Leading cryptocurrencies gained Sunday amid hints the U.S. government would use gold reserves to fund Bitcoin purchases.



<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 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+2.66%</td><td>$86,262.05</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+1.41%</td><td>$2,013.81</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+3.73%</td><td>$0.1739</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: The apex cryptocurrency rose to an intraday high of $86,632.21 in the overnight hours, while Ethereum wiggled in the $2,000 region for most of the day.



The spike comes after Bo Hines, the executive director of the President's Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44450232/white-house-says-gold-reserves-may-be-used-to-purchase-bitcoin">suggested in an interview </a>that the U.S. could capitalize on the gains from its gold holdings to purchase more Bitcoin.



The two blue-chip currencies have demonstrated divergent trajectories in March. While Bitcoin has gained 1.94% since the month began, its younger sibling has plunged over 10%.&nbsp;



Additionally, Bitcoin's market dominance has remained at 60%, while Ethereum's share has shrunk from 9.4% to 8.6%.



The spike resulted in the liquidation of $143 million from the cryptocurrency market in the past 24 hours, with short liquidations accounting for $91 million.



Bitcoin's Open Interest surged 5.43% in the last 24 hours. Interestingly, the majority of futures traders were positioned short as of this writing, according to the Long/Short ratio, suggesting that a pullback might be in the works.



The market sentiment remained in the "Fear" region, according to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.



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 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td><td>+24.45%</td><td>$0.5551</td></tr><tr><td>Bonk (BONK)</td><td>+11.34%</td><td>$0.00001353</td></tr><tr><td>Four (FORM)</td><td>+9.12%</td><td>$1.96</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.81 trillion, following an increase of&nbsp; 1.95% over the previous day.



Stock futures edged higher in Sunday overnight trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures rose 190 points, or 0.45%, as of 8:39 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.62%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.78%.



The rally followed a positive week for stocks, with the Dow and the S&amp;P 500 gaining 0.77% and 0.079%, respectively, amid <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44437504/feds-goolsbee-urges-patience-as-trumps-tariffs-stir-fears-of-stagflation-we-need-to-be-careful-when-you-say-transitory">anxiety over a potential economic slowdown</a> triggered by President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff policies.



The rally followed a winning week for stocks, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 11.31 points, or 0.03%, to close at 41,953.32. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.22% lower at 5,675.29. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite slid 0.33%, ending at 17,691.63.



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



Analyst Notes: Influential cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez pointed out areas of interest on Bitcoin's price chart.&nbsp;



"Support from $82,590 to $85,150, where 1.16 million investors bought 625,000 BTC," Martinez highlighted.&nbsp;



He also drew attention to the key resistance level between $95,400 and $97,970, where 1.77 million investors bought 1.44 million BTC.



<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">Key levels to watch for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a>: &#8211; Support from $82,590 to $85,150, where 1.16 million investors bought 625,000 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a>. &#8211; Resistance from $95,400 to $97,970, where 1.77 million investors bought 1.44 million <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/CPPgKuDfOm">pic.twitter.com/CPPgKuDfOm</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1903913140313624868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Another well-known trader, Crypto Feras, stated that Ethereum must retake $2150 as support; otherwise, the recent spike would be considered a bearish retest.



"A successful reclaim can ultra send it towards $2.8 and $4k as well, but it needs to happen first. Otherwise, $1539 is next," the trader predicted.



<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/Etherum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Etherum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> needs to reclaim 2150$ area as a support again, otherwise we are just heading towards another bearish retest. a successful reclaim can ultra send it towards 2.8 &amp; 4k as well. but it needs to happen first, otherwise 1539$ is next<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ethusd&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ethusd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ethusdt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ethusdt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> <a href="https://t.co/9VAyYw9WAN">pic.twitter.com/9VAyYw9WAN</a>&mdash; Crypto Feras  (@CryptoFeras) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoFeras/status/1903973472151466085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo by Avi Rozen on Shutterstock



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Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rise As White House Official Hints At Gold-Powered BTC Purchases: Analyst Says Watch Out For These Key BTC Levels

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a federal election set for April 28, citing the need to counteract President Donald Trump&#8217;s recent tariffs.



What Happened: Carney, who recently took office following Justin Trudeau&#8217;s resignation, stated on the social platform X, &#8220;I have just asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election on April 28.&#8221; He emphasized the necessity to strengthen Canada&#8217;s economy and address the impact of Trump&#8217;s tariffs. The post was first noted in a <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/5209833-canada-pm-mark-carney-calls-for-snap-election-says-trump-wont-break-us/">report</a> from The Hill.



<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">I have just asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election on April 28. We need to build the strongest economy in the G7. We need to deal with President Trump's tariffs. Canadians deserve a choice about who should lead that effort for our country.&mdash; Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney/status/1903854242114183451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



In a separate post on X, he asked Canadians for a &#8220;strong, positive mandate to deal with President Trump.&#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">I am asking Canadians for a strong, positive mandate to deal with President Trump and build a stronger economy here at home. <a href="https://t.co/VK2XPeEeNX">pic.twitter.com/VK2XPeEeNX</a>&mdash; Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney/status/1903872313843441912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Earlier this month, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, altering the dynamics between the neighboring countries. Carney, a prominent banker and political newcomer, described the situation as a significant crisis, attributing it to Trump&#8217;s &#8220;unjustified trade actions&#8221; and threats to Canadian sovereignty, according to The Hill.



Carney criticized Trump&#8217;s assertion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state, a notion dismissed by Canadian officials as absurd. The New York Times noted that Carney&#8217;s call for a swift election was anticipated, given his lack of a parliamentary seat and the Liberal Party&#8217;s minority status. He will contend with the Conservative Party and Pierre Poilievre in the upcoming election.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44389618/trump-press-secretary-blasted-by-french-mep-over-statue-of-liberty-reaction-if-hundreds-of-thousands-of-young-americans-had-not-landed-on-our-beaches">Trump Press Secretary Blasted By French MEP Over Statue Of Liberty Reaction: &#8216;If Hundreds Of Thousands Of Young Americans Had Not Landed On Our Beaches&#8230;&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: The announcement of a snap election by Carney comes shortly after he assumed leadership of the Liberal Party, succeeding Trudeau. Carney, who previously served as the governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44213871/canadas-next-pm-mark-carney-vows-to-win-trade-war-with-trump-says-americans-should-make-no-mistake">vowed to stand firm</a> against U.S. President Trump&#8217;s trade threats. 



His leadership was solidified with a <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44212152/mark-carney-takes-justin-trudeaus-job-as-canadas-new-pm-ready-to-face-trumps-tariff-threats-i-know-how-to-manage-crises">decisive victory</a> in the Liberal Party leadership race, securing 85.9% of the vote. Carney&#8217;s financial and crisis management expertise is expected to play a crucial role as Canada navigates the economic challenges posed by the tariffs.



The economic landscape in Canada is currently fraught with challenges, as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/03/44444256/canada-faces-rising-inflation-slowing-growth-risks-as-trumps-tariffs-loom-one-etf-can-turn-this-crisis-into-opportunity">lowered its growth forecasts</a> for the country. Rising inflation and slowing growth are significant concerns amidst the ongoing trade tensions. 



Image via Shutterstock



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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>

Politics

General

Canada's PM Mark Carney Calls For Snap Election Amid Tense US Relations: Asks For 'Strong, Positive Mandate To Deal With President Trump'

On Sunday, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with top executives from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), Cargill, and other major firms.



What Happened: "China will continue to improve the business environment and welcome more investment by multinational companies in China, sharing opportunities for development," he told the leaders, describing the country's economy as "highly resilient" and "full of vitality."



Executives from medical device maker Medtronic PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDT#NYSE">MDT</a>) and investment management firm Conning were also in attendance, reported Reuters, citing a statement from China's Ministry of Commerce.



However, the statement did not specify where the meeting took place.



Many of the executives are in Beijing to attend the China Development Forum, where further high-level meetings, including a possible session with President Xi Jinping, are expected later this week, the report noted, citing unnamed sources.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44272657/alibaba-chairperson-says-everyone-is-concerned-about-tariffs-as-he-expects-levies-on-chinese-evs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alibaba's Joseph Tsai Says ‘Everyone Is Concerned About Tariffs,' As He Expects Levies On Chinese EVs</a>



Why It's Important: Beijing has ramped up efforts to attract foreign capital amid a slowing economy and fresh <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/global/25/03/44448798/china-ponders-export-limitations-to-quell-trumps-trade-onslaught">U.S. tariff headwinds</a> under President Donald Trump.



While American companies made up the largest group at this year's forum, sources say fewer U.S. CEOs attended compared to last year—signaling ongoing caution in cross-border corporate relations, the report noted.



Previously, the Chinese President expressed concerns about the possibility of China facing isolation similar to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The ongoing trade war has heightened <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44161587/is-china-apprehensive-of-losing-the-trade-war-to-the-us-china-could-get-isolated-like-moscow-fears-xi-jinping">fears of economic isolation</a>.



 Despite these challenges, <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/03/44273552/ray-dalio-says-china-is-way-ahead-in-ai-and-robotics-us-lags-in-mass-production">China remains a leader</a> in technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence and robotics, according to investor Ray Dalio.



Image via Shutterstock



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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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China Courts Apple, Pfizer, Eli Lilly Amid US Pressure, Vice Premier Says Beijing 'Will Continue To Improve The Business Environment'

Three months after saying that a one-size-fits-all federal minimum wage &#8220;wouldn't work,&#8221; President Donald Trump has rolled back a key wage rule <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44277188/a-poverty-sentence-heres-why-some-say-losing-a-federal-job-is-worse-than-being-fired-in-the-private-sector">affecting federal contractors</a>. The move cancels an executive order from then-President Joe Biden that required contractors to pay their workers at least $17.75 per hour.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump&#8217;s Take on Federal Wages</h2>



Back on Dec. 8, during an <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/trump-says-he-would-consider-raising-the-federal-minimum-wage-226490437864">appearance</a> on NBC News&#8217; &#8220;Meet the Press,&#8221; Trump said, "It would be nice to have just a minimum wage for the whole country, but it wouldn't work because you have places where it's very inexpensive to live." He argued that a federal minimum wage could have &#8220;very little effect&#8221; in some areas due to lower living costs.



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His comments fueled debate over whether the U.S. should have a federal wage floor at all. But as of 2023, only about 1.1% of American workers actually earn the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43234188/bernie-sanders-the-7-25-federal-minimum-wage-is-shameful-in-2025-america">federal minimum of $7.25 an hour</a>, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/minimum-wage/2023/">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>. The vast majority earn more, thanks to higher state minimums and market conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Biden&#8217;s $17.75 Minimum Wage for Contractors Repealed</h2>



On March 15, Trump formally repealed Biden's 2021 order that had gradually raised the minimum wage for federal contract workers to $17.75 per hour by this past January. That order replaced an earlier rule from President Barack Obama, who had bumped the contractor minimum to $10.10 in 2014 with periodic increases.



Biden's order also removed an exemption for seasonal recreational businesses on federal land—a carveout Trump had supported during his first term. With the repeal, many federal contractors will now fall back to the Obama-era rate of $13.30 or to the base federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, unless higher state minimum wages apply.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Millions of Workers Could See Pay Changes</h2>



According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-nixes-1775-minimum-wage-federal-contractors-adopted-by-biden-2025-03-20/">Reuters</a>, roughly 20% of the U.S. workforce is employed by companies with federal contracts. Critics of Biden&#8217;s rule, including some Republicans and business groups, said the $17.75 wage made it harder for small businesses to compete and didn't fit low-cost areas.



But advocates say the change could hurt low-wage workers. &#8220;The federal minimum wage has become largely irrelevant,&#8221; Chad Gammon, a certified financial planner, told <a href="https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/economy/trump-federal-minimum-wage-doesnt-work-what-happen-to-earnings-if-eliminated/">GOBankingRates</a>. He pointed out that the federal rate hasn't budged since 2009. Others warn the rollback may reduce worker protections.



The repeal also wipes out Biden-era rules that favored federal contractors who stayed neutral in union drives or joined registered apprenticeship programs. Trump didn't give a&nbsp; reason for the changes, but they align with his stated goal of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43701025/analyst-optimistic-about-banks-trumps-pro-business-agenda-should-drive-customer-acitivity">trimming regulations</a> he sees as unnecessary or burdensome.



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Trump Said 3 Months Ago Federal Minimum Wages Don't Work—Now He's Slashed Biden's $17.75 Minimum For Federal Contractors To State Minimums

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the financial world. From the Federal Reserve&#8217;s unchanged interest rates to Mark Cuban&#8217;s probing questions about the U.S. economic shift, the week was filled with significant events.



Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories that made headlines.



Fed&#8217;s Powell Revives &#8216;Transitory&#8217; Inflation Talk&nbsp;



The Federal Reserve, led by Chairman Jerome Powell, left interest rates unchanged at 4.25%-4.50% this week. Despite the Fed&#8217;s projection of two rate cuts in 2025, the latest dot plot reflects lower growth and higher inflation, sparking concerns about stagflation. Economists are questioning the Fed&#8217;s confidence in easing inflation, warning of potential policy missteps and rising recession risks.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44406928/economists-react-to-powell-we-are-now-seeing-the-stag-and-the-flation">Read the full article here.</a>



Mark Cuban Questions Motives Behind Economic Shift



 Amid the ongoing U.S. economic overhaul, billionaire Mark Cuban has raised questions about the interests of those in charge. He contrasted the difference between turning around a corporation and a country, calling the 330 million citizens the directors of the corporation. Cuban&#8217;s comments came in response to a post that praised the current economic churn and criticized DOGE for being too timid.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44431190/billionaire-mark-cuban-questions-motives-behind-national-turnaround-efforts-asks-who-will-be-worse-off-in-the-us-economic-shift">Read the full article here.</a>



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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: A &#8216;Deficit Hawk&#8217;



 In a recent podcast episode, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed President Donald Trump&#8217;s economic plan and the importance of lowering debt and deficit. Despite identifying himself as a &#8220;deficit hawk,&#8221; Bessent admitted that he sometimes needs to coax Republicans not to cut spending &#8220;all at once.&#8221;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44396136/treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-calls-himself-a-deficit-hawk-but-has-to-coax-gop-against-aggressive-cuts-says-he-is-completely-aligned-with-elon-musk-on-doge">Read the full article here.</a>



Ray Dalio Warns of Imminent Debt Crisis



Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has raised concerns about the U.S.&#8217;s national debt, predicting an imminent crisis. Dalio pointed out a severe imbalance between supply and demand, noting that the debt-to-GDP ratio has reached 122%, surpassing the nation&#8217;s economic output. He warned that the U.S. might soon face difficulties selling its debt.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44345022/ray-dalio-has-a-chilling-warning-for-president-trump-debt-crisis-is-imminent-and-an-issue-of-paramount-importance">Read the full article here.</a>



Canada&#8217;s Retaliatory Tariffs Draw Criticism



In response to the Trump administration&#8217;s recent trade measures, Canada has introduced retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized Canada&#8217;s &#8220;tone deaf&#8221; approach ahead of a meeting with Canadian officials.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/03/44344906/canadas-retaliatory-tariffs-against-us-draw-commerce-secretary-howard-lutnicks-ire-who-thinks-they-are-tone-deaf-the-british-didnt-respond-the-mexicans-didnt-respond">Read the full article here.</a>



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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/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

Jerome Powell's Stagflation Fears, Mark Cuban's Economic Queries, And Ray Dalio's Debt Warning: This Week In Economics

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



<ol>
<li>KE Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BEKE#NYSE">BEKE</a>) shares dipped 15.38% after UBS downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/beke/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced a price forecast of $24.5</a>.</li>



<li>Reddit, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>) stock fell 9.76%. The stock briefly surged after Google announced an expanded partnership with Reddit, aiming to integrate Reddit content more <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44369039" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effectively across Google's products</a>.</li>



<li>Incyte Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INCY#NASDAQ">INCY</a>) stock dived 8.75% after reporting topline results from two Phase 3 clinical trials of Povorcitinib in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44356786" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa</a>. William Blair and Guggenheim downgraded the stock, and Truist Securities cut its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/incy/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from $74 to $72</a>.</li>



<li>James Hardie Industries (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JHX#NYSE">JHX</a>) shares decreased 8.39%.</li>



<li>XPeng Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>) shares dipped 8.13% after the company reported a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44373548" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter adjusted EPS miss</a>.</li>



<li>Nucor Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NUE#NYSE">NUE</a>) shares decreased 7.63% after the company issued first-quarter adjusted<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44426184" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> EPS guidance below estimates</a>.</li>



<li>Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAH#NYSE">BAH</a>) stock fell 7.22%. The company said it is entering into a strategic partnership with Shield AI to deliver AI-powered autonomous solutions <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44378015" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for the U.S. government</a>.</li>



<li>Telus Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TU#NYSE">TU</a>) shares decreased 7.07%.</li>



<li>Futu Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUTU#NASDAQ">FUTU</a>) stock declined 7.01%, probably after the People's Bank of China kept the one-year loan prime rate at 3.1% and the five-year rate at 3.6%. Policymakers are navigating how to support economic growth while stabilizing the yuan amid rising trade tensions.</li>



<li>Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) shares lost 6.02% last week after Rosenblatt cut its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MU/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from</a> $250 to $200. The company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44425486" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Q2 financial results</a>.</li>
</ol>



Image by Robert Way via Shutterstock



Also Read:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44450329/robinhood-roku-and-shopify-are-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-mar-17-mar-21-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robinhood, Roku And Shopify Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Mar 17-Mar 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>

Equities

Large Cap

BEKE

FUTU

INCY

MRNA

RDDT

XPEV

XPeng, Reddit And Micron Tech Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Losers Last Week (Mar 17-Mar 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the tech and auto industry, with&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;making headlines and&nbsp;Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&nbsp;facing challenges. From surprise all-hands meetings to delivery estimates taking a hit, there&#8217;s a lot to unpack.



Let&#8217;s dive in.



Musk Urges Tesla Employees to Hold Onto Their Stock



In a surprise late-night all-hands meeting, Tesla CEO Musk encouraged employees to keep their stock. The meeting, originally scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET, didn&#8217;t kick off until 9:58 p.m. ET.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44429586/elon-musk-says-hang-on-to-your-stock-in-surprise-late-evening-tesla-all-hands-meeting-touts-7-million-evs-optimus-robot-and-ai-supercomputer-dojo">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla&#8217;s March Deliveries Expected to Dip



Despite Tesla&#8217;s shares plunging nearly 40% in 2025, the company recorded its highest weekly registrations in China this year. However, analysts predict that Tesla&#8217;s March deliveries will fall short of expectations.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44374442/tesla-investors-advised-to-fasten-their-seatbelts-as-this-analyst-expects-march-deliveries-to-take-a-hit-its-still-best-positioned-company-in-physical-ai">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/03/44430545/80-tesla-vehicles-damaged-at-dealership-in-hamilton-a-series-of-mischief-says-police" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">80 Tesla Vehicles Damaged At Dealership In Hamilton: ‘A Series Of Mischief,' Says Police</a>



Waymo Takes The Lead In Robotaxi Race



Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Waymo has taken a significant lead in the autonomous vehicle market, with over 2 million paid robotaxi rides across multiple U.S. cities. Meanwhile, Amazon&#8217;s Zoox is giving Tesla a run for its money.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44349240/googles-waymo-leads-robotaxi-race-with-2-millon-paid-rides-zoox-challenges-tesla-for-second-spot-as-unsupervised-autonomy-becomes-table-stakes-says-gary-black">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia Partners with General Motors



Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang announced a partnership with General Motors (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) for its self-driving segment, stating that &#8220;the time for autonomous vehicles has arrived.&#8221;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44383445/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-announces-gm-partnership-the-time-for-autonomous-vehicles-has-arrived">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla Owners May Face Higher Insurance Premiums



Tesla owners might have to shell out more for insurance due to a surge in vandalism against the company&#8217;s vehicles. Incidents of spray-painting, arson, and even shootings have been reported, fueled by resentment towards Elon Musk&#8217;s association with the Trump administration.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44432174/tesla-owners-might-have-to-pay-more-for-insurance-amid-a-surge-in-attacks-on-elon-musk-led-ev-giants-vehicles-expert">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44414187/elon-musks-tesla-recalls-over-46000-cybertrucks-due-to-safety-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's Tesla Recalls Over 46,000 Cybertrucks Due To Safety Concerns</a></li>
</ul>



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/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

GOOG

GOOGL

NVDA

TSLA

Elon Musk's Late-Night Pep Talk, Tesla's Delivery Woes, And More: This Week In Mobility

The past week has been a whirlwind of news, with the Trump administration making headlines on multiple fronts. From a shake-up in the education sector to controversial deportation practices, the administration&#8217;s actions have sparked widespread discussion. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories of the week.



Trump Dismantles Department of Education



President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The order also transfers federal student loan servicing to the Small Business Administration. Trump&#8217;s order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate the dissolution of the Department of Education and return educational authority to the states.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/03/44444175/trump-orders-steps-to-dismantle-department-of-education-what-it-means-for-student-loans">Read the full article here.</a>



Revised Terms for Access to Ukraine&#8217;s Resources



The Trump administration is pushing for revised terms to access Ukraine's critical minerals and energy assets. This move is part of a larger strategy to secure a peace agreement with Russia. The U.S. is persuading Kyiv to agree to comprehensive terms about the ownership and control of a joint investment fund.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44435337/trump-administration-pushes-for-revised-terms-to-access-ukraines-critical-resources-amid-peace-talks-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump Administration&#8217;s Deportation Practices Under Scrutiny



A federal judge has criticized the Trump administration for its handling of Venezuelan deportation flights. The administration has been accused of not providing sufficient details about the flights and failing to respond adequately to a court order.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44428767/trump-administration-failed-to-respond-to-court-order-on-deportation-flights-explain-non-compliance-by-tuesday-says-judge">Read the full article here.</a>



Bill Gates Warns of Global Health Funding Gaps



Microsoft Corp. co-founder, Bill Gates, has urged the Trump administration to maintain funding for international health initiatives. Gates warned that his foundation cannot compensate for the potential shortfall caused by cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44392153/bill-gates-cautions-trump-administration-his-foundation-cannot-bridge-global-health-funding-gaps-amid-usaid-cuts-reports">Read the full article here.</a>



US-EU Tensions Escalate



French MEP Raphael Glucksmann has criticized the Trump administration&#8217;s stance on U.S.-European relations. Glucksmann&#8217;s comments came in response to a statement made by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, leading to an escalation in tensions between the U.S. and EU.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44389618/trump-press-secretary-blasted-by-french-mep-over-statue-of-liberty-reaction-if-hundreds-of-thousands-of-young-americans-had-not-landed-on-our-beaches">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44447865/jamie-dimon-reveals-he-will-remain-jpmorgans-ceo-for-few-more-years-jokes-he-wont-swear-this-time">Jamie Dimon Reveals He Will Remain JPMorgan&#8217;s CEO For &#8216;Few More Years,&#8217; Jokes He Won&#8217;t Swear This Time</a></li>
</ul>



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>

Global

Trump's Education Overhaul, Ukraine Resource Access, Deportation Controversy, And US-EU Tensions: This Week In Politics

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toyota Subsidiary Order To Pay Over $1.6B In Penalties For Emissions Fraud Scheme</h2>



U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith of the Eastern District of Michigan on Wednesday<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/court-sentences-hino-motors-ltd-toyota-subsidiary-and-imposes-over-16b-penalties-emissions"> accepted </a>Hino Motors, Ltd.'s guilty plea to a single criminal charge for engaging in a multi-year conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and consumers, as well as smuggling non-compliant goods <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44121022/trumps-25-tariffs-on-auto-imports-are-worth-the-short-term-pain-says-ohio-gop-senator">into the country.&nbsp;</a>



The court sentenced Hino, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>), to pay a $521.76 million criminal fine, serve five years of probation—during which it is barred from importing diesel engines it manufactures into the U.S.—and implement a compliance and ethics program with reporting requirements.



The court also imposed a $1.087 billion forfeiture money judgment against the company.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/25/03/44436692/fannie-mae-freddie-mac-in-upheaval-as-trump-administration-considers-privatizing-mortgage-giants">Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac In Upheaval As Trump Administration Considers Privatizing Mortgage Giants</a>



Between 2010 and 2019, Hino engineers falsified emissions test data submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for engine certification approvals under the Clean Air Act. They manipulated emissions testing procedures, fabricated data without conducting tests and failed to disclose software functions that negatively affected emission control systems.&nbsp;



Hino Motors' fraudulent activity led to over 105,000 non-compliant diesel engines being imported and sold in the U.S., primarily installed in heavy-duty trucks



"By pleading guilty, Hino Motors, Ltd. has admitted to orchestrating a deliberate and years-long fraud scheme that put profit over principle," said Acting Assistant Director James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division.



"It doesn't matter how complex the scheme is, the FBI is committed to holding individuals and organizations responsible for their actions," Barnacle said. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Man Charged With Repeated Investment Policy Violations, Misconduct Resulting In Losses Of $1.6 Million</h2>



The SEC on Monday <a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-55">filed charges</a> against David Yow Shang Chiueh and his firm, Upright Financial Corp., for repeated misconduct and violations of investment policies. The charges stem from investing over 25% of Upright Growth Fund&#8217;s assets in a single company for several years, resulting in $1.6 million in losses.



Despite settling similar charges in November 2021, Chiueh and Upright allegedly continued to violate the 25% industry concentration limit and misrepresent their actions from Nov. 24, 2021, to June 23, 2024. The prolonged non-compliance led to significant financial losses for the fund and its investors.



The SEC&#8217;s complaint also alleges additional misconduct, including:



<ul>
<li>Operating the fund&#8217;s board without the required number of independent trustees</li>



<li>Misrepresenting a trustee&#8217;s independence in filings</li>



<li>Withholding crucial information from the board</li>



<li>Hiring an accountant without proper board approval</li>
</ul>



"As alleged, the defendants not only ran the fund contrary to its fundamental investment policies, but they actively misled investors and the fund's board about their conduct," said Corey Schuster, Chief of the Division of Enforcement's Asset Management Unit.&nbsp;



"Undeterred by their prior SEC settlement involving these very same issues, we allege that the defendants repeatedly violated fundamental rules designed to protect investors in mutual funds," Schuster added. 



Read More:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/03/44444175/trump-orders-steps-to-dismantle-department-of-education-what-it-means-for-student-loans">Trump Orders Steps To Dismantle Department Of Education: What It Means For Student Loans</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Financial Crime Weekly: Toyota Subsidiary To Pay Over $1.6 Billion For Emissions Fraud Scheme

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



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



Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44124338/exclusive-februarys-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-palantir-alibaba-nvidia-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: February's 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro – Where Do Tesla, Palantir, Alibaba, Nvidia Rank?</a>



Here&#8217;s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending March 21:



Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>): The apparel company saw strong interest from readers, which comes before the company's fourth-quarter financial results on Thursday March 27. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $3.57 billion, up from $3.21 billion in last year's fourth quarter. Lululemon has beaten revenue estimates in nine of the last 10 quarters. Analysts expect the company to report fourth-quarter earnings per share of $5.84, up from $5.29 in last year's fourth quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LULU/analyst-ratings">cut price targets</a> ahead of the quarter and investors remain cautious on the Canadian company with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43442219/why-beer-tequila-avocados-cars-iphone-prices-could-rise-trumps-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-china-to-hurt-several-sectors">concerns about tariffs. </a>Analysts and investors will be watching the earnings report closely to see if there are comments on tariffs and also if the company's international sales continue to grow. International revenue was up 33% year-over-year in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/buybacks/24/12/42352166/lululemon-q3-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-1b-buyback-increase-continued-momentum-across-international-markets">the third quarter.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175547/Screenshot-361.png" alt="" class="wp-image-836784" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175547/Screenshot-361.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175547/Screenshot-361-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175547/Screenshot-361-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



GE Aerospace (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>): The aerospace company saw shares trade higher on the week, helped possibly by some <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/03/44277627/ge-aerospace-doubles-down-on-us-manufacturing-with-1b-investment-details">recent contract awards</a>. GE Aerospace recently announced a US Air Force contract worth up to $5 billion for engines used on the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets. The company also recently announced plans to invest $1 billion in its U.S. manufacturing facilities to strengthen production, which could signal increased orders and growth opportunities.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="504" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175601/Screenshot-362.png" alt="" class="wp-image-836785" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175601/Screenshot-362.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175601/Screenshot-362-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175601/Screenshot-362-768x388.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Monolithic Power Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPWR#NASDAQ">MPWR</a>): The chipmaker saw strong interest during the week, which comes after the company hosted its analyst day and updated its guidance on Thursday. The company is <a href="https://www.monolithicpower.com/en/about-mps/investor-relations/press-releases.html?pressrelease=446">guiding </a>for first-quarter revenue to be in a range of $630 million to $640 million, up from a prior range of $610 million to $630 million. Analysts expect the company to post first-quarter revenue of $578.1 million. Analysts<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MPWR/analyst-ratings"> recently remained bullish</a> on the company with Buy ratings maintained. Shares were down on the week with a sharp drop during the week, before moving back up on Thursday and Friday.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="498" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175614/Screenshot-363.png" alt="" class="wp-image-836786" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175614/Screenshot-363.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175614/Screenshot-363-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175614/Screenshot-363-768x383.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>): The advertising tech company was one of the top-performing stocks in 2024 and shares are up over 300%<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/reiteration/25/03/44385398/applovin-the-best-performing-tech-stock-in-2024-is-down-40-over-the-past-month-whats-going-on"> in the last year</a>. Readers showed strong interest in the stock, which gained on the week and in recent weeks has posted gains after several short reports<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43981217/applovin-stock-drops-on-multiple-short-reports-allegations-of-copying-meta-creating-smoke-and-mirrors-game"> sent shares lower</a>. Strong fourth-quarter results helped the stock in February before shares dropped from the short reports. Needham analyst Bernie McTernan <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44361420/applovin-taps-into-retail-ad-market-but-growth-hinges-on-big-brand-adoption-analyst">reiterated a Hold rating</a> on the stock recently. McTernan researched APP's expansion beyond mobile gaming ads into other industries like ecommerce, apparel, and furniture.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175631/Screenshot-364.png" alt="" class="wp-image-836788" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175631/Screenshot-364.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175631/Screenshot-364-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175631/Screenshot-364-768x388.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>): The aerospace company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43900861/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-54">returns to the</a> Stock Whisper Index for the week. The company presented at a Bank of America conference where the CEO said they expect to see F-35 production static or increasing in the second half of the decade. The CEO also said they expect to see service volumes increase year-over-year over the next five to eight years. Howmet reported fourth-quarter financial results that topped analyst estimates in February and saw analysts raise <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HWM/analyst-ratings">their price targets</a> on the stock.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="497" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175644/Screenshot-365.png" alt="" class="wp-image-836789" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175644/Screenshot-365.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175644/Screenshot-365-300x149.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21175644/Screenshot-365-768x381.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week's report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/44053760/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-55" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">February 28</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44209284/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-56">March 7</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44333602/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">March 14 </a></li>
</ul>



Read Next:



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

Exclusives

LULU

MPWR

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

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



Markets ended the week mixed, with the S&amp;P 500 and Dow slipping while the Nasdaq notched a slight gain, buoyed by strength in tech. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) extended its losing streak to a ninth consecutive week despite a broad market rebound earlier.



Investors digested a Federal Reserve decision to hold rates steady, alongside revised projections showing slower GDP growth and higher inflation for 2024. Fed Chair Jerome Powell downplayed the impact of potential tariffs as "transitory."



Meanwhile, jobless claims remained steady, and traders weighed the likelihood of rate cuts later this year amid stubborn inflation and 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/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/03/44360400/legendary-trader-says-tesla-nvidia-apple-shares-are-ready-to-rally-i-see-what-i-like-to-see">"Legendary Trader Says Tesla, Nvidia, Apple Shares Are Ready To Rally: ‘I See What I Like To See'"</a>, by Shanthi Rexaline, reports that Larry Benedict sees bullish setups forming in Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) as technical indicators turn favorable.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/03/44423382/billionaire-stanley-druckenmiller-boosts-us-steel-stake-by-143-is-he-betting-on-merger">"Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller Boosts US Steel Stake By 143%—Is He Betting On Merger?"</a>, by Shanthi Rexaline, reveals that Stanley Druckenmiller more than doubled his position in United States Steel Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>) as the company's pending sale to Nippon Steel draws closer amid regulatory scrutiny.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44426552/buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-outpaces-sp-500-with-best-2-month-run-since-2010">"Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Outpaces S&amp;P 500 With Best 2-Month Run Since 2010"</a>, by Bibhu Pattnaik, highlights how Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) outperformed the broader market with a 16.4% surge, marking its strongest two-month performance in over a decade.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44367075/chinese-stocks-poised-for-best-quarter-vs-sp-500-since-2007-as-investors-bet-on-policy-turnaround">Chinese Stocks Poised For Best Quarter Vs. S&amp;P 500 Since 2007 As Investors Bet On Policy Turnaround</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/03/44379756/luminar-technologies-stock-continues-to-surge-whats-going-on">Luminar Technologies Stock Continues To Surge: What's Going On?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/03/44399812/tesla-analyst-turns-bullish-following-factory-visit-sees-multiple-catalysts-driving-ev-stock-to-425">Tesla Analyst Turns Bullish Following Factory Visit, Sees Multiple Catalysts Driving EV Stock To $425</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44423177/rivian-analyst-downgrades-stock-with-triple-whammy-of-policy-risk-no-catalysts-in-2025">"Rivian Analyst Downgrades Stock With ‘Triple Whammy' Of Policy Risk, No Catalysts In 2025"</a>, by Shanthi Rexaline, reports that Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) sank after a UBS analyst downgraded the stock, citing weak demand, policy headwinds and a lack of near-term growth catalysts.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/03/44425552/fedex-shares-fall-after-q3-earnings-miss-lower-fy25-revenue-forecast">"FedEx Shares Fall After Q3 Earnings Miss, Lower FY25 Revenue Forecast"</a>, by Shivani Kumaresan, reports that FedEx Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) tumbled after missing fiscal third-quarter earnings estimates and trimming its full-year revenue outlook amid continued demand weakness.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44364206/trump-media-technology-insiders-dump-shares">"Trump Media &amp; Technology Insiders Dump Shares"</a>, by Bibhu Pattnaik, reveals that insiders at Trump Media &amp; Technology Group, which plans to merge with Digital World Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DWAC#NASDAQ">DWAC</a>), have offloaded shares ahead of the company's anticipated public debut.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44433594/nio-misses-revenue-estimates-lowers-q1-forecast-amid-stronger-competition-in-ev-market">NIO Q4 Earnings: Revenue &amp; EPS Miss, 45% Delivery Growth, Margin Gains And More</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44357674/restaurant-sales-sink-recession-warning-or-just-weather-driven-dip">Restaurant Sales Sink: Recession Warning Or Just Weather-Driven Dip?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44395415/trump-administration-weighs-deep-cuts-to-domestic-hiv-prevention-programs-gilead-stock-slides">Trump Administration Weighs Deep Cuts To Domestic HIV Prevention Programs, Gilead Stock Slides</a>



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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

DWAC

RIVN

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Nvidia, FedEx — And The Market Digests The Fed's Rate Decision

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). From Google&#8217;s ambitious 100-day AI sprint to OpenAI&#8217;s legal troubles, Nvidia&#8217;s AI advancements, and concerns over an AI bubble, the industry has seen it all. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Google&#8217;s 100-Day AI Sprint



Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google took on a 100-day challenge to develop a rival to ChatGPT. The project, named Bard, was led by Sissie Hsiao, a Google veteran with over 16 years of experience. The team&#8217;s objective was to counter the rising popularity of OpenAI's ChatGPT.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44447804/a-peek-inside-googles-100-day-ai-sprint-how-gemini-went-from-generating-controversial-images-to-emerging-as-a-chatgpt-rival">Read the full article here.</a>



Legal Action Against OpenAI



A Norwegian man, Arve Hjalmar Holmen, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI led by Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT falsely accused him of murdering his children. The false claim was discovered when Holmen asked ChatGPT about himself.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44447760/sam-altman-led-openai-faces-legal-action-after-chatgpt-hallucination-claims-man-murdered-his-childrendigital-rights-group-says-it-violates-eu-law">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia&#8217;s Humanoid AI Brain



Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) unveiled Groot N1, a new foundation model for humanoid robots, at GTC 2025. The company&#8217;s CEO, Jensen Huang, believes this development in embodied AI could potentially fill a growing labor gap and become the largest industry.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44390580/nvidia-just-unveiled-a-humanoid-ai-brain-which-allows-robots-to-think-slow-jensen-huang-says-this-could-very-well-likely-be-the-largest-industry-of-all">Read the full article here.</a>



Nvidia and General Motors Partnership



Nvidia&#8217;s CEO, Jensen Huang, announced a partnership with General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) for its self-driving segment at the GPU Technology Conference (GTC). Huang declared that the era of autonomous vehicles has arrived.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44383445/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-announces-gm-partnership-the-time-for-autonomous-vehicles-has-arrived">Read the full article here.</a>



Concerns Over AI Bubble



The &#8216;Magnificent 7&#8217; companies, including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Amazon.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), are expected to spend over $330 billion on AI infrastructure in 2025. However, China's AI breakthrough, despite the chip shortage, could affect these targets, potentially impacting profitability.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44371661/ai-bubble-bursting-magnificent-7s-profit-margins-face-pressure-as-capital-spending-can-tumble-in-2025">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44447865/jamie-dimon-reveals-he-will-remain-jpmorgans-ceo-for-few-more-years-jokes-he-wont-swear-this-time">Jamie Dimon Reveals He Will Remain JPMorgan&#8217;s CEO For &#8216;Few More Years,&#8217; Jokes He Won&#8217;t Swear This Time</a></li>
</ul>



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>

AMZN

Google's AI Sprint, OpenAI Legal Drama, Nvidia's AI Innovations, And AI Bubble Concerns: This Week In Artificial Intelligence

The past week has been a rollercoaster for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), with the tech giant facing a series of challenges from internal turmoil to security oversights. The company&#8217;s stock has taken a hit, falling over 12% this year.



Amid these issues, CEO Tim Cook is reportedly making strategic changes to revive the struggling Siri assistant and catch up in the generative AI race.



Here&#8217;s a recap of the major stories that unfolded over the week.



Tim Cook Bets on Mike Rockwell to Revive Siri



Apple CEO Cook has reportedly reshuffled its AI leadership to revive the struggling Siri assistant. Mike Rockwell, the executive behind the Vision Pro headset, has been moved into a new leadership role overseeing Siri, pulling the virtual assistant out from under AI chief John Giannandrea&#8217;s control.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44429160/apple-stock-down-over-12-this-year-now-tim-cook-is-reportedly-betting-on-vision-pros-mike-rockwell-to-fix-siri-after-losing-confidence-in-ai-boss-john-giannandrea">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s Passwords App Exposes Users to Phishing Attacks



Security researchers found that the Passwords app introduced with Apple&#8217;s iOS 18 was using unencrypted HTTP connections, leaving users exposed to potential phishing attacks until a quiet fix was issued.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44390868/apples-new-passwords-app-left-users-exposed-to-phishing-attacks-for-months-due-to-serious-http-flaw-researchers-reveal">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s AI Crisis Peaks Ahead of Executive Retreat



Apple is reportedly entering its annual Top 100 executive retreat this week amidst mounting criticism over the company&#8217;s stalled artificial intelligence efforts.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44350512/apples-ai-crisis-reaches-boiling-point-ahead-of-top-100-executive-retreat-tim-cook-and-key-execs-called-out-over-siri-failure-by-top-analyst">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Struggles to Fix Siri&#8217;s AI Failures



Apple is reportedly facing internal turmoil as it struggles to fix major AI failures in Siri, with a top executive calling the delays ugly and embarrassing after the company prematurely marketed features that weren&#8217;t ready.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44345486/apple-scrambles-to-fix-siris-ugly-and-embarrassing-ai-failures-after-public-missteptop-executive-admits-marketing-it-too-soon-made-things-worse">Read the full article here.</a>



iPhone 16e Sales Surge, But China Sales Expected to Slide



Apple&#8217;s newly released iPhone 16e is off to a strong start, but analysts say it won&#8217;t be enough to offset the tech giant&#8217;s declining sales in China this year.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44345384/apples-new-iphone-16e-outsells-iphone-se-by-60-but-analysts-say-it-wont-stop-china-sales-from-sliding-in-2025">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44447865/jamie-dimon-reveals-he-will-remain-jpmorgans-ceo-for-few-more-years-jokes-he-wont-swear-this-time">Jamie Dimon Reveals He Will Remain JPMorgan&#8217;s CEO For &#8216;Few More Years,&#8217; Jokes He Won&#8217;t Swear This Time</a></li>
</ul>



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>

Apple's Siri AI Crisis, Security Flaws, And China Sales Woes: This Week In Appleverse

The cannabis industry saw major developments this week across regulation, corporate earnings and consumer trends. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) introduced a federal cannabis strategy while France moved to ban raw flower in medical cannabis sales. Uruguay made an unexpected regulatory appointment and Spain's top medical cannabis advocacy group shut down in protest of restrictive policies.



On the business side, High Tide reported record revenue but faced margin concerns, while SNDL reached break-even free cash flow despite weakness in its liquor segment. Charlotte's Web continued its mainstream retail expansion, while Agrify doubled down on THC beverages. Edible Brands launched Edibles.com, bringing its consumer trust into the hemp industry and Poseidon-backed Herb Haus prepared to open a social equity dispensary in New Jersey.



Consumer trends continued to shift, with three in four young adults now substituting cannabis for alcohol at least weekly. Meanwhile, Curaleaf and Fab 5 Freddy teamed up to train 175 new cannabis workers and Ted Cruz and Elon Musk stirred conversation with jokes about smoking weed on air.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regulatory And Policy Updates</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">CDC Unveils Federal Cannabis Strategy</h3>



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a cannabis strategic plan, outlining a public health approach to cannabis use in the U.S., as first reported by <a href="https://www.greenstate.com/news/cdc-cannabis-strategic-plan/">Green State&#8217;s Rachelle Gordon</a>. The plan highlights concerns over rising THC potency and increased cannabis consumption, while also acknowledging potential benefits.



The strategy focuses on monitoring trends, expanding research, supporting healthcare providers and increasing public awareness. The CDC will also examine cannabis use in key populations, including pregnant women, adolescents and workers in safety-sensitive jobs. While largely focused on risk management, the plan represents a shift toward a more research-driven federal stance on cannabis.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">France Proposes Medical Cannabis Rules, Excludes Raw Flower</h3>



France submitted its proposed medical cannabis regulations to the European Commission, favoring single-use cartridges while banning raw flower sales. The government argues that restricting flower will prevent overlap with recreational use, though critics note that Germany and the Netherlands allow vaporized flower for medical patients.



The regulation would allow tamper-proof cannabis cartridges for fast-acting relief while tightening controls on cultivation, import and distribution. The move places France among the most restrictive medical cannabis markets in Europe, contrasting with broader reforms elsewhere.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Uruguay Names New Cannabis Regulator In Unexpected Move</h3>



Uruguay appointed Martín Rodríguez as the new director of the Institute for Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA) after Daniel Radío declined the position, reported <a href="https://elplanteo.com/ircca-uruguay-nuevo-director/">El Planteo</a>. Rodríguez, who led IRCCA from 2015 to 2019, is seen as an industry insider with a track record in cannabis regulation.



The appointment shifts control to the ruling Frente Amplio party, raising speculation over potential regulatory changes. Uruguay's legal cannabis market has cut illicit trade by 50% and the new leadership could shape its next phase.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Spain's Leading Medical Cannabis Group Shuts Down</h3>



After a decade of advocacy, Spain's Observatorio Español del Cannabis Medicinal (OECM) announced its closure. Founder Carola Pérez blamed government inaction and restrictive policies, particularly the refusal to legalize raw flower or full-spectrum oils for patients.



While Spain grants cultivation licenses for export, domestic patients are limited to expensive pharmaceuticals like Sativex and Epidiolex. The OECM's closure is seen as a setback for patient access, even as the country finalizes long-awaited medical cannabis regulations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Returns To Chicago</h2>



The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is set to return to Chicago on June 8 to June 10, 2025, bringing together top investors, executives and industry leaders. The event will feature exclusive networking opportunities, market insights and discussions on the future of cannabis investing and business strategy. Attendees will hear directly from some of the most influential voices shaping the cannabis landscape. For more details and registration, visit <a href="https://www.bzcannabis.com/">bzcannabis.com</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market And Earnings Updates</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">High Tide Reports Record Revenue But Faces Margin Pressure</h3>



High Tide (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HITI#NASDAQ">HITI</a>) reported CA$142.46 million ($99.76 million) in first-quarter revenue, an 11% increase year-over-year. The company now has 5.66 million Cabana Club members, including 85,500 paying Elite members, up 13% quarter-over-quarter.



Despite revenue growth, gross margins fell to 24.9%, the lowest in company history, prompting Beacon Securities to lower its 12-month price target from CA$6.25 to CA$5.75 despite maintaining a &#8220;Buy&#8221; rating. Management expects margins to stabilize as the company expands its Canna Cabana store count, with plans to open between 20 and 30 locations in 2025.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">SNDL Achieves Break-Even Free Cash Flow Amid Cannabis Growth</h3>



SNDL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNDL#NASDAQ">SNDL</a>) posted fourth-quarter revenue of CA$257.68 million, up 3.7% year-over-year, exceeding analysts&#8217; estimates of CA$248.10 million. Full-year revenue reached CA$920.4 million, a 1.3% increase from 2023.



The company's cannabis operations saw a 42.4% sales jump, driven by provincial board and business-to-business distribution. However, SNDL's liquor retail segment struggled, with sales down 3.4% year-over-year. Same-store sales in the cannabis segment rose 6.3% in the quarter and 3.5% for the year.



Despite a fourth-quarter operating loss of CA$76.1 million, SNDL achieved positive free cash flow of CA$11.6 million in the quarter and CA$8.9 million for the full year. CEO Zach George noted that the company exceeded its commitment to reaching break-even free cash flow while continuing to invest in expansion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Industry And Business Developments</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Edible Brands Enters The Hemp Market With Edibles.com</h3>



Edible Brands, the parent company of Edible Arrangements, launched Edibles.com, an e-commerce marketplace focused on hemp-derived products. The platform, led by former Theory Wellness CMO Thomas Winstanley, aims to bring Edible Brands&#8217; reputation for quality to the fast-growing hemp industry.



The platform launched in Texas on March 20 and plans rapid expansion into Florida and Georgia. Select products will be available for nationwide shipping where legally permitted.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Poseidon Backs New Jersey Social Equity Dispensary</h3>



Poseidon Investment Management has financed Herb Haus, a social equity dispensary in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The dispensary is strategically located near MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Sports Complex, aiming to serve a high-traffic customer base.



Founder Joe Kanegieser secured a social equity license and was selected for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority&#8217;s Cannabis Equity Grant Program. With New Jersey's cannabis sales growing 25% in 2024, Herb Haus is positioned for success in the state's expanding market.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Trends And Cultural Shifts</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Young Adults Increasingly Replacing Alcohol With Cannabis</h3>



A Bloomberg Intelligence report found that 74% of consumers aged 18-24 substitute cannabis for alcohol at least weekly. The trend is reshaping the beverage industry, with major cannabis operators like Trulieve and Curaleaf expanding THC-infused drink offerings.



A YouGov poll reinforced the shift, showing that a majority of Americans now believe regular alcohol consumption is more harmful than cannabis use.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fab 5 Freddy, B-Noble And Curaleaf Support Free Cannabis Job Training</h3>



Curaleaf (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CURLF#OTC">CURLF</a>) partnered with Green Book Academy and B-Noble to train 175 aspiring cannabis workers free of charge. The program provided hands-on training, resume workshops and industry networking. Hip-hop legend Fab 5 Freddy made a surprise appearance, emphasizing the importance of education in cannabis career development.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Elon Musk And Ted Cruz Joke About Smoking Weed On Air</h3>



During a recent podcast, Ted Cruz and Elon Musk joked about smoking cannabis live, referencing Musk's infamous 2018 interview with Joe Rogan. The exchange, reported on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44427511/elon-musk-ted-cruz-joke-about-cannabis-on-podcast-should-i-pull-out-a-joint-to-boost-ratings">Benzinga</a>, reignited conversations about cannabis normalization in politics and business.



With 4/20 approaching, industry watchers are speculating whether Musk will once again make headlines around the topic.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grassland Movie Spotlights Cannabis Incarceration</h3>



Grassland, a new social justice drama, is now available for pre-order on Apple TV. Starring Mía Maestro, Quincy Isaiah, Jeff Kober and Ravi Cabot-Conyers, the film explores the human impact of cannabis incarceration in the U.S. during the 2008 economic recession.



The story follows a single mother running an illegal cannabis business to support her family, only to face potential exposure when her son befriends the new neighbors—including a police officer. The film's official trailer has just dropped, offering a gripping look at the challenges of cannabis criminalization.



Stay tuned for more <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/cannabis">cannabis news</a> on Benzinga.

Cannabis

Earnings

Latin America

Eurozone

AGFY

CURLF

CWBHF

GTBIF

HITI

SNDL

This Week In Cannabis: The CDC's Federal Weed Strategy, Edible Arrangements' New Biz, Global News, Earnings, Musk And More

The past week in the world of cryptocurrency was nothing short of eventful. From&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;advocating for stablecoin legislation to&nbsp;Peter Schiff&nbsp;slamming the strategic Bitcoin reserve, the crypto market was abuzz with activity.



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



Trump Calls For Stablecoin Legislation



In his address at the Blockworks Digital Asset Summit, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass legislation for stablecoins. Trump emphasized the potential of stablecoins to enhance the U.S. financial system and maintain the dollar&#8217;s global dominance. This marked his first address at a crypto conference as a sitting president.



<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44420122/donald-trump-calls-for-stablecoin-legislation-lauds-bitcoin-reserve-biden-got-a-fraction-of-their-value">Read the full article here.</a>



Schiff Slams Strategic Bitcoin Reserve



Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff warned that the strategic Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reserve is a tool to trick Americans into speculative losses. Schiff predicted that more Americans will lose money in crypto under Trump&#8217;s influence than in any other speculative mania in history.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44423999/peter-schiff-says-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-is-a-scam-to-lure-americans-into-buying-more-crypto">Read the full article here.</a>



Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44201364/peter-schiff-blasts-government-crypto-investments-as-waste-of-resources" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Schiff Blasts Government Crypto Investments As ‘Waste of Resources'</a>



Bitcoin Prices And The Potential Ukraine Ceasefire



As U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for a much-anticipated phone call, Bitcoin&#8217;s price action remains closely tied to the outcome of a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. According to Polymarket data, a ceasefire in Ukraine has a 61% chance of being announced until July.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44379524/what-will-happen-to-bitcoin-prices-if-donald-trump-and-vladimir-putin-agree-on-a-ceasefire-in-ukraine">Read the full article here.</a>



MSTR&#8217;s Novel Strategy For Bitcoin Exposure



Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), formerly MicroStrategy, has been helping bond managers outperform with its novel strategy of issuing 0% convertible bonds to acquire more Bitcoin. Tom Lee, the CIO at Fundstrat Capital, believes this strategy has great potential for future upside.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44375602/michael-saylors-mstr-provides-bitcoin-exposure-to-bondholders-with-its-novel-strategy-tom-lee-says-its-helping-bond-managers-outperform-the-market">Read the full article here.</a>



Schiff Criticizes Bitcoin ETFs



Peter Schiff once again criticized Bitcoin and extolled the benefits of gold. Schiff highlighted that gold prices have surged past $3,000 as foreign central banks continue selling U.S. dollars to accumulate gold, weakening the U.S. dollar and boosting foreign stock markets.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363871/peter-schiff-slams-bitcoin-etfs-calls-selling-gold-for-btc-worst-timed-trade-in-history">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44157760/peter-schiff-predicts-a-bitcoin-strategic-reserve-will-accelerate-dollars-demise-the-ultimate-winner-will-be-gold" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Schiff Predicts A Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Will ‘Accelerate' Dollar's Demise: ‘Ultimate Winner Will Be Gold'</a></li>
</ul>



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/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

MSTR

Trump's Crypto Call, Peter Schiff's Bitcoin Warning, MSTR's Novel Strategy, And More: This Week In Crypto

The U.S. Commerce Department has reportedly banned&nbsp;Chinese artificial intelligence&nbsp;model&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44368717/chinas-deepseek-sparks-national-security-alarm-do-not-download-view-access-any-applications" rel="noreferrer noopener">DeepSeek</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44368717/chinas-deepseek-sparks-national-security-alarm-do-not-download-view-access-any-applications" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;on government devices</a>.



Technology



Google parent&nbsp;Alphabet Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) inked an agreement to&nbsp;acquire&nbsp;cloud security firm&nbsp;Wiz&nbsp;for<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44376743/google-parent-alphabet-to-acquire-wiz-in-32-billion-deal-its-biggest-bet-yet" rel="noreferrer noopener"> $32 billion in an all-cash deal</a>.



Young Liu, the CEO of&nbsp;Foxconn (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXCOF#OTC">FXCOF</a>), also known as&nbsp;Hon Hai Technology, has publicly criticized President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;tariff policy, warning it&#8217;s creating chaos for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44349466/trump-trade-policy-a-big-headache-for-customers-says-apple-supplier-foxconns-ceo-very-very-hard-to-predict-how-things-will-develop" rel="noreferrer noopener">tech giants like </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44349466/trump-trade-policy-a-big-headache-for-customers-says-apple-supplier-foxconns-ceo-very-very-hard-to-predict-how-things-will-develop" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44349466/trump-trade-policy-a-big-headache-for-customers-says-apple-supplier-foxconns-ceo-very-very-hard-to-predict-how-things-will-develop" rel="noreferrer noopener">and </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44349466/trump-trade-policy-a-big-headache-for-customers-says-apple-supplier-foxconns-ceo-very-very-hard-to-predict-how-things-will-develop" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon.com, Inc</a>.&nbsp;



As the AI race intensifies,&nbsp;Baidu, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) has positioned itself as a serious contender by launching two new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44349635/baidu-says-its-new-ai-is-smarter-than-deepseeks-and-costs-half-as-much-excellent-multimodal-understanding-ability" rel="noreferrer noopener">models it says rival top competitors</a>.



Once a&nbsp;potential acquisition target&nbsp;for&nbsp;Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>),&nbsp;iRobot Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IRBT#NASDAQ">IRBT</a>) — the maker of&nbsp;Roomba&nbsp;— is now playing catch-up to hold <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44349807/amazon-pursued-roomba-parent-once-but-now-the-companys-robot-vacuums-face-heat-from-chinese-rivals" rel="noreferrer noopener">its ground against Chinese competitors</a>.



On The Late Show with&nbsp;Stephen Colbert,&nbsp;LinkedIn&nbsp;co-founder and tech entrepreneur&nbsp;Reid Hoffman&nbsp;voiced concern about&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8217;s&nbsp;growing influence over&nbsp;U.S. government operations, warning that treating public service like a startup <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44369839/linkedin-co-founder-reid-hoffman-tells-stephen-colbert-why-elon-musk-running-the-doge-department-like-a-business-should-worry-us-all-government-and-companies-are-not-the-same" rel="noreferrer noopener">could come with serious consequences</a>.



Just days ahead of its expected unveiling,&nbsp;Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)&nbsp;subsidiary&nbsp;Google's Pixel 9a&nbsp;has appeared in full in hands-on video reviews, revealing the budget phone&#8217;s refreshed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44372020/google-pixel-9a-fully-leaks-in-hands-on-videos-before-launchflat-design-48mp-camera-and-5100mah-battery-revealed" rel="noreferrer noopener">design and upgraded specs</a>.



SoundHound AI, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>) is presenting its conversational AI voice technology this week at the 2025 NVIDIA GPU Technology <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/03/44380519/soundhound-ai-at-2025-nvidia-gpu-technology-conference-in-car-voice-commerce-ecosystem-a-game-changer-for-automotivetech" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conference (GTC) in&nbsp;San Jose, California</a>.&nbsp;



A&nbsp;new memoir by a former&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) executive reveals how&nbsp;Facebook's massive campaign to promote Free Basics in India was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44351682/meta-whistleblower-reveals-how-a-low-ranking-indian-official-outsmarted-mark-zuckerberg-and-crushed-facebooks-free-basics-with-one-single-click" rel="noreferrer noopener">ultimately undone by a single click</a>.



A renowned industry analyst has said that&nbsp;Nvidia Corp.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) GTC 2025 conference&nbsp;could serve as a key turning point for its stock—but only if the company tackles investor concerns around its next-gen AI chips, server <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44352209/gtc-2025-could-reignite-nvidias-stock-rally-but-only-if-b300-ai-server-roadmap-and-scaling-concerns-are-addressed-says-top-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">production, and the future of scaling laws</a>.



Nvidia is betting big on embodied AI, with a generalist robot brain that mimics human cognition and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44390580/nvidia-just-unveiled-a-humanoid-ai-brain-which-allows-robots-to-think-slow-jensen-huang-says-this-could-very-well-likely-be-the-largest-industry-of-all" rel="noreferrer noopener">could help fill a growing labor gap</a>.



Nvidia just landed another heavyweight deal—this time with&nbsp;General Motors Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>)—and it&#8217;s one that could shake <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/03/44399929/how-the-nvidia-gm-partnership-could-challenge-tesla-boost-uber" rel="noreferrer noopener">up&nbsp;the autonomous driving race.</a>



At the GTC 2025 conference in San Jose,&nbsp;Nvidia announced that the company&#8217;s newly released open-source software,&nbsp;Dynamo, can make China&#8217;s&nbsp;DeepSeek R1&nbsp;AI model 30 times faster <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44393971/nvidia-says-dynamo-can-make-deepseek-r1-30x-faster-with-blackwell-months-after-the-ai-model-sparked-selloff-leading-to-a-600-billion-drop-in-its-market-cap" rel="noreferrer noopener">when run on its latest&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44393971/nvidia-says-dynamo-can-make-deepseek-r1-30x-faster-with-blackwell-months-after-the-ai-model-sparked-selloff-leading-to-a-600-billion-drop-in-its-market-cap" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackwell GPU</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44393971/nvidia-says-dynamo-can-make-deepseek-r1-30x-faster-with-blackwell-months-after-the-ai-model-sparked-selloff-leading-to-a-600-billion-drop-in-its-market-cap" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;chips</a>.



Nvidia Corporation&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Jensen Huang&nbsp;dismissed reports that the company is involved in any&nbsp;negotiations to take over&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44409577/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-shuts-down-rumors-of-intel-foundry-takeover-nobodys-invited-us-to-a-consortium" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intel Corp's</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44409577/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-shuts-down-rumors-of-intel-foundry-takeover-nobodys-invited-us-to-a-consortium" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) foundry operations</a>.



Short seller The Bear Cave has taken a swipe at Ibotta Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBTA#NYSE">IBTA</a>) in a new report highlighting slowing growth and collapsing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44420450/short-seller-says-ibotta-is-a-broken-business-bound-for-lower-share-prices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">customer and employee relationships</a>.



Smartphones/Electronics



Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly entering its annual Top 100 executive retreat this week. This comes amid&nbsp;mounting criticism over&nbsp;the company&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44350512/apples-ai-crisis-reaches-boiling-point-ahead-of-top-100-executive-retreat-tim-cook-and-key-execs-called-out-over-siri-failure-by-top-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">stalled artificial intelligence efforts</a>.



Security researchers found that the&nbsp;Passwords&nbsp;app introduced with&nbsp;Apple&#8217;s iOS 18&nbsp;was using unencrypted HTTP connections, exposing users to potential phishing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44390868/apples-new-passwords-app-left-users-exposed-to-phishing-attacks-for-months-due-to-serious-http-flaw-researchers-reveal" rel="noreferrer noopener">attacks until a quiet fix was issued</a>.



Eric Migicovsky, the creator of the original&nbsp;Pebble&nbsp;smartwatch, has said&nbsp;Apple&#8217;s&nbsp;iOS&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;stifle innovation&nbsp;and make building third-<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44411733/pebble-founder-echoes-mark-zuckerbergs-concerns-slams-apple-for-making-it-nearly-impossible-to-build-smartwatches-that-work-with-iphone" rel="noreferrer noopener">party wearables a painful uphill battle</a>.



After months of investor frustration,&nbsp;Samsung Electronics Co.&#8217;s&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) leadership is once&nbsp;again on the defensive—this time pledging bold moves to recover <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/03/44390468/samsung-apologizes-yet-again-for-ai-missteps-promises-major-deals-as-shareholders-fume-over-plunging-stock-our-company-failed-to" rel="noreferrer noopener">lost ground in AI and chip dominance</a>.



Qualcomm&nbsp;Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) has launched three new Snapdragon G-series platforms designed to elevate handheld gaming <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44392577/qualcomm-makes-a-renewed-push-into-handheld-gaming-unveils-3-new-snapdragon-g-series-gaming-chipsets" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences across various platforms</a>.



Artificial Intelligence (AI)



A new study suggests artificial intelligence has officially passed the meme Turing Test, with large language models now generating memes rated funnier <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44369538/ai-just-passed-the-meme-turing-test-study-finds-llms-now-create-funnier-memes-than-most-humans" rel="noreferrer noopener">than those created by the average human</a>.



A blockchain project backed by&nbsp;Sam Altman&nbsp;is working to fight off AI bots in video games, one of the latest news pieces since the company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/25/03/44387858/sam-altman-wants-to-get-rid-of-ai-bots-in-video-games-heres-the-why-and-how" rel="noreferrer noopener">rebranded from&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/25/03/44387858/sam-altman-wants-to-get-rid-of-ai-bots-in-video-games-heres-the-why-and-how" rel="noreferrer noopener">Worldcoin&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/25/03/44387858/sam-altman-wants-to-get-rid-of-ai-bots-in-video-games-heres-the-why-and-how" rel="noreferrer noopener">to&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/25/03/44387858/sam-altman-wants-to-get-rid-of-ai-bots-in-video-games-heres-the-why-and-how" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Inc.</a>



Andrej Karpathy, the former&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;autopilot head&nbsp;and an ex-OpenAI&nbsp;researcher has outlined practical steps to improve digital privacy and security, offering a clear roadmap for anyone looking to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44391397/former-tesla-autopilot-head-shares-ultimate-digital-hygiene-tips-and-tricks-andrej-karpathys-no-brainer-guide-to-safe-and-private-computing" rel="noreferrer noopener">protect their online identity better</a>.

BIDU

FXCOF

IBTA

INTC

IRBT

QCOM

SOUN

SSNLF

Consumer Tech News (Mar 17-Mar 21): Google To Acquire Wiz, US Bans DeepSeek, Nvidia Does Big Revealation At GTC 2025 Event & More

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



<ol>
<li>Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALNY#NASDAQ">ALNY</a>) shares upped 17.20% after the company secured FDA approval of sNDA for its RNAi therapeutic, AMVUTTRA, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44436749" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for the treatment of ATTR-CM in adults</a>.</li>



<li>Roku Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>) stock surged 15.51% after the announcement that Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) launched its Truth+ <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44405898" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">streaming app on the Roku platform</a>.</li>



<li>Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) stock upped 13.05% after Compass Point initiated coverage with a Buy rating and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/hood/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> announced a price forecast of $61</a>.</li>



<li>Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESLT#NASDAQ">ESLT</a>) shares increased 11.72% after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2024 results and raised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44376371" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quarterly dividend to $0.60/share</a>.</li>



<li>Boeing Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) shares grew 10.07% after President Trump awarded the company a next-generation fighter jet contract.</li>



<li>AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AU#NYSE">AU</a>) shares upped 10.05%, probably due to strength in gold and silver. Gold reached an all-time high.</li>



<li>Shopify Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NYSE">SHOP</a>) shares were up 9.87%, driven by overall market strength following the Federal Reserve's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44406912" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decision to hold interest rates steady</a>.</li>



<li>Southwest Airlines Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>) stock was up 9.77%. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44417227" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raised the price forecast</a>.</li>



<li>Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MUFG#NYSE">MUFG</a>) stock rose 9.66%, probably due to sympathy with the overall market sentiment after the Fed policy decision to keep rates unchanged.</li>



<li>Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUOL#NASDAQ">DUOL</a>) stock gained 9.09% last week. Citizens Capital Markets <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DUOL/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">upgraded the stock</a> to Market Outperform with a $400 price forecast.</li>
</ol>



Image via Shutterstock

ALNY

DUOL

ESLT

HOOD

MUFG

ROKU

SHOP

Robinhood, Roku And Shopify Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Mar 17-Mar 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

For the first time in five years, Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is no longer Elon Musk's most valuable asset. After months of stock declines, his stake in SpaceX has officially overtaken Tesla in his portfolio.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tesla's Stock Collapse</h2>



Tesla's stock has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44321998/why-ross-gerber-finds-tesla-stock-expensive-despite-its-50-plunge-fundamental-story-has-to-be-revalued">plummeted over 50% since December</a>, causing the company to lose $800 billion in market value. That drop has also knocked roughly $100 billion off Musk's net worth, though he remains the world's richest person, with a fortune estimated at $329 billion by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattdurot/2025/03/18/tesla-is-no-longer-elon-musks-most-valuable-asset/">Forbes</a>.



Don't Miss:



<ul>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>



<li>This startup is on the brink of a huge disruption to a $654 billion industry – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/venhub-adv">invest in it for under $10 before it's too late</a>.</li>
</ul>



Tesla's struggles began in early January after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42766117/tesla-stock-tumbles-on-q4-deliveries-whats-going-on">weak vehicle deliveries</a> for the fourth quarter of 2024. Things got worse when Musk took over the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump. Investors worried about his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44140016/tesla-stock-is-tumbling-and-dave-portnoy-is-calling-out-elon-musk-how-far-does-tsla-stock-have-to-crash-before-elon-goes-back-to-work">ability to manage Tesla</a> while overseeing <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44336869/this-is-how-recessions-start-mark-cuban-says-elon-musks-ready-fire-aim-reckless-approach-is-no-way-to-govern-and-could-tank-e">massive government budget cuts</a>, which sent Tesla shares into a free fall.



Wall Street hasn't been kind. According to the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/2f48ad1b-627d-4ab0-8358-fb45e642a9fe">Financial Times</a>, short sellers have made over $16 billion betting against Tesla in the last three months, and some analysts have downgraded their global delivery forecasts to the lowest levels since 2022.



Trending: This platform is reshaping how you invest in private companies —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/kingscrowd-adv"> and you can be a part of it for $0.18 per share</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Executives Cashing Out</h2>



Several top Tesla executives and board members have been selling their stock:



<ul>
<li>James Murdoch (Rupert Murdoch&#8217;s son and board member) sold $13 million in shares on March 10, coinciding with Tesla's worst single-day decline in five years.</li>



<li>Robyn Denholm (chair) has offloaded $75 million in shares over the past five weeks.</li>



<li>Kimbal Musk (Elon Musk's brother and board member) sold 75,000 shares valued at $27 million.</li>



<li>Vaibhav Taneja (CFO) has sold over $5 million in shares in recent weeks.</li>
</ul>



While some argue that these sales are just smart portfolio management, others say it reflects concerns about Tesla's future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Musk's New Top Asset</h2>



With Tesla tumbling, Musk's 42% stake in SpaceX is now worth $147 billion — nearly $20 billion more than his Tesla holdings. The space company has been thriving, with 2024 revenue jumping 51% to $13.1 billion, according to industry analysts Payload Space, largely driven by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/42761808/spacex-says-starlink-now-has-over-4-6-million-customers-1-6-million-new-users-added-in-7-months">rapid growth of Starlink</a>.



See Also: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv">here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tesla Faces Political and Public Backlash</h2>



Musk's political involvement has also sparked <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44135841/elon-musk-slams-attacks-on-tesla-vehicles-after-incident-in-brookline-vandalism-is-not-free-speech">protests at Tesla dealerships</a> across the U.S., with critics calling out his close ties to Trump. Some liberal Tesla customers have walked away from the brand, while ongoing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44408147/kevin-oleary-says-nobody-likes-volatility-but-investors-must-hold-their-nose-and-buy-when-theres-blood-in-the-streets">tariff concerns</a> under Trump's economic policies have added more uncertainty.



Meanwhile, Tesla has also been targeted by vandalism and violence. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03-FBV1T1Lc">Speaking</a> to Fox News' Sean Hannity, Musk admitted he was shocked by the attacks, saying, &#8220;There is this level of hatred and violence from the left. I always thought that Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy and caring, and yet they are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44394560/elon-musks-tesla-targeted-with-arson-attacks-in-las-vegas-kansas-city-report">burning down cars</a>, firebombing dealerships, and firing bullets into dealerships.&#8221;



Hannity supported Musk, saying, &#8220;We need to get these people that are responsible for this, and you should not have to live through that. Your workers should not have to live through that, and this company and country should not have to live through that.&#8221;



Trump has vowed to classify these attacks as domestic terrorism, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ov5kPrT1gc">saying</a>, &#8220;I will do that. I&#8217;m going to stop them. Because they are harming a great American company.&#8221;



Musk has admitted that balancing Tesla, SpaceX, DOGE, and his other ventures has been a struggle. Despite Tesla's troubles, Musk remains optimistic about the company's future. In a recent <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1899202765781450951">post</a> on X, he assured followers that Tesla will &#8220;be fine long-term.&#8221;



Read Next:



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<li>The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a></li>



<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
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Tesla Stock Has Tanked So Hard That It's No Longer Elon Musk's Biggest Asset—'You Should Not Have To Live Through That'

A senior White House official&nbsp;has hinted at the possibility of the U.S. utilizing its gold reserves to acquire more Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).



What Happened: Bo Hines, the executive director of the President&#8217;s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, suggested in an interview that the U.S. could capitalize on the gains from its gold holdings to purchase more Bitcoin.



This move, according to Hines, could&nbsp;be a budget-neutral way to&nbsp;increase the country&#8217;s Bitcoin reserves.



Hines referenced the Bitcoin Act of 2025, proposed by Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), which advocates for the US to acquire 1 million Bitcoin, approximately 5% of the total Bitcoin supply, over a span of five years. This acquisition would be funded through the sale of Federal Reserve gold certificates.



<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">Executive Director of the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a> crypto working group <a href="https://twitter.com/BoHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoHines</a> talks <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>, ways to buy more of it and the thinking behind including <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24XRP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$XRP</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ADA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ADA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24SOL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$SOL</a> in the separate stockpile. <a href="https://t.co/dBe1trxAAH">https://t.co/dBe1trxAAH</a> <a href="https://t.co/mz5Y5p4HgB">pic.twitter.com/mz5Y5p4HgB</a>&mdash; Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) <a href="https://twitter.com/EleanorTerrett/status/1903086384824389902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



"If we actually realize the gains on the U.S. gold holdings, that would be a budget-neutral way to acquire more bitcoin," Hines said adding that there's been "countless ideas" and the &#8220;best ideas" will be enacted by President Donald Trump.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44065886/trumps-tariffs-blamed-for-1-trillion-crypto-market-crash-is-crypto-president-era-over-already">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Blamed for $1 Trillion Crypto Market Crash — Is &#8216;Crypto President&#8217; Era Over Already?</a>



President Trump, in a pre-recorded message, expressed his commitment to making the US the leading Bitcoin superpower and the global hub for cryptocurrency. 



"It's high time that our president started accumulating assets for the American people, which is what president Trump is doing rather than taking it away," Hines added. 



Despite recent market stagnation due to macroeconomic factors, Trump&#8217;s pledge has instilled confidence in the market.



Why It Matters: The potential use of US gold reserves to purchase Bitcoin signifies a major shift in the country&#8217;s approach to digital assets. 



The Bitcoin Act of 2025, if passed, could significantly increase the US&#8217;s stake in the global Bitcoin market. This move, coupled with President Trump&#8217;s commitment to crypto, could position the US as a leading player in the global crypto market, potentially influencing Bitcoin&#8217;s price and market dynamics.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43579082/think-tank-calls-for-doj-probe-into-trump-meme-coin-over-possible-anti-bribery-violations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Think Tank Calls for DOJ Probe Into TRUMP Meme Coin Over Possible Anti-Bribery Violations</a>



Image: Shutterstock

White House Says Gold Reserves May Be Used to Purchase Bitcoin

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44346708/charlie-munger-called-elon-musk-a-certified-genius-who-exaggerates-his-iq-but-warned-never-underestimate-the-man-who-overestimates-himself">Charlie Munger</a> never believed in selling people dreams, and when a 20-year-old from India asked him for investing advice at the Daily Journal (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJCO#NYSE">DJCO</a>) annual meeting in 2015, he didn't sugarcoat a thing. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/phildemuth/2015/04/13/charlie-mungers-2015-daily-journal-annual-meeting-part-2/">Forbes transcribed</a> the exchange, capturing Munger's brutally honest response.



The question was simple: "What is your advice to a 20-year-old individual who wants to achieve financial freedom through investing?"



Munger's answer? That used to be doable—but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44065682/charlie-munger-shared-advice-for-the-young-but-it-applies-to-all-if-youve-got-anything-you-really-want-to-do-dont-wait-until-youre-93">for young investors today</a>, the road to riches through investing is a lot rougher.



Don't Miss:



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<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>



<li>This startup is on the brink of a huge disruption to a $654 billion industry – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/venhub-adv">invest in it for under $10 before it's too late</a>.</li>
</ul>



"Achieving success through investments has been pretty easy in my lifetime," Munger said. He explained that if an investor was "rational and disciplined," the stock market gave them a built-in tailwind, averaging around 10% per year before taxes. That alone, combined with smart saving and living below your means, "was enough to take care of you."



But then came the reality check.



"Now, if the world is going to get 10% out of indexes in the future, and I don't think it will, in real terms, getting more has proven to be quite difficult," Munger warned. "Some of you who come along later are finding that if you stay in the big stocks, it's damn near impossible for most people."



And then, the gut punch: "When things are damn near impossible, maybe you could stop trying."



That was 2015. Now, in 2025, the market is proving him right.



Trending: This platform is reshaping how you invest in private companies —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/kingscrowd-adv"> and you can be a part of it for $0.18 per share</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Market Has Changed—Just Like Munger Predicted</h2>



The S&amp;P 500 pulled off over 20% gains in 2023 and 2024, but things aren't looking so bright this year. The Magnificent Seven—Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), and the rest of the tech giants—have lost nearly 15%, taking much of the broader market down with them. Investors who thought they could ride big-name stocks to easy riches? They're learning the hard way that the game has changed.



Companies like Tencent are throwing billions into artificial intelligence, but AI-driven investing tools are becoming so common that any advantage they once offered is slipping away. Investors looking for a shortcut to wealth are running into the same problem Munger described: it's damn near impossible for most people to outperform the market now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">That $10 Million Advice—And Who Actually Said It</h2>



One of the most memorable moments of the 2015 meeting came when Daily Journal CEO Gerry Salzman joked, "Charlie says the way to get rich is to keep $10 million in your checking account in case a good deal comes along."



The room laughed, but Munger was quick to clarify: that wasn't his advice—it was actually real estate mogul Howard Ahmanson's line to a bunch of young and starving college grads . Then he added his own signature commentary, "rich people sometimes get a little pompous."



For most people, keeping $10 million liquid isn't exactly an option, but Munger's real point was about being prepared. If you want to take advantage of real opportunities, you need money on hand.



See Also: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv">here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Munger's Final Take—And Why It Still Matters</h2>



Munger <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43759618/charlie-munger-said-the-hardest-part-of-getting-rich-is-the-first-100000-but-from-there-it-snowballs-and-you-can-ease-off-the-gas">never promised an easy path to wealth</a>. In fact, he spent decades trying to steer people away from thinking there was a simple formula. And in 2025, his warning is proving more accurate than ever.



The stock market isn't handing out easy money. AI investing isn't a magic trick. And the best opportunities still go to those who are disciplined, patient, and have the capital to act when the time is right.



As Munger put it, if something's "damn near impossible," stop wasting time chasing it. The real key to wealth is to be smart, be prepared, and most importantly—don't be delusional.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li>The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a></li>



<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

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