U.S. stock futures are down in early-morning trade on Monday, after ending the previous week on a high note, with back-to-back sessions of strong rallies.



The markets are jittery ahead of a packed earnings week, with four of the &#8220;Mag 7&#8221; — Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) — alongside several other heavy-hitters, set to release their results over the next few days.



Investors will be closely watching the results of Welltower Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WELL#NYSE">WELL</a>), Domino&#8217;s Pizza Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NASDAQ">DPZ</a>), and NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NXPI#NASDAQ">NXPI</a>) on Monday to set the tone for the rest of this week.



U.S. 10-Year Treasuries are at 4.26%, while the 2-Year Treasuries are at 3.77%. The CME Group&#8217;s FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a> shows the markets pricing a 93.1% likelihood of interest rates remaining unchanged during the FOMC meeting, the first week of May, marking a decline from Friday, at 95.3%.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Futures</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Change (+/-)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dow Jones</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.03%</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">S&amp;P 500</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.13%</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Nasdaq 100</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.11%</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Russell 2000</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.32%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which tracks the Nasdaq-100 index, are both down 0.27% and 0.28% in Monday&#8217;s pre-market trading, 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.



Cues From Last Week:



The markets were aided by strong earnings performances by AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), but disappointing performances by Aon PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AON#NYSE">AON</a>) and HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCA#NYSE">HCA</a>) weighed on the rally. 



Consumer Sentiment Report (Final), released on Friday, highlighted an 8% slip in sentiments compared to the prior month, as uncertainties continue to persist, having an impact on consumer purchasing decisions.



The S&amp;P 500 capped off the week on a high note on Friday, led by communications, consumer discretionary, healthcare, and technology. Financials, consumer staples, real estate, and materials were, however, in the red during the day.



As of Friday, the Nasdaq 100 is down 12.5% from its high of 22,222.61 points, the S&amp;P 500 is down 10.1% from 6147.43 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 11% from 45,073.63 points.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Index</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Performance (+/-)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Value</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Nasdaq Composite</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1.26%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">17,382.94</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">S&amp;P 500</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">0.74%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">5,525.21</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dow Jones</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">0.05%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">40,113.50</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Russell 2000</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">0.00014%</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1,957.62</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Insights From Analysts:



Analysts are rather upbeat going into this earnings week, with several leading experts pointing towards optimistic consensus estimates as a sign that the markets are yet to price in a recession or even a slowdown, for that matter, according <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/4aa1d7d7-4162-4e25-a6d6-a174a9626681">to</a> a report by FT. 



According to Daniel Von Ahlen of TS Lombard, &#8220;The information derived from risk assets doesn't even suggest markets reckon a mild slowdown will take shape this year.&#8221;



Peter Berezin, a chief global strategist at BCA Research, says that &#8220;typically earnings estimates decline during even mild recessions,&#8221; but the markets are now pricing a 10% earnings growth over the next twelve months, and that&#8217;s of &#8220;last year's peak profit margins no less,&#8221; he says.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/25/04/45004194/dave-ramsey-calls-social-security-a-4-return-but-this-wealth-expert-says-thats-a-dangerous-oversimplification-that-could-cost-thousands" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave Ramsey Calls Social Security A ‘-4% Return' —But This Wealth Expert Says That's A Dangerous Oversimplification That Could Cost Thousands</a>



Upcoming Economic Data: 



There is no major economic data being released on Monday.



Stocks In Focus:



<ul>
<li>Welltower Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WELL#NYSE">WELL</a>) is set to release its earnings after the markets close on Monday, and the stock is up 2% in pre-market trade, with analysts expecting $2.4 billion in revenue. </li>



<li>Waste Management Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WM#NYSE">WM</a>) is up 0.41% in pre-market trade, as investors await its quarterly earnings release. Analysts expect $6.1 billion in revenue and $1.59 per share in earnings. </li>



<li>Cadence Design Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDNS#NASDAQ">CDNS</a>) is largely flat pre-market, up by just 0.03%, with the company set to announce its earnings after markets close on Monday. Analysts expect $1.2 billion in revenue and earnings per share of $1.50. </li>



<li>Roper Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROP#NASDAQ">ROP</a>) is an industrial conglomerate that is scheduled to announce its first quarter results before the opening bell. Consensus estimates expect $1.9 billion in revenue and $4.74 per share in earnings. </li>



<li>NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NXPI#NASDAQ">NXPI</a>) is up 0.59% pre-market and is set to announce its earnings after markets close. Analysts expect $2.8 billion in revenue and $2.18 per share in earnings.</li>
</ul>



Commodities, Gold And Global Equity Markets



Crude oil futures are trading down 0.46% during the early New York session, at $62.73 per barrel.



Gold Spot U.S. Dollar continued its decline, and is down 1.72% on Monday, trading at 3,275.24 per ounce, down from its record high of $3.400 per ounce last week. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) is up 0.03%, trading at 99.626.



Asian markets were mixed on Monday, with Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 Index ending up 0.38%, South Korea&#8217;s Kospi up 0.10%, followed by Indian, Australian, and New Zealand indexes edging up, with the only laggards being China&#8217;s Shanghai and Shenzhen. European markets are all up in early trade.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44942921/national-social-security-month-returns-under-trump-as-ssa-cites-1-billion-in-savings-and-vows-to-serve-the-people-by-ending-dei-contracts-and-replacing-bureaucracy-with-customer-service" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Social Security Month Returns Under Trump As SSA Cites $1 Billion In Savings, Vows To ‘Serve The People'</a></li>
</ul>



Image Via Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Equities

News

Futures

Markets

AAPL

ABBV

AMZN

CDNS

MSFT

NXPI

WELL

US Stock Futures Fall As Markets Brace For Earnings From Microsoft, Meta, Apple And Apple This Week: 'Earnings Estimates Don't Signal A Recession' Says Leading Analyst

China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planning agency, is downplaying the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs and projecting strong growth despite mounting macroeconomic headwinds.



What Happened: On Monday, Zhao Chenxin, Vice Head of the NDRC, said he was &#8220;fully confident&#8221; that China would meet its target of 5% economic growth in 2025, despite mounting uncertainties and warnings of a sharp downturn from leading analysts, according to a Reuters report.



&#8220;No Matter how the international situation changes, we will anchor our development goals, maintain strategic focus, and concentrate on doing our own thing,&#8221; Zhao said.



This comes amid a particularly difficult period for the Chinese economy, which is already reeling from deflation and a prolonged property crisis. 



At the same time, Torsten Slok, the Chief Economist at Apollo Global Management, joined the growing chorus of experts and eminent intellectuals in recent weeks by predicting a &#8220;90% chance we&#8217;ll have a recession&#8221; if the tariffs remain at their current levels.



Speaking on the Economics Matters podcast on Friday, Slok said that small businesses that account for 80% of employment in the U.S. and 80% of the capital expenditure will be hit hard by the tariffs.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45033025/nvidia-faces-new-challenge-as-huawei-tests-powerful-ascend-910d-ai-chip-amid-us-sanctions-aiming-to-disrupt-high-end-market-report">Nvidia Faces New Challenge As Huawei Tests Powerful Ascend 910D AI Chip Amid US Sanctions, Aiming To Disrupt High-End Market: Report</a>



Why It Matters: Recession fears have continually edged higher throughout this past month, with economists, banks, and betting markets all pricing a <a href="https://benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44801373/a-us-recession-in-2025-betting-odds-say-its-more-likely-than-not">high probability of a recession</a> this year.



There are, of course, others with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44943850/chevron-ceo-sees-no-sign-of-recession-at-this-point-predicts-9-billion-in-free-cash-flow-by-2026">contrarian take on this</a>, such as the CEO of Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), who said last week that there were &#8220;no signs of a recession at this point.&#8221; 



Even the International Monetary Fund sees a slowdown in the global economy, but <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44889521/recession-not-so-fast-says-imf-even-after-trump-tariff-chaos">stops short of forecasting a recession</a>, offering reassurance that the world can weather Washington&#8217;s tariff storm.



<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="Apollo&#039;s Chief Economist, Torsten Slok, Estimates a 90 Percent Odds of Recession" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uuyWRT_B3n4?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>
</div></figure>



Read More: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45032188/tom-lee-backs-scott-bessent-white-house-put-theory-as-nasdaq-flips-from-worst-april-start-since-great-depression-to-major-comeback">Tom Lee Backs Scott Bessent&#8217;s &#8216;White House Put&#8217; Theory As Nasdaq Flips From Worst April Start Since Great Depression To Major Comeback</a></li>
</ul>



Image Via Shutterstock

Government

Economics

As China Downplays Trump Tariffs With 5% Growth Target, Top Economist Warns Of '90% Chance Of A US Recession' Amid Trade War

Last week, I suggested that you buy bonds instead of stocks. It's the smart play.



Even after the big rally Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44942218/bill-ackman-praises-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-as-steady-hand-ahead-of-world-bank-imf-spring-meetings">managed to spark</a> with his tariff reduction talks last week, you would still be better off collecting the coupon from bonds and in a position to cash in some sharp capital gains if the economy does weaken materially and the Fed is forced to lower rates.



Despite the feel-good talk coming out of D.C., it's highly unlikely that the trade-related volatility is over.



Even if the whole world goes to Washington ready to make a deal, it has traditionally taken more than a year to hammer out the terms. And China is denying any talks are taking place.



In times like these, income and small-cap value investments have performed the best.



Following a trade agreement, implementation usually takes a few years to execute. While there have been some discussions, no one seems to be in a rush to have talks at this point.



The major target of all this madness, China, has made it clear as of this writing that it is not talking to Washington and will not talk to Washington until President Trump and his team dial back their harsh rhetoric.



We are more than overdue for some version of a lost decade in stocks, and the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and global trade might be the starter pistol.



If that happens, collecting yield will be more critical than ever.



If you look at the 1970s and the 2000-2010 time period, owning bonds and preferred stocks worked out much better than owning or trying to trade stocks.



Small-cap value strategies also performed very well from 2000 through 2010, a period when the large-cap indexes returned negative returns.



Of course, we can never predict for certain how the world and markets will play out.



Given the economic uncertainty and elevated valuations after a long period of historical outperformance, a lost decade in stocks appears not only possible but probable.



Which brings us to the big question: What if it does not happen?



How will we fare if we position to profit in a lost decade and, instead, the bull market continues to run higher?



It is far from an impossible scenario.



If we hit the right side of the Trump policy Bell Curve and see a massive reshoring of industry, driving a construction boom along with lower taxes and interest rates, we could see a long-term rally of historic proportions.



Add in AI-driven improvements in technology and healthcare, and it could truly be a renaissance of the economy and market.



Should that happen, a portfolio full of high-yield investments and undervalued stocks with a margin of safety in their balance sheets, credit practices and operational excellence should perform at least as well as the indexes.



There would be a huge credit upgrade as companies saw their cash flows increase and balance sheets become even stronger.



The booming economy would lead to a massive M&amp;A wave, and financially solid smaller companies would be among the targets of choice.



I am well aware that most of you read this not so much for my higher-level thoughts but for stock ideas that might be worth adding to your current portfolio.



With that thought in mind, here are two deep-value small-cap stocks worth your attention.



Laureate Education (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAUR#NASDAQ">LAUR</a>) is a higher education company that runs a network of private universities, mainly in Mexico and Peru. After years of being spread out all over the globe, they&#8217;ve trimmed things down and focused on where they see the best long-term demand.



Laureate operates in places with young, growing populations and a rising middle class hungry for degrees. Their schools offer a wide range of programs, from business and engineering to health sciences, and they&#8217;re aimed at students who want a solid education without the high costs.



The company allows its universities to operate with a good deal of independence but still provides support in areas such as strategy, marketing, and technology. It&#8217;s a model that helps them keep things running efficiently while still tailoring to local markets. After selling off operations in other regions, Laureate used the cash to clean up its balance sheet and return money to shareholders. Now, they&#8217;re a leaner, more focused business with steady cash flow and solid enrollment trends in places where demand for higher education just keeps growing.



The stock is trading at just 8 times the cash produced by the business, and the company has outstanding fundamentals and a more than adequate margin of safety.



World Kinect Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WKC#NYSE">WKC</a>), formerly known as World Fuel Services, is essentially a global middleman for energy. Based in Miami, the company initially focused mainly on selling fuel to planes, ships and trucks around the world. But over time, it&#8217;s broadened its playbook. These days, World Kinect helps companies not only buy fuel but also manage energy costs, hedge against price swings, and determine how to meet their sustainability targets. Their customers range from airlines and shipping fleets to industrial giants and even government agencies.



The customer base is basically anyone who needs a lot of energy and doesn&#8217;t want to get burned by price spikes or supply headaches.



What&#8217;s interesting is how they&#8217;ve started leaning more into the clean energy and ESG side of things. They&#8217;re now offering services like renewable energy sourcing, carbon offsets, and energy efficiency advice. It&#8217;s still mostly a fuel business at heart, but they&#8217;ve been smart about not getting left behind as more companies go green. They run an asset-light operation that is more about logistics, relationships, and scale than owning refineries or power plants.



The bottom line: it&#8217;s a steady, cash-generating business that&#8217;s finding ways to stay relevant in a world that&#8217;s rethinking how it uses energy.



The company has outstanding fundamentals, a huge margin of safety and trades at less than nine times the cash the business generates. It also pays a sizable dividend of almost 3%.



The combination of high income and small-cap deep value should deliver outstanding returns, regardless of what happens in the markets.



If the markets do go south or sideways for a long time, the combination can help you not only survive but thrive through the turbulence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Protect And Grow Your Wealth As Markets Swing Wildly</h2>



Matt Maley's Inner Circle members received alerts for both bullish and bearish trades last month—critical for income generation when markets move unpredictably. 7-day free trial available. Start Your <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/7-day-free-trial-matt-maley-inner-circle/?el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_adType=SponsorAd&amp;utm_ad=RD0428&amp;utm_campaign=7daytrial">Free 7-Day Trial</a> Now.



Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.



Photo: Shutterstock

Opinion

Trading Ideas

LAUR

Trade Deal Or No, These 2 Stocks Will Outperform

The Nasdaq has staged a remarkable turnaround in April, transforming from what was initially dubbed the &#8220;worst April for the stock market since the Great Depression&#8221; to posting gains for the month, a recovery that&#8217;s drawing attention from prominent market analysts.



What Happened: On Sunday, Tom Lee, Head of Research at Fundstrat Global Advisors, endorsed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent&#8216;s observation about the market&#8217;s resilience, describing the equity recovery as a &#8220;White House put&#8221; – suggesting government policies are providing a floor for market values.



&#8220;Equity recovery cannot be ignored,&#8221; Lee wrote on X, responding to Bessent&#8217;s post highlighting the dramatic shift in market narrative.



The S&amp;P 500 index, tracked by SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), has gained 10.89% since its April 8 low of 4,982, currently trading around 5,525. This recovery follows concerns over potential tariff impacts and recession risks that had previously shaken investors. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100, tracked by Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), has surged 13.70% from its low of 17,090 on the same day, now trading at 19,432.



<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">&#x1f440;&#x1f440;&#x1f440; &#x1f447; Agree &#x1f4af;&#x1f4af;&#x1f4af;&#x1f4af; Equity recovery cannot be ignored PS: This is also known as a "White House" put<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sundayvibes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sundayvibes</a> <a href="https://t.co/5rXpcLFYHb">https://t.co/5rXpcLFYHb</a>&mdash; Thomas (Tom) Lee (not drummer) FSInsight.com (@fundstrat) <a href="https://twitter.com/fundstrat/status/1916562502281810374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The rebound contrasts sharply with warnings from analysts like Chris Senyek of Wolfe Research, who recently cautioned that the S&amp;P 500 could plunge as low as 3,700 points – a potential 37% decline from January levels – if tariff-related uncertainty <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45004528/sp-500-could-crash-37-to-3700-if-tariff-fallout-triggers-recession-warns-wolfe-research">triggers a recession in 2025</a>.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45031324/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-drop-as-stock-futures-slide-willy-woo-says-all-dips-are-for-buying-with-btc-eyeing-all-time-highs">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Drop As Stock Futures Slide: Willy Woo Says &#8216;All Dips Are For Buying&#8217; With BTC Eyeing &#8216;All-Time Highs</a>



Why It Matters: Market volatility has been exacerbated by President Donald Trump&#8216;s tariff announcements in early April, particularly regarding China. Despite the president&#8217;s recent statements that he would maintain tariffs without &#8220;substantial&#8221; concessions from Beijing, markets have shown surprising resilience.



Technical analysts remain cautious about the sustainability of the recovery. JPMorgan&#8216;s Jason Hunter has identified the 5,425-5,650 range as key resistance for the S&amp;P 500, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/45011336/sp-500-magnificent-7-hit-resistance-analyst-warns-of-more-pain-before-gain">suggesting the index could retreat to 4,500-4,800</a> before establishing a &#8220;more durable bottom.&#8221;



The &#8220;Magnificent 7&#8221; tech stocks that have driven much of the market&#8217;s performance in recent years are &#8220;consolidating within volatile ranges below their respective breakdown levels,&#8221; according to Hunter, indicating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/45011336/sp-500-magnificent-7-hit-resistance-analyst-warns-of-more-pain-before-gain">potential challenges ahead for market leaders</a> including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).



Photo: JHVEPhoto / Shuttesstock



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45030669/chamath-palihapitiya-says-nvidia-is-huaweis-new-target-a-national-champion-that-crushed-tech-giants-with-a-low-end-disruptor-strategy">Chamath Palihapitiya Says Nvidia Is Huawei&#8217;s &#8216;New Target&#8217; — A &#8216;National Champion&#8217; That Crushed Tech Giants With A &#8216;Low-End Disruptor&#8217; Strategy</a></li>
</ul>



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

NVDA

Tom Lee Backs Scott Bessent 'White House Put' Theory As Nasdaq Flips From Worst April Start Since Great Depression To Major Comeback

Chamath Palihapitiya took to X on Sunday to discuss Huawei&#8217;s strategic approach in the tech industry. Palihapitiya emphasized that Huawei, a prominent Chinese company, has successfully implemented a &#8220;low-end disruptor&#8221; strategy. This involves creating products that are either equivalent to or better than those of existing market leaders, but at a lower cost.



What Happened: The SPAC King identified several companies that Huawei has already outperformed, including Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ERIC#NASDAQ">ERIC</a>), Nokia Oyj (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOK#NYSE">NOK</a>), and Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CISCO#NASDAQ">CISCO</a>). He also noted that Huawei is making progress against QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) and has set its sights on Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>). Palihapitiya&#8217;s comments come amid growing concerns about China&#8217;s technological advancements and their impact on global markets.



<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">Worth noting that Huawei, a Chinese National Champion, has systematically executed a "low-end disruptor" strategy with a lot of success. "Low-end Disruptor" simply means making an equivalent or better product for less than incumbents. End bossed: 1. Ericsson 2. Nokia 3. Cisco…&mdash; Chamath Palihapitiya (@chamath) <a href="https://twitter.com/chamath/status/1916529549502013649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Palihapitiya&#8217;s remarks align with recent developments in China&#8217;s tech sector, where companies like Huawei are advancing despite international challenges. This includes Huawei&#8217;s efforts to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44970472/chinas-chip-breakthrough-without-asml-makes-chamath-palihapitiya-take-stock-of-beijings-formidable-nature-america-can-win-if">develop in-house chips</a> to counter U.S. sanctions, as reported in March.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45003790/mark-cuban-slams-amazon-for-ripping-off-american-sellers-as-tariffs-are-predicted-to-boost-ecommerce-brands-profi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Slams Amazon For &#8216;Ripping Off American Sellers&#8217; As Trump Tariffs Are Predicted To Boost Ecommerce Brands&#8217; Profits</a>



Why It Matters: Palihapitiya&#8217;s observations underscore the competitive pressure that Chinese companies are exerting on Western tech giants. Huawei&#8217;s strategy of producing cost-effective yet high-quality products is reshaping the competitive landscape. This is particularly relevant as China continues to make strides in chip manufacturing, even without access to advanced tools like those from ASML Holding .



Huawei is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44356270/huawei-develops-in-house-chips-to-counter-us-sanctions-and-leap-ahead-in-the-tech-war">accelerating efforts</a> to replace U.S. components by developing its own computer chips and operating system, with its Kirin X90 chip recently earning national security certification. As its Windows license nears expiration, Huawei plans to launch HarmonyOS-powered PCs later this year to reduce reliance on American technology amid rising U.S.-China trade tensions.



Palihapitiya has previously <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891778/nvidia-not-acting-in-us-interests-says-chamath-palihapitiya-questions-how-alibaba-or-deepseek-are-one-step-ahead">expressed concerns</a> about companies like Nvidia not acting in the best interests of the U.S., highlighting the geopolitical implications of these technological advancements.



Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings identify Nvidia&#8217;s Growth Momentum in the 94th percentile. How do other chip plays stack up? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here</a> and find out.



<figure class="wp-block-image 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="786" height="98" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23.png" alt="" class="wp-image-889985" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23.png 786w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23-300x37.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/27211943/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-10.19.23-768x96.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></a></figure>



Photo Courtesy: Kathy Hutchins on Shutterstock.com



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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/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Tech

ERIC

QCOM

CISCO

Chamath Palihapitiya Says Nvidia Is Huawei's 'New Target' — A 'National Champion' That Crushed Tech Giants With A 'Low-End Disruptor' Strategy

The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $2.93 trillion, showing a 1.04% decrease over the last day. Bitcoin&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) market dominance currently sits at 63.39%, reflecting a slight 0.01% daily decline.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 10.55 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin</td><td>-0.73%</td><td>$93,601.76</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>-2.16%</td><td>$1,774.17</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>-1.12%</td><td>$0.1761</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trading activity intensified with 97,249 traders liquidated for $176.13 million over 24 hours, as open interest fell 4.62% to $117.06 billion and liquidations rose 2.59% to $175.92 million, Coinglass data shows.



The Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index remains at a neutral reading of 54, indicating balanced market sentiment.



Traditional markets closed positively on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, tracked by SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>), gaining 0.05% to 40,113.50, the S&amp;P 500 tracked by SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) rising 0.74% to 5,525.21, and the Nasdaq-100 tracked by Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) advancing 1.14% to 19,432.56.



Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 60 points, or 0.1%. S&amp;P 500 futures declined by 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.2%.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains</td><td>Price (Recorded at 10.55 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)</td><td>+24.07%</td><td>$0.0121</td></tr><tr><td>DeepBook Protocol (DEEP)</td><td>+19.18</td><td>$0.2071</td></tr><tr><td>Walrus (WAL)</td><td>+18.04%</td><td>$0.6419</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Investors will closely monitor this week&#8217;s critical economic events, including the first estimate of the first quarter of 2025 U.S. GDP growth, which analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44520487/negative-gdp-growth-is-more-likely-than-not-in-q1-economist-warns">expect to show significant slowing</a>. 



The jobs report, personal consumption expenditures inflation data, and the Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers&#8217; Index will also be in focus. 



Additionally, earnings reports from major tech companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) could influence broader market sentiment.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45029413/peter-schiff-questions-trumps-bitcoin-ambition-amid-trade-deficit-concerns-resources-are-just-wasted">Peter Schiff Questions Trump&#8217;s Bitcoin Ambition Amid Trade Deficit Concerns: &#8216;Resources Are Just Wasted&#8217;</a>



Analyst Notes:&nbsp; Prominent cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo noted on X that &#8220;BTC fundamentals have turned bullish,&#8221; providing a favorable environment to break all-time highs. Woo highlighted increasing capital flows into the network, with both total and speculative flows bottoming out. 



&#8220;All dips are for buying under the present regime,&#8221; Woo summarized, though cautioning that Bitcoin&#8217;s short-term movement may be limited due to overextension.



<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">BTC fundamentals have turned bullish, not a bad setup to break all time highs. I took a break from X to enjoy the NZ summer but every week I put out a series of analysis to my subscribers (this is a hobby, NOT a long term project). Thought I&#39;d post this update publicly.&mdash; Willy Woo (@woonomic) <a href="https://twitter.com/woonomic/status/1916359463910707450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Meanwhile, analyst Michaël van de Poppe said that altcoins are turning bullish after &#8220;the longest bear market ever,&#8221; which lasted four years. 



Van de Poppe emphasized the correlation between Chinese Renminbi/U.S. Dollar movements and Ethereum&#8217;s performance against Bitcoin, suggesting that macroeconomic factors are more influential than traditional four-year crypto cycles.



<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/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> Turn Bull after Longest Bear Market It&#39;s been an absolutely horrific bear markets for altcoins and a lot of expectations have crushed in the past quarter. I&#39;ve spend all my time figuring out what has happened. Indicators show green. Let&#39;s discuss them &#x2b07;&#xFE0F; First of… <a href="https://t.co/E7uDXK8gpB">pic.twitter.com/E7uDXK8gpB</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1916471668005814510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Crypto analyst Ali Martinez said that Bitcoin&#8217;s &#8220;Accumulation Trend Score is nearing 1, signaling intense accumulation and strong holder conviction.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Accumulation Trend Score is nearing 1, signaling intense accumulation and strong holder conviction. <a href="https://t.co/Y8LaGiroXz">pic.twitter.com/Y8LaGiroXz</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1916584636009885988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The cryptocurrency market continues its maturation process amid growing institutional adoption, with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins recently calling for clearer regulatory frameworks to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45028954/cryptocurrencies-surge-bitcoin-mining-costs-soar-sec-chair-calls-for-clear-crypto-regulations-this-week-in-crypto">help the industry thrive in the United States</a>.



Shutterstock: Yalcin Sonat



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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.

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Drop As Stock Futures Slide: Willy Woo Says 'All Dips Are For Buying' With BTC Eyeing 'All-Time Highs

Elon Musk says the surgical scalpel is about to lose its top billing to algorithms and actuators, predicting "robots will surpass good human surgeons within a few years and the best human surgeons within ~5 years."



What Happened: Replying to tech commentator Mario Nawfal's post on X touting robot-run operating rooms, Musk added that Neuralink "had to use a robot for the brain-computer electrode insertion, as it was impossible for a human to achieve the required speed and precision."



<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">Robots will surpass good human surgeons within a few years and the best human surgeons within ~5 years. <a href="https://twitter.com/neuralink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Neuralink</a> had to use a robot for the brain-computer electrode insertion, as it was impossible for a human to achieve the required speed and precision. <a href="https://t.co/ipPhQK8z1j">https://t.co/ipPhQK8z1j</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1916573094367625556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Neuralink's R1 machine places 64 hair-thin threads into the cortex in about 15 minutes, steering past blood vessels with micron-level accuracy, according to the company's hardware blog and earlier public demos.​ The robot is now part of the <a href="https://neuralink.com/blog/prime-study-progress-update/">PRIME human trial</a> testing the N1 wireless implant in patients with paralysis.​



See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44969594/jeff-bezos-final-ceo-letter-isnt-just-about-amazon-it-was-a-clarion-call-for-resisting-normality-the-world-wants-you-to-be-typicaldont-let-it-ha">Jeff Bezos&#8217; Final CEO Letter Isn&#8217;t Just About Amazon — It Is A Clarion Call For Resisting Normality: &#8216;The World Wants You To Be Typical…Don&#8217;t Let It Happen&#8217;</a>



Musk's timeline lands as autonomous systems notch real-world wins. Johns Hopkins' Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot recently stitched pig intestines with <a href="https://hub.jhu.edu/2022/01/26/star-robot-performs-intestinal-surgery/">leak-free precision</a> that matched or beat experienced surgeons.​ A January study cited by Reuters even found robots reduced complications in complex liver procedures versus open surgery.​



Even semi-autonomous platforms are surging: Intuitive Surgical says its surgeon-controlled da Vinci systems have logged nearly 17 million procedures worldwide.​ Peer-reviewed analyses report that algorithm-guided suturing and screw placement now outperform human averages for accuracy and consistency.​



Why It Matters: Musk isn&#8217;t the only one backing humanoid robots to replace skilled hospital doctors. Bill Gates, in a recent chat, mentioned that he foresees robots with dexterous &#8220;hands&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44857520/bill-gates-says-his-kids-and-grandkids-will-live-in-a-very-changed-world-as-ai-puts-an-end-to-shortage-of-teachers-and-doctors">making it routine</a> to staff hospitals, adding that he&#8217;s certain that his kids and grandkids will live in a &#8220;very changed world&#8221;.



Meanwhile, Musk also believes Neuralink will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44892867/elon-musk-says-neuralink-will-help-blind-people-see-again-will-exceed-the-best-human-eyes">help restore vision</a> for the "completely blind," pointing to early milestones such as implant recipient Noland Arbaugh, who now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44358022/paralyzed-man-moves-objects-with-his-mind-thanks-to-elon-musks-brain-chip">controls a computer cursor</a> with his thoughts. The bold promise has drawn skeptics, including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44891849/steve-bannon-says-elon-musk-is-evil-blasts-his-brain-chip-ambitions-as-technofeudalist-plot-to-hijack-humanitys-future">blasted Musk and Neuralink</a> in an interview.



Photo Courtesy: Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO On Shutterstock.com



Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45030694/openai-ceo-sam-altman-says-gpt-4o-personality-tweaks-made-it-annoying-fixes-coming-this-week">Sam Altman Admits ChatGPT New Upgrade Made It Too Sycophantic And Annoying: OpenAI CEO Says &#8216;Working On Fixes ASAP&#8217;</a>

General

Elon Musk Says Best Human Surgeons Will Be Outdone By Robots In Almost 5 Years, Cites Example Of His Own Brain-Chip Company

In his final letter as Amazon.com's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) CEO, Jeff Bezos left more than business advice — he delivered a message that speaks to anyone fighting to stay authentic in a world built for conformity.



What Happened: Bezos, who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/07/21849808/jeff-bezos-is-officially-no-longer-the-amazon-ceo">stepped down as Amazon's CEO</a> in 2021 after founding the company nearly three decades earlier, used his final annual shareholder letter to share a powerful parting thought.



Drawing inspiration from evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, he explained that survival — in biology, business, and life — requires active resistance against becoming "normal."



Quoting Dawkins&#8217; The Blind Watchmaker, Bezos highlighted the effort living things must exert to remain distinct from their environments.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44804849/amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-once-made-his-grandmother-cry-trying-to-show-off-his-math-skills-that-day-his-grandfather-gave-him-a-life-changing-piece-of-wisdom">Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos Once Made His Grandmother Cry Trying To Show Off His Math Skills — That Day, His Grandfather Gave Him A Life-Changing Piece Of Wisdom</a>



"If living things didn't work actively to prevent it, they would eventually merge into their surroundings and cease to exist as autonomous beings," the passage read.



Bezos turned that biological insight into a broader metaphor: "The world wants you to be typical — in a thousand ways, it pulls at you. Don't let it happen," he wrote. "You have to pay a price for your distinctiveness, and it's worth it."



Why It's Important: Although Bezos stepped down as CEO in 2021, he has returned to a prominent role at Amazon, now dedicating 95% of his time to advancing its artificial intelligence initiatives.



In December 2024, at the DealBook Summit, Bezos revealed this development, saying, "My heart is in Amazon, my curiosity is in Amazon, and my fears are there, and my love is there."



Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Bezos currently has a net worth of $202 billion, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">according</a> to Bloomberg&#8217;s Billionaire Index. He started Amazon at the age of 30, and today his company has a market capitalization of $1.9 trillion, making it one of the eight companies that have crossed the trillion-dollar mark.



Amazon currently holds a consensus price target of $251.98, based on evaluations from 45 analysts. Recent projections from Stifel, Telsey Advisory Group, and Goldman Sachs average $234.33, indicating a potential upside of 29.54%, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.



According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN">Benzinga's proprietary Edge Rankings</a>, Amazon has a momentum score of 43.90% and a growth score of 94.14%. For deeper insights into stock trends and growth opportunities, you might want to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">explore a subscription to Benzinga Edge</a>.



Bezos also owns the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/09/40697380/bezos-vs-musk-battle-heads-to-space-how-amazon-founder-is-taking-tesla-ceo-on-more-directly">space exploration company</a> and Elon Musk-led SpaceX rival Blue Origin. The space company Bezos founded in 2000 has never publicly revealed its valuation.



However, Bezos stated last year that he believes Blue Origin will eventually surpass Amazon in size. "I think it's going to be the best business that I've ever been involved in, but it's going to take a while," Bezos stated at the New York Times' DealBook Summit.



In August 2013, he purchased The Washington Post for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44371691/trump-praises-jeff-bezos-recent-moves-with-washington-post-hes-trying-to-do-a-real-job">$250 million</a>, committed $2 billion toward social initiatives in 2018, and pledged $10 billion in February 2020 to combat climate change.



Photo Courtesy: Lev Radin on Shutterstock.com



Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



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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.

Jeff Bezos' Final CEO Letter Isn't Just About Amazon — It Is A Clarion Call For Resisting Normality: 'The World Wants You To Be Typical…Don't Let It Happen'

Forget about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44988897/china-trade-war-4-big-brand-stocks-that-will-suffer-most">trade wars</a> and inflation. One actor of the US economy is doing great, with stocks up 2.5% even before this week&#8217;s <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44988781/wall-street-rally-extends-into-third-day-whats-driving-markets-thursday">rally</a>.



Schwab analysts even issued a collective &#8220;buy&#8221; call on these stocks, citing value and stability in the sector.



&#8220;Some (financial) segments benefited from rising interest rates, which allow banks to lend at higher rates and insurance companies to increase returns on collected policyholder premiums,&#8221; Schwab said in a new research note. &#8220;The economy has proven to be relatively resilient in the face of one of the most aggressive tightening cycles in history.&#8221;



On the risk side, company analysts cite trade wars and reduced consumer spending as issues that could hold back bank stocks. &#8220;If sweeping tariffs kick in and slow growth materially, financials could struggle as consumers pull back on spending, businesses reduce investment, and lending slows,&#8221; Schwab noted.



Other Wall Street watchers agree, adding that some banking sectors are looking better than others at the moment.



&#8220;Bank stocks have been relatively mixed, large-cap U.S. banks have held up better than smaller regional banks, which remain under pressure from credit tightening, CRE (commercial real estate) exposure, and flattened yield curves,&#8221; said Fabio Ruggeri, founder and CEO of MenthorQ, a trading technology company in Miami, Fla. &#8220;While the big banks benefit from scale, trading revenue, and global exposure, the regional banks are still digesting the fallout from last year&#8217;s rate shocks and deposit flight.&#8221;



Short-term Federal Reserve actions, along with significant industry risks that could split the sector, are also in play.



&#8220;If the Fed pivots later in the year and the yield curve begins to normalize, net interest margins could improve,&#8221; Ruggeri said. &#8220;But risks tied to CRE, credit quality, and deposit competition are still in play. Investors should expect continued bifurcation. Stronger names will pull away from the weaker ones.&#8221;



Here are the three best stocks to buy in this outperforming sector.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Bank Stocks to Play Right Now</h2>



With talk of tariffs and trade wars watering down the markets right now and multiple risk factors (and opportunities) on the table, which bank stocks make the most sense right now? Here&#8217;s a sector snapshot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">US Bancorp&nbsp;</h2>



The fifth-largest bank in the country, US Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USB#NYSE">USB</a>), saw its shares fall in 2025, down 20.1% year-to-date. Yet sector analysts are buzzing over the banking giant&#8217;s Q1 earnings beat, with multiple analysts backing the stock. On April 17, Barclays revised its price target for USB from $56 to $61 and maintained an &#8220;Outperform&#8221; on the stock. Noting that Q1 had beaten expectations, Barclays said USB impressed with more substantial fee income, more robust net interest income, and a better grip on expenses.



&#8220;I do like U.S. Bank right now,&#8221; said David Capablanca, a veteran trader and founder and host of the Friendly Bear Podcast. &#8220;Like many of the major banks have had a pullback, it&#8217;s an opportunity to dip buy. And you don&#8217;t just buy all at once &#8211; plan to scale in over three to six months, average in once a month.&#8221;



Consequently, if the stock is going lower, you&#8217;re averaging in, and if it&#8217;s consolidating and rising higher, you&#8217;re still gradually getting into a good position in USB stock. &#8220;It&#8217;s a very low-risk strategy to average into a safe, big-name bank stock,&#8221; Capablanca added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Morgan Stanley</h2>



Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) is another big bank stock that has been trending downward but appears to be in bounce-back mode.



Like other big banks, Morgan Stanley has been recording significant gains in trading revenue lately. Its trading desk works closely with large institutional investors to manage portfolio risk and look for opportunities before and during this year&#8217;s tariff skirmishes. All in all, Morgan Stanley said its trading revenues were up 45% in Q1.



&#8220;Morgan relies less on traditional banking and focuses more on affluent wealth and investment exposure, which usually leads to diversified earnings,&#8221; Ruggeri said. Toss into the mix a healthy dividend of 3.39% in mid-April, and Morgan Stanley seems like another bank stock loaded with opportunity right now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JPMorgan Chase</h2>



JPMorgan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) shares are performing better than their sector competitors but are still down 3.2% so far in 2025. However, they are up 27% over the last year and have a strong history of stable management and reliable share performance.



&#8220;JPM is the gold standard of large U.S. banks,&#8221; Ruggeri said. &#8220;It has a strong balance sheet, diversified revenue, and deposit resilience.&#8221;



Other market experts agree.



&#8220;JPMorgan Chase continues to stand out — not just as a big bank, but as a highly disciplined and forward-thinking institution,&#8221; said Christopher Migliaccio, founder at Warren and Migliaccio, LLC, a law firm that handles asset management issues for its clients.



JPM&#8217;s most recent quarterly earnings showed the investment banking behemoth easily beat analyst expectations while boosting guidance on consolidated net interest income by $500 million, a metric that banking industry analysts have historically cited as key to overall future earnings.



USB is on board with JPM, hiking its price target from $277 to $305, citing higher Q1 earnings, larger trading revenues (for the same reasons as Morgan Stanley), and a strong dividend yield (2.41%).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaway On Bank Stocks</h2>



Capablanca offers specific advice for regular investors seeking opportunities in the banking sector.



&#8220;Just don&#8217;t go for the higher-risk banks,&#8221; he advised. &#8220;Stick with the big ones, like Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Schwab, and JPMorgan. The big ones are the safest bets out there.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Matt Maley Alerts Inner Circle Before TV Appearances</h2>



While millions watch Matt discuss tariffs on Bloomberg, CNBC, and more — only his Inner Circle members receive his specific trade recommendations. Get Behind the Scenes Access <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/7-day-free-trial-matt-maley-inner-circle/?el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_adType=SponsorAd&amp;utm_ad=RD0425&amp;utm_campaign=7daytrial">HERE</a>



Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.



Photo: Shutterstock

3 Stocks To Consider In This Outperforming Sector

The past week was a roller coaster ride for the cryptocurrency market. Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>), and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) experienced significant surges, hinting at a potential bullish momentum. Meanwhile, Bitcoin mining costs have seen a sharp increase, causing concern among miners. Amidst these developments, calls for clear regulatory rules for cryptocurrencies have been made by the SEC Chair, Paul Atkins. Here&#8217;s a detailed look at these stories.



Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Experience Bullish Momentum



Cryptocurrency markets traded higher over the weekend, with whales continuing their accumulation spree. This activity could potentially fuel the bullish momentum in the market.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45020090/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-surging-but-choppy-weekend-could-precede-the-next-push">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin Climbs 12% On The Week



Bitcoin saw a 12% increase over the week, following a familiar crypto cycle pattern of improving sentiment and shifting macro signals. Crypto analyst Alex Wacy noted the cyclical nature of the market, which often takes just a few bullish headlines and a green daily candle to reignite momentum.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45017648/bitcoin-climbs-12-on-the-week-as-traders-eye-run-to-100000">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44970313/missed-fortune-trump-trader-loses-45-million-profit-opportunity-before-dinner-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trader Dumps TRUMP Tokens Before Presidential Dinner Revelation: Meal Cost Early Seller $4.5 Million</a>



Bitcoin Mining Costs Jump To $137,000 Per Coin



Bitcoin mining expenses rose sharply in the final quarter of 2024, with CoinShares reporting that the total average cost to produce one Bitcoin, including non-cash items, climbed to $137,018. This figure includes depreciation and stock-based compensation, offering a more comprehensive look at the financial stress facing miners despite the strength in Bitcoin&#8217;s market price.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45017261/bitcoin-mining-costs-jump-to-137000-per-coin-when-accounting-for-non-cash-expenses-coinshares">Read the full article here.</a>



SEC Chair Calls for Clear Crypto Regulations



New SEC Chair Atkins indicated a friendlier approach toward cryptocurrency during his tenure, highlighting the need for a clear regulatory policy to help the industry thrive in the U.S. Atkins emphasized the significance of blockchain technology in modernizing the financial system, predicting it to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, increase transparency, and mitigate risks.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/45027836/sec-chair-paul-atkins-says-crypto-deserves-clear-regulatory-rules-praises-crypto-mom-hester-peirces-efforts">Read the full article here.</a>



Senator Buys More Bitcoin ETF Shares



Senator David McCormick (R-PA) has been actively buying shares of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF BITB and may have taken advantage of a dip in Bitcoin's price during March before the recent rally back to the $95,000 level. McCormick&#8217;s total bet on Bitcoin is now in the $375,000 to the $850,000 range since February.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45018551/senator-on-digital-assets-committee-buys-more-bitcoin-etf-shares-2025-is-the-year-for-digital-assets">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45020090/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-surging-but-choppy-weekend-could-precede-the-next-push" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Surging, But &#8216;Choppy&#8217; Weekend Could Precede The Next Push</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

$XRP

Cryptocurrencies Surge, Bitcoin Mining Costs Soar, SEC Chair Calls For Clear Crypto Regulations: This Week In Crypto

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the markets, with significant shifts and potential economic shocks looming on the horizon. From the unique advantage of the US in navigating economic shifts due to its dollar-denominated debt, to the escalating tariff war initiated by President Donald Trump, the economic landscape is rife with uncertainty. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories that shaped the week.



Dollar-Denominated Debt: A Privilege for US Policymakers



Amidst the ongoing market shifts, the U.S.&#8217;s unique position as the issuer of the world&#8217;s reserve currency provides it with a significant advantage. According to Bob Elliot, co-founder, CEO, and CIO of Unlimited and former investment committee member of Bridgewater Associates, the US can prioritize domestic economic conditions due to its debt being denominated in US dollars.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44971850/us-policymakers-are-privileged-says-expert-as-its-debt-in-usd-can-help-avoid-balance-of-payment-crisis">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Trade War: Deals, Higher Taxes, and Potential Recession Avoidance



JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) predicts that the ongoing tariff war could lead to agreements between the U.S. and its trade partners, along with a significant rise in tax rates. The global investment strategy team at JPMorgan Wealth Management has projected that the effective tax rate could surge to between 10% and 20%.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891073/donald-trumps-trade-war-jpmorgan-predicts-deals-higher-taxes-and-potential-recession-avoidance">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44994275/gold-now-worth-100x-more-than-silver-analysts-say-its-time-to-buy-the-underdog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gold Now Worth 100x More Than Silver: Analysts Say It&#8217;s Time To Buy The Underdog</a>



Trump&#8217;s Approval Rating: A Mixed Bag



Despite economic uncertainty, President Donald Trump&#8217;s approval rating stands at 45% in a new Gallup poll. However, an Economist/YouGov poll shows a 16 point drop since he took office in January.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44890428/trumps-gallup-approval-stands-at-45-topping-same-point-in-first-presidency-but-hes-down-16-in-economist-survey">Read the full article here.</a>



Recession on the Horizon?



As the global trade war escalates due to unprecedented U.S. tariffs, Peter Mallouk, the CEO of Creative Planning, has mapped out three possible economic scenarios, with the worst-case outcome forecasting a deep recession and a potential stock market plunge of up to 60%.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44644834/recession-imminent-analyst-flags-60-market-crash-risk-under-worst-tariff-scenario">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Tariffs: A Potential $30 Trillion Blow



Former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence H. Summers warns that the tariffs imposed by President Trump could cost the economy $30 trillion, describing them as the "most expensive and masochistic" move by the U.S.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622754/tariffs-are-most-expensive-and-masochistic-could-cost-30-trillion-to-the-economy-erasing-300k-per-family-explains-former-treasury-secretary-larry-summers">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/45007990/stay-big-sell-rips-hartnett-doubts-bull-market-without-3-key-catalysts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Stay BIG, Sell Rips&#8217;: Hartnett Doubts Bull Market Without 3 Key Catalysts</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



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

US Dollar Dominance, Trump's Trade War, And The Threat Of Recession: This Week In Economy

Investor risk appetite rebounded over the week as the U.S. administration signaled a de-escalation in trade tensions with China. President Donald Trump also reassured markets that he has no intention of firing Federal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44977395/trump-backs-off-firing-powell-after-walmart-target-ceos-warn-him-of-empty-store-shelves">Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.</a>



Reports suggested China is considering suspending its 125% tariff <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/45004954/china-reportedly-begins-exempting-key-us-imports-from-tariffs-including-pharma-and-aerospace-parts">on select U.S. imports</a>, following indications that Washington may cut tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump hinted that negotiations with Beijing are ongoing, even as Chinese authorities denied any such talks were taking place.



The sell-off that had weighed on U.S. Treasuries and the dollar the previous weeks came to a halt, as investors found reassurance in the central bank's independence.



The S&amp;P 500 has now recouped nearly 80% of the losses suffered since the post–April 2 "Liberation Day" downturn.



Yet, recent business and consumer surveys paint a less optimistic picture. U.S. private sector growth slowed in April to its weakest pace in 16 months, according to flash <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44952395/us-business-activity-growth-slows-in-april-as-services-suffer-tariff-shock-markets-rally-as-trade-war-cools">Purchasing Managers' Index data.</a> 



Business expectations for the year ahead have dropped to near-COVID-19 pandemic lows, while prices for goods and services rose at the fastest pace in over a year, particularly in manufacturing, where tariffs are playing a key role in driving costs higher.



Consumer sentiment also deteriorated sharply. The University of Michigan's gauge fell 8% this month, with expectations down 32% since January — the steepest three-month drop since the 1990 recession. One-year inflation expectations surged from 5% to 6.5%, the highest since 1981, while long-term inflation expectations rose from 4.1% to 4.4%.



Among individual stocks, ServiceNow Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NASDAQ">NOW</a>) led the S&amp;P 500 with a 20% weekly gain on strong earnings <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44986106/servicenows-1q-reflects-no-material-signs-of-strain-from-tariff-related-macro-uncertainties-analysts-raise-price-targets">and upbeat forward guidance</a>. In contrast, Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) fell 15% after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44965915/northrop-grummans-strategic-edge-lies-in-classified-space-and-electronic-warfare-programs-but-market-focused-on-short-term-issues-analyst">cutting its 2025 outlook.</a>



Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) posted its biggest weekly rally since early November 2024, despite underwhelming earnings. Investors cheered Elon Musk's pledge to reduce his involvement in Dogecoin and refocus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44974342/elon-musks-wealth-skyrockets-by-billions-as-tesla-stock-rallies-after-billionaire-ceo-steps-back-from-doge">on leading the EV company.</a>



Looking ahead, macroeconomic data and earnings will dominate the headlines next week. 



Four members of the Magnificent Seven will report earnings next week, with Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) set for Wednesday, followed by 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>) on Thursday.



Thursday brings the release of the advance estimate for first-quarter GDP and the Fed's preferred inflation gauge for March, followed on Friday by the closely watched April jobs report, offering fresh clues on how tariffs are affecting the labor market.



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Photo: Shutterstock

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Regulations

Econ #s

Federal Reserve

TSLA

Wall Street Recovers, Dollar Steadies As Trump Tempers Trade Fight, Signals Support For Powell: This Week In Markets

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the autonomous driving and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. From President Trump&#8217;s change of heart on autonomous vehicles to Jeff Bezos-backed EV startups making waves, the industry has seen significant developments. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories of the week.



Trump&#8217;s Change of Heart on Autonomous Vehicles



The autonomous driving sector has seen a surge in optimism following the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration&#8217;s updated regulations that could simplify testing and regulation. This comes as a surprise given President Donald Trump&#8217;s previous opposition to autonomous vehicles. The President once stated he would keep autonomous vehicles &#8220;from operating on American roads&#8221;.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45022642/trump-change-of-heart-or-musk-influence-president-once-said-would-keep-autonomous-vehicles-from-operating-on-american-roads">Read the full article here.</a>



Bezos vs. Tesla vs. Rivian



Both Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) are set to release more affordable EVs, a move that could help them fend off competition from a new EV startup backed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. Michigan-based startup Slate Auto has been showcasing concept versions of its electric pickup truck and recently held an event to share more details about the company&#8217;s future.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/45014243/bezos-vs-tesla-vs-rivian-stock-company-backed-by-amazon-founder-can-turn-20k-ev-truck-into-suv">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44972893/trump-says-us-doesnt-need-canadian-cars-hints-tariffs-could-rise-we-dont-want-your-cars-wi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Says US Doesn&#8217;t Need Canadian Cars — Hints Tariffs Could Rise: &#8216;We Don&#8217;t Want Your Cars, With All Due Respect&#8217;</a>



Pony.ai and Tencent&#8217;s Robotaxi Partnership



Chinese autonomous driving company Pony AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PONY#NASDAQ">PONY</a>) announced plans to develop autonomous driving technology in partnership with Tencent Holding (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCEHY#OTC">TCEHY</a>). The deal will include cooperation in cloud services, map data, information security, and intelligent cockpit ecosystems.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/45013465/pony-ai-and-tencent-partner-on-l4-robotaxis-expand-chinas-self-driving-future">Read the full article here.</a>



Bezos-Backed Tesla Rival Unveils $20,000 Modular EV Pickup Truck



Slate Auto, an EV manufacturer backed by Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos, unveiled its modular EV pickup truck. The two-seater EV pickup truck features a retro design that is reminiscent of models from manufacturers like Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>).



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/45006513/jeff-bezos-backed-tesla-rival-unveils-20000-modular-ev-pickup-truck-with-customization-at-the-forefront">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla Rolls Out Free FSD Transfers Amid Poor Sales



Tesla has rolled out a range of promotions for customers in the U.S. on all of its models in an attempt to boost declining sales figures. The promotions include FSD transfers on all new Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and the Cybertruck orders free of charge.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/45004433/tesla-rolls-out-free-fsd-transfers-on-all-us-models-including-cybertruck-amid-poor-sales">Read the full article here.</a>



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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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

PONY

RIVN

TCEHY

Trump's Autonomous Vehicles Stance, Bezos Vs. Tesla, And More: This Week In Mobility

The week brought a flurry of news, with major developments in the political and economic spheres. From President Donald Trump&#8217;s second term being described as &#8216;chaotic&#8217; and &#8216;scary&#8217; by voters to the closure of a key climate diplomacy office, the news cycle was anything but dull. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories:



Trump&#8217;s Second Term: Chaos and Fear?



A recent poll reveals that a significant number of voters describe President Donald Trump&#8217;s second term as &#8220;chaotic&#8221; and &#8220;scary.&#8221; The New York Times/Siena College poll shows that 66% of registered voters label Trump&#8217;s second term as &#8220;chaotic,&#8221; while 59% call it &#8220;scary.&#8221; The poll also indicates a considerable disapproval rate for Trump&#8217;s handling of major issues.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45027947/trumps-second-term-viewed-as-chaotic-and-scary-by-majority-of-voters">Read the full article here.</a>



Rubio Shuts Down Climate Office



Secretary of State Marco Rubio has decided to dismantle the Office of Global Change, a move that has alarmed global climate advocates. The unexpected announcement has left employees reeling, with no clear timeline for when the closure would be finalized.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45027993/rubio-shutters-climate-office-alarming-global-climate-advocates">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45027755/yale-classmates-urge-bessent-to-reconsider-trump-white-house-role-treasury-secretary-calls-it-an-honor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale Classmates Urge Bessent To Reconsider Trump White House Role — Treasury Secretary Calls It an &#8216;Honor&#8217;</a>



Trump&#8217;s Approval Drops Amid Economic Concerns



A new poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that President Trump&#8217;s approval rating is taking a hit as Americans express concern about the economy&#8217;s trajectory amid rising consumer costs and potential recession risks.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45027881/trumps-approval-plummets-as-tariffs-bite-americans-expect-skyrocketing-prices-and-shrinking-wallets">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump Open to Millionaires Tax?



In a recent interview, President Trump expressed openness to a tax increase on millionaires, despite previous opposition. He noted that his main concern is the potential impact on his electoral prospects.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45026565/trump-signals-possible-support-for-millionaires-tax-amid-election-concerns-recalls-george-bushs-promise-he-said-read-my-lips-and-lost-an-election">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Change of Heart on Autonomous Vehicles



There is renewed optimism for the autonomous driving sector, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration updating regulations that could make testing and regulation easier. This comes after President Trump previously opposed autonomous vehicles.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45022642/trump-change-of-heart-or-musk-influence-president-once-said-would-keep-autonomous-vehicles-from-operating-on-american-roads">Read the full article here.</a>



Letitia James Denies Mortgage Fraud Claims



New York Attorney General Letitia James is fighting back after a Trump administration official referred her to the Justice Department for alleged mortgage fraud. Her lawyer, Abbe Lowell, labelled the referral &#8220;improper political retribution&#8221; and connected it to her prior legal action against Trump.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45002822/letitia-james-attorney-blasts-mortgage-fraud-claims-as-improper-political-retribution">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45027881/trumps-approval-plummets-as-tariffs-bite-americans-expect-skyrocketing-prices-and-shrinking-wall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s Approval Plummets As Tariffs Bite, Americans Expect Skyrocketing Prices and Shrinking Wallets</a></li>
</ul>



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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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Politics

Trump's Second Term, Climate Office Closure, Millionaires Tax, And More: This Week In Politics

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



<ol>
<li>Mobileye Global Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBLY#NASDAQ">MBLY</a>) shares jumped 27.23% after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter sales results and issued second-quarter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44978234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sales guidance above estimates</a>. Analysts revised the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/mbly/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>



<li>Reddit, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>) shares rose 22.82%.</li>



<li>ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>) stock rocketed 22.42% after the company reported better-than-expected financial results and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44986106" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysts boosted the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>Microchip Technology Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHP#NASDAQ">MCHP</a>) shares were up 21.60%, probably amid overall market strength due to March&#8217;s strong durable goods orders economic data and President Trump&#8217;s announcement that he met with China.</li>



<li>Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) stock gained 20.26% last week amid recent defense partnerships.</li>



<li>Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) shares increased 20.08% as broader financial sector stocks gained amid overall market strength.</li>



<li>Coinbase Global, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) stock was up 19.77% after the company expanded its partnership with PayPal Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>). The partnership aims to increase the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44991653" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adoption and utility</a> of PayPal&#8217;s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin (CRYPTO: PYUSD).</li>



<li>Vertiv Holdings, LLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRT#NYSE">VRT</a>) stock upped 18.77% after the company reported better-than-expected financial results and raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44953772" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its full-year sales guidance</a>.</li>



<li>Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) stock gained 18.06% last week. The company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44937440" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwhelming Q1 results</a>, but the hype about a low-cost EV and Robotaxi had a positive impact.</li>



<li>Entegris, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENTG#NASDAQ">ENTG</a>) stock gained 17.46% last week as shares of semiconductor companies gained amid overall market strength.</li>



<li>SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>) shares rose 16.94%.</li>
</ol>



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Earnings

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MCHP

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Tesla, Palantir And Coinbase Are Among Top 11 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Apr 21-Apr 25): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

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 as President Donald Trump softened his stance on trade and monetary policy. He indicated that tariffs on Chinese imports could decrease from the current 145% and affirmed his support for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, alleviating investor concerns about central bank independence.



The S&amp;P 500 regained nearly 80% of its post-April 2 losses, with notable gains in technology stocks. ServiceNow (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>) led with a 20% weekly increase, while Tesla (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NYSE">TSLA</a>) surged 9.9% after CEO Elon Musk announced a reduced focus on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).



Despite the rally, economic indicators signaled caution. U.S. private sector growth slowed to a 16-month low, and consumer sentiment declined sharply. Inflation expectations rose, with one-year forecasts reaching 6.5%, the highest since 1981, suggesting persistent economic uncertainty.



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-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44935008/netflix-stock-nears-all-time-high-whats-going-on">"Netflix stock nears all-time high: What's going on?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) shares approached record highs following strong Q1 earnings—$10.54 billion in revenue and $6.61 EPS—driven by robust subscription and advertising growth, with analysts raising price targets up to $1,514 and highlighting the company's insulation from global tariffs due to its digital-only business model.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44963467/why-is-summit-therapeutics-stock-soaring-on-wednesday">"Why Is Summit Therapeutics Stock Soaring On Wednesday?"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMMT#NASDAQ">SMMT</a>) shares surged after partner Akeso, Inc. announced that their Phase 3 HARMONi-6 trial met its primary endpoint, with ivonescimab plus chemotherapy showing a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival over BeiGene Ltd.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ONC#NASDAQ">ONC</a>) tislelizumab combo in patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44966369/novavaxs-covid-19-vaccine-nears-fda-full-approval-stock-jumps">"Novavax's COVID-19 Vaccine Nears FDA Full Approval, Stock Jumps"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVAX#NASDAQ">NVAX</a>) shares rose after the company stated its Biologics License Application is approvable and awaits FDA response following a post-marketing data request.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44998075/celestica-beats-q1-estimates-raises-fy-outlook-on-strengthening-demand-shares-slide">Celestica Beats Q1 Estimates, Raises FY Outlook On ‘Strengthening Demand,' Shares Slide</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44927300/this-nvidia-backed-ai-upstart-boasts-extremely-rapid-revenue-growth-analyst-initiates-overweight">Nvidia-Backed AI Startup Boasts ‘Extremely Rapid Revenue Growth' &#8211; JPMorgan Initiates With Overweight</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44995270/why-is-rocket-lab-stock-trading-higher-on-thursday">Why Is Rocket Lab Stock Trading Higher On Thursday?</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44996628/intel-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-shares-tumble-on-weak-guidance-chipmaker-plans-swift-actions-to-drive-efficiency">"Intel Q1 earnings: Revenue beat, EPS beat, shares tumble on weak guidance, chipmaker plans ‘swift actions' to drive efficiency"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) shares fell after the company reported first-quarter revenue of $12.67 billion and adjusted earnings of 13 cents per share, both surpassing analyst expectations, but issued a disappointing second-quarter revenue forecast of $11.2–$12.4 billion, prompting CEO Lip-Bu Tan to announce organizational streamlining and cost-cutting measures to enhance efficiency.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44903087/amazon-stock-downgraded-price-target-slashed-as-tariffs-create-uncertainty">"Amazon stock downgraded, price target slashed as tariffs create uncertainty"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) shares fell after Raymond James analyst Josh Beck downgraded the stock from Strong Buy to Outperform and cut the price target from $275 to $195, citing underestimated EBIT pressures from tariffs and macroeconomic headwinds.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44966124/ibm-shares-slide-despite-better-than-expected-q1-details">"IBM Shares Slide Despite Better-Than-Expected Q1: Details"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) shares fell despite beating Q1 expectations with $1.60 EPS and $14.54 billion in revenue, as investors reacted to CEO Arvind Krishna's warning that economic uncertainty may cause clients to pause spending.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/04/44962797/enphase-energy-stock-is-tumbling-wednesday-why-investors-are-selling-shares">Enphase Energy Stock Is Tumbling Wednesday: Why Investors Are Selling Shares</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/reiteration/25/04/44965222/metas-fundamentals-look-fragile-heading-into-q1-report-analyst-warns">Meta's Fundamentals Look Fragile Heading Into Q1 Report, Analyst Warns</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44995935/t-mobile-shares-drop-despite-better-than-expected-q1-report-details">T-Mobile Shares Drop Despite Better-Than-Expected Q1 Report: Details</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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INTC

NFLX

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RKLB

SMMT

TMUS

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Netflix, Novavax, Intel — And The Market Begins To Bounce Back

The past week was a rollercoaster for&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). The tech giant dodged a bullet with the new reciprocal tariffs, only to face potential supply chain disruptions. Plans to shift iPhone production from China to India emerged, while rising costs and AI delays led to a price target cut. The week ended with the EU slapping Apple with a hefty fine, triggering a political backlash in Washington. Here&#8217;s a recap of the week&#8217;s major events.



Apple Dodges Tariffs, But Supply Chain Woes Loom



Apple managed to sidestep steep tariffs on Chinese-made electronics, thanks to an exemption granted by former President Donald Trump. However, leading analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warns that Apple&#8217;s supply chain could still face significant disruptions in the coming months.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44781528/apples-preemptive-iphone-stockpile-could-disrupt-supply-chain-amid-looming-semiconductor-tariffs-warns-top-analyst-says-this-may-be-cupertinos-best-option-beyond-white-house-talks">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s India Shift Amid Tariff and Geopolitical Pressures



Reports suggest that Apple plans to import most iPhones sold in the U.S. from India by the end of 2026. This move would require Apple to double its annual iPhone output in India to over 80 million units.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45014074/apple-plans-iphone-shift-from-china-to-india-amid-tariff-pressures-geopolitical-risks">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45026632/bill-gates-says-luckily-his-daughter-phoebe-gates-never-asked-him-to-back-her-business" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Says &#8216;Luckily&#8217; His Daughter Phoebe Gates Never Asked Him To Back Her Business</a>



Bank of America Cuts Apple&#8217;s Price Target Over AI Delays, Rising Costs



Bank of America has cut its price target for Apple due to fears of looming tariffs and rising supply chain costs, despite near-term sales being fueled by early iPhone buyers.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44985682/apples-ai-delays-rising-cost-pressures-trigger-price-target-cut-from-bank-of-america">Read the full article here.</a>



Analysts Lower AAPL Stock Price Target Amid Anticipated Tariffs, Supply Chain Concerns



UBS analyst David Vogt has lowered the price target for Apple shares from $236 to $210 in anticipation of widespread tariffs, despite a year-over-year rise in iPhone revenue for the March quarter.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44973883/analysts-slash-aapl-stock-price-target-amid-anticipated-tariffs-supply-chain-concerns-a-lose-lose-choice">Read the full article here.</a>



EU&#8217;s Hefty Fine on Apple Sparks Backlash in Washington



The European Union&#8217;s enforcement of its Digital Markets Act led to a fine of approximately $540 million on Apple, triggering political backlash in the U.S. and potentially igniting new U.S.-EU trade tensions.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44972575/trumps-team-blasts-eus-nearly-800-million-fine-on-apple-and-meta-as-extortion-could-us-retaliate-against-the-digital-markets-act">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/45007990/stay-big-sell-rips-hartnett-doubts-bull-market-without-3-key-catalysts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Stay BIG, Sell Rips&#8217;: Hartnett Doubts Bull Market Without 3 Key Catalysts</a></li>
</ul>



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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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Apple's Tariff Dodging, Production Shifts, And EU Fines: This Week In Appleverse

As the week comes to a close, we look back at a week filled with significant developments in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). From President Trump&#8217;s push for AI education to Jim Cramer&#8217;s bullish stance on AI stocks, the week was abuzz with AI-related news. Let&#8217;s delve into the top stories.



Trump Advocates for AI Education in Schools



President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;signed a series of executive orders on April 23, aimed at transforming U.S. education policy across K-12 and higher education. The orders include promoting AI education in schools, reformulating college accreditation standards, and implementing new transparency rules for foreign funding in universities. The orders also reiterated support for Historically Black colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and promoted workforce development initiatives.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/04/45005327/trump-pushes-ai-education-in-schools-rolling-back-obama-era-policies-and-cracking-down-on-foreign-funds-ai-seems-to-be-where-its-at">Read the full article here.</a>



Jim Cramer Remains Bullish on AI Stocks



Despite growing skepticism on Wall Street, CNBC's&nbsp;Jim Cramer&nbsp;remains optimistic about the future of AI infrastructure and data center stocks. Cramer acknowledged the turbulence in AI stocks, particularly following revelations from DeepSeek, a Chinese startup. He also expressed concerns about Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff policies potentially hurting the broader economy.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45001882/jim-cramer-stays-bullish-on-data-centers-says-if-trump-tariffs-eases-these-ai-stocks-will-fly-again-despite-wall-street-doubts">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45026632/bill-gates-says-luckily-his-daughter-phoebe-gates-never-asked-him-to-back-her-business" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Says &#8216;Luckily&#8217; His Daughter Phoebe Gates Never Asked Him To Back Her Business</a>



Amazon and Nvidia Dismiss AI Data Center Pullback Fears



Despite recession fears and market speculation, tech giants&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)&nbsp;insist that the demand for AI data centers remains robust. Executives from both companies dismissed concerns about a potential slowdown in the construction of AI data centers at a conference in Oklahoma City.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45001873/amazon-and-nvidia-dismiss-fears-of-ai-data-center-pullback-we-continue-to-see-very-strong-demand">Read the full article here.</a>



OpenAI&#8217;s Restructuring Raises Concerns Among AI Experts



A coalition of over 30 leading AI researchers and ethicists has issued an urgent warning about OpenAI‘s proposed corporate restructuring. They expressed grave concerns that the changes could undermine public oversight and the company's original mission. The group published an open letter urging California and Delaware Attorney Generals to intervene in OpenAI's plan.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/04/44975360/geoffrey-hinton-ex-openai-insiders-and-top-ai-experts-sound-alarm-on-openais-restructuring-warn-it-could-strip-public-of-oversight-betray-agi-mission">Read the full article here.</a>



Satya Nadella Introduces Microsoft 365 Copilot&#8217;s AI Glow-Up



On Wednesday,&nbsp;Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp;introduced a newly redesigned version of its Microsoft 365 Copilot app. The development was shared by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who referred to it as the &#8216;scaffolding for his workday&#8217;.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44973292/satya-nadella-calls-it-scaffolding-for-my-workday-introduces-microsoft-365-copilots-ai-glow-up-to-reshape-how-we-work">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44979720/teslas-robotaxi-launch-in-june-will-likely-be-a-non-event-says-gary-black-this-isnt-really-a-test-market-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi Launch In June Will Likely Be A &#8216;Non-Event,&#8217; Says Gary Black: &#8216;This Isn&#8217;t Really A Test Market. It&#8217;s An Experiment&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



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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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Trump's AI Education Push, Cramer's AI Stock Optimism, And More: This Week In Artificial Intelligence

Sen.&nbsp;Elizabeth Warren&nbsp;(D-Mass.) requested answers from&nbsp;Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) CEO&nbsp;Tim Cook, citing a&nbsp;pattern of &#8220;influence-peddling&#8221;&nbsp;between the&nbsp;iPhone-maker and the&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;administration over the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44970168/elizabeth-warren-slams-tim-cook-over-alleged-backdoor-deal-with-trump-to-shield-apple-from-crushing-china-tariffs-creates-the-appearance-of-impropriety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trade negotiations with China</a>.



Amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, tech bull&nbsp;Dan Ives thinks the time is &#8220;ticking&#8221; for trade deals as Wall Street reels from the aftermath of a tug-of-war <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44891715/tech-bull-says-time-ticking-for-trade-deals-as-earnings-season-gathers-steam-calls-nvidias-china-disclosure-a-game-of-who-blinks-first" rel="noreferrer noopener">between the world&#8217;s top two economies</a>.



Earnings



STMicroelectronics N.V.&#8216; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STM#NYSE">STM</a>) first-quarter FY25 net revenues of $2.52 billion represented a 27.3% year-over-year decline, beating the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $2.51 billion. EPS of $0.06&nbsp;beat&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44978860/stmicro-calls-out-bottom-in-q1-forecasts-q2-rebound-focusing-on-cost-cuts" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate&nbsp;of $0.04</a>.



Alphabet Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) reported first-quarter revenue of $90.23 billion, up 12% year-over-year, beating a Street consensus estimate of $89.2 billion and EPS of $2.81, beating a Street <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44995955/alphabet-q1-earnings-highlights-google-search-youtube-cloud-show-robust-momentum" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $2.01</a>.



T-Mobile (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>) reported first-quarter EPS of&nbsp;$2.58, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;$2.44, and revenue of&nbsp;$20.89 billion, beating the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44995935/t-mobile-shares-drop-despite-better-than-expected-q1-report-details" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of&nbsp;$20.62 billion</a>.



VinFast Auto (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VFS#NASDAQ">VFS</a>) reported&nbsp;quarterly&nbsp;earnings per share of 54 cents loss, missing the street view&nbsp;of 23 cents loss and, revenues of $677.89 million missed the&nbsp;analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44989420/vinfast-auto-maintains-ev-delivery-outlook-amid-macro-uncertainty-despite-q4-margin-drag" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $859.08 million</a>.



International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.60 per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.40 and revenue of $14.54 billion beat the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44966124/ibm-shares-slide-despite-better-than-expected-q1-details" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $14.4 billion</a>.



Texas Instruments Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>) reported first-quarter revenue of&nbsp;$4.07 billion, versus&nbsp;estimates&nbsp;of $3.91 billion, and EPS of&nbsp;$1.28, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44966804/texas-instruments-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-strong-guidance-prepared-to-navigate-the-evolving-supply-chain-dynamics" rel="noreferrer noopener">versus estimates of $1.07</a>.



Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) reported quarterly earnings of&nbsp;$1.04&nbsp;per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;98 cents, and, revenue of $4.72 billion,&nbsp;which beat the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44965339/lam-research-stock-climbs-after-strong-q3-results-q4-guidance-above-estimates" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of&nbsp;$4.59 billion</a>.



Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) reported quarterly revenue growth of 7% year over year to $637.8 million, topping the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $636.2 million and adjusted EPS of $2.21, beat the&nbsp;analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44962682/check-point-q1-earnings-revenue-beats-expectations-ceo-highlights-strong-demand-for-quantum-force-and-ai-platform" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $2.19.</a>



AT&amp;T Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>) reported operating revenues of $30.63 billion beating the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $30.35 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.51 also beat&nbsp;the&nbsp;analyst<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44947739/att-adds-324-thousand-postpaid-subscribers-in-q1-outpaces-verizons-289-thousand-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener"> consensus estimate of $0.49</a>.



SAP SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAP#NYSE">SAP</a>) reported quarterly revenue of 9.01 billion euros ($9.48 billion), beating analyst estimates and earnings of 1.44 euros ($1.54) per share <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44938879/sap-shares-climb-on-better-than-expected-q1-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">also came in ahead of estimates</a>.



Verizon Communications (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>) reported&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;first-quarter revenue growth was 1.5% year-over-year, reaching $33.49 billion, topping the&nbsp;analyst consensus estimate of $33.24 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.19 topped the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44920917/verizon-struggles-with-subscriber-losses-from-price-increases-competition-and-lower-government-support" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst&nbsp;consensus estimate of $1.15</a>.



Smartphones &amp; Technology



The&nbsp;iPhone 17 series, the latest smartphone line-up from&nbsp;Apple, is reportedly facing significant stock shortages, and CEO&nbsp;Tim Cook&nbsp;is worried about it. The scarcity of Low CTE fiberglass cloth is reportedly causing a strain <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44917129/apple-ceo-tim-cook-gets-anxious-over-this-issue-threatening-the-inventory-of-iphone-17-he-is-pushing-suppliers-every-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the&nbsp;stock of the iPhone 17&nbsp;series.</a>



Elon Musk&nbsp;says that&nbsp;Neuralink, which specializes in creating Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), will help <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44892867/elon-musk-says-neuralink-will-help-blind-people-see-again-will-exceed-the-best-human-eyes" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘completely blind&#8217; people see again</a>.



Elon Musk&#8216;s BCI (Brain-Chip Interface) company&nbsp;Neuralink&nbsp;is reportedly eyeing an $8.5 billion pre-money valuation<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44972585/elon-musks-neuralink-eyes-8-5-billion-pre-money-valuation-in-latest-funding-round-report" rel="noreferrer noopener"> amid talks with potential investors</a>.



Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) introduced a newly redesigned version of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44973292/satya-nadella-calls-it-scaffolding-for-my-workday-introduces-microsoft-365-copilots-ai-glow-up-to-reshape-how-we-work" rel="noreferrer noopener">its Microsoft 365 Copilot app</a>.



Automotive



Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has reportedly pivoted its marketing for the Cybertruck as CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8216;s EV giant rebrands the vehicle <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44919745/cybertruck-gets-a-down-to-earth-redesign-as-tesla-shifts-to-traditional-pickup-marketing-amid-poor-sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to showcase its utilitarian quotient</a>.



Tesla plans to ramp up production of its&nbsp;humanoid robot&nbsp;Optimus&nbsp;are facing significant roadblocks due to supply chain constraints and China&#8217;s new export <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44941025/tesla-optimus-robot-hit-by-chinas-rare-earth-magnet-crackdown-elon-musk-says-thousands-may-be-ready-by-year-end-but-no-guarantees-when-you-have-a-complex-manufactured-product" rel="noreferrer noopener">restrictions on rare earth materials</a>.



Elon Musk&nbsp;shared a comprehensive list of updates on the company&#8217;s FSD (Full Self-Driving) technology, crucial <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44943387/elon-musk-shares-fsd-update-at-tesla-earnings-call-10-to-20-model-ys-will-offer-paid-robotaxi-rides-in-june" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for Tesla&#8217;s Cybercab ambitions</a>.



Tesla has revealed that the company is running its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, as well as<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44972108/tesla-quietly-launched-robotaxi-service-for-employees-before-june-debut-now-reports-1500-completed-trips" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the San Francisco Bay Area</a>.



Chinese battery manufacturer&nbsp;CATL&nbsp;(Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) has launched the second-generation <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44894382/tesla-battery-supplier-catl-unveils-new-fast-charging-battery-with-323-mile-range-in-five-minutes" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Shenxing&#8217; fast-charging battery</a>.



Nio Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) has announced it will delay the launch of its Firefly EV in Europe to the third quarter after it claimed to launch <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44915240/tesla-rival-nio-delays-the-european-launch-of-firefly-ev-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">the product in the first half of 2025</a>.



General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) will continue to produce its Ultium architecture-based EVs like the Chevrolet Equinox at its production <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44916042/general-motors-has-no-plans-to-move-ev-production-away-from-mexico-despite-tariff-uncertainty" rel="noreferrer noopener">facility in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico</a>.



Geely Automobile Holdings&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GELYF#OTC">GELYF</a>) announced that the company will share its battery safety <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44945220/chinas-geely-announces-it-will-share-battery-safety-patents-safety-lab-with-the-auto-industry" rel="noreferrer noopener">patents at the Shanghai Auto Show</a>.



BYD Co., Ltd (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) is pivoting its European strategy as the Chinese EV manufacturer looks <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44946809/byd-rejigs-european-strategy-amid-lack-of-market-knowledge-and-modest-dealer-network-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to expand into the market</a>.



Image: Shutterstock

Mid Cap

BYDDY

CHKP

GELYF

GOOG

LRCX

Consumer Tech News (Apr 21-Apr 25): Microsoft's Copilot Gets a Sleek New Look, Apple Under Fire For 'Influence-Peddling' In US-China Trade & More

While top executives like Mark Zuckerberg and Jamie Dimon sold off hundreds of millions in stock before markets tanked, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy says he took the hit right along with everyone else.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Executives Cashed Out Before Market Downturn</h2>



According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-20/zuckerberg-dimon-are-among-top-sellers-ahead-of-tariff-stock-rout?embedded-checkout=true">Bloomberg</a>, insiders, including Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) CEO Zuckerberg, Oracle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) CEO Safra Catz, and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) CEO Jamie Dimon, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891097/zuckerberg-dimon-sold-shares-ahead-of-stock-rout-triggered-by-trump-tariff-talk">cashed out</a> a combined billions of dollars worth of shares in the first quarter of 2025.&nbsp;



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Zuckerberg sold 1.1 million Meta shares for $733 million, all before the tech giant's stock dropped more than 30%. Catz unloaded $705 million in Oracle stock before a similar decline, and Dimon sold more than $234 million in JPMorgan stock ahead of the crash. All of these sales were made before President Donald Trump's tariff announcements, which triggered a sharp market downturn.



The downturn has had ripple effects throughout the financial and tech sectors. Elon Musk, the world's richest person, has seen his net worth fall by $129 billion so far this year. Some insiders are now taking advantage of lower share prices to buy back stock, but many investors and everyday traders weren't so lucky.



Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Portnoy: ‘I Got Smoked Like Everybody Else'</h2>



<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">In other news. Dave Portnoy did NOT unload any stock. Got smoked like everybody else <a href="https://t.co/Zzrmn5I6Wt">https://t.co/Zzrmn5I6Wt</a>&mdash; Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) <a href="https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1914429319499165931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Portnoy, on the other hand, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44706019/barstool-founder-dave-portnoy-takes-20-million-hit-amid-trump-tariff-induced-market-crash">revealed earlier this month</a> that he lost $20 million in the crash, which he said represents about 15% of his net worth. Initially, he estimated a $7 million loss following the plunge, but later updated the figure on his livestream.



However, a couple of days later, he <a href="https://x.com/stoolpresidente/status/1910037503756923291">posted</a> on X in all caps, &#8220;I'm up 8.2 million today! Where are all the people in my mentions now!&#8221;



On Easter Monday, Portnoy responded to a social media <a href="https://x.com/unusual_whales/status/1914428176840728646?t=rcfiZYuZ7nDZrgLFAPNYCA&amp;s=19">post</a> by Unusual Whales highlighting insider selling by top executives. "In other news. Dave Portnoy did NOT unload any stock," he tweeted. "Got smoked like everybody else."



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.



Despite the financial blow, Portnoy remains a vocal supporter of Trump. On his <a href="https://x.com/stoolpresidente/status/1907881579978043894">livestream</a>, he called Trump "a smart guy" and said he believes Trump is playing a high-stakes game with the tariffs. "I&#8217;m going to roll with him and see how it plays out," Portnoy added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Insider Selling Down, But Timing Raised Eyebrows</h2>



Overall, insider selling was down compared with the same time last year, per Bloomberg. Insiders sold $15.5 billion worth of stock in Q1 2025, compared with $28.1 billion in Q1 2024. Still, a small group of executives made particularly well-timed moves. Zuckerberg, Catz, and Dimon were among just 10 sellers who collectively unloaded more than $3.8 billion in stock before the tariffs were announced.



Apparently, Portnoy wasn't one of them. He's riding out the storm just like everyone else.



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Image: Shutterstock

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In Response To Zuckerberg And Dimon Stock Sell-Offs, Dave Portnoy Says He Didn't Unload Anything—'Got Smoked Like Everybody Else'

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