Ultime notizie per Phio Pharma (NASDAQ:PHIO) Azioni

Phio Pharma

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp is a clinical-stage biotechnology company whose proprietary INTASYL self-delivering RNAi technology platform is designed to make immune cells more effective in killing tumor cells. The Company is developing therapeutics that are designed to leverage INTASYL to precisely target specific proteins that reduce the body's ability to fight cancer, without the need for specialized formulations or drug delivery systems.

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. - Common Stock

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp

News

Guidance

HOFT

Hooker Furnishings Announces Additional Annualized Cost Savings Of $8M - $10M In FY26

Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded SpaceX and Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk, drawing a comparison between him and Sergei Korolev, the architect of the Soviet Union&#8217;s space victories in the mid-20th century.
What Happened: Putin praised Musk while discussing Russia&#8217;s space policy with students. He drew an analogy between Musk and&nbsp;Sergei Korolev, the chief engineer&nbsp;behind the Soviet Union&#8217;s first manned spaceflight in 1961, reported Reuters.
Putin was <a href="https://tass.com/politics/1944627">quoted </a>by TASS, the state news agency, as saying, &#8220;You know, there&#8217;s&nbsp;a person who lives in&nbsp;the States, you could say&nbsp;that he&#8217;s absolutely crazy about Mars.&#8221; He went on to add, &#8220;Such&nbsp;people rarely appear in the&nbsp;human population, charged with a&nbsp;certain idea. Even though it&nbsp;may seem incredible to me&nbsp;today, after a time such&nbsp;ideas are often realized.&#8221;
This isn&#8217;t the first instance of Putin expressing admiration for Musk, the founder of space technology firm SpaceX. He has previously referred to Musk as &#8220;an outstanding person.&#8221;
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44855242/charlie-munger-once-highlighted-how-warren-buffetts-lifelong-learning-made-berkshire-hathaways-success-possible-and-the-crucial-lesson-you-can-take-from-it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlie Munger Once Said Warren Buffett Is A &#8216;Learning Machine&#8217; And That&#8217;s What Lies Beneath Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s Success From One Decade To Another &#8211; Benzinga</a>
Why It Matters: Notably, <a href="https://benzinga.com/general/space/24/10/41555246/elon-musks-chats-with-vladimir-putin-make-washington-squirm-tesla-ceo-says-top-secret-security-clea">as per a Wall Street Journal report in October</a>, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed concern over reports of suspected conversations between Elon Musk and Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, &#8220;If the story is true&#8230; then I think that would be concerning, particularly for NASA, for the Department of Defense, for some of the intelligence agencies." SpaceX, which holds numerous high-value government contracts, is the main rocket launch partner for both NASA and the Pentagon.
Meanwhile, Musk, a key advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, has <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=musk+ukraine+benzinga&amp;rlz=1C5CHFA_enIN1085IN1086&amp;oq=musk+ukraine+benzinga&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg8MgYIAhBFGDzSAQg1OTY4ajBqNKgCALACAA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">become more vocal in his criticism</a> of Ukraine, which has been in conflict with Russia since 2022.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44856008/china-dismisses-trumps-tariff-numbers-game-files-wto-complaint-talks-can-only-proceed-based-on-mutual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China Dismisses Trump&#8217;s Tariff &#8216;Numbers Game,&#8217; Files WTO Complaint: Talks Can Only Proceed Based On &#8216;Mutual Respect&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Markets

TSLA

Vladimir Putin Hails Elon Musk, Compares Him To Soviet Space Program Pioneer: 'Such People Rarely Appear In The Human Population'

U.S. stock futures rose on Thursday ahead of the long weekend, with Good Friday falling on April 18 and Easter Sunday on April 20. Futures of major benchmark indices were higher in premarket.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44848474/fed-chair-powell-says-tariffs-lead-to-temporary-rise-in-inflation">Federal Reserve</a> Chairman Jerome Powell dismissed the possibility of a &#8220;Fed put&#8221; in the near term while speaking in Chicago on Wednesday.
&#8220;We may find ourselves in the challenging scenario in which our dual-mandate goals are in tension. If that were to occur, we would consider how far the economy is from each goal, and the potentially different time horizons over which those respective gaps would be anticipated to close,&#8221; said Powell.
U.S. export restrictions on Nvidia Corp.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44844084/nvidias-h20-chip-ban-could-lead-to-manageable-sales-drop-bank-of-america-says">H20 GPUs</a> pulled the stock market down on Wednesday.
The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.32% and the two-year bond was at 3.82%. The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>&#8216;s projections show markets pricing an 86.4% likelihood of the Federal Reserve keeping the current interest rates unchanged in its May meeting.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Futures</td>
<td>Change (+/-)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>0.75%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>0.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>1.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>0.66%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, rose in premarket on Thursday. The SPY was up 1.03% to $531.05, while the QQQ advanced 1.04% to $448.78, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Cues From Last Session:
U.S. stocks closed sharply lower on Wednesday, driven by a significant sell-off in the semiconductor sector and broader tech weakness.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) experienced a steep decline, with Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) both falling approximately 7% following new export restrictions on Nvidia chips to China.
This news heavily impacted the information technology sector, which, along with consumer discretionary and communication services, recorded the largest losses. In contrast, energy stocks defied the overall downward trend, closing higher.
Among individual companies, Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRV#NYSE">TRV</a>) reported better-than-expected first-quarter results, and Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABT#NYSE">ABT</a>) posted upbeat first-quarter adjusted EPS.
On the economic front, U.S. industrial production fell by 0.3% in March, slightly more than anticipated. However, U.S. retail sales surged 1.4% month-over-month in March, exceeding both the previous month&#8217;s gain and market expectations.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Index</td>
<td>Performance (+/-)</td>
<td>Value</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq Composite</td>
<td>-3.07%</td>
<td>16,307.16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-2.24%</td>
<td>5,275.70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-1.73%</td>
<td>39,669.39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-1.03%</td>
<td>1,863.48</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Insights From Analysts:
According to Scott Wren, the senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo, &#8220;current equity levels offer an attractive entry opportunity even with the bounce higher off the recent lows.&#8221;
Wren further emphasized the importance of having a &#8220;plan of action or at least be happy with where you currently stand,&#8221; regardless of individual perspectives on the implemented tariffs.
&#8220;Over the course of the last couple of weeks, we have seen the administration go from an aggressive reciprocal tariff strategy that involved meaningful universal tariffs on virtually all of our trading partners to a pause that suspends most reciprocal tariffs but leaves a 145% levy on imports from China,&#8221; Wren notes.
Despite the tariff uncertainty, Wren&#8217;s firm maintains a view that the U.S. economy was already heading for a slowdown in the first half of the year, even before the current trade strategies were implemented. &#8220;From our perspective, even before the current tariff strategies were deployed, our analysis suggested the economy was going to hit a bump in the road and slow in the first half of this year. That line of thought is still intact,&#8221; Wren states.
Wren also suggests a strategic shift in fixed income, advising investors to &#8220;move money from bonds, specifically the intermediate portion of the yield curve, into mid-cap U.S. equities in an effort to take advantage of the fall in stocks and the rally in bond prices (yields fell).&#8221;
Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44858165/policy-push-vs-market-pull-dollar-under-pressure-as-reserve-currency-may-be-called-into-question-amid-tariff-turmoil">U.S. dollar is facing pressure</a>, with its &#8220;reserve currency&#8221; status. A recent study titled &#8216;Dollar Upheaval: This Time is Different&#8217; noted a 3.6% depreciation between April 4th and 14th, an unusual move as the dollar typically gains during global volatility.
This suggests a break from traditional market behavior, raising concerns that U.S. Treasuries lose their safe-haven appeal.
"If U.S. Treasuries are no longer viewed as the world's preferred safe asset, then the status of the dollar as the world's reserve currency may be called into question,&#8221; stated the note.
Investors are now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/25/04/44857989/gold-nears-3400-mark-experts-point-to-likely-correction-amid-bull-market-rates-will-drop-like-rock">flocking to Gold</a>, which has been hitting fresh highs as it trades above $3,300 per ounce. According to data shared by Charlie Bilello of Creative Planning, the inflation-adjusted gold prices were back at an all-time high, after 45 years, surpassing the prior peak from 1980.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It took 45 years to get there, but inflation-adjusted Gold prices are back at an all-time high, surpassing the prior peak from 1980. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24GOLD&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$GOLD</a><a href="https://t.co/l5IYmkeySJ">https://t.co/l5IYmkeySJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/bXWisvrl3c">pic.twitter.com/bXWisvrl3c</a>
&mdash; Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) <a href="https://twitter.com/charliebilello/status/1912558536573268362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Economist Mohamed El-Erian attributed the increasing price of gold to a gradual shift away from the U.S. dollar by some foreign central banks and other entities seeking diversification.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The price of gold registered another record high today, overcoming yet another periodic round of profit-taking by some tactical traders — this as it benefits from the tailwind of slow and steady diversification away from the dollar by some foreign central banks and others.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gold?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gold</a>… <a href="https://t.co/MKDnxZddv0">pic.twitter.com/MKDnxZddv0</a>
&mdash; Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm/status/1912523089557987357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures </a>
Upcoming Economic Data
Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on Thursday and Friday:
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, initial jobless claims data for the week ending April 12 and March&#8217;s housing starts, building permits, and April&#8217;s Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey data will be released by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Friday, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly will speak at 8:00 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
Stocks In Focus:
<ul>
<li>UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) fell 0.64% in premarket on Thursday as it is expected to report earnings before the opening bell. Analysts expect a quarterly earnings of $7.29 per share on revenue of $111.60 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>DR Horton Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHI#NYSE">DHI</a>) rose 0.39% as Wall Street expects it to report earnings of $2.65 per share on revenue of $8.03 billion before the opening bell.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) was up 1.38% as it is expected to report earnings before the opening bell. Analysts expect a quarterly earnings of $5.72 per share on revenue of $10.52 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>FNB Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FNB#NYSE">FNB</a>) was up 1.14% as it posted better-than-expected earnings for its first quarter on Wednesday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) jumped 3.45% after reporting a 60% surge in its net profit for the first quarter, topping market expectations.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Rio Tinto Plc ADR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIO#NYSE">RIO</a>) climbed 1.68% after it announced the assessment of the low-carbon aluminum project in India along with AMG Metals &amp; Materials.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Woodside Energy Group Ltd. ADR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDS#NYSE">WDS</a>) advanced 2.73% after signing LNG supply agreements with Uniper.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>BP PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BP#NYSE">BP</a>) gained 1.08%, and Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KOS#NYSE">KOS</a>) was 4.22% higher after BP completed loading the first cargo from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project.</li>
</ul>
Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:
Crude oil futures were trading higher in the early New York session by 1.02% to hover around $63.11 per barrel.
Gold Spot US Dollar declined 0.57% to hover around $3,324.20 per ounce. Its fresh record high stood at $3,357.81 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was higher by 0.10% at the 99.4760 level.
Asian markets advanced on Wednesday, except China&#8217;s CSI 300 index. India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, Japan's Nikkei 225, Australia's ASX 200, and South Korea's Kospi index ended higher. European markets were lower in early trade.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44858165/policy-push-vs-market-pull-dollar-under-pressure-as-reserve-currency-may-be-called-into-qu">Policy Push vs. Market Pull: Dollar Under Pressure As &#8216;Reserve Currency May Be Called Into Question&#8217; Amid Tariff Turmoil</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

Market Summary

Futures

Commodities

Treasuries

Economics

Federal Reserve

Pre-Market Outlook

Analyst Ratings

NFLX

NVDA

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

US Stocks Likely To Open Higher Ahead Of Festive Weekend: 'Current Equity Levels Offer An Attractive Entry Opportunity'

Health Care

General

Aspira Women's Health Expects To Start Trading Under Its New Symbol "AWHL" On Markets Operated By The OTC Markets Group Today 17 April, Replacing AWH Ticker

Texas Capital Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCBI#NASDAQ">TCBI</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.92 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.98 by 6.12 percent. This is a 48.39 percent increase over earnings of $0.62 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $280.48 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $284.80 million by 1.52 percent. This is a 9.42 percent increase over sales of $256.33 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Misses

TCBI

Texas Capital Bancshares Q1 2025 Adj EPS $0.92 Misses $0.98 Estimate, Sales $280.48M Miss $284.80M Estimate

<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/musks-spacex-is-frontrunner-build-trumps-golden-dome-missile-shield-2025-04-17/" title="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/musks-spacex-is-frontrunner-build-trumps-golden-dome-missile-shield-2025-04-17/">https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/musks-spacex-is-frontrunner-build-trumps-golden-dome-missile-shield-2025-04-17/</a>

Rumors

Contracts

PLTR

Reuters Reported SpaceX, Palantir Emerge As Frontrunners For Key Role In Trump's Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield

Biotech

Large Cap

Earendil Labs And Sanofi Entered Into A License Agreement For Two Bispecific Antibodies In The Field Of Autoimmune And Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, HXN-1002 and HXN-1003, For An Upfront Payment Of $125M And $1.72B In Milestone Payments

Hooker Furnishings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOFT#NASDAQ">HOFT</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.22) per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.16 by 237.5 percent. This is a 466.67 percent decrease over earnings of $0.06 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $104.46 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $101.16 million by 3.26 percent. This is a 7.94 percent increase over sales of $96.78 million the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Hooker Furnishings Q4 EPS $(0.22) Misses $0.16 Estimate, Sales $104.46M Beat $101.16M Estimate

Truist Finl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.87 per share which met the analyst consensus estimate. This is a 3.33 percent decrease over earnings of $0.90 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $4.947 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $4.937 billion by 0.20 percent. This is a 1.56 percent increase over sales of $4.871 billion the same period last year.

Truist Finl Q1 2025 Adj. EPS $0.87, Inline, Sales $4.947B Beat $4.937B Estimate

Regions Finl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RF#NYSE">RF</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.54 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.51 by 5.88 percent. This is a 22.73 percent increase over earnings of $0.44 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $1.81 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $1.83 billion by 1.10 percent. This is a 0.67 percent increase over sales of $1.80 billion the same period last year.

Regions Finl Q1 Adj $0.54 Beats $0.51 Estimate, Adj Sales $1.81B Miss $1.83B Estimate

Offerings

Marex Group Priced The Public Offering Of 10.28M Shares By Certain Selling Shareholders At $35.50 Per Share. The Selling Shareholders Have Granted The Underwriters An Option To Purchase Up To An Additional 1.54M Shares

UnitedHealth Group revised its 2025 performance outlook established in December 2024 to net earnings of $24.65 to $25.15 per share and adjusted earnings of $26 to $26.50 per share. This outlook reflects two factors:
<ul>
<li>Heightened care activity indications within UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage businesses, which became visible as the quarter closed, far above the planned 2025 increase which was consistent with the elevated levels in 2024. This activity was most notable within physician and outpatient services.</li>
<li>Unanticipated changes in the profile of Optum Health members impacting planned 2025 reimbursement due to unexpectedly minimal 2024 beneficiary engagement by plans exiting markets. In addition, a greater-than-expected impact to current and new complex patients from the ongoing Medicare funding reductions enacted by the previous administration.</li>
</ul>

UnitedHealth Expects 2025 Adjusted EPS Of $26-$26.50 Versus Prior Guidance Of $29.50-$30.00 And Consensus Of $29.73

President Donald Trump's auto tariffs are expected to drive up car insurance and repair costs, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/04/44785814/car-insurance-premiums-are-set-to-go-through-the-roof-soon-due-to-trumps-auto-tariffs">affecting even drivers who aren't buying new vehicles</a>. What Happened: Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;25% tariffs on imported vehicles&nbsp;are slated to extend to foreign-made auto parts by May 3. Despite hints of potential leniency from Trump, experts predict that the heightened trade barriers will eventually dent consumers&#8217; pockets, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/trump-tariffs-car-insurance-bill-price-auto-repair-cost-rcna201392?ref=biztoc.com">reported</a> on Wednesday.
Auto insurance costs have been climbing for several years, and a prolonged trade war could push&nbsp;the average annual cost of&nbsp;car insurance up by over&nbsp;$300 by the end of&nbsp;the year, with New York and Florida&nbsp;predicted to experience the steepest increases, according to <a href="https://insurify.com/car-insurance/report/">estimates</a>&nbsp;from Insurify.
The rationale is straightforward: insurance companies will have to shell out&nbsp;more to replace damaged car&nbsp;parts that are subject to&nbsp;tariffs. &#8220;When&nbsp;you get into an accident,&nbsp;your car insurance company is&nbsp;the one that&#8217;s&nbsp;going to be buying those&nbsp;parts to repair your vehicle,&#8221; said&nbsp;Terence Lau, dean of Syracuse&nbsp;University's College of Law.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44857599/ford-could-hike-prices-of-its-vehicles-in-the-us-amid-auto-tariff-uncertainty-report">Trump Tariffs Could Force Ford To Hike Prices Of Its Vehicles In The US Days After It Extended Employee Pricing To All Customers</a>
Many vehicles are susceptible&nbsp;to multiple Trump administration tariff&nbsp;policies, impacting not only the auto industry but also&nbsp;levies on steel and aluminum,&nbsp;taxes on chips, and duties on global imports.
Why It Matters: Consumers have been scrambling to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44817399/liberation-day-tariffs-why-some-americans-are-rushing-to-buy-a-car-before-trumps-25-auto-duty-hits">purchase cars before the tariffs instigate price increases</a>. Retail sales figures released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday show a 5.3% surge in&nbsp;sales at motor vehicle and&nbsp;parts dealers from February to March. 
Meanwhile, inventories of used vehicles have declined from 43 to 39 days from March to April, according to Cox Automotive.
The tariffs may put companies like Ford Motor (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) and General Motors (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) at high risk of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44806252/trump-tariffs-could-put-ford-gm-at-high-risk-of-negative-ratings-report">receiving negative ratings</a> from ratings agency S&amp;P.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44857599/ford-could-hike-prices-of-its-vehicles-in-the-us-amid-auto-tariff-uncertainty-report">Trump Tariffs Could Force Ford To Hike Prices Of Its Vehicles In The US, Days After It Extended Employee Pricing To All Customers</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Brandon Woyshnis / Shutterstock.com

Tech

Not Buying A New Car? You May Still Pay An Extra $300 Due To Trump's Auto Tariffs: Here's More

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $7.20 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $7.29 by 1.23 percent. This is a 4.2 percent increase over earnings of $6.91 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $109.58 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $111.60 billion by 1.82 percent. This is a 9.80 percent increase over sales of $99.80 billion the same period last year.

UnitedHealth Group Q1 2025 Adj EPS $7.20 Misses $7.29 Estimate, Sales $109.58B Miss $111.60B Estimate

A 29-year-old video of Rep. Nancy Pelosi is going viral for echoing a message now at the core of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44856008/china-dismisses-trumps-tariff-numbers-game-files-wto-complaint-talks-can-only-proceed-based-on-mutual">President Donald Trump's trade policy</a>.
In the 1996 clip, Pelosi criticizes U.S. trade practices with China and calls for measures that are noticeably similar to the very tariffs she now opposes.
What Happened: The clip shows Pelosi delivering a House floor speech, where she urged Congress to tackle China's high tariffs on American goods.
She said that while Chinese imports faced only a 2% U.S. tariff, American exports to China were dealt with an average 35% tariff. "Is that reciprocal?" she asked, calling the trade relationship "a job loser" that created millions of jobs in China while creating far fewer in the U.S.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Viral clip shows Nancy Pelosi supporting tariffs on China in 1996: FULL REMARKS" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kyMyyenz4gg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/04/44833903/gold-surges-above-3300-to-record-high-as-us-china-trade-war-escalates-with-245-tariff">Gold Surges Above $3,300 To Record High As US-China Trade War Escalates With 245% Tariff</a>
Why It Matters: The resurfaced video comes as China's total tariffs have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44831287/trump-administration-imposes-up-to-245-tariff-on-chinese-imports-amid-intensifying-trade-battle">reached as high as 245%</a> on specific goods, including a 125% reciprocal duty, an additional 20% connected with the fentanyl crisis, and targeted levies ranging from 7.5% to 100% on specific goods, according to the latest reports from the White House.
Pelosi, who is now opposed to Trump's tariff policies, wrote earlier this month on X: "Trump's reckless tariffs will cause chaos… raise prices… and hurt hardworking American families."
<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">Donald Trump's reckless tariffs will cause chaos in our economy, raise prices for consumers and hurt hardworking American families. This is not a strategy — it's the largest tax hike on the American people in history.
&mdash; Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1907564743172260255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Like Pelosi, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44843975/they-dont-give-a-damn-about-you-bernie-sanders-says-if-musk-is-firing-federal-workers-with-a-chainsaw-what-happens-when-ai-comes-for-your-job">Sen. Bernie Sanders</a> also once pushed for protectionist policies in a 2008 Senate speech. In a response statement <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/flashback-30-years-ago-nancy-pelosi-demanded-congress-confront-chinese-tariffs-american-goods">to</a> Fox News, his team said that Sanders supports targeted tariffs but warned that Trump's sweeping measures would drive up expenses for consumers.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44843002/analysts-who-predicted-trump-tariffs-says-were-headed-for-worse-financial-crisis-than-2008-its-probably-too-late">Warren Buffett&#8217;s 2003 Plan To Fix The Trade Deficit Without A War Deserves A Second Look As US-China Tariff War Continues</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Politics

Global

Nancy Pelosi Called US-China Trade "A Job Loser:" Old Remarks Reemerge Amid Trump Tariff Push

<ul>
<li>FF will continue optimizing its capital structure, with an unwavering commitment not to pursue a reverse stock split unless required to maintain its Nasdaq listing.</li>
<li>FX CEO Max and his core team have arrived in Washington, D.C., driving the FF 91, and will meet with key decision-makers at the White House on Thursday. This is not only a business engagement — it reflects our deeper role as a "U.S.–China EV bridge" in shaping future policy directions.</li>
<li>The FX program is progressing well, and we've entered a sprint for the first vehicle rollout by year-end.</li>
<li>Deep Organizational Reform to Unlock Execution and Growth Potential</li>
<li>On April 24, FF will host an Investor Community and Co-Creation Day in Los Angeles.</li>
</ul>

Stock Split

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. - Class A Common Stock

FFAI

Faraday Future Said It Resolutely Opposes a Reverse Stock Split, Is Committed to Maintaining Nasdaq Listing

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LGND#NASDAQ">LGND</a>) and Channel Therapeutics Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHRO#NYSE">CHRO</a>) on Thursday signed a definitive merger agreement to combine Ligand&#8217;s wholly owned subsidiaries, Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. and LNHC, Inc. (collectively Pelthos) with CHRO Merger Sub Inc., a wholly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener">owned subsidiary of Channel</a>.
The merger will be supported by $50 million in capital raised from a group of strategic investors led by Murchinson.
Under the merger agreement, Channel will acquire 100% of Pelthos&#8217; issued and outstanding equity interests, change its name to Pelthos Therapeutics, and trade on the NYSE American exchange under the ticker PTHS.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44750854/analyst-sees-big-upside-in-ligands-capital-efficient-biotech-strategy" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analyst Sees Big Upside In Ligand&#8217;s Capital-Efficient Biotech Strategy</a>
In connection with the transaction, Ligand has agreed to invest $18 million in the combined company, and the Investor Group has agreed to invest $32 million in a total of $50 million.
Upon completing the transaction, Scott Plesha, CEO of Pelthos, will become CEO of the combined company, and Frank Knuettel II, CEO of Channel Therapeutics, will become CFO. The transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2025.
The combined company will initially focus on accelerating the commercialization of Pelthos&#8217; Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) topical gel, 10.3%, for Molluscum contagiosum infections in adults and pediatric patients one year and older.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zelsuvmi in 2024. It is the first and only prescription therapy for molluscum infections approved for use at home by patients, parents, and caregivers.
Ligand is entitled to a 13% royalty on worldwide sales of Zelsuvmi.
The combined company will also retain Channel&#8217;s existing NaV 1.7 development programs for various types of chronic pain, acute and chronic eye pain, and post-surgical nerve blocks.
In December 2024, Channel Therapeutics announced that it achieved its endpoints in two pre-clinical in vivo models of the company&#8217;s nerve block formulations for acute pain, showing material improvement in efficacy and duration over the existing standard <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/g42552299/channel-therapeutics-announces-positive-efficacy-data-for-a-depot-formulation-of-a-nav1-7-inhibito" rel="noreferrer noopener">of care, bupivacaine</a>.
An update on the Channel&#8217;s animal efficacy study for its eye pain program will be forthcoming.
&#8220;This transaction presents a compelling opportunity to launch a commercial-ready product, with significant financial backing from Murchinson, that has the potential to deliver both near and long-term value to our shareholders,&#8221; said Todd Davis, CEO of Ligand.
Frank Knuettel II, CEO of Channel Therapeutics, commented, &#8220;We have performed extensive due diligence on the Zelsuvmi market opportunity and their team and operations, and we believe this is an extraordinary opportunity for current Channel shareholders. Strategically, it provides the potential for near-term revenue generation from an FDA-approved drug, the opportunity to advance Channel&#8217;s existing NaV 1.7 programs, and expanded capitalization from strong, long-standing investors.&#8221;
Molluscum contagiosum is a poxvirus and one of the most common skin infections, afflicting an estimated 16.7 million people in the U.S.
Price Action: LGND stock is up 2.08% at $106.80 during the premarket session at the last check Thursday, and CHRO stock closed at $1.26 on Wednesday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44857887/taiwan-semiconductor-q1-surges-41-in-sales-boosted-by-ai-chip-demand-expanded-margins" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor CFO Anticipates Tariffs Impact But Has Not Seen Change In Customer Behavior Yet, Issues Strong Q2 Outlook</a></li>
</ul>

Asset Sales

Market-Moving Exclusives

Exclusives

CHRO

LGND

EXCLUSIVE: Ligand Subsidiary Pelthos Therapeutics To Combine with Channel Therapeutics Creating Pain Medicines Focused Entity

EXCLUSIVE: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Tells Benzinga 'Transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2025'

EXCLUSIVE: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Tells Benzinga 'Ligand is entitled to a 13% royalty on worldwide sales of ZELSUVMI'

EXCLUSIVE: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Tells Benzinga 'Proposed transaction will raise $50 million in equity capital and enhance a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on launching Pelthos' ZELSUVMI'

Press Releases

Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Closing of $1.83 Million Registered Direct Offering Priced At-the-Market Under Nasdaq Rules

Phio Pharmaceuticals to Participate in the Renmark Financial Communications Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow Series

Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Participation in the Renmark Financial Communications Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow Series

Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of David H. Deming to Board of Directors

Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Enrollment in Third Safety Cohort in PH-762 Phase 1b Dose-Escalation Study

American Academy of Dermatology Awards Podium Presentation to Phio Pharmaceutical's Clinical Research at 2025 Annual Meeting

Phio Pharmaceuticals Reports 2024 Year End Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Podium Presentations on INTASYL siRNA Lead Product Candidates PH-762 and PH-894

Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Safety Monitoring Committee Recommendation to Advance INTASYL PH-762 Skin Cancer Study to Fourth Dose Escalation Cohort

Comments

Phio Pharma

Notizie

Ultime notizie per Phio Pharma (NASDAQ:PHIO) Azioni

Le persone guardano anche

Notizie

PARTNER/COLLABORATORE

BENZINGA NEL MONDO