trade agreements with Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. The Tokyo deal was the most significant, locking in a reduction in tariffs on Japanese autos and goods from 25% to 15%, while Japan pledged $550 billion in investment and improved access <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46587245/japan-bond-yields-trump-trade-deal">to American-made goods.</a>



A U.S.-EU trade deal is now reportedly close, expected to align with the Japan framework and potentially ease existing tariff rates ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline.



Separately, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to boost the U.S. artificial intelligence sector by promoting the export of full-stack AI systems to trusted global partners. The White House said the move is aimed at strengthening economic leadership and national security.



Among the week's strongest performers, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>) rallied over 12%, topping the leaderboard for large-cap stocks, followed by T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>), up 9%.



Within the Magnificent Seven, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) rose by 1% after delivering better-than-expected results and raising its 2025 capital expenditures (capex) outlook by $10 billion, reinforcing its commitment to scaling AI infrastructure.



Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) dropped 8.2% following cautious commentary from CEO Elon Musk, who warned that upcoming quarters could prove challenging amid rising <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46626447/elon-musk-says-20-trillion-valuation-possible-for-tesla-even-as-second-quarter-earnings-show-sales-revenue-decline-extreme-execution-is-needed">costs and margin pressures.</a>



Economic indicators added fuel to the rally. U.S. business activity surprised to the upside, with the Composite Purchasing Managers&#8217; Index climbing to a seven-month high in July, helped by expansion in services and steady consumer strength.



Trump's push to influence monetary policy continued with an unannounced visit to the Federal Reserve's headquarters in Washington, D.C. — the first by a sitting president <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46633129/trumps-fed-visit-powell-interest-rates">in nearly 20 years.</a>



Wearing a hard hat alongside Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Trump criticized the central bank's renovation project, claiming costs had surged to $3.1 billion. Powell countered on the spot, clarifying that the real cost is closer to $2.5 billion, excluding unrelated construction.



Pressed on rate policy, Trump said, "I'd love to see him lower interest rates."



Markets now shift focus to the July 30 Fed meeting, where expectations remain anchored for a hold — but not without growing political heat.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46641084/wall-street-stock-bubble-2025">Is A Stock Market Crash Imminent? Bubble Warnings Grow Louder</a></li>
</ul>



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TSLA

Trade Deals Fuel Wall Street Gains, Trump Renews Fed Attack: This Week In Markets

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has been one of the most active stock investors from the political fraternity, and several of her trades have received significant media attention.



What happened: The lawmaker has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46620387/marjorie-taylor-greene-increases-these-2-stocks-in-portfolio-including-this-ai-name-up-over-100-ytd">expanded her portfolio with stocks</a> from several large-cap companies, including Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>). Greene <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44723570/marjorie-taylor-greene-buys-the-dip-congresswoman-purchases-shares-of-apple-amazon-nike-and-more-fol">purchased Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares</a>, with a reported value range between $1,001 and $15,000, on April 4.&nbsp;



The congressperson bought the market dip, precipitated by President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff measures. The stock had slipped more than 8% over the previous two days.



But if the idea was to accumulate the stock before it began a sustained rally, that hasn&#8217;t precisely happened.&nbsp;



While shares rebounded on easing tariff measures, the upsurge was short-lived. After hitting yearly highs of $539.80, BRK.B reversed course and went on to slide below $500. Since the purchase, the shares have been down 2.62%



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46620387/marjorie-taylor-greene-increases-these-2-stocks-in-portfolio-including-this-ai-name-up-over-100-ytd">Marjorie Taylor Greene Increases These 2 Stocks In Portfolio, Including This AI Name Up Over 100% YTD</a>



Let's assume instead of Warren Buffett's high-profile holding company, the Republican would have chosen to buy Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), the world's largest cryptocurrency. Since we don't know the exact amount invested, let&#8217;s go with the top range.



A $15,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock would have been reduced to $14,607.On the other, a $15,000 investment in Bitcoin on the same date would now be worth $20,700.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Asset</td><td>Price (Recorded on April 4, 2025)</td><td>Price (Recorded at 2:52 a.m. ET)</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Berkshire Hathaway Class B</td><td>$493.54</td><td>$480.60</td><td>-2.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin</td><td>$83,100</td><td>$115,370.79</td><td>+38.83%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The BRK.B stock exhibited a very high Growth score but lagged in Momentum as of this writing. Use Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings to see how it compares to &#8221;Mag 7&#8221; equities.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="433" height="192" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/25034912/image-383.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1000244" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/25034912/image-383.png 433w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/25034912/image-383-300x133.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px" /></a></figure>



Notably, Greene was ranked 23rd&nbsp;among members of Congress <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46620387/marjorie-taylor-greene-increases-these-2-stocks-in-portfolio-including-this-ai-name-up-over-100-ytd">who made stock transactions based on a return of</a> +30.2% in 2024.



However, her trades have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/25/04/44852406/marjorie-taylor-greene-brushes-off-stock-buying-criticism-says-portfolio-manager-bought-the-dip">drawn scrutiny</a>, particularly for well-timed stock purchases around market events, such as those before and after Trump&#8217;s tariff pause announcement. Greene has dismissed the criticism as &#8220;laughable.&#8221;



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46612914/bitcoin-could-go-to-300000-before-great-depression-crisis-traders-argue">Bitcoin Could Go To $300,000 Before &#8216;Great Depression&#8217; Crisis, Traders Argue</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

Marjorie Taylor Greene's Berkshire Hathaway Investment Falters After She Bought The Shares At April Lows — What If She Had Chosen Bitcoin Instead?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has concluded its 14-month investigation into Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) self-driving company, Waymo. The investigation was initiated due to a series of minor collisions and unexpected vehicle behavior.



What Happened: The NHTSA decided to close the investigation without taking further action, as reported by Reuters on Friday. The probe was launched in May 2024 following 22 reports of potential traffic safety law violations and &#8220;unexpected behavior&#8221; by Waymo&#8217;s robotaxis, including 17 collisions.



The NHTSA considered two recalls issued by Waymo and its analysis of available data before closing the investigation. This included a 2024 recall to address a collision with a utility pole and a May 2024 recall of over 1,200 vehicles to update software for better detection and avoidance of roadway barriers.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46602872/joe-rogan-says-most-americans-are-one-catastrophe-away-from-losing-everything-says-ai-and-ubi-income-">Joe Rogan Says Most Americans Are One Catastrophe Away From Losing Everything, Says AI And UBI Income Will Bring Chaos And Addiction</a>



Waymo has over 1,500 vehicles on the road in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, Texas, and is conducting more than 250,000 fully autonomous paid rides weekly. The company aims to expand its services to New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C., and recently launched a service with Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) in Atlanta.



Why It Matters: The closure of the NHTSA investigation comes at a crucial time for Waymo, which has been making significant strides in the autonomous vehicle industry. The company has been expanding its operations and enhancing its technology to ensure the safety and reliability of its self-driving vehicles.



Earlier this year, Waymo&#8217;s CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, emphasized the importance of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45585674/waymo-ceo-takes-aim-at-teslas-camera-only-approach-you-have-to-be-able-to-have-this-vision-thats-better-than-humans">LiDAR-based system for autonomous driving</a>. This approach has proven to be effective, as evidenced by the recent investigation closure.



Moreover, Waymo&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45752429/waymos-explosive-growth-sets-the-pace-as-tesla-prepares-robotaxi-launch">rapid growth in its ride-hailing operations</a> has positioned the company as a leader in driverless vehicle technology. The NHTSA&#8217;s decision to close the investigation further solidifies Waymo&#8217;s position in the autonomous vehicle industry.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46612914/bitcoin-could-go-to-300000-before-great-depression-crisis-traders-argue">Bitcoin Could Go To $300,000 Before &#8216;Great Depression&#8217; Crisis, Traders Argue &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Tada Images / Shutterstock.coma

GOOG

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Alphabet's Waymo Cleared As NHTSA Closes 14-Month Robotaxi Safety Probe

The Donald Trump administration is preparing to launch one of the most expensive defense initiatives in U.S. history, kicking off a $151 billion procurement drive for its "Golden Dome" <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46544230/trump-turns-to-jeff-bezoss-project-kuiper-as-elon-musk-feud-threatens-spacex-role-in-175-billion-golden-dome-defense-project-report">missile shield</a>.



What Happened: On Friday, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said it would soon invite proposals for an "advanced, multi-domain defense system" under the project officially known as Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense, or SHIELD, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/b8cbefc9-9e68-4ba9-a621-667024481a5b">reported</a> the Financial Times.



The 10-year plan seeks to fund a sweeping array of contracts covering research and development, cybersecurity and the design and deployment of systems capable of defending against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats.



Trump has pledged $175 billion toward the Golden Dome initiative, modeled loosely on Israel's Iron Dome and vowed to have it operational within three years.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46590373/elon-musk-richest-man-alive-is-asked-how-he-feels-about-being-labeled-evil-billionaire-its-not-like-ive-got-some-massive-cash-balance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk, Richest Man Alive, Is Asked How He Feels About Being Labeled ‘Evil Billionaire' — ‘It's Not Like I've Got Some Massive Cash Balance'</a>



Why It's Important: On the same day, Booz Allen Hamilton Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAH#NYSE">BAH</a>) CEO Horacio Rozanski told analysts the firm "can play a variety of roles" and is "participating in the procurement process as it ramps up."



During its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46600670/l3harris-q2-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-raised-guidance-clear-inflection-point">second-quarter earnings</a> call on Thursday, L3Harris Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LHX#NYSE">LHX</a>) also said that the company is preparing to deploy 40 to 45 Hypersonic Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites, which are vital to the Golden Dome missile defense system.



Major defense contractors—Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOX#NYSE">NOX</a>), RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) and Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>)—have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46565953/lockheed-martin-confirms-talks-with-us-over-trumps-175-billion-golden-dome-missile-shield-ceo-james-taiclet-says-no-contracts-yet-lmt-is-all-in">also signaled interest</a>.



While Trump's initial defense bill allocates just $25 billion toward the project, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a full-scale missile shield could cost up to $542 billion over 20 years, the report stated.



If executed, the plan could trigger a massive windfall for aerospace firms and defense startups alike, with Elon Musk's SpaceX—despite recent tensions with the administration—well-positioned to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44861620/spacex-palantir-frontrunners-in-bid-that-could-build-donald-trumps-golden-dome-report">secure satellite launch contracts</a>.



The Golden Dome project marks a dramatic expansion of U.S. homeland defense ambitions, potentially reshaping military procurement and creating new frontiers for defense technology and private-sector collaboration.



Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Booz Allen Hamilton Corp is showing strong upward momentum in the short and medium term, but exhibits a downward trend over the long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">Additional performance metrics can be found here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/26042123/Screenshot-2025-07-26-at-1.50.01%E2%80%AFPM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1001868"/></a></figure>



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46567973/ethereum-treasury-company-trend-will-accelerate-says-bitwises-matt-hougan-heres-what-it-means-for-eths-price" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethereum Treasury Company Trend ‘Will Accelerate', Says Bitwise's Matt Hougan—Here's What It Means For ETH's Price</a></li>
</ul>



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



Image via Shutterstock

News

Trump's $151 Billion 'Golden Dome' Shield Program Will Soon Open Bidding For Defense Tech Giants, Startups: Report

"Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary has cautioned that Donald Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46512871/trump-says-he-doesnt-need-scott-bessents-advice-to-fire-jerome-powell-i-know-better-than-anybody-whats-good-for-the-market">attacks on</a> Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could undermine global trust in U.S. financial markets.



What Happened: On Friday, O'Leary shared a video clip from his Fox News appearance on X, formerly Twitter, warning against politicizing the Fed's role.



"Whacking the Fed is not a good idea, period," he said. "This is a weird situation with this Fed renovation deal. Trump doesn't mind letting people watch sausages being made and that's what you saw there, but whacking the Fed is not about renovating buildings in Washington."



O'Leary defended the Federal Reserve's independence, calling it essential to maintaining global investor confidence.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46643657/tesla-shares-rise-nearly-4-on-bay-area-robotaxi-launch-hopes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Shares Rise Nearly 4% On Bay Area Robotaxi Launch Hopes</a>



"What makes financial markets work globally is the understanding of the balance of the independence of the Fed to make these really important interest rate decisions," he said. "They get it right, they get it wrong, but the fact that they're independent is what gives comfort to trillions of dollars that comes rolling into the U.S."



In the video, O'Leary shared, Fox News correspondent Charles Gasparino agreed that Fed independence is vital but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46537558/former-fed-chairs-ben-bernanke-janet-yellen-warn-trumps-pressure-on-powell-could-lead-to-inevitably-higher-inflation-and-economic-damage">criticized Powell's track record</a>.



O'Leary acknowledged past policy mistakes but stressed that removing Powell prematurely would jeopardize institutional credibility. "It's not enough to not let him run out his mandate," O'Leary said. "The orderly transition of the Fed chair is the whole deal."



<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">Whacking the Fed is not a good idea, period. This is a weird situation with this Fed renovation deal. Trump doesn't mind letting people watch sausages being made and that&#39;s what you saw there, but whacking the Fed is not about renovating buildings in Washington. It's a big deal… <a href="https://t.co/quwpVg1rUR">pic.twitter.com/quwpVg1rUR</a>&mdash; Kevin O&#39;Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinolearytv/status/1948735972926988776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It's Important: The comments came in response to Trump's ongoing clash with Powell over the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46361722/jerome-powell-has-grossly-mismanaged-says-russ-vought-as-fed-hq-renovation-costs-soar-to-2-5-billion-the-palace-of-versailles-would-have-cost-3-billion">$2.5 billion renovation project</a> and repeated public criticisms of Powell's performance on inflation and interest rates.



Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought earlier slammed the Fed's renovation costs as excessive, comparing them to the Palace of Versailles.



Powell <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46485087/jerome-powell-defends-2-5-billion-fed-hq-overhaul-says-no-vip-dining-rooms-no-private-elevators-as-trump-allies-slam-project-over-versailles-style-excess">defended the spending</a> as necessary for safety and functionality—amid speculation that Trump could use the overruns as justification to fire Powell.



On Thursday, in a rare visit to the Federal Reserve, Trump urged Powell to cut interest rates and criticized the Fed's costly renovation project, though he later clarified he has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46621837/trump-says-not-necessary-to-fire-jerome-powell-but-presses-fed-chair-on-rate-cuts-and-2-5-billion-renovation-id-love-him-to-lower-interest-rates">no plans to fire Powell</a> despite their tensions.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46639600/markets-today-wall-street-friday-magnificent-seven" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Stocks Hit New Highs As Magnificent Seven Reach $19 Trillion: What&#8217;s Moving Markets Friday?</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Politics

Kevin O'Leary Warns Trump's Powell Criticism Threatens US Financial Credibility: 'Whacking The Fed Is Not A Good Idea'

On Friday, President Donald Trump signaled that the U.S. may abandon trade negotiations with Canada, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46150909/trump-canada-tariffs-dollar-deal">suggesting tariffs</a>—not a deal—may be the outcome.



What Happened: Speaking to reporters ahead of his trip to Scotland, Trump said, "We haven&#8217;t really had a lot of luck with Canada. I think Canada could be one where there&#8217;s just a tariff, not really a negotiation," <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dgdwl609xo">reported</a> BBC.



The comments follow his imposition of a strict Aug. 1 deadline for Canada to reach a new agreement under his broader global tariff strategy.



Trump warned that if no deal is reached, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/07/46469746/canada-hits-back-at-trumps-50-steel-tariffs-with-1-billion-rescue-new-quota-system">a 35% tariff would apply</a> to imports from Canada—unless goods fall under the existing North American Free Trade Agreement.



He has already levied tariffs of 25% on certain Canadian goods, 50% on aluminum and steel, and 25% on vehicles not built in the U.S.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46590373/elon-musk-richest-man-alive-is-asked-how-he-feels-about-being-labeled-evil-billionaire-its-not-like-ive-got-some-massive-cash-balance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk, Richest Man Alive, Is Asked How He Feels About Being Labeled ‘Evil Billionaire' — ‘It's Not Like I've Got Some Massive Cash Balance'</a>



Why It's Important: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney previously said Canada "will not accept a bad deal" or be rushed into an agreement.



On Thursday, Canadian intergovernmental affairs minister Dominic LeBlanc said talks in Washington were "productive" but stressed that negotiators "have a lot of work" ahead, the report added.



Canada exports about 75% of its goods to the U.S., and its auto industry is tightly linked with American supply chains. Trump's tariffs could significantly disrupt trade and raise prices for U.S. consumers.



While Trump remains optimistic about deals with other nations—citing a new agreement with Japan in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46562556/trump-says-550-billion-trade-deal-with-japan-reached-that-will-create-thousands-of-jobs-there-has-never-been-anything-like-it">exchange for a $550 billion investment</a>—his hardline approach with Canada risks escalating trade tensions with a key ally and economic partner.



Read Next:&nbsp;



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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.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

US May Ditch Trade Negotiations With Canada, Trump Says: 'Haven't Really Had A Lot Of Luck'

Ken Fisher, the founder of Fisher Investments, has cautioned investors about a prevalent mistake during market downturns, which he terms &#8220;Breakevenitis.&#8221; This warning comes amidst growing concerns about market volatility and potential bubbles.



What Happened: Fisher, whose firm manages over $332 billion, explained that this phenomenon involves investors selling stocks once they return to their original purchase price after a downturn, according to a report<a href="https://www.thestreet.com/investing/billionaire-fund-manager-describes-one-word-phenomena-holding-back-your-portfolio"> by</a> The Street.



Fisher, known for his extensive experience navigating various market crises, emphasized that market corrections and bear markets are frequent occurrences.



He noted that investors often react emotionally, selling stocks during downturns due to fear of losses, which can negatively impact long-term portfolio performance.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/07/46646681/warren-buffett-issues-urgent-warning-on-looming-social-security-cuts"> Warren Buffett Issues Urgent Warning On Looming Social Security Cuts</a>



According to Fisher, historical data show that markets typically recover and continue to rise after downturns. He advised investors to resist the urge to sell at breakeven and instead focus on the potential gains that follow market recoveries.



Fisher&#8217;s insights are backed by economic theories on loss aversion, highlighting the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective in investing.



Why It Matters: Fisher&#8217;s warning comes at a time when concerns about a potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/large-cap/25/07/46641084/wall-street-stock-bubble-2025">stock market bubble</a> are growing louder.



In July, experts from major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and Bank of America pointed to speculative activities and market concentration reminiscent of past financial manias. These red flags suggest that the market could be on the brink of a significant correction.



Understanding the risks associated with &#8220;Breakevenitis&#8221; is crucial for investors, especially in a climate where market bubbles are being widely discussed.



Read Next:



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</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

As Stock Market Bubble Fears Mount, Ken Fisher Warns Of Common Investor Mistake

Leading cryptocurrencies dipped on Thursday under a volatility squeeze, even as investors awaited a decisive breakout.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 10:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>-1.41%</td><td>$117,214.66</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+1.26%</td><td>$3,686.38</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-6.32%</td><td>$0.2287</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin retraced sharply from the $119,000 zone, dropping to the early $117,000s overnight, as traders amped up sell pressure. Volume rose 16.35% to $77.66 billion in the last 24 hours.



Ethereum's pullback was less severe, as the second-largest cryptocurrency held the $3,640 level as support.&nbsp;



The blue-chip cryptocurrencies have been off to a strong start in the third quarter, with Ethereum up 48% and Bitcoin up 9.50%. 



In the past 24 hours, 201,155 traders were liquidated, totaling $583.09 million. Over $435 million in bullish long bets were erased.&nbsp;



Bitcoin's open interest rose slightly by 0.41% in the last 24 hours. The majority of Binance derivatives traders with open BTC positions were leveraged short, according to the Long/Shorts ratio.&nbsp;



The "Greed" sentiment weakened further in the last 24 hours, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.



Top Gainers (24 Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 10:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Maple Finance (SYRUP)</td><td>+37.09%</td><td>$0.6248</td></tr><tr><td>Cronos (CRO)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+5.78%</td><td>$0.128</td></tr><tr><td>Conflux (CFX)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+5.55%</td><td>$0.18 </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.84 trillion, following a 1.26% dip in the last 24 hours.



Stocks extended their record-breaking surge. The S&amp;P 500 gained 0.07% to end at 6,363.35, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.18% to close at 21,057.96, both closing at new highs.&nbsp;



The Dow Jones Industrial Average was the outlier, dropping 316.38 points, or 0.70%, to finish at 44,693.91.



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez spotted a Bollinger Band Squeeze between $117,000 and $119,700 on Bitcoin's 4-hour chart



"A close outside the $117,000–$119,700 range will set the stage for the next big move," Martinez predicted.&nbsp;



The Bollinger Band Squeeze occurs when the volatility drops, causing the space between the bands to tighten. When the price closes outside of bands, traders consider it a potential new breakout.



<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">The Bollinger Bands are squeezing on Bitcoin <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> 4-hour chart. A volatility spike is imminent. A close outside the $117,000–$119,700 range will set the stage for the next big move. <a href="https://t.co/UX0jd9Cf3I">pic.twitter.com/UX0jd9Cf3I</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1948391771211247700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Crypto Eagles, a widely followed cryptocurrency market commentator, noticed Ethereum's move into a major buy-side liquidity zone around $3,750



"Bullish continuation confirmed, but short-term correction into the new FVG [Fair Value Gap] at $3,250–$3,300 is likely," the analyst said. They anticipated that the next bounce could take ETH past $4,200.



<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=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> just tapped into a major buyside liquidity zone around $3,750, sweeping the old order block from late 2021 &#8211; Bullish continuation confirmed but short-term correction into the new FVG at $3,250–$3,300 is likely &#8211; If price respects this FVG, next push could target $4,200+… <a href="https://t.co/amZZ0284t0">pic.twitter.com/amZZ0284t0</a>&mdash; Crypto Eagles (@CryptoProject6) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoProject6/status/1948352126733705218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo: Yalcin Sonat on Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



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$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Dogecoin Slide, Ethereum Gains Amid Drop In Crypto Volatility: Analyst Says A Close Outside This Range Will Set Stage For BTC's 'Big Move'

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