Ultime notizie per Southern States (NASDAQ:SSBK) Azioni

Southern States

Southern States Bancshares Inc is a full-service community banking institution, that offers an array of deposit, loan, and other banking-related products and services to businesses and individuals in communities. The company is focused on personalized, relationship-driven service combined with local market management and expertise to serve small and medium size businesses and individuals. It has three portfolio segments Real estate, Commercial and industrial, Consumer and other.

Southern States Bancshares, Inc. - Common Stock

Southern States Bancshares Inc

Macro Economic Events

News

Econ #s

Economics

Germany Trade Balance For March 21.1B Vs. 19.0B Est.; 17.7B Prior

Germany Industrial Production (MoM) For March 3.0% Vs. 0.9% Est.; -1.3% Prior

U.K. Halifax House Price Index (MoM) For April 0.3% Vs. 0.2% Est.; -0.5% Prior

U.K. Halifax House Price Index (YoY) For April 3.2% Vs. 2.6% Est.; 2.9% (Revised) Prior

Equinox Gold (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQX#AMEX">EQX</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.08) per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.15 by 153.33 percent. This is a 100 percent decrease over losses of $(0.04) per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $423.70 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $434.00 million by 2.37 percent. This is a 75.59 percent increase over sales of $241.30 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Misses

Equinox Gold Q1 Adj. EPS $(0.08) Misses $0.15 Estimate, Sales $423.70M Miss $434.00M Estimate

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
The financial guidance on the combined selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses remains unchanged at approximately $2.5 billion.

Guidance

ARGX

argenx Maintains FY25 Financial Guidance With $2.5B Target For Combined SG&A And R&D Expenses

For 2025, the Company anticipates: &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Total revenues between US$325 million and US$340 million (9% to 14% growth), with quarterly fluctuations expected.</li>
<li>Total operating expenses not to exceed the prior year pre-Abliva impact and we expect US$30 million in Abliva-related operating expenses, including research and development and non-recurring transaction and integration expenses.</li>
<li>Significant progress finding additional APDS patients in the U.S., supported by VUS validation efforts and subsequently converting patients to paid Joenja&#xAE; (leniolisib) therapy.</li>
<li>Increasing ex-U.S. revenues for leniolisib - driven by funded access programs and commercial availability in the U.K.</li>
<li>Progress towards additional regulatory approvals for leniolisib for APDS patients 12 years of age or older, and submitting regulatory filings in Japan and for pediatric label expansion in key global markets.</li>
<li>Advancing the two ongoing Phase II clinical trials in PIDs with immune dysregulation to significantly expand the long-term commercial potential of leniolisib.</li>
<li>Advancing the ongoing pivotal FALCON clinical study for KL1333 in mitochondrial DNA-driven primary mitochondrial diseases.</li>
<li>Continued focus on potential acquisitions and in-licensing of clinical stage opportunities in rare diseases.</li>
</ul>
No further specific financial guidance for 2025 is provided.

PHAR

Pharming Group 2025 Raises Total Revenue Guidance To $325M-$340M (Prior $315M-$335M) vs. $324.3M Est.

Tony Fadell, the iPod inventor who later sold smart-home pioneer Nest to Google (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), says Silicon Valley's plush perks can quietly smother urgency and innovation.
What Happened: "At Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), you couldn't hide," he told the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-8NdMx-g60">audience</a> at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. "Everyone was critical."
That rigor vanished when he joined Google after the $3.2 billion Nest deal. "You were lucky if they even showed up… They'd take the bus in for lunch, get a massage, grab yogurt, and head home," Fadell said, blasting the search giant's famed "20 percent time" that lets engineers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entrepreneurship/17/11/10265560/what-i-learned-from-reading-every-google-founders-letter">pursue side projects</a>.
Such freedom, he warned, breeds "mediocrity" that startups can't afford. "It will mess up your culture" if you hire 15-year "career Googlers," he added.
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45275079/bob-iger-admits-marvel-lost-focus-by-making-too-much-content-saying-quantity-does-not-necessarily-beget-quality-heres-what-disney-plans-to-do-now">Bob Iger Admits Marvel Lost Focus By Making Too Much Content, Saying &#8216;Quantity Does Not Necessarily Beget Quality&#8217; — Here&#8217;s What Disney Plans To Do Now</a>
Fadell's culture-first mantra traces back to General Magic in the 1990s, where <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41616573/ipod-co-creator-tony-fadell-dismisses-chatgpt-type-llms-saying-were-trying-to-make-science-fiction-h">executives vowed</a> never to bring in "East Coast" talent that demanded drivers and executive toilets — benefits he now sees everywhere in tech. Padell has previously publicly decried the Valley's "entitlement" and said comfort can "kill the hustle" needed for deep-tech breakthroughs.
What To Know: The Nest-Google marriage offers a cautionary case study. According to a <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/tony-fadell-nest-and-the-failure-of-a-middle-ground">report</a> by the New Yorker, analysts noted the hardware startup chafed under Google's looser, bottom-up structure, a clash that hastened Fadell's 2016 exit and forced Alphabet to rethink its tech ambitions.
Management experts say Apple's top-down accountability — memorialized in Harvard Business Review <a href="https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/HBR_How_Apple_Is_Organized_For_Innovation-4.pdf">papers</a> — shows how tight oversight can scale creativity without free-rider risk.
Fadell's bottom line for founders: don't confuse beanbags for productivity. "Entitlement everywhere" is today's biggest silent cost, he argued, one that no valuation, wellness stipend or kombucha tap can paper over.
Photo Courtesy: Tada Images On Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45275248/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-says-average-waymo-in-austin-is-busier-than-99-of-human-drivers">Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says &#8216;Average Waymo In Austin Is Busier Than 99%&#8217; Of Human Drivers</a>

Tech

AAPL

GOOGL

iPod Creator Says Apple's Hard-Edged Work Culture Beats Google's 'Take The Bus In For Lunch, Grab Yogurt, And Head Home' Lifestyle

2025 Outlook
(i) Overall Performance: We expect our EBITDA to grow in line with our medium-term outlook of between 4-8%. The outlook for FY25 reflects our current assessment of inflation and other macroeconomic conditions.
(ii) Net Finance Costs: Net pension interest expenses and accretion expenses are expected to be in the range of 190 to 220 million USD per quarter, depending on currency and interest rate fluctuations. We expect the average gross debt coupon in FY25 to be approximately 4%.
(iii) Effective Tax Rate (ETR): We expect the normalized ETR in FY25 to be in the range of 26% to 28%. The ETR outlook does not consider the impact of potential future changes in legislation.
(iv) Net Capital Expenditure: We expect net capital expenditure of between 3.5 and 4.0 billion USD in FY25.

AB InBev Expects FY25 EBITDA Growth Of 4-8% Amid Stable Macro Outlook, Targets $3.5B–4BIn Net Capital Expenditure

OpenAI is reportedly negotiating with a senior technology executive to take on a major leadership role.
What Happened: OpenAI is in talks to bring in a senior tech executive to oversee several of the company's divisions, reported Reuters (<a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-talks-hire-senior-executive-major-leadership-role">via</a> The Information).
The move is part of a larger leadership shake-up at the artificial intelligence firm, sources familiar with the matter told the publication.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/45090231/elon-musk-says-will-come-as-a-surprise-to-most-as-chinas-economy-surpasses-us-and-eu-amid-rising-tariffs-and" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Says Will Come As A ‘Surprise To Most&#8217; As China&#8217;s Economy Surpasses US And EU Amid Rising Tariffs And Growing Recession Fears</a>
While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is expected to continue leading the company's research and infrastructure teams — the critical units driving AI development — much of the rest of the organization would fall under the supervision of the new executive, the report said.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga's</a> request for comments.
Why It's Important: Earlier this week, it was reported that OpenAI has told investors it plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45244190/microsoft-faces-fresh-revenue-hit-as-openai-plans-to-reduce-payouts-by-2030-report">decrease the share of revenue</a> it allocates to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>).
The report surfaced after it was announced that OpenAI&#8217;s nonprofit parent organization will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45213089/openai-reverses-course-as-sam-altman-says-nonprofit-will-remain-in-control-amid-elon-musks-lawsuit-and-investor-pushback">maintain control</a> of the company.
Photo Courtesy: Primakov On Shutterstock.com
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

MSFT

OpenAI Reportedly Reshaping Leadership, Taps Senior Executive To Run Divisions Beyond Sam Altman's AI Focus

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) is seeking FDA approval for the pill version of its obesity drug, Wegovy. The company recently highlighted early data that shows safety and efficacy figures that are similar to its injectables.
What Happened: On Wednesday, during Novo&#8217;s <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45252150/novo-nordisk-expects-fda-decision-for-oral-wegovy-by-end-of-2025-reports-mixed-q1-earnings">first quarter earnings</a> call, the company highlighted its upcoming oral weight loss drug, which CEO Lars Fruergaard calls &#8220;Wegovy in a pill,&#8221; and is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
&#8220;If approved, this will be the first oral GLP-1 treatment for obesity in the United States,&#8221; Fruergaard said, adding that being first to market with a &#8220;known molecule, known efficacy, known safety&#8221; positions the company well in what he described as a smaller, but meaningful, segment of the market.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45275248/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-says-average-waymo-in-austin-is-busier-than-99-of-human-drivers">Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says &#8216;Average Waymo In Austin Is Busier Than 99%&#8217; Of Human Drivers</a>
Martin Lange, executive vice president of development at Novo, said the 25-milligram oral formulation &#8220;demonstrates an overall efficacy and safety profile similar to once-weekly injectable semaglutide 2.4 milligram.&#8221;
During the trial, adults struggling with obesity, who received 25 milligrams of oral semaglutide experienced &#8220;16.6% average weight loss,&#8221; Lange says, with one-third of participants experiencing weight loss of &#8220;20% of more.&#8221; Lange added that the FDA review is expected to conclude by late 2025 or early 2026.
Why It Matters: The company saw a <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/05/45252150/novo-nordisk-expects-fda-decision-for-oral-wegovy-by-end-of-2025-reports-mixed-q1-earnings">big surge in Wegovy sales</a> during the first quarter, at $2.63 billion, up 85% year-over-year, as it gears up to launch the oral version of its drug.
This comes amid analyst predictions that rival Eli Lilly And Co.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) oral weight loss drugs can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44934811/eli-lilly-positioned-to-dominate-obesity-market-with-oral-option-analyst-initiates-with-confidence">take share away</a> from Novo&#8217;s Semaglutide. 
During its first quarter, Novo Nordisk generated $10.9 billion in sales, missing consensus estimates at $11.64 billion, with a profit of $0.92 per share, beating estimates at $0.90. 
Price Action: The stock was up 1.90% on Wednesday, but is down 2.38% after hours following the company&#8217;s first quarter earnings release.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="137" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08011053/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-10.40.38-AM-1024x137.png" alt="" class="wp-image-907057" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08011053/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-10.40.38-AM-1024x137.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08011053/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-10.40.38-AM-300x40.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08011053/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-10.40.38-AM-768x103.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08011053/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-10.40.38-AM-1536x205.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08011053/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-10.40.38-AM.png 1588w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
According to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings, Novo Nordisk has an unfavorable price trend in the short, medium, and long term. For more insights, sign up for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge</a>.
Photo Courtesy: kikpokemon on Shutterstock.com
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45274831/trump-tariff-pressure-reportedly-opens-global-doors-for-elon-musks-starlink-as-nations-rush-to-show-goodwill">Trump Tariff Pressure Reportedly Opens Global Doors For Elon Musk&#8217;s Starlink As Nations Rush To Show &#8216;Goodwill&#8217;</a>

Health Care

Markets

Novo Nordisk Says Its 'Wegovy In A Pill' Delivers Big: '16.6% Average' Weight Loss, Over 20% For One-Third Of Adults Struggling With Obesity

Pharming (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHAR#NASDAQ">PHAR</a>) reported quarterly sales of $79.10 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $67.73 million by 16.78 percent. This is a 42.30 percent increase over sales of $55.59 million the same period last year.

Pharming Q1 Sales $79.10M Beat $67.73M Estimate, Adj. Net Loss $7.1M

argenx (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARGX#NASDAQ">ARGX</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $2.58 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.25 by 14.67 percent. This is a 348.08 percent increase over losses of $(1.04) per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $807.31 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $795.84 million by 1.44 percent. This is a 102.70 percent increase over sales of $398.28 million the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

argenx Q1 EPS $2.58 Beats $2.25 Estimate, Sales $807.31M Beat $795.84M Estimate

Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BUD#NYSE">BUD</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.81 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.74 by 9.46 percent. This is a 8 percent increase over earnings of $0.75 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $13.63 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $13.78 billion by 1.09 percent. This is a 6.32 percent decrease over sales of $14.55 billion the same period last year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev Q1 Adj. EPS $0.81 Beats $0.74 Estimate, Sales $13.63B Miss $13.78B Estimate

BBJP

WisdomTree Trust Japan Total Dividend Fund

Reported Earlier, Japan 10-Year JGB Auction 1.274% Vs. 1.405% Prior

Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) revealed during its first quarter of 2025 earnings call that autonomous vehicles from Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Waymo unit are outperforming human drivers in terms of utilization rates in their Austin, Texas deployment.
What Happened: &#8220;The average Waymo in Austin is busier than 99% of Austin drivers as defined by the number of trips per day,&#8221; CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told investors during Wednesday&#8217;s call, indicating the company&#8217;s strategic bet on autonomous technology is yielding early operational advantages.
The rideshare giant <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45252907/uber-sees-strong-trip-growth-but-warns-on-us-rideshare-pressure-in-2025-outlook">reported first-quarter earnings</a> per share of $0.83, while revenue was $11.53 billion.
Uber&#8217;s deployment in Austin currently involves approximately 100 Waymo vehicles, with plans to expand. The autonomous fleet is showing &#8220;very high utilization,&#8221; with consumers giving the service positive ratings. This performance comes as Uber has announced five autonomous driving partnerships in recent months spanning the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.
&#8220;We are going to continue to increase the vehicle count in Austin, and we&#8217;re super excited for expansion in Atlanta as well,&#8221; Khosrowshahi added.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45274831/trump-tariff-pressure-reportedly-opens-global-doors-for-elon-musks-starlink-as-nations-rush-to-show-goodwill">Trump Tariff Pressure Reportedly Opens Global Doors For Elon Musk&#8217;s Starlink As Nations Rush To Show &#8216;Goodwill&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The company achieved a record adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 billion, up 35% year-over-year, while delivering strong trip growth of 19% for the third consecutive quarter. Monthly active users increased 14% to 170 million.
CFO Prashant Raja highlighted that insurance costs, a persistent headwind for the mobility sector, are moderating with March CPI for insurance showing 7% year-over-year growth, &#8220;the lowest we&#8217;ve seen in almost three years.&#8221;
Uber expects consistent top-line growth with improving margins for the remainder of 2025, focusing on what Khosrowshahi described as their &#8220;multiyear growth framework&#8221; across mobility, delivery, and newer market expansions.
Price Action: Uber stock closed at $83.65 on Tuesday, down 2.54% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock edged up 0.14% to $83.77. Year to date, Uber shares have gained 32.42%.
Uber is showing stronger momentum compared to rival Lyft Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LYFT#NASDAQ">LYFT</a>), but trails on certain growth metrics, according to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. The stock maintains a positive price trend in the short and long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Sign up to learn more</a>.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45245367/novo-nordisks-weight-loss-blockbuster-faces-setback-from-us-compounding-surge-forecast-trimmed">Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Weight Loss Blockbuster Faces Setback From US Compounding Surge, Forecast Trimmed</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: DenPhotos / Shutterstock.com

Equities

GOOG

LYFT

UBER

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Says 'Average Waymo In Austin Is Busier Than 99%' Of Human Drivers

Ethereum's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) widely anticipated Pectra upgrade failed to have an immediate impact, with the second-largest cryptocurrency barely moving after its activation Wednesday.
What happened: ETH was up 0.96%, while trading volume rose scarcely by 0.52% over the last 24 hours.
According to IntoTheBlock, daily active addresses <a href="https://app.intotheblock.com/">decreased </a>by 0.25% in the last 24 hours, indicating a lukewarm response to the upgrade that brings significant changes to the Ethereum ecosystem.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45246100/bitcoin-to-hit-100000-soon-polymarket-bettors-are-putting-big-money-on-it">Bitcoin To Hit $100,000 Soon? Polymarket Bettors Are Putting Big Money On It</a>
However, in a note shared with Benzinga, analysts at cryptocurrency payment company B2BINPAY declared the upgrade a tailwind and a "strong" fundamental catalyst for ETH.
"Investors should be ready for potential price resistance in the $1,900–$2,000 range, where previous rejections have occurred in the beginning of April," the analytics team said. "Still, strong "tailwinds" from its internal network upgrade and improving global conditions could help the price break through the critical resistance zone and consolidate over $2,000."
Pectra introduces <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45260729/ethereums-pectra-upgrade-goes-live-reshapes-wallet-logic-and-raises-security-and-bandwidth-concerns">sweeping changes across the Ethereum protocol</a>, most notably increasing the amount of ETH one can stake from 32 to 2,048.
Other significant changes include the ability to pay network transaction fees in stablecoins rather than ETH.
"While these changes are geared towards bolstering Ethereum&#8217;s infrastructure, short-term price movements may remain subdued due to market anticipation of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s interest rate decision," Grigore Roșu, founder &amp; CEO of Pi Squared, told Benzinga earlier today.
Price Action:  At the time of writing, ETH was exchanging hands at $1,862.80, up 2.2% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Year-to-date, the cryptocurrency was down 43.90%
Photo Courtesy: VPLAB On Shutterstock.com
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45244364/coinbase-spikes-in-after-hours-trading-after-partnership-with-lol-valorant-developer-riot-games">Coinbase Stock Trades Higher After-Hours Amid Partnership With League Of Legends, Valorant Developer Riot Games</a></li>
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$ETH

Ethereum Flat After Pectra Upgrade, But Analyst Foresees Overhaul 'Tailwind' That Could Take ETH Above $2,000

On Wednesday, Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) CEO Bob Iger acknowledged that Marvel Studios stretched itself too thin by producing too much content for streaming.
What Happened: Speaking on Disney's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45251203/disney-rides-strong-subscriber-growth-and-movie-hits-lifts-forecast-with-1-billion-streaming-goal">second-quarter 2025 earnings</a> call, Iger admitted that Marvel's heavy focus on producing content for Disney+ led to creative strain and diluted quality.
"We all know that in our zeal to flood our streaming platform with more content that we turned to all of our creative engines, including Marvel, and had them produce a lot more," Iger said, adding, "We've also learned over time that quantity does not necessarily beget quality."
To address this, Iger said Disney is now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44518045/disney-assembles-avengers-x-men-fantastic-four-in-upcoming-marvel-movie">consolidating Marvel's efforts</a> and refocusing on theatrical films over Disney+ series. He highlighted "Thunderbolts" as the first example of this new approach.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45003790/mark-cuban-slams-amazon-for-ripping-off-american-sellers-as-tariffs-are-predicted-to-boost-ecommerce-brands-profi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Slams Amazon For ‘Ripping Off American Sellers&#8217; As Trump Tariffs Are Predicted To Boost Ecommerce Brands&#8217; Profits</a>
Why It's Important: Thunderbolts brought in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45199354/disney-marvels-thunderbolts-opens-to-162-million-globally">$76 million at the domestic box office</a> during its opening weekend across 4,330 theaters, with an additional $86.1 million earned internationally. The film was produced on a budget of roughly $180 million.
Since acquiring Marvel for $4 billion in 2009, Disney has seen a massive return on investment. All four Avengers films now sit among the 15 highest-grossing movies of all time. As of August 2024, Marvel has reportedly contributed an estimated $13.2 billion in value to Disney.
Last year, at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel stunned fans with the unexpected announcement that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU—not as Iron Man, but as the legendary villain Doctor Doom. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026.
Disney released its fiscal second-quarter 2025 earnings on Wednesday, reporting a 7% year-over-year revenue increase to $23.62 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $23.14 billion. The strong performance was fueled by gains in the company's Entertainment and Experiences segments.&nbsp;
Price Action: Disney shares dipped 0.088% in after-hours trading, settling at $102 at the time of writing, following a 10.76% surge during regular trading hours on Wednesday, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings assigns Disney a solid growth score of 63.28%, highlighting the company's strong market momentum. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it stacks up against other stocks</a>.
Photo Courtesy: Miguel Lagoa On Shutterstock.com
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/45029805/what-caused-sam-altman-founded-world-network-token-to-soar-57-in-a-week" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What Caused Sam Altman-Founded World Network Token To Soar 57% in a Week? What Caused Sam Altman-Founded World Network Token To Soar 57% in a Week?</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Entertainment

Bob Iger Admits Marvel Lost Focus By Making Too Much Content, Saying 'Quantity Does Not Necessarily Beget Quality' — Here's What Disney Plans To Do Now

Countries facing U.S. tariffs are reportedly increasingly granting licenses and approvals to Elon Musk's Starlink — the satellite internet arm of SpaceX — as part of efforts to smooth trade relations with the Donald Trump administration.
What Happened: For example, just weeks after Trump announced a 50% tariff on goods from Lesotho, the small African nation approved Starlink's first-ever satellite internet license, set to last 10 years, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/07/elon-musk-starlink-trump-tariffs/?utm_campaign=wp_main&amp;utm_source=facebook,twitter&amp;utm_medium=social">reported</a> the Washington Post.&nbsp;
According to internal State Department cables obtained by the publication, Lesotho hoped the decision would "demonstrate goodwill and intent to welcome U.S. businesses" as it negotiated trade deals.
Lesotho isn't alone. Countries like India, Cambodia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have also made <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44487526/elon-musks-starlink-gains-green-light-in-vietnam-to-begin-satellite-internet-service-trial">moves to accommodate</a> Starlink, often during or after trade talks.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/05/45163320/as-elon-musks-spacex-adds-28-starlinks-research-flags-climate-impact-from-deorbiting-satellites">As Elon Musk&#8217;s SpaceX Adds 28 Starlinks, Research Flags Climate Impact From Deorbiting Satellites</a>
In India, two sources familiar with the matter told the publication that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/03/44244377/elon-musks-spacex-partners-with-airtel-to-launch-starlink-in-india-weeks-after-pm-narendra-modis-us-visit">Starlink approvals</a> were sped up in part because local officials believed it would help cement a broader trade deal with Washington.
While the U.S. government has not explicitly demanded regulatory favors for Starlink in exchange for lower tariffs, the cables show that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed diplomats worldwide to advocate for American satellite companies, with Starlink often named directly, the report added.
This is part of the administration's efforts to counter Chinese and Russian telecom providers.
&#8220;The only consideration in the Trump administration's trade negotiations with other countries is what's best for the American people — which includes American companies succeeding at home and abroad,&#8221; White House spokesperson Kush Desai told the publication. &#8220;President Trump will not tolerate any conflicts of interest, and every administration official is following ethical guidelines set by their respective agencies.&#8221;
Why It's Important: Musk has contributed $277 million to Trump's campaign and other Republican candidates during last year's election cycle.
The Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO also holds a position within the administration, overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency Service, although he has indicated plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/05/45140155/musk-shifts-focus-back-to-tesla-says-doge-will-endure-without-him-is-buddha-needed-for-buddhism">step back from his day-to-day management role</a>.
Starlink has reached 5 million customers as of March. The explosive growth of Starlink has played a major role in propelling SpaceX's valuation to an estimated $350 billion as of December 2024, making it the most valuable privately held company in the world.
Despite this surge, some industry analysts remain cautious, questioning whether the company's sky-high <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44731833/starlinks-challenges-poses-threat-to-the-high-valuation-of-elon-musks-spacex-report">valuation can be sustained</a> over the long term.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44710082/trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-wipe-out-174-billion-from-the-net-worth-of-worlds-top-10-billionaires-including-war" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump's Tariff Turmoil Topples Ultra-Rich's Wealth — $174B Wiped Out From Fortunes Of World's Top 10 Billionaires, Including Elon Musk, Warren Buffett And Mark Zuckerberg</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: RossHelen On Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Government

TSLA

Trump Tariff Pressure Reportedly Opens Global Doors For Elon Musk's Starlink As Nations Rush To Show 'Goodwill'

On Wednesday, Cathie Wood&#8216;s Ark Invest made notable trades involving Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), and Tempus AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>). These trades reflect Ark&#8217;s ongoing strategy to adjust its portfolio in response to market dynamics and company performance.
The Nvidia Trade saw Ark Invest making significant purchases of the Jensen-Huang-led tech giant. shares across its ARK Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#BATS">ARKK</a>), ARK Autonomous Technology &amp; Robotics ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKQ#BATS">ARKQ</a>), ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#BATS">ARKW</a>), and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#BATS">ARKF</a>). NVIDIA, a leader in AI and graphics processing, has been experiencing a surge in its stock value, partially driven by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45121790/nvidia-stock-surges-after-hours-whats-going-on">strong earnings</a> from tech giants like Microsoft Corp and Meta Platforms Inc. On Wednesday, Ark Invest acquired 64,838 shares in ARKK, 11,464 shares in ARKQ, and 19,645 shares in ARKW. The firm also picked up 11,714 shares through ARKF. With NVIDIA&#8217;s stock closing at $117.06, the total value of these purchases is approximately $12.6 million. 
The AMD Trade involved Ark Invest buying shares of the chipmaker across multiple ETFs, including ARKK, ARKQ, ARKW, and ARKX. AMD has been gaining traction in the data center and AI chip markets, buoyed by a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45244462/amazon-acquires-844-million-stake-in-amd-amid-ai-chip-expansion">recent strategic investment</a> from Amazon.com Inc. On Wednesday, Ark Invest purchased 74,648 shares in ARKK, 13,198 shares in ARKQ, 22,617 shares in ARKW, and 4,118 shares in ARKX. With AMD&#8217;s stock closing at $100.36, the total value of these acquisitions is approximately $11.5 million. 
The Palantir Trade saw Ark Invest reducing its stake in the Alex Karp-led company across several ETFs, including ARKF, ARKK, ARKQ, ARKW, and ARK Space Exploration &amp; Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKX#BATS">ARKX</a>). Despite Palantir&#8217;s strong first-quarter earnings, its stock has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45242668/cathie-wood-sells-41-million-worth-of-palantir-shares-following-post-earnings-plunge">faced downward pressure</a>. On Wednesday, Ark Invest sold 12,217 shares in ARKF, 270,498 shares in ARKK, 23,914 shares in ARKQ, 3,731 shares in ARKX, and 40,980 shares in ARKW. With Palantir&#8217;s stock closing at $110.48, the total value of these sales is approximately $38.8 million. Notably, Wood had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45242668/cathie-wood-sells-41-million-worth-of-palantir-shares-following-post-earnings-plunge">sold $41 million</a> worth of Palantir shares on Tuesday. Palantir is now Ark's fifth-largest holding, making up 6.62% of the portfolio with a total value of $324.4 million.
The Tempus AI Trade involved Ark Invest purchasing shares of the company through its ARKK ETF. Tempus AI, a company focused on precision medicine, recently reported strong first-quarter results, leading to a surge in its stock price. On Wednesday, Ark Invest acquired 75,020 shares of Tempus AI. With the stock closing at $58.76, the total value of this purchase is approximately $4.4 million. Tempus AI&#8217;s performance has been promising, with the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45238450/tempus-ai-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-raised-fy-guidance-shares-surge">first-quarter revenue</a> coming in at $255.74 million, beating estimates of $248.13 million.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Ark Invest bought shares of CRISPR Therapeutics AG in ARKK and ARKG.</li>
<li>Ark Invest sold shares of Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. in ARKG.</li>
<li>Ark Invest acquired shares of GitLab Inc. in ARKK.</li>
</ul>
AMD or Nvidia? Make decisions like that easier by getting the full picture. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here</a> to check out Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="438" height="281" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07221135/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-11.11.15.png" alt="" class="wp-image-906946" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07221135/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-11.11.15.png 438w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07221135/Screenshot-2025-05-08-at-11.11.15-300x192.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: viewimage 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>

ETFs

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PLTR

Cathie Wood Strengthens AI Chip Holdings With Nvidia And AMD Purchases, Reduces Palantir Position By Another $38.8 Million

Press Releases

Southern States Bancshares, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

FB Financial to Expand in Alabama and Georgia by Merger With Southern States

Shareholder Alert: The Ademi Firm Investigates Whether Southern States Bancshares, Inc. Is Obtaining a Fair Price for Its Public Shareholders

$HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Investigates the Merger of Southern States Bancshares, Inc. - SSBK

Dividends

Southern States Bancshares, Inc. Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.09 per Share

Southern States Bancshares, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

SSBK Stock Alert: Halper Sadeh LLC Is Investigating Whether the Sale of Southern States Bancshares, Inc. Is Fair to Shareholders

SOUTHERN STATES BANCSHARES INVESTOR ALERT by the Former Attorney General of Louisiana: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates Adequacy of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Southern States Bancshares, Inc. - SSBK

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