A high-stakes security meeting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45609927/trump-tariff-countermeasures-japan-to-reportedly-roll-out-6-3-billion-emergency-fund-stimulus-as-early-as-tuesday">between the U.S. and Japan</a> has reportedly been canceled, as Tokyo pushes back against the Donald Trump administration&#8217;s escalating defense budget demands.



What Happened: Japan has canceled a key bilateral security meeting with the U.S. after Washington abruptly raised its demand for Tokyo to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, up from the previously requested 3%, according <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/53f646e7-b4e7-4bf4-8d5d-7142b4460080">to</a> a report by the Financial Times, which cited three people familiar with the matter, including officials in Tokyo.



The annual "2+2" summit, originally set for July 1 in Washington, was expected to bring together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and their Japanese counterparts, Gen Nakatani and Takeshi Iwaya.



However, the meeting was called off after comments by Elbridge Colby, a senior Pentagon official, reignited tensions by pressing Tokyo for a more aggressive defense contribution, the report added.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45548615/alphabet-well-positioned-for-google-search-dominance-analyst-says-can-navigate-the-shift-to-ai-search" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alphabet ‘Well Positioned&#8217; For Google Search Dominance: Analyst Says Can ‘Navigate The Shift To AI Search&#8217;</a>



The demand angered Japanese officials, particularly with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45609927/trump-tariff-countermeasures-japan-to-reportedly-roll-out-6-3-billion-emergency-fund-stimulus-as-early-as-tuesday">upper house elections looming</a> on July 20.&nbsp;



Christopher Johnstone, a former senior U.S. government Japan expert, called the cancellation "extraordinary," adding that Tokyo's move signals "significant unease" about the state of U.S.-Japan relations, the report noted.



Why It&#8217;s Important: In May, it was reported that Japan is preparing to import close to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45636302/nvidia-amd-stand-to-gain-big-as-japan-proposes-about-7-billion-us-chip-deal-in-tariff-talks-report">$7 billion in U.S.-made semiconductors</a>—a move that could provide a major boost to chipmakers such as Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), as trade talks with the Trump administration continue.



Earlier this month, it was reported that Japan plans to propose a cooperation package to the U.S. during upcoming tariff negotiations to ease the effects of the U.S.-China trade war.



Trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa will present measures focusing on stabilizing supply chains for Chinese rare earths and U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), both disrupted by the conflict.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45599346/why-googles-demis-hassabis-disagrees-with-co-founder-sergey-brin-on-when-agi-will-arrive-and-sets-a-much-higher-bar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Why Google's Demis Hassabis Disagrees With Co-Founder Sergey Brin On When AGI Will Arrive: ‘I Have Quite A High Bar'</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Politics

NVDA

Tokyo Cancels Key Security Summit After Trump Administration Pushes For 3.5% Defense Spending: Report

Reddit Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>) is reportedly exploring a partnership with Tools for Humanity, the company behind Sam Altman's World ID and iris-scanning Orb, to offer anonymous but verified user identities.



What Happened: Reddit has been in talks with Tools for Humanity to integrate World ID, a biometric verification system powered by its Orb device, <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/06/20/2025/reddit-considers-iris-scanning-orb-developed-by-a-sam-altman-startup">reported</a> Semafor, citing two people familiar with the matter.



The Orb scans a user's iris to confirm they are a unique human, offering proof of personhood without collecting personally identifiable information.



If implemented, World ID could become one of Reddit's third-party verification options, allowing users to confirm their identity anonymously amid growing concerns over bots, fake accounts and AI-generated content on social media platforms, the report added.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45899111/apple-may-end-up-acquiring-perplexity-like-it-did-with-beats-in-2014-says-dan-ives-consumers-need-reasons-to-upgrade-as-iphone-maker-falls-way-behind-in-ai-race" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple May End Up Acquiring Perplexity Like It Did With Beats In 2014, Says Dan Ives—Consumers Need ‘Reasons To Upgrade&#8217; As iPhone Maker Falls ‘Way Behind&#8217; In AI Race</a>



Why It&#8217;s Important: World ID is part of a broader initiative by Tools for Humanity—co-founded by OpenAI CEO Altman—to distribute cryptocurrency called Worldcoin in exchange for biometric verification, aiming to establish a universal digital identity system.



Earlier this month, it was reported that Reddit is gaining more visibility in Google's AI Overviews, becoming the second most-cited source after Quora, according to Semrush.



This boost is linked to Reddit's $60 million content licensing deal with Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google in 2024. However, analysts caution that the increased exposure may not lead to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45943729/reddit-is-the-second-most-cited-source-in-google-ai-overviews-but-logged-out-traffic-may-undercut-revenue-gains">significant revenue growth for Reddit</a>.



Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings indicate a consistent upward trajectory for Reddit across short, medium and long-term periods. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">More detailed performance data is available here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/21041653/Screenshot-2025-06-21-at-1.45.27%E2%80%AFPM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-956949"/></a></figure>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45889800/dow-jones-breaks-43000-palantir-hits-new-record-highs-whats-driving-markets-wednesday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dow Jones Breaks 43,000, Palantir Hits New Record Highs: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Wednesday?</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Henry Franklin/Shutterstock

Tech

GOOG

GOOGL

RDDT

Reddit Eyes Sam Altman's Iris-Scanning Orb To Verify Real Users Without Compromising Anonymity: Report

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



Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, and President Donald Trump's renewed attacks on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, unsettled markets this week. The Federal Reserve held rates at 4.25-4.5%, cut its 2026 rate‑cut outlook, and signaled two cuts in 2025 amid growing inflation concerns. Trump called Powell "an American disgrace," renewing calls for outsized rate cuts.



Markets fluctuated on geopolitical and central‑bank uncertainty. Energy and defense stocks lagged, while treasury yields climbed modestly as investors weighed inflation risks. Renewables fell following proposed tax‑credit rollbacks.



Looking ahead, investors are watching Fed nominations — Trump hinted at replacing Powell — as well as developments in the Middle East and next week's economic data. Any signals on Fed independence or geopolitical escalation could significantly sway sentiment.



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.







The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46030182/circle-stock-rockets-540-cathie-wood-says-weve-just-begun">"Circle stock rockets 540%: Cathie Wood says ‘we've just begun'"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Circle Internet Group Inc. (NYSE: CRCL) shares have surged 540% since their June 5 IPO — hitting $199.59 — after a Senate vote on the GENIUS Act and bullish remarks from ARK Invest's Cathie Wood, who said "we've just begun on a very big journey here."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/45994711/uranium-stocks-on-11-week-tear-their-longest-winning-streak-in-history">"Uranium stocks on 11‑week tear — their longest winning streak in history"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that uranium equities and ETFs — including Global X Uranium ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/URA#NYSE">URA</a>) and Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/URNM#NYSE">URNM</a>) — have rallied for 11 consecutive weeks, marking their longest uninterrupted winning streak on record.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46007657/gorilla-technology-stock-surges-on-q1-earnings-as-momentum-builds">"Gorilla Technology stock surges on Q1 earnings as momentum builds"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRRR#NASDAQ">GRRR</a>) shares climbed sharply after Q1 results showed revenue doubled to $18.26 million year-over-year and adjusted earnings swung to a $0.23 profit from a $1.47 loss, while its $5 billion pipeline and $33.8 million cash position bolstered investor confidence.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/45999930/aptevo-therapeutics-touts-data-from-investigational-drug-trial-for-aggressive-blood-cancer">Aptevo Therapeutics Touts Data From Investigational Drug Trial For Aggressive Blood Cancer</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46007657/gorilla-technology-stock-surges-on-q1-earnings-as-momentum-builds">Oklo Stock Is Rising Again: What's Going On?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45982049/vertiv-holdings-stock-25-off-highs-is-now-riding-nvidias-ai-wave">Vertiv Holdings Stock, 25% Off Highs, Is Now Riding Nvidia's AI Wave</a>







The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/downgrades/25/06/45981680/sunrun-receives-downgrade-as-analyst-warns-business-model-relies-on-inflated-system-values-for-tax-credits">"Sunrun receives downgrade as analyst warns business model relies on inflated system values for tax credits"</a>, by Anusuya Lahiri, reports that Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ: RUN) was downgraded to Sell by GLJ Research's Gordon L. Johnson II, who warned that the company depends on overstating solar system values to claim tax credits — an exposure that the pending Senate bill could curtail and threaten its cash flow.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/travel/25/06/45983684/jetblue-ceo-more-cuts-ahead-as-airline-faces-prolonged-losses">"JetBlue CEO: More cuts ahead as airline faces prolonged losses"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that CEO Joanna Geraghty warned employees that weak travel demand has forced JetBlue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JBLU#NASDAQ">JBLU</a>) to implement further flight and cost reductions and to delay its break-even target, potentially prolonging losses despite planned capacity cuts and route eliminations.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/06/46000107/mcdonalds-stock-slips-below-200-day-line-can-the-big-arch-reverse-the-slide">"McDonald's stock slips below 200‑day line — can ‘The Big Arch' reverse the slide"</a>, by Surbhi  Jain, reports that McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) shares have fallen below their 200‑day moving average — alongside key technical indicators like an RSI of 25.75 and a bearish MACD — while options markets reflect little optimism despite the launch of the "Big Arch" burger.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/45984979/beyond-air-stock-dips-after-mixed-q4-results-heres-what-to-know">Beyond Air Stock Dips After Mixed Q4 Results: Here's What To Know</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/25/06/45997534/canadian-medical-marijuana-firm-aurora-cannabis-expects-weak-demand-in-international-market">Canadian Medical Marijuana Firm Aurora Cannabis Expects Weak Demand In International Market</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/45995637/houston-american-energy-stock-is-sinking-wednesday-heres-why">Houston American Energy Stock Is Sinking Wednesday: Here's Why</a>







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



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Markets

APVO

CRCL

GRRR

HUSA

JBLU

OKLO

URNM

XAIR

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Circle, Sunrun, JetBlue — And Mideast Has Markets Nervous

Investor caution dominated Wall Street this week, as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran fueled fears of potential U.S. involvement. Plus, the Federal Reserve's decision to keep rates as is peeved President Donald Trump.



The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.5% for the fourth consecutive meeting, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">reaffirming its cautious stance. </a>



Overall economic uncertainty has &#8220;diminished&#8221; since March, but the Fed warns that risks remain elevated. Policymakers maintain their median projection of two rate cuts in 2025, while trimming the 2026 outlook from three cuts to two — signaling a slightly more hawkish stance.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46035360/stock-market-today-news-sp500-nasdaq-trump-iran-bitcoin">S&amp;P 500 Extends Retreat From Highs, Bitcoin Falls Below $103,000: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Friday?</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Powell Defends The Decision</h3>



Federal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45999380/trump-powell-again-markets-breathe-iran-rejects-demands">Reserve Chair Jerome Powell</a> defended the pause. He argues that while inflation has moderated, it is still too high to justify rate reductions. He cited new inflationary pressures stemming from tariffs tied to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">trade policy changes</a>.



The Fed now forecasts 2025 headline inflation at 3%, up from 2.7% in March. Meanwhile, GDP growth was revised downward to 1.4% in 2025, from a prior estimate of 1.7%.



However, in a Friday interview with CNBC, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said the U.S. central bank could start cutting interest rates <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46035535/fed-guv-says-rate-cuts-july-rate-sensitive-etfs-fed-pivot-looms">as early as July</a>.



Waller is a Trump appointee.



Trump, meanwhile, took to calling Powell names in a social media post, labeling the Fed Chair "an American disgrace," arguing that the Fed&#8217;s inaction costs the U.S. billions in higher interest payments.



Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte echoed the sentiment, calling for Powell's immediate resignation and blaming him for damaging the housing market. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45814493/its-a-buyers-market-redfin-reports-there-are-34-more-sellers-in-the-market-than-buyers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Homes are sitting on the market</a> for weeks or even months while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44218740/kevin-oleary-says-prices-arent-going-down-eggs-energy-and-housing-remain-sky-high-but-he-thinks-its-part-of-a-bigger-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prices remain sky high</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mortgage rates</a> remain near 6.8%.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46006680/powell-holds-line-on-interest-rates-blames-tariff-uncertainty-for-delay-in-cuts">Why Powell Held Rates Steady, And What Trump&#8217;s Iran Comments Could Mean For Markets</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Energy Sector</h3>



Oil prices, which spiked in the prior week, steadied near $73 per barrel. Powell dismissed parallels with the 1970s oil shocks, stating that while further price spikes are possible, they are unlikely to generate persistent inflationary effects.



Meanwhile, two major Congressional developments shaped market action. The Senate's draft tax bill proposed phasing out clean energy and solar tax credits earlier than anticipated, sparking a steep sell-off in renewables. 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) tumbled 13% on the week</li>



<li>Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NASDAQ">ENPH</a>) dropped 18%, and </li>



<li>Sunrun (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>) plunged 35%.</li>
</ul>



On The Crypto Front: Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) surged 27% on the week after the Senate passed a bill establishing a federal framework for dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies, known as stablecoins.



The bill offers what its supporters argue is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46025145/saks-stablecoin-bill-treasury-buying-trump-ties-cloud-push">long-awaited regulatory clarity</a> that could unleash capital from institutional investors. Critics, mostly Democrats, say it&#8217;s a conflict of interest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45995223/genius-stablecoin-bill-clears-senate-but-trumps-crypto-profits-loom-over-momentum">for the Trump family</a>.



Now Read:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/eurozone/25/06/46026714/this-rare-market-dynamic-preceded-the-dot-com-crash-its-back-in-2025">This Rare Market Dynamic Preceded The Dot-Com Crash — It&#8217;s Back In 2025 </a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Equities

Government

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Regulations

Econ #s

Economics

Federal Reserve

COIN

ENPH

FSLR

Wall Street Wavers As Geopolitical Tensions Flare, Trump Renews Attacks On Fed Chair Powell: This Week In Markets

X has been working on its payment service for some time now and a new report has revealed that it also plans to include a physical debit card.



What Happened: The app&#8217;s recent updates reveal code strings indicating features like card activation, shipping status checks, and more, according to a report <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/20/x-app-code-points-to-a-physical-card-coming-to-x-money/">by</a> TechCrunch on Friday.



The new debit card, customizable with users&#8217; X usernames, is part of X&#8217;s broader strategy to compete with&nbsp;digital banks and payment services. The news follows&nbsp;Linda Yaccarino, X&#8217;s CEO, announcing a partnership with&nbsp;Visa&nbsp;for the X Money service,&nbsp;which will enable instant funding of&nbsp;X Wallet accounts via Visa&nbsp;Direct.



Yaccarino mentioned that this is the first of many announcements for X Money this year. The company has been securing&nbsp;money transmitter licenses across the&nbsp;U.S., now covering 40 states and Washington, D.C. The app&#8217;s code also hints at potential cashback and deferred debit features, and mentions support for&nbsp;MasterCard&nbsp;and&nbsp;Amex.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/financing/25/06/46019534/elon-musks-x-plans-to-launch-in-app-stock-trading-to-challenge-robinhood-sofi-ceo-says-youll-whole-financial-life-could-be-on-the-platform">Elon Musk&#8217;s X Plans To Launch In-App Stock Trading To Challenge Robinhood, SoFi — CEO Says You&#8217;ll &#8216;Whole Financial Life&#8217; Could Be On The Platform</a>



Why It Matters: Elon Musk, owner of X, has long aimed to transform the app into an &#8220;everything app,&#8221; incorporating payments and banking. This aligns with his earlier ventures, including co-founding X.com, which evolved into PayPal . X plans to announce X Money later this year.



The introduction of a physical debit card is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43376448/elon-musks-x-money-to-see-about-600-million-active-monthly-users-via-visa-direct-integration">Elon Musk&#8217;s vision</a>&nbsp;for X as an all-encompassing financial platform. Earlier this year, it was revealed that X Money could potentially reach around 600 million active monthly users through its integration with Visa Direct, enhancing the platform&#8217;s capability for instant fund transfers.



Additionally, the move aligns with X&#8217;s broader strategy to offer a comprehensive suite of financial services, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/financing/25/06/46019534/elon-musks-x-plans-to-launch-in-app-stock-trading-to-challenge-robinhood-sofi-ceo-says-youll-whole-financial-life-could-be-on-the-platform">in-app stock trading</a>, which aims to challenge existing platforms like Robinhood Markets and SoFi Technologies. This initiative underscores X&#8217;s ambition to integrate users&#8217; entire financial lives into its ecosystem.



Furthermore, Musk&#8217;s push for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42806463/elon-musks-push-for-crypto-powered-everything-app-reflected-in-x-money-leak-as-bitcoin-hovers-around-100k">crypto-powered &#8220;everything app&#8221;</a>&nbsp;is reflected in&nbsp;the X Money service, which&nbsp;may include cryptocurrency features. This aligns with Musk&#8217;s longstanding interest in digital currencies and his previous ventures in the fintech space.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43534945/tangem-secures-us-patent-for-seedless-crypto-wallet-backup-technology">Tangem Secures US Patent For Seedless Crypto Wallet Backup Technology</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.

Elon Musk's X To Offer Physical Debit Cards As Part Of His 'Everything App' Vision: Report

To avoid a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36590820/google-dealt-a-blow-in-2-6b-eu-antitrust-fine-as-court-advisor-suggests-dismissing-appeal">hefty fine from the EU</a>, Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google is reportedly offering to revamp its search results to better showcase rivals, as scrutiny over the tech giant&#8217;s dominance intensifies.



What Happened: According to internal documents seen by Reuters, Google has proposed new concessions aimed at satisfying the European Commission's concerns over its preferential treatment of in-house services like Google Shopping, Flights and Hotels.



Under the new proposal, a vertical search service (VSS) chosen by objective, non-discriminatory criteria would receive a prominent box at the top of Google&#8217;s search page, formatted identically to Google's listings.



This box would include three direct links selected by the rival VSS, covering areas like hotels, restaurants, airlines and transport. Other VSS results would still appear, but without the dedicated box—unless clicked by users, the report noted.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45827474/google-co-founder-larry-page-predicted-a-machine-that-would-understand-everything-on-the-web-has-that-25-year-old-pipe-dream-finally-turned-into-reality">Google Co-Founder Larry Page Predicted A Machine That Would &#8216;Understand Everything On The Web,&#8217; Has That 25-Year Old Pipe Dream Finally Turned Into Reality?</a>



&#8220;We do not agree with the (Commission&#8217;s) preliminary findings&#8217; position but, on a without prejudice basis, we want to find a workable solution to resolve the present proceedings,&#8221; the documents sent by both Google and the Commission to the rivals read.



The European Commission is expected to host a feedback meeting with rival companies on July 8. However, some rivals, speaking anonymously, expressed dissatisfaction, claiming Google's changes still fall short of ensuring fair competition, the report said.



Why It&#8217;s Important: In January, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43274659/google-fights-record-eu-android-fine-claims-users-choose-its-services-over-rivals">Google also challenged</a> a record $4.55 billion EU antitrust fine in court, arguing that users naturally preferred its search engine and Chrome browser.



Alphabet posted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44995955/alphabet-q1-earnings-highlights-google-search-youtube-cloud-show-robust-momentum">first-quarter revenue</a> of $90.23 billion, marking a 12% increase from the prior year and surpassing the Street consensus estimate of $89.2 billion, according to Benzinga Pro. Google Search contributed $50.7 billion, up from $46.2 billion.



Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings show that Alphabet continues to trend upward across short, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Additional performance details are available here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/21031103/Screenshot-2025-06-21-at-12.39.03%E2%80%AFPM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-956933"/></a></figure>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45988600/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-dangled-100-million-signing-bonuses-to-openai-team-members-says-sam-altman-happy-none-of-our-best-people-took-them" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta Dangled ‘$100 Million Signing Bonuses&#8217; To OpenAI Team Members, Says Sam Altman: Happy ‘None&#8217; Of Our Best People Took Them</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

Google Offers To Boost Rivals In Search Results To Avoid EU Antitrust Fine Under Digital Markets Act: Report

Mitsubishi Corp. has announced a $3.9 billion investment in the U.S. clean energy sector. This marks Mitsubishi's most significant U.S. energy commitment since its founding in 1870



What Happened: The company plans to increase its solar power generation capacity in the U.S. by 160% by 2028, according to a report <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Japan-s-Mitsubishi-Corp.-bets-big-on-US-solar-with-3.9bn-expansion-plan">by</a> Nikkei Asia.



This expansion is not a standalone initiative—it's part of Mitsubishi's broader goal to double its global renewable energy capacity by 2031.



Mitsubishi's move aligns with the growing momentum in the U.S. renewables market, driven by government incentives, grid modernization efforts, and rising demand for sustainable energy. The decision reflects a calculated response to these converging trends, not a speculative bet.



In the U.S., Mitsubishi operates in the energy space through Diamond Generating Corp., Nexamp Inc., and Boston Energy Trading &amp; Marketing.



Why It Matters: The investment comes amid the U.S. renewable market gaining momentum with government incentives and an increase in sustainable energy demand.



At present, Mitsubishi Corp. operates solar assets with a total output of about 1.1 gigawatts through its U.S. subsidiary Nexamp, based in Massachusetts. The plan is to elevate this number to 2.9 GW by 2028.



Nexamp will transition its procurement to local suppliers such as Heliene and Silfab Solar. The company also has plans to inaugurate its first mega solar farm in the Southwest in 2027, along with high-output plants in the Midwest and other regions.



Despite the anticipated reduction in tax credits for solar power generation from 2029, a source from Itochu mentioned that the cost of solar power is sufficiently low to allow for project development without dependence on subsidies.



Read Next:



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</ul>



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



Image via Shutterstock

News

Mitsubishi Makes Largest US Energy Bet Since 1870 With $3.9 Billion Solar Push

Major cryptocurrencies are seeing red as markets cooled off from recent gains. 



Despite ongoing institutional accumulation, prices dipped following a technical rejection that triggered a wave of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46027460/bitcoin-veteran-trader-goes-long-again-after-15-million-in-losses-will-third-time-be-the-ch">short-term caution</a>. As geopolitical tensions rise, market sentiment appears risk-off heading into the weekend.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>$103,120.56</td><td>-1.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>$2,408.11</td><td>-4.1%</td></tr><tr><td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td><td>$138.63</td><td>-4.8%</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td>$2.11</td><td>-2.5%</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>$0.1617</td><td>-5%</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td><td>$0.00001127</td><td>-2.6%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Notable Statistics:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>IntoTheBlock data shows large transaction volume decreasing by 27.8% and daily active addresses falling by 2.5%. Transactions greater than $100,000 are down from 10,533 to 9,611 in a single day. Exchanges netflows are down by 741.9%.</li>



<li>Coinglass data reports 130,673 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with the total liquidations at $467.69 million.</li>
</ul>



Notable Developments:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/46025230/why-a-public-healthcare-firm-wants-to-hold-more-bitcoin-than-most-countries">Why A Public Healthcare Firm Wants To Hold More Bitcoin Than Most Countries</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46019280/trump-connected-company-pulls-back-from-family-crypto-business">Trump-Connected Company Pulls Back From Family Crypto Business</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46024346/xrp-next-big-etf-bet-polymarket-bettors-predict">Why XRP Could Be The Next Big ETF Bet And What Polymarket Traders Know That You Don&#8217;t</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46025145/saks-stablecoin-bill-treasury-buying-trump-ties-cloud-push">Sacks Says New Bill Allows Stablecoins To Soak Up Trillions—But Trump Ties Cloud The Push</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/06/46021402/peter-schiff-says-he-intends-to-launch-gold-backed-stablecoins-deems-dollar-as-a-flawed-fiat-currency">Peter Schiff Says He Intends To Launch Gold-Backed Stablecoins, Deems Dollar As A &#8216;Flawed&#8217; Fiat Currency</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/social-media/25/06/46033842/did-tiktok-try-to-bribe-trump-with-300m-in-crypto-the-company-fires-back">Did TikTok Try to Bribe Trump With $300M In Crypto? The Company Fires Back</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/initiation/25/06/46034000/circles-flagship-stablecoin-usdc-set-for-rapid-growth-analyst-says-regulatory-climate-key">Circle&#8217;s Flagship Stablecoin USDC Set For Rapid Growth, Analyst Says Regulatory Climate Key</a></li>
</ul>



Top Losers:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>SPX6900 (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">SPX</a>)</td><td>$1.11</td><td>-16.8%</td></tr><tr><td>AB (CRYPTO: AB)</td><td>$0.01260</td><td>-12.7%</td></tr><tr><td>Sonic (CRYPTO: S)</td><td>$0.2816</td><td>-12.5%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: CrediBULL Crypto <a href="https://x.com/CredibleCrypto/status/1936116976390152258">believes</a> Bitcoin may have bottomed at range lows, potentially forming a triple tap base. He's opened a long position, his first in weeks, expecting a bounce from the current green support zone. If this level breaks, the downside target is $94,000–$98,000, though he views both outcomes as technically healthy corrections.



Rekt Capital <a href="https://x.com/rektcapital/status/1936124289360523713">highlights</a> Bitcoin's continued defence of the $104,400 level, now holding for six straight weeks. All eyes are on the weekly close; a seventh consecutive hold would confirm this zone as a solid accumulation base and strengthen the case for near-term upside.



Michael van de Poppe notes that Bitcoin faced rejection at a key resistance, triggering a broader market correction. A liquidity sweep may be underway, creating the conditions for potential buy-the-dip setups. He advises patience and careful monitoring of support levels.



<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">Crucial level for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> did reject and we see the correction. I suppose we&#39;ll see more downside and a liquidity sweep taking place in the markets. Buy the dip opportunities. <a href="https://t.co/Lnb6yh9ujp">pic.twitter.com/Lnb6yh9ujp</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1936100732731900393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



ShardiB2 warns that Bitcoin, like the rest of the market, failed to hold important support levels, signaling fading momentum. With risk-off sentiment heading into the weekend, traders are cautious and reluctant to maintain long positions.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Failed like the entire market&#8230; no one wants to be long into the weekend&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/H8ci36nOx5">pic.twitter.com/H8ci36nOx5</a>&mdash; Don&#39;t follow Shardi B if you hate Money (@ShardiB2) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShardiB2/status/1936073074723426772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Read Next:&nbsp;



 • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46036394/bitcoin-quietly-entered-a-new-era-in-march-heres-whats-really-behind-it">Bitcoin Quietly Entered A New Era In March: Here&#8217;s What&#8217;s Really Behind It</a>



Photo: Chinnapong via Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

Trading Ideas

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

$SHIB

$SOL

$SPX

$XRP

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Pull Back After Technical Rejection — 'No One Wants To Be Long Into The Weekend'

The soup of uncertainty that U.S. investors have been served had another ingredient recently added – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/46011774/israel-launches-overnight-strikes-on-iran-targeting-nuclear-site-military-infrastructure-with-40-fighter-jets">Israel&#8217;s attacks on Iran,</a> and the potential for President Donald Trump ordering troops to join the mix. 



With the Federal Reserve holding firm on interest rates, another quagmire in the Middle East, and the possibility that Iran may try to use its location to shut down oil trade in the Persian Gulf, the market rally we&#8217;ve seen since spring could come to an end.



As uncertainty reigns and companies pull earnings guidance left and right, investors can still turn to the technical playbook for ideas. Momentum is the name of the game – go with the crowd, and you won&#8217;t be left alone in the cold.



So today we&#8217;re looking at four trending stocks with high Benzinga Momentum Scores and strong technical signals. Many of these stocks have similar characteristics in their charts and signals, which provides a good blueprint on what to look for when seeking momentum-riding securities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Matt Maley Is Trading the Final Week of June—Live Sunday at 1 PM ET</h2>



With the Fed out of the way, traders are shifting focus to key macro data, tariff headlines, and rising geopolitical risk. Join Matt Maley as he shares the real trades he's targeting this week—including how he plans to repeat his recent wins on SQQQ and GDX by staying nimble, tactical, and tuned into market signals. Register <a href="https://events2.benzinga.com/matt-maley-webinar-sun-june22-2025-registration/?utm_campaign=webinar062225&amp;utm_adType=sponsorad&amp;utm_ad=RD062125">HERE</a> for free to attend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DeFi Development</h2>



Benzinga Edge Momentum Score: 99.92



Our first stock is DeFi Development Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFDV#NASDAQ">DFDV</a>), which is riding a wave of technical and fundamental tailwinds, including the highest Benzinga Edge Momentum Score of any stock we're currently charting. The company has recently adopted a Solana treasury strategy, as it identifies the SOL ecosystem as a potential challenger to Ethereum's dominance in decentralized finance development. DFDV has amassed more than 621,000 SOL tokens in its treasury, which would be valued at close to $100 million based on current market prices. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfkQkHHlGuLeZ4StoaYrqz7atFJwVyjtFq52-YxgApdXoJOmpQn343PsNlM0_7Fx2R5gF0rn8cFkC3cGXlzaeyBTmuU4231grRduL2lY-e7O6VDv_G4XCpZ3AOJYic826JVx3j5wg?key=8zszCMTt9UUHUC3niAD5Yw" alt=""/></figure>



An improving financial picture and strong technical signals are also boosting the stock. DFDV reported a smaller-than-anticipated Q1 loss and reduced operating expenses by 18%. It also nearly quadrupled its year-over-year recurring SaaS revenue, which put the company on the radar of analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald, who initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $45 price target (implying upside of over 40%). The stock also has strong upward momentum, with a bullish MACD cross potentially triggering more gains while the RSI remains below the overbought threshold of 70. Keep an eye on the support level laid out on the daily chart above for ideal entry points for a new position.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">D-Wave Quantum Inc.</h2>



Benzinga Edge Momentum Score: 99.53



Quantum computing could be the successor to AI in the tech investment world. While AI capex certainly isn't slowing down anytime soon, companies are starting to look ahead for ways to enhance their processing power. IBM has been one of the biggest drivers of the quantum computing trend, thanks to its meticulous roadmap to the Starling supercomputer. However, while that potential remains years away, D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QBTS#NYSE">QBTS</a>) is generating revenue and bookings in the present day.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeyFjBQoetVkpBiTtPmPhy-k_d0eEvPXIAAqYsnjGpLHf1eVHTo5ja5AsaYY55Xzi-1EJJtKrHiK_KJrOTTSq0RHqI2dHV7jfoh0uG-_s5bQPDeLX2Vd0T7f8WCmOD3VO_7GddK0A?key=8zszCMTt9UUHUC3niAD5Yw" alt=""/></figure>



The company's Q1 2025 earnings release on May 8 triggered a wave of upward momentum. D-Wave Quantum beat EPS estimates (loss of $ 0.02 per share vs. 0.05 expected) and generated $15 million in revenue, smashing the expectation by more than 40%. Notable clients now include Ford Motors and Davidson Technologies, and the company's growth has been exemplified by the stock's 87% year-to-date (YTD) return. Investors seeking a favorable entry point may have found it, as the stock has retraced toward support at the 50-day moving average, with the RSI trending back below the Overbought level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dave Inc.&nbsp;</h2>



Benzinga Edge Momentum Score: 98.92



Dave Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAVE#NASDAQ">DAVE</a>) is another fintech firm with strong Q1 earnings, boosting its stock to new highs in 2025. Dave is a digital banking and finance service that offers budgeting tools, a checking account, and networking tools to help users find side hustles. The stock spent most of 2022 and 2023 trading under $10 per share, but has risen above $200 today, buoyed by a gain of more than 400% in the last 12 months.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXf-EMxHzyfdV-nIsCjwUekQ8QvqOXHTdoG2kNKtLvQWjVTN3hBjko4E7blThwA2wOGi9D5m1xNEWPYACoSr4Rr2DmyfgwhSIeUKa13Q5yzLup-x5KDS_qb-lcxmxYgJh3sPn8QCfw?key=8zszCMTt9UUHUC3niAD5Yw" alt=""/></figure>



DAVE shares are also experiencing a cooldown following an earnings surge, but the uptrend remains strong, and new entry points are being revealed. The stock price crossed over the 50-day MA briefly before the earnings release. The EPS and revenue figures handily beat the analysts' projections. The RSI soared above 70 and stayed there for more than a month while the rally thinned out. But last week, the RSI finally dipped back under the Overbought level, providing traders with their first new entry point in several weeks. This pullback is likely to be brief, considering the company's growing revenue figures and optimistic guidance projections (seven consecutive quarters of guidance increases!).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rocket Lab USA Inc.&nbsp;</h2>



Benzinga Edge Momentum Score: 98.64



Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKLB#NASDAQ">RKLB</a>) is a $12 billion manufacturer of the Proton, Electron, and Neutron space vehicles, which have a variety of uses, ranging from payload launches to reusable rockets. The company saw its stock reach a new all-time high in January, but it shed most of those gains in the following months as tariff uncertainty gripped markets. But after a 50% haircut, the stock is once again approaching all-time highs, and there's still time to ride the momentum based on the technical signals.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd4sCaFbp33l7GJom9OuZPiMmdrkjuqAWHcXW_LuQwYnKa1Ommy_bpgt4zu5I9OwWxbSM5aLCDNPpfIlfWn6KCi2H3nlfuIofeOrZcW9MMzZPbzdj524mNOgAJGH8cLh-9klsAH?key=8zszCMTt9UUHUC3niAD5Yw" alt=""/></figure>



After dipping from $30 to $15 in just two short months, the stock has been slowly rallying back. The share price finally breached the 50-day MA toward the end of April and has been using that level as support ever since. The company reported a slight EPS miss in its Q1 2025 report released May 8, but revenue grew 32% YOY. The company announced a new contract with the Department of Defense for the Neutron system with a $5 million assurance task order. Following the report, analysts at Roth Capital, Cantor Fitzgerald, and Stifel boosted price targets to $35, $35, and $34, respectively, meaning they expect the stock to hit new all-time highs within the next 12 months. The share price appears to have bounced off the 50-day MA once again, and with the RSI under 70, this could be a good spot for a new entry.



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



Photo: Shutterstock

Opinion

DAVE

DFDV

QBTS

RKLB

4 Uptrending Stocks With Strong Momentum

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban thinks consumers are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/45742894/mark-cuban-says-these-are-the-reasons-prices-havent-risen-despite-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-and">getting a temporary break</a> — not because the economy's strong, but because companies are scrambling.



In a <a href="https://x.com/mcuban/status/1929221028707705344">social media post earlier this month</a>, Cuban broke down why inflation hasn't exploded the way many economists predicted. The short answer? Businesses loaded up on goods before tariffs went into effect, and now they're racing to offload them — even if it means taking a financial hit.



"Let's talk about why inflation isn't up, as economists predicted. It's really simple. I see it in all my product-based companies," Cuban wrote.



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<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl-scaling-fast-from-spacex-orders-to-600-homes-built-this-60k-foldable-home-may-be-the-future-of-housing">this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a></li>



<li>Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-peter-thiel-turned-his-roth-ira-into-5-billion-and-why-accredited-investors-are-now-eyeing-this-smartphone-disruptor">invest with $1,000 at just $0.30/share.</a></li>
</ul>



He said companies borrowed money or drained their cash reserves to buy up inventory early, hoping to avoid tariff-related price jumps. Sometimes that even meant scoring better deals from nervous manufacturers. But that strategy came at a cost.



"They either lose the ability to earn interest (4%)… or they pay interest on a loan (10 to 20%)," he explained. "None of the above is a positive."



Now stuck with huge stockpiles and tighter cash flow, many companies are cutting prices — not raising them — just to get inventory off the books and free up cash.



"They don't raise prices. In fact, they may even discount some as a way to clear out inventory and replenish cash or pay down expensive loans," Cuban said.



Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.



He also called out the volatility of U.S. trade policy, saying companies don't know how to plan for tariffs that keep changing. That uncertainty has paralyzed pricing strategies.



"The variance in tariffs has made it impossible to know how to manage costs," he wrote. "So you do all you can to clear out inventory and get back to cash. And take your chances on tariffs not being as big as you feared."



Cuban's comments come as Walmart and other major retailers warn that prices will rise in the future — a sign that the current discount wave might not last much longer.



So if shoppers are still finding deals in 2025, it may have less to do with a strong economy — and more to do with businesses playing defense.



That defensive strategy has shown up in the data. Retail sales dropped 0.9% in May, <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com">according to Census Bureau figures</a>, with many companies slashing prices on everything from apparel to appliances.&nbsp;



See Also: 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>.



According to the <a href="https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2025/06/builder-sentiment-at-third-lowest-reading-since-2012">National Association of Home Builders</a>, 37% of builders cut prices in June — the highest percentage since the NAHB began tracking that stat monthly in 2022.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/walmart-warns-higher-prices-withholds-second-quarter-profit-guidance-2025-05-15/">Walmart has already raised prices</a> on essentials like pet food, detergent, and toothpaste after warning of tariff-related increases. And although May's consumer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/45881899/inflation-resumes-climb-in-may-but-tariffs-have-yet-to-hit-consumers">price index rose just 0.1%</a>, economists are bracing for a delayed wave of inflation once these clearance sales dry up and fresh inventory arrives under new, higher import costs.



In other words, the price tags haven't caught up with the policy changes — yet. Cuban's warning isn't just about inventory; it's about timing. For consumers, the window to score pre-tariff deals may be closing.



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Mark Cuban Says Companies Are Slashing Prices To Dump Stockpiles Before Tariffs Hit, But It Won't Last — 'You Do All You Can To Get Back To Cash'

&#8220;It&#8217;s not that I&#8217;m lazy, it&#8217;s that I just don&#8217;t care.&#8221; That line from the 1999 cult classic &#8220;Office Space&#8221; movie might&#8217;ve gotten a laugh 26 years ago, but for a lot of working millennials today, it&#8217;s hitting uncomfortably close to home.



As one millennial recently put it in the r/Millennials <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Millennials/comments/1lahcem/the_older_i_get_and_the_farther_in_my_career_i_go/">subreddit</a>: &#8220;The older I get and the farther in my career I go, the more I realize how deadly accurate &#8216;Office Space&#8217; was.&#8221; That simple statement launched a tidal wave of agreement from thousands of people, most of them somewhere between their 30s and 40s, grinding through careers that feel increasingly pointless.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Satire To Reality</h2>



When the movie first came out, many viewers saw it as an absurdist comedy. Now, it feels like a documentary. &#8220;It came out when I was in high school and I thought the exact same,&#8221; one person wrote. &#8220;I remember a couple years later in my first office job, like a week in I realized &#8216;it wasn&#8217;t satire, it was a f&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;ing documentary.'&#8221;



Another echoed the sentiment: &#8220;Watched it again recently and was like &#8216;oh sh&#x2A;t.'&#8221;



A number of commenters shared that their daily work lives are basically spreadsheets, emails and meetings with no clear purpose. &#8220;People ask me what I do at my job, and I can't even explain it. I send emails and make spreadsheets, homie,&#8221; one person said. &#8220;My decks are basically full reports with a lot of data and they get referred to for years afterwards. I don&#8217;t even get to present them.&#8221;



Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Promotions And Raises? Don&#8217;t Count On It</h2>



Many talked about doing great work, only to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/45726529/four-and-a-half-years-in-a-worker-sees-a-new-hire-earn-20-more-now-theyre-asking-if-loyalty-is-the-most-expensive-career-mistake">get tiny raises</a> or none at all. &#8220;I crunched for three months at the beginning of 2025, usually 10-hour days with a couple of 12-hour days&#8230; Hit the target on both [projects], got a 0.5% raise shortly after. Lowest I&#8217;ve ever gotten, in a year where I easily did my best work,&#8221; someone wrote.&nbsp;



Another added, &#8220;Got a huge promotion/raise I&#8217;d been trying and failing to get for 5 years&#8221;—but only after they stopped putting in effort entirely after their dad passed away.



Several said it outright: if you care too much, you&#8217;re either ignored or punished. &#8220;The squeaky wheel gets more work assigned to them for no additional pay or prospects for promotion.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Office Culture Is Dead</h2>



The idea of the workplace as a &#8220;family&#8221; was torn apart by users. One wrote, &#8220;I naively approached this job with &#8216;we&#8217;re a family&#8217; energy.&#8221; A year later? They keep to themselves now. &#8220;People are petty, insecure, control-hungry, arrogant, defensive. Humorless.&#8221;



Others pointed to open office layouts and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45556921/mark-zuckerberg-slams-endless-one-on-one-meetings-says-i-just-like-explode-without-open-blocks-of-time-in-the-calendar">endless meetings as morale-killers</a>. &#8220;I'm still wrapping my head around 30-minute daily standup meetings and then filling out a &#8216;What I Did Today&#8217; in Slack.&#8221;



See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Realizations Stack Up With Age</h2>



Many millennials admitted that the further they move up the corporate ladder, the more hollow it feels. One said their goal is now simply to &#8220;do half the work for twice the pay&#8221; as a program manager.



Others are focused on survival, not ambition. &#8220;You only have to work hard enough to be cheaper to keep than replace,&#8221; one comment read. And if there&#8217;s one consistent theme, it&#8217;s this: working hard doesn't guarantee anything.



One person summed up the entire vibe: &#8220;Watching that movie growing up it's like okay, that's kinda funny but he's not being serious. Now&#8230; now it's gospel.&#8221;



After thousands of comments, one thing is obvious: &#8220;Office Space&#8221; isn&#8217;t funny because it&#8217;s exaggerated—it's funny because it's true. And for a generation that grew up being told to find purpose in their work, discovering that the working world often rewards apathy instead of passion feels like a bait-and-switch.



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Image: Shutterstock

A Millennial Says, The Older I Get And The Further In My Career I Go, The More I Realize How Deadly Accurate 'Office Space' Was

Elon Musk says that he&#8217;s done with politics, and he&#8217;s got a great metaphor to show why.



What Happened: Speaking at the AI Startup School by Y Combinator, Musk described his brief stint in the federal government as a &#8220;side quest&#8221; that quickly proved less impactful than his core mission, which is building transformative technologies.



Musk compared his efforts at fixing government systems to picking up needles and trash from a beach while an overwhelming threat looms right ahead.



&#8220;Fixing the government is kind of like there's a beach with needles and feces and trash, and you want to clean it,&#8221; he says, before adding that &#8220;there&#8217;s also this thousand-foot wall of water,&#8221; referring to the advances in AI, comparing it to &#8220;a tsunami of AI.&#8221;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/06/46021402/peter-schiff-says-he-intends-to-launch-gold-backed-stablecoins-deems-dollar-as-a-flawed-fiat-currency">Peter Schiff Says He Intends To Launch Gold-Backed Stablecoins, Deems Dollar As A &#8216;Flawed&#8217; Fiat Currency</a>



&#8220;How much does cleaning the beach really matter, if a tsunami is about to hit?&#8221; he asks, before saying that it wouldn&#8217;t matter all that much. 



Musk's comments underscore a broader theme he kept returning to throughout the talk, that the stakes in AI are escalating too quickly for slow-moving institutions to respond meaningfully. The Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and SpaceX CEO said the urgency of the AI age has pulled him away from political engagement and back to building.



&#8220;Got to get back to the main quest,&#8221; he says.



Musk believes that politics is too mired in dysfunction to make a difference. &#8220;There's just so much noise,&#8221; he says, &#8220;The signal-to-noise ratio in politics is terrible.&#8221;



Why It Matters: Having spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency under the administration of President Donald Trump, Musk recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45757029/elon-musk-slams-congressional-spending-bill-as-a-disgusting-abomination">criticized the GOP&#8217;s</a> &#8220;One Big, Beautiful Bill&#8221; as a &#8220;disgusting abomination.&#8221;



This week, Musk warned that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/46017179/elon-musk-warns-us-faces-de-facto-bankruptcy-if-37-trillion-debt-not-tackled-peter-schiff-says-we-ar">the U.S. risks</a> &#8220;de facto bankruptcy,&#8221; citing the $37 trillion in federal debt, on which interest payments now account for 25% of total tax revenue.



Price Action: Shares of Tesla were up 1.82% on Wednesday, trading at $322.05, and are up 1.29% after hours.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="142" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20061444/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-3.44.34-PM-1024x142.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955827" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20061444/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-3.44.34-PM-1024x142.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20061444/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-3.44.34-PM-300x42.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20061444/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-3.44.34-PM-768x107.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20061444/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-3.44.34-PM.png 1524w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



Shares of Tesla score high across the board in Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings, with a favorable price trend in the short, medium, and long term. Click <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a> for deeper insights into the stock. 



<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="Elon Musk: Digital Superintelligence, Multiplanetary Life, How to Be Useful" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cFIlta1GkiE?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>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/financing/25/06/46019534/elon-musks-x-plans-to-launch-in-app-stock-trading-to-challenge-robinhood-sofi-ceo-says-youll-whole-financial-life-could-be-on-the-platform">Elon Musk&#8217;s X Plans To Launch In-App Stock Trading To Challenge Robinhood, SoFi — CEO Says You&#8217;ll &#8216;Whole Financial Life&#8217; Could Be On The Platform</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com

TSLA

Elon Musk Says Cleaning Up Government Is Like Picking Up Trash On A Beach Before A Thousand-Foot AI Tsunami Hits—And That's Why He's Done With Politics

A heated debate over the U.S. healthcare system erupted on X, pitting billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban against Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) over the root causes of soaring drug prices.



What Happened: The clash, unfolding as of Friday, has reignited discussions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Big Pharma's tax practices, with the Senate poised to address reform amid rising public scrutiny.



Enter Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner and founder of Cost Plus Drugs, who fired back with a pointed correction.



In a post quoting Warren, Cuban argued that PBMs—not Big Pharma—are the true culprits behind inflated drug prices.



&#8220;PBMs corrupt healthcare,&#8221; he wrote, explaining that these intermediaries control formularies and manipulate prices to maximize rebate revenue, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45487788/trumps-drug-price-order-hits-pbms-hardest-cvs-cigna-unh-in-focus-as-experts-highlight-racket-and-pricing-distortion">three major PBMs</a> negotiating over 90% of rebates for commercial insurance plans. 



Warren, in her post, had blamed pharmaceutical giants like Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) for charging Americans the &#8220;highest drug prices in the world&#8221; while paying &#8220;zero dollars in federal taxes.&#8221;



Citing data from her Senate Finance Committee role, Warren highlighted how these companies, alongside AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), and Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), have exploited tax loopholes from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to shield billions in profits.



&#8220;Republicans want to make it worse. I&#8217;m fighting back,&#8221; she declared, sharing <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/17/pfizer-merck-jj-others-face-scrutiny-over-tax-loophole-extension.html">a</a> CNBC headline and urging action against what she calls a &#8220;rigged tax system.&#8221; 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">No. It&#39;s because PBMs corrupt healthcare. Big Pharma wishes they could set their own pricing. They don&#39;t. PBMs control formularies and manipulate prices, in exchange for providing pharma access to patients. It&#39;s how they maximize rebate revenue. In fact, 3 PBMs NEGOTIATE… <a href="https://t.co/GpN4mnzvOM">https://t.co/GpN4mnzvOM</a>&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1935705831930298562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46013679/dan-ives-says-market-is-massively-underestimating-this-ai-play-urges-investors-to-look-beyong-mag-7">Dan Ives Says Market Is ‘Massively Underestimating' This AI Play, Urges Investors To Look Beyond Mag 7</a>



Why It Matters: Cuban has been a c<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44674382/mark-cuban-says-big-insurance-companies-and-pbms-control-healthcare-costs-everyone-has-to-kiss-their-a-and-accept-the-complications">ritic of the healthcare system</a>, saying that it should be simple. According to him, it&#8217;s become overly complicated by big insurance companies and PBMs.



These groups, he says, act as middlemen, controlling not just the costs but also the accessibility of care.



He blames PBMs for lack of transparency, inflated specialty drug prices, rebate distortion, formulary restrictions, and &#8220;Sh–ing on&#8221; on independent pharmacies.



Some significant firms engaged in the PBM business listed in the U.S. include;



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Stocks</td><td>YTD Performance</td><td>One Year Performance</td></tr><tr><td>CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>)</td><td>51.15%</td><td>9.57%</td></tr><tr><td>Cigna Group. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>)</td><td>14.54%</td><td>-6.95%</td></tr><tr><td>UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)</td><td>-39.11%</td><td>-36.60%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Meanwhile, here is how some pharmaceutical sector ETFs have performed;



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Pharma ETFs</td><td>YTD Performance</td><td>One Year Performance</td></tr><tr><td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td><td>1.69%</td><td>-4.48%</td></tr><tr><td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td><td>-0.49%</td><td>-1.85%</td></tr><tr><td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td><td>-3.23%</td><td>-1.64%</td></tr><tr><td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td><td>-4.06%</td><td>2.61%</td></tr><tr><td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td><td>20.55%</td><td>22.94%</td></tr><tr><td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td><td>-5.44%</td><td>-6.27%</td></tr><tr><td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td><td>-23.49%</td><td>-14.63%</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, were mixed in premarket on Friday. The SPY was down 0.30% at $595.67, while the QQQ was 0.015% higher at $529.07, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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Mark Cuban Corrects Elizabeth Warren As She Slams JNJ, PFE For Higher Prices And Zero Taxes On Big Pharma: 'PBMs Corrupt Healthcare'

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