La vendita allo scoperto per Riot Platforms dà agli investitori un'idea del grado in cui gli investitori stanno scommettendo sul declino delle azioni di Riot Platforms. I dati relativi alle vendite allo scoperto vengono aggiornati ogni due settimane.

Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT) Azioni, Report sulle vendite allo scoperto

RIOT PLATFORMS INC

Riot Platforms

Riot Platforms Inc is a vertically integrated Bitcoin mining company focused on building, supporting, and operating blockchain technologies. The company's segments include Bitcoin Mining and Engineering. The Bitcoin Mining segment generates revenue from the Bitcoin the Company earns through its Bitcoin Mining activities. The Engineering segment generates revenue through customer contracts for custom engineered electrical products. It generates the majority of its revenue from the Bitcoin Mining segment.

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Lunedì i futures azionari statunitensi mostrano un ribasso dopo la chiusura negativa di venerdì. I futures dei principali indici di riferimento sono in calo.

Futures azionari USA scendono sul timore di nuovi dazi, Bitcoin da record

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Il recente coinvolgimento di un importante investitore attivista ha stimolato un significativo rialzo delle azioni.

Questo titolo si impenna del 7% dopo il coinvolgimento di Starboard

Riot Platforms Inc

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has blasted President Donald Trump over sweeping <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/46814005/trump-backed-spending-bill-forces-cpb-shutdown-after-60-years-of-public-broadcasting">cuts to public broadcasting</a> and rising consumer prices, tying both to his aggressive trade and budget policies.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CPB Shutdown Follows Trump-Backed Spending Cuts</h2>
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced Friday it will begin shutting down operations after Congress, under Trump's direction, eliminated <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46334514/bernie-sanders-says-in-the-us-presidents-dont-censor-the-media-slams-trump-administrations-move-to-cut-1-1-billion-from-pbs-another-step-toward-authoritarianism">$1.1 billion in federal funding</a>.
The CPB will lay off most staff by Sept. 30, with a small team staying through January 2026.
Warren responded sharply to the development on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "Instead of lowering grocery costs, Donald Trump is trying to cancel Big Bird," referencing PBS's iconic children's programming.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46314088/trump-slams-democrats-over-inflation-narrative-says-he-cut-costs-more-than-any-president-in-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Slams Democrats Over Inflation Narrative, Says He Cut Costs ‘More Than Any President In History'</a>
<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">Instead of lowering grocery costs, Donald Trump is trying to cancel Big Bird. <a href="https://t.co/ASGMarP6wI">https://t.co/ASGMarP6wI</a>
&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1952099458616893885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Last month, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46433868/elizabeth-warren-slams-trumps-plan-to-gut-sesame-street-funding-if-he-gets-away-with-this-next-time">Warren also criticized</a> the Republican-led effort to slash billions in approved federal spending, including funds for public broadcasting programs like Sesame Street and National Public Radio.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Warren Links Tariffs To Price Hikes And Corporate Profiteering</h2>
In July, Warren and fellow Democrats introduced the Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2025. The bill aimed to ban excessive price hikes and empower the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to take action against companies abusing market power.
The legislation was introduced days after a report showed inflation climbing in June and as tariffs affecting dozens of countries, including U.S. trading partners, took effect, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/17/elizabeth-warren-targets-price-gouging-with-tariff-costs-inflation-up.html">reported</a> CNBC.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46256702/sundar-pichai-next-trumps-next-big-tech-payday-could-be-from-youtube-after-settling-lawsuits-with-meta-and-x-productive-discussions-underway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sundar Pichai Next? Trump's Next Big Tech Payday Could Be From YouTube After Settling Lawsuits With Meta And X: ‘Productive Discussions' Underway</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Bryan J. Scrafford on Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Elizabeth Warren Hits Out Trump Again, Says Instead Of Lowering Grocery Costs, He's Trying To 'Cancel' Big Bird

The July Jobs report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released on Friday, is raising concerns among economists, who warn that the latest data and sharp downward revisions point to a labor market that is losing momentum and potentially edging toward a recession.
What Happened: On Sunday, in a post on X, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said that the U.S. economy was &#8220;closer to stall speed than we thought,&#8221; citing the bleak figures published in the report. 
Besides the disappointing payroll growth of just 73,000 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/08/46792479/july-nonfarm-payrolls-trump-powell-labor-market">during the month</a>, far short of the expected 110,000, Summers says &#8220;the big deal&#8221; is the downward revisions for May and June, which now show job growth of just 19,000 and 14,000, respectively, down from the initial estimates of 144,000 and 147,000.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/08/46816760/trumps-trade-deals-tariffs-the-tumbling-labor-market-and-more-this-week-in-economy">Trump&#8217;s Trade Deals, Tariffs, The Tumbling Labor Market And More: This Week In Economy</a>
&#8220;That means there is a real possibility that we&#8217;re in a stall speed kind of economy,&#8221; Summers says, warning that &#8220;we could tip over into recession&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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 think the Friday jobs report told us that the economy is closer to stall speed than we thought. The big deal is the downward revision for the two months before that. That means there is a real possibility that we&#39;re in a stall speed kind of economy, which means we could tip…
&mdash; Lawrence H. Summers (@LHSummers) <a href="https://twitter.com/LHSummers/status/1952002638255386897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
University of Michigan professor and former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, Betsey Stevenson, tied the weakness in the nation&#8217;s labor market to the administration&#8217;s recent policy decisions.
She says, &#8220;The Trump administration has actively sought to reduce education, government, construction, and leisure and hospitality,&#8221; and asks why it is so surprising that the &#8220;policies worked as expected?&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Trump administration has actively sought to reduce education, government, construction, and leisure and hospitality. The first two directly, the last three through massive reductions in the immigrant labor force. And now he's angry that his policies worked as expected? <a href="https://t.co/0tIuZRJaaY">https://t.co/0tIuZRJaaY</a>
&mdash; Betsey Stevenson (@BetseyStevenson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BetseyStevenson/status/1951380663493427306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Danish economist Lars Christensen was more blunt in his take, saying that &#8220;The U.S. employment report for July 2025 should be setting off alarm bells in the White House,&#8221; while adding that the Bureau&#8217;s admission that revisions were &#8220;larger than normal&#8221; was a rare sign.
Christensen acknowledges that the figures themselves don&#8217;t indicate a recession, but calls it a sign of an economy &#8220;that has lost its breath.&#8221;
He says, &#8220;The slowdown is occurring before the full effects of tariff increases have hit. When businesses truly feel the effects, we should expect further weakening.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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 U.S. employment report for July 2025 should be setting off alarm bells in the White House. The BLS delivered numbers Friday that not only show weak job creation – they revealed that for months we&#39;ve been living under an illusion about the labor market&#39;s strength. July:… <a href="https://t.co/DqzwIZL2eO">pic.twitter.com/DqzwIZL2eO</a>
&mdash; Lars Christensen (@MaMoMVPY) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaMoMVPY/status/1951272599796768818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It Matters: President Donald Trump on Friday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/08/46818659/fired-labor-bureau-commissioner-speaks-out-after-trump-firing-over-job-numbers">ordered the dismissal</a> of Erika McEntarfer, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, following the release of the July jobs report. 
Trump accused McEntarfer of manipulating employment data for political purposes, but failed to provide any evidence to support this claim.
The deepening economic woes have led <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/46817792/trumps-disapproval-rating-soars-amid-economic-woes-epstein-drama">Trump&#8217;s disapproval ratings</a> to soar to a new high of 52.1%, up from 51.5% the prior month. 
Photo Courtesy: FOTOGRIN on Shutterstock.com
Read More:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46775334/fridays-jobs-data-could-unleash-a-dollar-short-squeeze-not-seen-in-decades">Friday&#8217;s Jobs Data Could Unleash A Dollar Short Squeeze Not Seen In Decades</a></li>
</ul>

Economics

Economists Warn US Close To 'Stall Speed' And Could 'Tip Over Into Recession' On Disappointing Jobs Report

Leading cryptocurrencies gained alongside stock futures on Sunday despite lingering concerns over President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff moves.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Cryptocurrency</th>
<th>Gains +/-</th>
<th>Price (Recorded at 9:15 p.m. ET)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+1.52%</td>
<td>$114,739.26</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>+3.85%</td>
<td>$3,544.28</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>+4.25%</td>
<td>$0.2019</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin hit the upper reaches of $114,000 overnight, although trading volume dipped substantially. The recovery came after days of contraction, with the apex cryptocurrency shedding more than 4% of its value in a week.
Ethereum reentered $3,500, capping a volatile week that saw the second-largest cryptocurrency tumble 8%.
August has historically been a corrective month for the market, with both Bitcoin and Ethereum closing lower in the last four years.
The rally hit bearish traders hard, with over $100 million in shorts liquidated over the last 24 hours.
Bitcoin's open interest fell by 0.17% in the last 24 hours.&nbsp; Nearly 60% of traders on Binance Futures with open Bitcoin positions were leaning bullish as of this writing, according to the Long/Short ratio.
The "greed" sentiment strengthened sharply in the market, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24 Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Cryptocurrency</th>
<th>Gains +/-</th>
<th>Price (Recorded at 9:15 p.m. ET)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ethena (ENA)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+16.66%</td>
<td>$0.6168</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conflux (CFX)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+14.33%</td>
<td>$0.2177</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stellar (XLM)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+12.75%</td>
<td>$0.4163 </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.71 trillion, gaining 2.70% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures edged higher Sunday night. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures rose 48 points, or 0.11%, as of 8:44 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 climbed 0.16%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.21%.
Tariff concerns weighed on investors&#8217; minds after Trump imposed a new wave of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46781583/trump-slaps-35-tariff-on-canadian-goods-hits-68-other-nations-with-new-trade-war-amid-fentanyl-security-china-tensions">import duties on major trading partners</a> via executive order earlier this week.
Major averages like the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed the week in the red, precipitated by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/08/46809585/fed-interest-rates-trump-powell-jobs-data-wall-street">worse-than-expected July jobs report</a>.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez spotted a buy signal on Bitcoin's 12-hour chart from the TD Sequential indicator
The TD Sequential indicator is a technical analysis tool that helps traders identify potential price reversals and exhaustion patterns.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The TD Sequential indicator just flashed a buy signal on Bitcoin <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> 12-hour chart! <a href="https://t.co/kGxt9nWXYF">pic.twitter.com/kGxt9nWXYF</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1952150740459266093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Another popular cryptocurrency analyst, Michaël van de Poppe, predicted another consolidative week for cryptocurrency, despite the overnight rip.
"General lesson as we&#8217;re approaching a super bullish Q3 and Q4: buy the dip in August, hold into Q4 and be happy on your altcoins," the analyst said.&nbsp;
<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 slight push upwards at the end of the week, which is great. However, we&#39;ve just seen a substantially corrective week on the markets. Is that strange? No, of course not, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> has gone up by $1,600 in a matter of weeks, so it&#39;s quite normal to calm down before there&#39;s another…
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1952105072935965018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo Courtesy: Dennis Diatel on Shutterstock.com
Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46770711/sec-launches-project-crypto-heres-what-it-means-for-you">SEC Launches &#8216;Project Crypto&#8217; — Here&#8217;s What It Means For You</a></li>
</ul>

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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$ETH

Bitcoin Rises Despite Trump's Tariff Moves; Ethereum, Dogecoin Also Gain: Analyst Advises To 'Buy The Dip' In August, Hold Until This Time

Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, expressed gratitude for her role and the dedication of her colleagues in a social media post over the weekend. 
What Happened: McEntarfer stated on Bluesky, &#8220;It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.&#8221; This statement comes amid recent political turbulence surrounding her position.
On Friday, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/46813901/trump-fires-bureau-of-labor-statistics-chief-erika-mcentarfer-after-weak-jobs-report-directed-my-team-to-fire-this-biden-political-appointee">ordered McEntarfer&#8217;s dismissal</a> following a lackluster jobs report. Trump accused her of manipulating employment data for political reasons, though he provided no evidence. The President&#8217;s directive came shortly after the Bureau released disappointing employment figures for July, which included significant downward revisions for May and June.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-bluesky-social wp-block-embed-bluesky-social"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:jlmrkyytarxtjzq5uqxumqxo/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvf3yddtrk27" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreifzwy65k6vb6jzwinvbdan2n2umcfkwhc74jagwdlxzeujeuydi64">It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:jlmrkyytarxtjzq5uqxumqxo?ref_src=embed">Erika McEntarfer (@erikamcentarfer.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:jlmrkyytarxtjzq5uqxumqxo/post/3lvf3yddtrk27?ref_src=embed">2025-08-02T02:18:13.556Z</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
In response to the firing, Kevin Hassett, the White House economic adviser, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/46817595/hassett-backs-dismissal-of-bls-chief-says-trumps-own-people-would-bring-more-transparent-and-reliable-jobs-reports">supported Trump&#8217;s decision</a>. He suggested that Trump&#8217;s appointees would deliver more transparent and reliable jobs reports. The political climate surrounding McEntarfer&#8217;s dismissal has been tense, with accusations of data manipulation being a focal point.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/08/g46818400/how-ai-digital-twins-and-cobots-are-shaping-the-future-of-manufacturing-by-2030" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How AI Digital Twins and Cobots Are Shaping the Future of Manufacturing by 2030</a>
Why It Matters: July's jobs report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/08/46809585/fed-interest-rates-trump-powell-jobs-data-wall-street">fell short of expectations</a>, with only 73,000 positions added versus the anticipated 110,000. May and June figures were also sharply revised down, cutting a combined 258,000 jobs from previous estimates.
The removal of McEntarfer highlights ongoing political tensions over economic data reporting. The BLS plays a critical role in providing essential data that influences economic policy and market decisions. The controversy surrounding her dismissal underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and transparency of economic data.
The recent jobs report, which led to McEntarfer&#8217;s firing, was anticipated to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46775334/fridays-jobs-data-could-unleash-a-dollar-short-squeeze-not-seen-in-decades">potentially trigger</a> a dollar short squeeze. This situation has drawn attention to the broader economic implications of the report and the political dynamics at play.
Photo Courtesy: 3enjipix on Shutterstock.com
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Fired Labor Bureau Commissioner Speaks Out After Trump Firing Over Job Numbers

Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey isn't sugarcoating it. In a recent <a href="https://x.com/DaveRamsey/status/1950218151053971858">post on X</a> and segment on &#8220;The Ramsey Show,&#8221; he laid out exactly why so many Americans are struggling financially.
According to Ramsey, the problem isn't your paycheck. &#8220;You're not broke because you don't make enough. You're broke because you give your income to everyone else,&#8221; he said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Debt Payments Are Eating Your Income</h2>
Ramsey pointed to credit card bills, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45545468/average-new-car-loan-payment-is-750-and-costs-are-rising-suze-orman-urges-families-to-consider-if-they-could-get-by-with-one-less-car">car payments</a> and student loans as the main reasons people are stuck <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/45941152/a-millennial-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-with-100k-in-debt-says-i-should-be-freaking-out-but-i-just-dont-have-the-energy-anymore">living paycheck to paycheck</a>. &#8220;Every payment is money that you could be using to build wealth for yourself instead of making everyone else rich,&#8221; he wrote.
<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">You're not broke because you don't make enough. You're broke because you give your income to everyone else. Credit cards, car payments, student loans&#8230; every payment is money that you could be using to build wealth for yourself instead of making everyone else rich. Here's how… <a href="https://t.co/KvfVZ6e36u">pic.twitter.com/KvfVZ6e36u</a>
&mdash; Dave Ramsey (@DaveRamsey) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveRamsey/status/1950218151053971858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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In the video clip, Ramsey let loose. &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/06/46159347/us-credit-card-debt-hits-1-18-trillion-as-americans-downplay-what-they-owe">Credit cards</a>, stupid. Student loans, stupid. Car payments, stupid on steroids,&#8221; he said. He also criticized homeowners for borrowing against their homes to upgrade things like kitchen counters. &#8220;Somebody ought to smack you. That&#8217;s stupid.&#8221;
Ramsey emphasized that your income is your most powerful financial tool. But if you give it away every month, you're giving up your future. &#8220;When you give your income to someone else, you don&#8217;t have it anymore. And when you give your income away, you have given up your economic future all for crap,&#8221; he said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ramsey's 3-Step Plan to Break the Cycle</h2>
Ramsey offered a simple but strict plan to stop the bleeding. First, he said to make a zero-based budget and &#8220;tell every dollar where to go on purpose.&#8221; Next, he urged people to cut their debt aggressively, using what he calls the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45345632/ramit-sethi-breaks-down-debt-snowball-vs-debt-avalanche-method-the-avalanche-method-is-mathematically-the-best-choice">debt snowball method</a>. Finally, he advised against financing anything and said to &#8220;pay cash for the things you buy.&#8221;
Trending: Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora &amp; MGM—<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">Just $0.63 Before NASDAQ Launch</a>
He said most millionaires he interviews did not inherit their wealth. &#8220;Less than 10% of them inherited the money. They did it by saving and investing their income. They did not give their income to Best Buy.&#8221;
Ramsey also called out a lack of critical thinking around money. &#8220;We&#8217;re fat and we&#8217;re broke because we have no ability to do critical thought and we don&#8217;t stop and look at what we&#8217;re putting into our lives,&#8221; he said.
He also highlighted how common it is for people to take on massive car loans that weigh down their finances. &#8220;This is nuts. It&#8217;s nuts. It&#8217;s completely out of control,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I mean, the number of people I&#8217;ve talked to just today with $25,000 and $30,000 owed on their stupid car. It&#8217;s a car. Good God, it&#8217;s a car.&#8221;
He concluded with one message: Think. &#8220;Think, think, think. Seriously.&#8221;
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<li>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></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Dave Ramsey Says, 'You're Not Broke Because You Don't Make Enough. You're Broke Because You Give Your Income To Everyone Else'

President Donald Trump recently suggested that revenue from tariffs could be returned to Americans in the form of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46653477/trump-mulls-little-rebate-for-americans-funded-by-tariff-revenue-but-heres-the-big-thing-he-wants-to-do-first">rebate checks</a>. He floated the idea as a way to give back to "people of a certain income level," noting that the U.S. is generating "so much money" from tariffs.
The concept drew attention, especially as Trump said that tariffs once funded the federal government entirely — before the income tax was permanently established in 1913. Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods, and while they're paid by importers, the added costs can trickle down to consumers.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">O'Leary Pushes Back: "Pay Down the Debt"</h2>
But Kevin O'Leary, investor and chair of O'Leary Ventures, disagrees with using tariff revenue this way. "No. I tell you the idea I like — and I think every taxpayer likes better than this idea — use any excess capital to reduce the national debt," O'Leary told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi0FBRQlAz0">Fox News</a>.
O'Leary emphasized that America's growing debt isn&#8217;t just a current burden — it's a long-term risk for future generations. With interest rates elevated, the cost of servicing the national debt increases, and a large portion of that debt is held by foreign entities.
"Let's use any excess cash anywhere to get to that balanced budget and start paying down that debt," O'Leary urged.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Debate Within the GOP?</h2>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46699454/kevin-oleary-says-the-tariff-drama-is-settling-and-the-markets-calming-because-trump-found-the-loophole">O'Leary</a> hinted that discussions about what to do with tariff revenue may be happening behind the scenes within Republican leadership. "Within the administration itself, this is a big debate going on," he said, suggesting there's pressure internally to shift attention toward fiscal responsibility.
Trending: $100k+ in investable assets? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wiseradvisor-retirement-planning">Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes</a> – no cost, no obligation.
He praised current efforts to lower tax rates and increase U.S. competitiveness but warned that the cost — an estimated $3 trillion addition to the national debt — means America now needs to focus on balancing the budget.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alternative Ideas for Reducing Debt</h2>
In addition to using tariff revenue, O'Leary proposed another strategy: generating income from domestic energy resources. For example, he pointed to the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska — a large government-owned oil reserve — as a potential source of revenue.
"We could open up the NIR in Alaska and put a tariff on that oil like they do in Norway and just use it all for debt reduction," he suggested.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How This Could Affect Everyday Americans</h2>
O'Leary believes that reducing the national debt is critical for America's long-term financial health. He pointed out that when interest rates rise — or even remain high — the cost of servicing the debt increases. Much of that debt is held by foreign creditors, which he says makes the issue even more pressing.&nbsp;
Whether or not Trump's rebate idea gains traction, O'Leary's response highlights a broader debate about the best use of government revenue. For taxpayers, especially those nearing or in retirement, questions about the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/education/25/07/46676015/want-to-help-pay-off-37-trillion-national-debt-government-accepts-venmo-paypal">national debt</a> are becoming harder to ignore.
Read Next: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.
Image: Shutterstock

Kevin O'Leary Rejects Trump's Tariff Rebate Plan, Says Taxpayers Want To See The National Debt Paid Down

Gen Z's elder rung of 21- to 28-year-olds have been given the keys to drive the U.S. alcohol market. But to the concern and chagrin of the industry, they make up a miniscule percentile of total booze spending.
A <a href="https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/why-gen-z-is-drinking-less/?srsltid=AfmBOoqdSGgrW67fl-bKavMIJ52PM6q8twWbBgIutZ3GNTtpHsT5bW6i">recent report</a> in Wine Enthusiast highlighted the discrepancy in how much Gen Z is contributing to alcohol sales compared to prior generations at the same age: According to <a href="https://media.rabobank.com/m/18086d3a9adee411/original/The-real-reasons-Generation-Z-is-drinking-less-alcohol.pdf">RaboBank</a>, Gen Z accounts for just 3.6% of alcohol sales in the U.S.
And while there's been a myriad of reasons being thrown around, from wellness to a preference for other, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/46247108/gen-z-and-cannabis-blamed-for-this-companies-troubles">greener substances</a>, the most compelling argument based on RaboBank's report is that this generation would simply rather save cash than splurge on a crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">An Uncertain Economic Start</h2>
While an ever-looming threat of steep <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44301835/trump-threatens-200-tariff-on-european-wine-alcohol-stocks-react">tariffs on wine</a> certainly aren't helping the situation, Wine Enthusiast emphasizes the greater picture is that Gen Z got off to a rough start: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/01/36701211/gen-z-navigates-housing-hustle-escaping-soaring-mortgage-rates-nearly-one-third-live-with-family-mem">soaring rents</a>, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44226602/walmart-ceo-says-consumers-changing-spending-due-to-inflation-egg-prices-the-money-runs-out-before-the-month-is-gone-people-are-buying-smaller-pack-sizes">inflated grocery bills</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44756318/shaken-not-settled-gen-z-workers-lose-confidence-as-economic-clouds-gather">stagnant wages</a> have created the worst financial launchpad in decades.
With these economic headwinds, Gen Z&#8217;s alcohol pullback was inevitable. And now, analysts are divided: Is this just a recession-era blip, or a paradigm shift in the $88 billion U.S. alcohol market&#8217;s future?
"When I was a kid tagging along with my family to wine country, tastings were often free or affordable," Alicia Marazzani, who lives less than an hour from California's wine country in Napa and Sonoma counties, told Wine Enthusiast. "Now each stop is like a full-on splurge. I almost never go because it's too expensive now."
Trending: $100k+ in investable assets? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wiseradvisor-retirement-planning">Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes</a> – no cost, no obligation.
"For me, and a lot of the people my age that I know, wine isn't something we see as an investment the way older generations sometimes did," Marazzani adds. "It's a luxury we reserve for special occasions.
Marazzani's misgivings track with the industry reality. Napa Valley tasting fees have surged from an average of $15 to $45 to $60 for basic offerings in the last few years, according to a 2024 <a href="https://business.cellarpass.com/blog/cellarpass-2024-consumer-survey-results-napa-valley">consumer survey</a> from leading wine tourism platform CellarPass.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Turnaround Imminent?</h2>
Rabobank&#8217;s report projects Gen Z&#8217;s alcohol spending will likely rise with future earnings — but there&#8217;s a catch. While Zoomers currently allocate the same percentage of income to booze as millennials, their thinner wallets mean fewer actual dollars flow to brewers and distillers.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BF-B">Brown-Forman</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BF#NYSE">BF</a>, BF.B)) — the spirits giant behind Jack Daniel&#8217;s, Woodford Reserve and Korbel Champagne Cellars — remains bullish on Gen Z&#8217;s long-term drinking potential despite the generation&#8217;s current spending pullback.
CEO Lawson Whiting in March waved off concerns about younger consumers&#8217; lackluster alcohol consumption: &#8220;They [Gen Z] just don&#8217;t have the money in their pockets to be able to do things," he said on the company's Q3 <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4765024-brown-forman-corporation-bf-b-q3-2025-earnings-call-transcript">earnings call</a>. "I think some of the popular press is sort of overreading into Gen Z and what they are doing. I think that the Gen Z will come back."
See Also: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
The company&#8217;s internal data reveals a key insight: Once drinkers cross age 35, their per-capita alcohol spending increases significantly in the U.S. market.
So while the younger generation's current wine consumption remains dampened, industry leaders see opportunity ahead as — like a fine wine — Gen Z matures into its prime spending years: &#8220;As people get older and their budgets shift, their tastes might also evolve. That&#8217;s where wine really shines,&#8221; fourth-generation winemaker Joel Gott tells Wine Enthusiast.
The Rabobank report had a similarly sunny disposition on the data, projecting that eventually the industry will reap rewards when Gen Z hit their 35-and-over prime spending years: "This is an ideal outcome for the alcohol industry, which can celebrate the declines in underage drinking and binge drinking while still benefiting when Gen Zers reach their more mature and responsible prime spending years."
Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
Image: Shutterstock

No, Gen Z Isn't Drinking Less for 'Wellness' — They Simply Can't Afford To

<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1952109692488138865" title="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1952109692488138865">https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1952109692488138865</a>

Tech

TSLA

Elon Musk, Asked On X When Tesla's Robotaxi Is Coming To Chicago, Replied Tesla Will Operate There As Soon As We Reaffirm Safety Testing In That Locale And Receive A License To Operate

<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/amphenol-nears-big-broadband-deal-in-ai-boom-3909b0df?mod=Searchresults_pos1&amp;page=1" title="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/amphenol-nears-big-broadband-deal-in-ai-boom-3909b0df?mod=Searchresults_pos1&amp;page=1">https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/amphenol-nears-big-broadband-deal-in-ai-boom-3909b0df?mod=Searchresults_pos1&amp;page=1</a>

Rumors

COMM

The Wall Street Journal Reported Sunday, Amphenol Nears Deal for CommScope's Broadband Arm; Deal Values Unit At $10.5B, Including Debt; Could Be Completed Monday

In a brutally honest Reddit <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/thecouponnerd/comments/1fju3tk/im_a_massive_savings_nerd_here_are_the_stupidest/?p=1&amp;impressionid=5485231103230909708">post</a> that&#8217;s gaining traction among personal finance communities, everyday Americans are calling out the financial missteps that drain thousands from their bank accounts annually. While financial advisors focus on complex investment strategies, these real-world insights reveal simpler—and more immediately impactful—ways to keep more money in your pocket.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Car Insurance Money Drain</h2>
Perhaps the most shocking revelation: the average American overpays for car insurance by more than $410 annually, with some individuals reporting savings as high as $1,300 simply by switching carriers. This happens because insurance companies prioritize acquiring new customers with attractive introductory rates, then gradually increase premiums for existing policyholders who don&#8217;t shop around.
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The solution isn&#8217;t complicated. Using third-party comparison sites like Coverage.com or Auto-Savings.com once per year can uncover significant savings. Financial experts suggest annual comparisons strike the right balance—switching every six months is considered excessive and potentially counterproductive.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Amazon Price Trap</h2>
Major online retailers have conditioned consumers to assume they&#8217;re getting competitive prices, but this assumption can be costly. Amazon and similar platforms often maintain higher prices precisely because they understand most shoppers won&#8217;t comparison shop across multiple sites.
Browser extensions like Capital One Shopping automatically scan for better prices and apply available coupon codes during checkout. This passive approach to price optimization can save hundreds annually without requiring additional research time from consumers.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Going Solo Against Debt Collectors</h2>
For Americans carrying $10,000 or more in unsecured debt—including credit cards and medical bills—attempting to negotiate independently with creditors often leaves money on the table. Professional debt relief companies leverage established relationships and negotiation expertise that individual consumers typically lack.
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Industry data suggests these services can reduce debt burdens by approximately 23% on average, even after accounting for their fees. While debt relief isn&#8217;t appropriate for everyone, those with substantial unsecured debt may benefit from professional intervention rather than struggling alone.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Tax Planning Blind Spot</h2>
Wealthy individuals don&#8217;t primarily use financial advisors for stock picking—they use them for tax optimization. This distinction matters because effective tax planning can improve annual returns by roughly 3%, not through market timing but through strategic tax reduction.
For middle-class investors, this represents a significant blind spot. Complex tax implications around retirement accounts, capital gains timing, and tax-loss harvesting often require professional guidance. Services like WiserAdvisor help connect individuals with vetted financial advisors based on specific needs and client reviews.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Savings Account Stagnation</h2>
Many Americans continue using savings accounts offering 0.5% annual interest or less, often out of habit or lack of awareness about alternatives. This represents a substantial opportunity cost when hundreds of banks offer rates eight to 10 times higher.
High-yield savings accounts from established institutions can provide 4%-5% annual returns with Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. protection, dramatically improving the growth potential of emergency funds and short-term savings without additional risk.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Real-World Impact</h2>
These aren&#8217;t theoretical optimizations—they represent immediate, actionable changes that can improve household finances by thousands annually. The Reddit post&#8217;s popularity suggests many Americans recognize these patterns in their own financial lives but lack the specific knowledge to address them effectively.
Unlike complex investment strategies that require market timing or specialized knowledge, these adjustments focus on eliminating unnecessary expenses and optimizing routine financial decisions. For most households, addressing these fundamentals provides more immediate benefit than pursuing aggressive investment returns.
Read Next: 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>
Image: Shutterstock

5 'Stupid Money Mistakes' That Could Be Draining Thousands From Your Wallet—What Financial Advisors Aren't Telling You

Famed investor&nbsp;Peter Lynch&nbsp;once underscored the significance of understanding the business behind a stock before investing in it, while also questioning the efficacy of economic forecasting.
What Happened: Lynch, who is recognized for his successful stint at&nbsp;Fidelity Investments, disclosed his investment insights during a 1997 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myu4Nv0pt0U">speech</a>.
He emphasized the importance of understanding&nbsp;the business behind the stock, advising, &#8220;If you can't explain to an 11-year-old in two minutes or less, why you own the stock, you shouldn't own it. Understanding the business behind the stock is the most important principle of investing in the stock market. This is why&nbsp;Buffett&nbsp;only invests into what he understands and what falls in his circle of competence. I buy stuff like Dunkin Donuts, Stop and Shop and made money on them," Lynch said during the speech.&#8221;
This philosophy is in line&nbsp;with&nbsp;Warren Buffett&#8216;s investment strategy, which advocates for&nbsp;investing in areas of personal&nbsp;expertise.
Lynch dismissed&nbsp;the concept of economic forecasting,&nbsp;identifying himself as a &#8220;bottom-up&#8221; investor who concentrates&nbsp;on individual stocks through comprehensive&nbsp;company and industry analysis.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/stock-split/24/12/42635790/investment-guru-peter-lynch-often-great-investments-are-the-ones-where-everyone-else-will-think-you-are-crazy">Investment Guru Peter Lynch: &#8216;Often Great Investments Are The Ones Where Everyone Else Will Think You Are Crazy&#8217;</a>
He also underscored the significance of patience in investing, suggesting&nbsp;that substantial returns could be&nbsp;realized&nbsp;even a decade after a&nbsp;company&#8217;s&nbsp;initial public offering. He cited&nbsp;Walmart as an example, stressing&nbsp;that investing is a marathon,&nbsp;not a sprint.
&#8220;A decade after Walmart when public in 1970, it only had 15% penetration across the U.S. Thus, one could assume they had plenty of runway ahead to expand across the country, but success wasn&#8217;t guaranteed, so some investors might have though they already missed the bus,&#8221; Lynch said while talking about the Walmart.
Why It Matters: Lynch&#8217;s principles provide&nbsp;a valuable roadmap for both&nbsp;novice and seasoned&nbsp;investors. His emphasis on understanding&nbsp;the business, focusing on individual&nbsp;stocks, and practicing patience aligns&nbsp;with the strategies of successful&nbsp;investors like Buffett. 
His insights&nbsp;serve as a reminder to&nbsp;investors that successful investing hinges&nbsp;on making informed decisions and&nbsp;playing the long game.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45483312/peter-lynchs-market-advice-you-dont-need-a-lot-in-your-lifetime-you-only-need-a-few-good-socks-in-your-lifetime">Peter Lynch&#8217;s Market Advice: &#8216;You Don&#8217;t Need A Lot In Your Lifetime, You Only Need A Few Good Stocks In Your Lifetime&#8217;</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Success Stories

Peter Lynch: You Shouldn't Own a Stock if You Can't Explain It to an 11-Year-Old in 2 Minutes

In light of a disappointing jobs report released on Friday, Jim Cramer has urged the Federal Reserve to implement a cut in interest rates.
What Happened: The nonfarm payroll growth for July was a mere 73,000, falling significantly short of the anticipated 100,000. Additionally, the figures for&nbsp;May and June were revised&nbsp;downwards by a total of 258,000. 
The unemployment rate for the nation rose to 4.2% last month, as forecasted, while wages saw a modest year over year increase of 3.9%.
During a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/cramer-has-an-urgent-message-for-powell-after-julys-terrible-jobs-growth.html">show </a>on CNBC, Cramer voiced his concerns, stating, &#8220;We&nbsp;have very little job growth,&nbsp;and we have wages that&nbsp;are not going up. That is when you cut.&#8221; He also criticized Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell for his delay in implementing rate cuts.
"I've been a big backer of Jay Powell. But this is a number that says, ‘Jay, you didn't need to wait' to cut rates," Cramer added.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46736975/powell-holds-rates-copper-crashes-after-tariff-change-trump">Powell Puts Breaks On September Rate Cut—And Trump Triggers A Metal Market Crash</a> 
This disappointing jobs report comes on the heels of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision to keep short-term rates between 4.25% and 4.5% for the fifth consecutive meeting, despite President Donald Trump&#8216;s insistence on a rate cut. 
The market is now forecasting a higher likelihood of a rate cut at the central bank&#8217;s meeting in September.
The dismal jobs data, along with President Trump&#8217;s revised tariff plans, has sparked a substantial market sell-off. The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq experienced declines of over&nbsp;1.5% and 2%, respectively, during&nbsp;morning trading.
Why It Matters: The sluggish jobs growth and stagnant wage increases underscore the challenges facing the U.S. economy. The Federal Reserve&#8217;s reluctance to cut rates, despite mounting pressure from the White House, has raised concerns about the central bank&#8217;s ability to stimulate economic growth. 
The market&#8217;s reaction to the jobs report and revised tariff plans indicates growing investor uncertainty. The potential rate cut in September could provide a much-needed boost to the economy, but its impact remains to be seen.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty">Donald Trump Announces 15% Tariff Trade Agreement With EU, Ending Months Of Trade Uncertainty</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Jim Cramer Has Blunt Message for Fed Chair Powell After July Job Numbers Tanked

In recent polling data, President Donald Trump&#8216;s disapproval rating has hit a new high for the year, with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and economic issues playing significant roles.
What Happened: The most recent ActiVote poll, conducted in July, reveals a disapproval rating of 52.1 percent for Trump, a rise from 51.5 percent in the previous month. The president&#8217;s approval rating remains consistent at 44.5 percent.
The handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and Trump&#8217;s tariff policies, which have significantly affected the economy, have been key concerns for voters. 
Despite the drop, Trump&#8217;s approval rating still surpasses his first-term average and is higher than President Biden&#8217;s full-term average.
As per the <a href="https://www.activote.net/trumps-approval-holding-steady/">poll</a>, Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;approval within his own base&nbsp;has seen a decline, with support from&nbsp;the moderate right and right&nbsp;dipping to 82 percent, a 4-point drop from June. 
The Epstein scandal continues to loom over Trump&#8217;s administration, with&nbsp;a bipartisan majority of voters,&nbsp;including those who support MAGA, now advocating for the release of all Epstein-related government files.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46266316/donald-trumps-approval-rating-jumps-among-baby-boomers-heres-whats-driving-it">Donald Trump&#8217;s Approval Rating Jumps Among Baby Boomers — Here&#8217;s What&#8217;s Driving It</a>
Economic issues are also proving problematic for the Trump administration, as recent polls indicate a downward trajectory&nbsp;in the president&#8217;s approval rating&nbsp;regarding his management&nbsp;of the economy and inflation.&nbsp;
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that Trump&#8217;s approval rating has fallen&nbsp;to 40 percent, with 56&nbsp;percent disapproving, resulting in&nbsp;a net approval rating of&nbsp;-16 points.
Why It Matters: The rising disapproval rating for Trump comes at a crucial time, with the Epstein case and economic concerns casting a shadow over his administration. The decrease in approval from his own base could potentially impact his political standing and future prospects. 
The demand for transparency in the Epstein case and dissatisfaction with economic policies could influence public sentiment and voter behavior in the future. 
The administration&#8217;s response to these issues could be pivotal in shaping Trump&#8217;s legacy and political future.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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Image: Shutterstock/Shutterstock AI

Trump's Disapproval Rating Soars Amid Economic Woes, Epstein Drama

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is known for his emphasis on long-term investments. He focuses on businesses that he believes will maintain a competitive edge for decades to come.
What Happened: Buffett&#8217;s &#8220;buy and hold&#8221; strategy is the key to his advice for Apple investors to not get caught up in short-term metrics.
&#8220;Nobody buys a farm based on whether they think it&#8217;s going to rain next year. 
They buy it because they think it&#8217;s a good investment over 10 or 20 years,&#8221; he said in an interview in 2018. 
Buffett&#8217;s investment decisions are rooted in the longevity of a business, not its current performance. This approach led him to invest in See&#8217;s Candies in 1972 and Coca-Cola in 1988,&nbsp;both of which turned out&nbsp;to be profitable investments that he still owns today.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/entrepreneurship/25/07/46510607/forget-wealth-warren-buffett-says-this-word-is-the-true-measure-of-success">Forget &#8216;Wealth&#8217;: Warren Buffett Says This Word Is the True Measure of Success</a>
In his 1996 <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/1996.html">letter</a> to shareholders Buffett wrote, "Put together a portfolio of companies whose aggregate earnings march upward over the years, and so also will the portfolio's market value. If you aren't willing to own a stock for ten years, don't even think about owning it for ten minutes."
Buffett&#8217;s core principle of long-term investment can be applied to almost every purchase we make. Whether it&#8217;s deciding to buy a home, clothing, appliances, or furniture, the value of an investment usually increases the longer you hold onto it.
Buffett&#8217;s strategy serves as a reminder to consider the long-term value of an investment, whether it&#8217;s a stock or a new car. 
If the Oracle of Omaha serves as any example, the discipline to buy things only when you really, really like them pays off.
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Warren Buffett's Advice: 'If You Aren't Willing To Own A Stock For Ten Years, Don't Even Think About Owning It For Ten Minutes'

Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly developing a new rival to OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT via its newly formed &#8216;Answers&#8217; team. Meanwhile, an iPhone 17 Pro has been sighted in San Francisco.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in his <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-03/apple-s-chatgpt-rival-from-new-answers-team-iphone-17-spotted-in-the-wild-mdvmqs6g?srnd=undefined">latest </a>"Power On&#8221; report revealed that Apple is working on a stripped-down competitor to ChatGPT to enhance user access to global knowledge. This comes despite previous dismissals by Apple&#8217;s top software and marketing executives of the need for a chatbot. The company had earlier integrated ChatGPT into Siri, its voice assistant, in partnership with OpenAI.
Apple&#8217;s new team, known as Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI), is exploring various in-house AI services to create&nbsp;a new ChatGPT-like search experience.&nbsp;The AKI team is led&nbsp;by Robby Walker, a senior&nbsp;director reporting to AI chief&nbsp;John Giannandrea.
Apple&#8217;s current AI platform, Apple Intelligence, lacks search capabilities and is primarily focused&nbsp;on summarizing notifications, rewriting text,&nbsp;generating Genmoji images, and cleaning up photos. The new initiative aims to fill this gap.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/07/46510551/apples-first-foldable-iphone-a-game-changer-or-just-catching-up">Apple&#8217;s First Foldable iPhone: A Game-Changer or Just Catching Up?</a>
In other news,&nbsp;an iPhone 17 Pro was&nbsp;spotted in San Francisco, indicating that the company is testing its new device in real-world conditions. The device was seen in a stealth case designed to disguise the phone&#8217;s appearance.
Apple has also reportedly lost&nbsp;its fourth AI researcher in&nbsp;a month to&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FB#NASDAQ">FB</a>). The company&#8217;s foundation models team, responsible for developing large language models for generative AI, has been experiencing an exodus of talent.
The formation of the new &#8216;Answers&#8217; team and the development of a ChatGPT rival indicate Apple&#8217;s renewed focus on enhancing its AI capabilities. This comes amidst a talent drain from its AI research team to Meta Platforms. 
The sighting of the iPhone 17 Pro in the wild suggests that Apple is making progress in its device development and is likely nearing the launch of the new model. 
The company&#8217;s efforts to improve its AI services and continue its device innovation could potentially strengthen its position in the tech industry.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46383701/apple-undergoing-major-management-overhaul-but-ceo-tim-cook-to-stay-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Undergoing Major Management Overhaul, But CEO Tim Cook To Stay On</a>

AAPL

Apple's New 'Answers' Team Developing ChatGPT Rival, iPhone 17 Pro Spotted In San Francisco

More investors are shaking off Wall Street's rigidity to explore unconventional retirement holdings such as cryptocurrencies, private <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/07/46264585/12-next-gen-ai-and-social-startups-backed-by-thrive-capital-and-y-combinator-shaping-2025-were-on-the-brink-of-another-big-consumer-wave">startups</a>, and even livestock.
At the center are self‑directed investment retirement arrangements, custodial accounts that empower you to move beyond index funds and opt for digital assets, farmland, or a startup equity stake, <a href="https://info.irafinancial.com/lp/irafi-crypto/?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=y2">IRA Financial</a> says. These accounts have become a bridge between traditional retirement saving and more personalized wealth‑building strategies.
According to a<a href="https://lansons.com/lansons-survey-alternative-asset-platforms-vol2"> Lansons</a> survey, 26% of Americans are planning to invest in alternative assets within the next few years, and 48% more say they might consider it, with active investors open to allocating around 25% of their portfolios to private equity, farmland, digital collectibles, and other non-traditional assets.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Flourish or Farmland: Unexpected Assets in Retirement Accounts</h2>
Self-directed IRAs operate under the same Internal Revenue Service rules as traditional accounts but offer a far broader universe of eligible investment options,<a href="https://learn.rocketdollar.com/hc/en-us/articles/4404037206291-What-are-the-IRS-rules-regarding-owning-livestock-cattle-or-racehorses-in-my-Self-Directed-IRA-account"> Rocket Dollar</a> says. Allowed assets include real estate, private equity, precious metals, digital assets, and yes, even livestock like cows or racehorses, so long as the investment is handled by the IRA trustee and rules are strictly followed.
Investing in agriculture with an IRA can mean purchasing farmland or leasing it out to operators, with revenue flowing tax‑deferred into the IRA. Over time, the land may appreciate.<a href="https://www.myiralender.com/non-recourse-loan-2/can-you-invest-in-agriculture-with-your-self-directed-ira/"> My IRA Lender</a> says farmland IRAs also open the door to small farms, apple orchards, corn and grain fields, or even herds of cattle, though the upkeep must be outsourced, and prohibited transactions avoided.
According to My IRA Lender, using an IRA to buy farmland allows income and gains from the land to flow back into the IRA on a tax‑deferred basis.
High-net-worth individuals have placed substantial capital into farmland, a tangible asset often considered a hedge against inflation and volatility. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/05/45607543/warren-buffett-you-can-make-a-fortune-but-your-life-is-a-disaster-if-you-overlook-this-one-thing">Warren Buffett</a> once <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJvprC3eX44&amp;t=2s&amp;ab_channel=kguy70">remarked</a> he'd rather own U.S. farmland than all the gold, and in an interview with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sWhvOaavTQ&amp;ab_channel=BloombergOriginals">Bloomberg</a>, Michael Burry called agricultural land potentially "very valuable," especially in the long term. The trend is supported by analysis showing that farmland can generate stable returns and low correlation with public markets.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Digital Assets Beyond Bitcoin: How Crypto Fits In</h2>
The crypto boom ignited a surge in retail demand for digital asset exposure, especially for investors interested in retirement accounts. A global survey by<a href="https://www.coinbase.com/en-de/blog/rising-allocations-broadening-use-cases-new-research-from-EY-parthenon-and-Coinbase"> Coinbase (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) and EY‑Parthenon</a> found that as of January, 86% of institutional investors either already had exposure to digital assets or planned to this year. A strong majority, or 83%, said they intend to increase crypto allocations, with 59% aiming for more than 5% of total assets under management.
Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">invest today for just $0.30/share.</a>
Retail investors are increasingly taking the same path, an <a href="https://www.ey.com/en_us/insights/financial-services/how-investors-make-digital-assets-part-of-their-lives">EY-Parthenon</a> survey says. Many are expanding beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum into altcoins, staking, and tokenized assets that provide access to opportunities once reserved for institutions.
Several well-known investors and companies are jumping into crypto as part of a broader "crypto-treasury" strategy, according to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/crypto-treasury-e7ae573c">The Wall Street Journal</a>. MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) CEO Michael Saylor, pioneered this approach in 2020 by selling shares and debt to build a massive Bitcoin position, with the company now worth more than $115 billion. Former Barclays (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BCS#NASDAQ">BCS</a>) CEO Bob Diamond has also joined the trend through Atlas Merchant Capital, partnering with major investors to form a $305 million fund to buy a new crypto token called Hyperliquid.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Startup Equity and Private Placements: Access the Next Unicorn</h2>
Self‑directed Roth IRAs can hold private startup investments and venture deals, allowing capital growth to unfold inside a tax‑advantaged structure. According to<a href="https://www.madisontrust.com/exploring-venture-capital-with-a-self-directed-ira/"> Madison Trust</a>, these plans enable direct participation in private equity, venture capital, and private placement deals, well aligned with the multi‑year horizon of IRA investing.
Perhaps the most famous example is Peter Thiel, who used a self‑directed Roth IRA to invest in early PayPal (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>) shares with just $1,700. As PayPal, and later Facebook and Palantir (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), surged in value, those holdings remained inside the Roth and grew tax‑free, reportedly accounting for over $5 billion in value without a tax liability,<a href="https://www.altoira.com/insights/invest-like-peter-thiel"> Alto IRA</a> reports.
That kind of structure lets investors pursue private opportunities alongside the tax benefits typical of a Roth IRA. Of course, compliance is essential as deals must avoid prohibited transactions, and income from pass-through entities may trigger unrelated business taxable income, <a href="https://info.irafinancial.com/lp/irafi-crypto/?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=y2">IRA Financial</a> says. Legal expertise and a proper custodian help manage these complexities.
Investor gains in a self‑directed Roth, if structured properly, can compound aggressively over time, especially when early stakes in startups go on to scale significantly.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IRA Financial: A Partner for Alternative Retirement Investing</h2>
Platforms such as <a href="https://info.irafinancial.com/lp/irafi-crypto/?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=y2">IRA Financial</a> have become central to this shift. As a leading custodian for self‑directed IRAs and Solo 401(k) accounts, IRA Financial provides tools for individuals to manage non‑traditional assets inside a retirement account. The company specializes in helping investors hold assets like real estate, crypto, farmland, precious metals, and private equity while maintaining compliance with IRS rules.
Its flat‑fee structure, expert guidance, and support for checkbook IRAs and Roth strategies have made it a preferred choice for investors who want more control over their retirement funds. The platform's services extend to handling trustee tasks, tax filings, and reporting, allowing investors to focus on building wealth in the areas they know best.<a href="https://info.irafinancial.com/lp/irafi-crypto/?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=y2"> IRA Financial</a> has earned industry recognition for innovations such as crypto‑enabled retirement investing and real‑time online account management.
By removing many of the traditional limitations of retirement accounts, <a href="https://info.irafinancial.com/lp/irafi-crypto/?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=y2">IRA Financial</a> gives investors the ability to move beyond Wall Street's menu of stocks and bonds and pursue a strategy that aligns with their knowledge, goals, and risk tolerance.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bigger Picture</h2>
The post‑crypto boom landscape has created a new appetite for alternative assets. From farmland leases to startup equity, the options inside a self‑directed IRA can be as unconventional as they are potentially rewarding.
Self‑directed IRAs offer a structure where these ambitions can be realized without abandoning tax advantages. For those who want more control over how their retirement money works, platforms like I<a href="https://info.irafinancial.com/lp/irafi-crypto/?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=y2">RA Financial</a> represent a pathway to build a portfolio that looks very different from Wall Street's standard playbook.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
Image: Shutterstock

PLTR

PYPL

The Rich Are Using Self-Directed IRAs To Invest In Crypto, Startups—And Even Cows. Should You?

Elon Musk has revealed his plans to restore the Vine video archive. This marks his second attempt to bring back the once-popular short-form video sharing platform.
What Happened: Musk, who acquired and rebranded Twitter to X in 2022, has stated that the company has successfully recovered the Vine video archive and is now working on restoring user access. 
This announcement follows Musk&#8217;s previous unsuccessful attempts to revive Vine.
Contrary to expectations, Musk&#8217;s announcement indicates&nbsp;that Vine will not be&nbsp;making a comeback as a standalone app. Instead,&nbsp;the video archive will be&nbsp;integrated into Musk&#8217;s platform, allowing users to share existing videos.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Grok Imagine is AI Vine! Btw, we recently found the Vine video archive (thought it had been deleted) and are working on restoring user access, so you can post them if you want.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1951697566325981414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Vine, at its height of popularity, had an impressive user base of approximately 200 million. The platform was well-known for its entertaining and quirky video clips. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46510590/elon-musk-returns-to-intense-work-schedule-back-to-working-7-days-a-week-and-sleeping-in-the-office">Elon Musk Returns To Intense Work Schedule: &#8216;Back To Working 7 Days a Week and Sleeping in the Office&#8217;</a>
However, due to alleged mismanagement and the rise of competitive platforms like TikTok, Vine was eventually discontinued.
The success of Musk&#8217;s attempt to restore Vine is still up in the air. The announcement has elicited a range of reactions, from excitement to skepticism, particularly due to its link with Musk&#8217;s AI chatbot, Grok.
Why It Matters: The restoration of Vine&#8217;s video archive could potentially add a new dimension to Musk&#8217;s platform. It could also provide a nostalgic trip down memory lane for former Vine users. 
However, the success of this endeavor largely depends on the execution and how it will be received by the users. 
The mixed response to the announcement suggests that the restoration of Vine may be met with both enthusiasm and skepticism. Only time will tell if Musk&#8217;s second attempt to revive Vine will be a success or another failed venture.
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Elon Musk Again Trying To Revive Vine Video Archive

President Donald Trump&#8216;s former personal attorney Michael Cohen has predicted that Trump might set his sights on the fortune of tech magnate Elon Musk following their recent spat. 
What Happened:&nbsp;Cohen thinks Trump&#8217;s jealousy of Musk&#8217;s position as the wealthiest man in the world could drive him to target Musk&#8217;s wealth. 
Musk, who is the CEO of&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), had earlier contributed $250 million to Trump&#8217;s 2024 campaign and was chosen to spearhead a cost-reduction initiative under&nbsp;the Department of Government Efficiency&nbsp;(DOGE).
Earlier speaking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iKpUAYcdQQ">with </a>MSNBC, Cohen said, "I said from the very start that this bromance was going to come to an end. I'm going to go one step even further, again, and I'm going to say Trump will ultimately go after Elon's money next because it bothers him that he is the richest man in the world." 
Cohen, now a prominent critic of Trump, speculates that Trump could utilize DOGE to probe how Musk and his businesses &#8220;exploited the United States of America&#8221; and try to &#8220;reclaim&#8221; government subsidies given to Tesla.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46266380/ex-trump-lawyer-sent-this-message-to-elon-musk-after-feud-with-donald-trump-erupted">Ex-Trump Lawyer Sent This Message To Elon Musk After Feud With Donald Trump Erupted</a>
However,&nbsp;White House communications director Steven&nbsp;Cheung dismissed Cohen&#8217;s forecasts, describing him as a &#8220;deeply disturbed&#8221; person spreading &#8220;falsehoods and deception&#8221;.
Why It Matters: The conjecture by Cohen, if it materializes, could lead to a significant shift in the dynamics between Trump and Musk. 
The latter&#8217;s wealth, largely attributed to his leadership at Tesla, has been a subject of public interest. Musk&#8217;s contribution to Trump&#8217;s campaign and his role in DOGE further intertwine their professional relationship. 
Any action by Trump targeting Musk&#8217;s fortune could potentially impact Tesla&#8217;s operations and its standing in the market. However, these are mere predictions at this point, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock

Ex-Trump Lawyer Says Trump Could Set Sights on Musk's Billions: 'It Bothers Him That He Is the Richest Man'

Luxury brands are grappling with a significant sales slump, raising concerns over&nbsp;the long-term structural attractiveness of&nbsp;the industry. 
What Happened: Last week Kering disclosed a less-than-expected Q2 2025 performance, with a 15% YoY drop in sales to $4.27 billion. This falls short of the €3.96 billion predicted by LSEG analysts.
Gucci, a significant contributor to Kering&#8217;s overall revenue, reported a 25% decrease in sales for the quarter, amounting to €1.46 billion. 
As per a report <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/29/kering-ker-fr-earnings-q2-2025.html">by </a>CNBC, François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of the luxury group, acknowledged the disappointing results but expressed optimism about the company&#8217;s ongoing efforts to enhance its performance.
Despite the challenging economic and geopolitical landscape, Kering remains committed to executing its strategy for profitable long-term growth. Sales&nbsp;were weaker across all markets,&nbsp;with Japan and the Asia Pacific region leading the decline.
Bernard Arnault,&nbsp;owner of Louis Vuitton and&nbsp;over 70 other luxury brands, remains optimistic, despite a 20% drop in&nbsp;LVMH MC&#8217;s&nbsp;stock this year.
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/luxury-brands-sales-weak-bcc209ca?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=ASWzDAjqZluWmCKOI_WnfMvSYqRmn_Rl0zbg62URCUApL_nRTZu9VbRwi2fx3uEXY2Y%3D&amp;gaa_ts=688f65a6&amp;gaa_sig=BGcZX58ga1odP9kJJRuvq-HEjS38eEk3rwD8oRZ_HLkYs1AVZwOKLVyOT1U0YLFF5_ZS-s7wWj3qHUGsfH97lw%3D%3D">The</a> Wall Street Journal, Arnault has invested over $1 billion in the company&#8217;s shares since January. However, investors are growing concerned. LVMH reported disappointing results last week, with a 9% drop in sales from&nbsp;its fashion and leather goods&nbsp;division in the second quarter. 
The company attributed this to weak demand for brands like&nbsp;Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior&nbsp;due to reduced tourist spending.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38155531/prada-gucci-louis-vuitton-brace-for-sales-slump-as-chinas-economic-turbulence-hits-luxury-market">Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton Brace For Sales Slump As China&#8217;s Economic Turbulence Hits Luxury Market</a>
Industry-wide, sales are expected to remain flat this year, marking&nbsp;the second consecutive year of&nbsp;lackluster demand. This is a significant deviation from the norm, as the industry typically&nbsp;grows at twice the rate&nbsp;of global economic growth.
Furthermore, Gen Z&#8217;s spending on luxury goods fell by 7% last year,&nbsp;equivalent to a $5.7 billion&nbsp;drop. This decline is attributed to negative stories about the industry&#8217;s supply chain abuses and extreme price markups going viral on social media, reports the outlet. 
The luxury industry is now 50% larger than a decade ago, making growth even more challenging for established brands. Despite these hurdles, new creative designers from major luxury brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Dior are set to unveil&nbsp;fresh collections later this year.
Why It Matters:&nbsp;The luxury goods market is facing a critical juncture. The industry&#8217;s growth has traditionally outpaced global economic growth, but recent trends suggest a possible structural shift. 
The decline in Gen Z&#8217;s spending, driven by concerns over supply chain abuses and extreme price markups, indicates a changing consumer landscape. 
The industry&#8217;s response to these challenges, including the introduction of new collections by major brands, will be crucial in determining its future trajectory.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38967742/louis-vuitton-and-alibaba-strengthen-ties-to-boost-ai-powered-luxury-retail">Louis Vuitton And Alibaba Strengthen Ties To Boost AI-Powered Luxury Retail</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Andrei Antipov

Luxury Labels Lose Their Luster Amid Changing Vibes, Gucci Sales Plunge 25% and LVMH Disappoints

Amid record-high markets, six Wall Street strategists shared where they would deploy $10,000 right now, identifying areas ranging from artificial intelligence to emerging markets, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-to-invest-10000-right-now-stock-market-advice-recommendations-2025-7">according</a> to Business Insider.
Experts say there&#8217;s still opportunity across various asset classes, including U.S. and global equities, small-cap stocks, and dividend-paying stocks.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JPMorgan Backs International Stocks Over U.S.</h2>
J.P. Morgan Asset Management Chief Market Strategist for the Americas Gabriela Santos said that she would allocate $7,000 to developed-market ex-U.S. equities and $3,000 to emerging markets, pointing out that U.S. stocks now trade at roughly a 35% premium to international peers—much higher than their historical 15% premium.
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"After 15 years of disappointment, it's really been all about international equities this year — huge outperformance, and something we see as just the beginning," Santos told Business Insider.
She added that a weaker U.S. dollar and growing investor interest in global markets support this shift. Santos cited the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VEA#NYSE">VEA</a>) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EEM#NYSE">EEM</a>), which were up 19.7% and 18.6%, respectively, as of last week.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stifel's Bannister Favors Diversified Equity Exposure</h2>
With tech stocks dominating market headlines, Stifel Financial Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SF#NYSE">SF</a>, SFB)) Chief Equity Strategist Barry Bannister is steering in a different direction. He recommends spreading a $10,000 investment equally across small-cap, international, and value stocks to offset tech-sector concentration, Business Insider reported.
&#8220;Right now, the market&#8217;s obsessively focused on tech. But it&#8217;s hard to run an economy on seven stocks,&#8221; Bannister said.
He highlighted the concentration risk in the tech sector and pointed to the Vanguard Value ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTV#NYSE">VTV</a>), iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>), and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACWX#NASDAQ">ACWX</a>) as preferred picks for diversification—and said he's recently adopted the approach himself using fresh capital received in May.
Trending: $100k+ in investable assets? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wiseradvisor-retirement-planning">Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes</a> – no cost, no obligation.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Equal Weight for Better Balance, Says Haverford Trust</h2>
Haverford Trust Chief Investment Office Hank Smith recommended a two-part allocation: 50% to 60% in an equal-weighted S&amp;P 500 ETF such as the Invesco S&amp;P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSP#NYSE">RSP</a>) and 40% to 50% in a cap-weighted index such as the Nasdaq 100.
Smith said equal weighting helps reduce overexposure to the top tech names, while the Nasdaq allocation ensures continued participation in any tech-driven rally.
"Now you get all your top tech holdings that are driving this market," Smith told Business Insider.
He said the approach works best with a minimum investment horizon of five years.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Piper Sandler Emphasizes U.S. Large-Cap Leaders</h2>
​​With elevated interest rates and a split in corporate earnings performance, investors may benefit more from selective stock-picking than from index investing, Piper Sandler (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PIPR#NYSE">PIPR</a>) Chief Investment Officer Michael Kantrowitz told Business Insider.
He said he expects U.S. large-cap leaders to continue outperforming and advised avoiding passive sector ETFs, which can misrepresent actual stock performance due to their weighting structures.
"The earnings backdrop is going to be very bifurcated, and interest rates are going to remain elevated," Kantrowitz told the outlet.
Companies currently screening well in Piper Sandler's models include Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), and Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</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">BlackRock Strategist Looks Beyond Just Tech</h2>
Investors shouldn&#8217;t abandon Big Tech — but diversification is key, according to BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) Global Chief Investment Officer of Fundamental Equities Tony DeSpirito, who manages several value-focused funds.
&#8220;I&#8217;m not negative on the Mag Seven,&#8221; he told Business Insider. &#8220;Many of them have really good growth and really good free cash flow. That&#8217;s an incredibly powerful combination, and so they earn the multiples that they&#8217;re trading at.&#8221;
DeSpirito recommends splitting a portfolio across large-cap growth, dividend stocks, and value plays to hedge against volatility. He flagged dividend names for their downside resilience and steady income, and called healthcare — especially medical device makers — a ‘quality value' area that's been largely overlooked. The S&amp;P 500 healthcare sector is down about 2% year-to-date.
Still, he warned that some large pharmaceutical companies could be value traps, with earnings too dependent on soon-to-expire patents.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Janus Henderson Sees Growth in Tech, Europe, and Mid-Caps</h2>
Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JHG#NYSE">JHG</a>) U.S. Head of Portfolio Construction and Strategy Lara Castleton recommended a diversified portfolio approach for investors with longer time horizons and higher risk tolerance.
"We see strong potential in U.S. mid-caps and international equities," Castleton told Business Insider, recommending a three-part portfolio: 60% in large-cap U.S. equities with a tech tilt — via funds like the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) or Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) — along with 20% in ex-U.S. stocks, and 20% in U.S. mid-caps.
She said international names, especially in Europe, are showing improved fundamentals, while U.S. mid-caps are benefiting from reshoring trends and offer greater upside than their larger peers.
Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
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