Schwab Strategic Trust Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (ARCA: STCE)

Ultime notizie per Schwab Strategic Trust Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (ARCA:STCE)

Technology

Financial Services

Communication Services

Consumer Cyclical

Other

To pursue its goal, the fund generally invests in stocks that are included in the Schwab Crypto Thematic Index. The index is designed to deliver global exposure to companies that may benefit from one or more of the following business activities, either directly or facilitating others in validating consensus mechanisms for (such as mining or staking) investing in, or trading cryptocurrency or other digital assets; enabling the use of cryptocurrency or other digital assets to buy or sell goods or services, and developing, distributing or implementing applications of blockchain or other distributed ledger technology, including in new cryptocurrencies or digital assets (collectively referred to as companies in the crypto ecosystem, and with respect to the funds investment strategy, the Theme).

Iris Energy Ltd

Microstrategy Inc

Coinbase Global, Inc.

Bitfarms Ltd/Canada

Hut 8 Corp Common Stock

Cleanspark Inc.

Cipher Mining Inc

Marathon Patent Group Inc.

Riot Blockchain Inc.

Block, Inc

Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF

Schwab Strategic Trust Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF

U.S. stocks traded lower midway through trading, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 100 points on Wednesday.
The Dow traded down 0.24% to 44,750.49 while the NASDAQ fell 0.96% to 18,991.03. The S&amp;P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.49% to 5,991.97.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/11/42188912/jim-cramer-linde-is-a-terrific-company-sees-another-stock-up-75-as-not-done">Jim Cramer: Linde Is A &#8216;Terrific&#8217; Company, Sees Another Stock Up 75% As &#8216;Not Done&#8217;</a>
Leading and Lagging Sectors Real estate shares jumped by 1% on Tuesday.
In trading on Tuesday, information technology shares fell by 1.8%.
Top Headline
U.S. crude oil inventories declined by 1.844 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 22, compared to market estimates of a 1.1 million fall.
Equities Trading UP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Urban Outfitters, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/URBN#NASDAQ">URBN</a>) shares shot up 15% to $46.07 following third-quarter earnings. Citigroup upgraded the stock to Buy following the report.</li>
<li>Shares of Iris Energy Limited &nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IREN#NASDAQ">IREN</a>) got a boost, surging 26% to $12.00 on the heels of the company's first-quarter financial results. Multiple analysts raised price targets following the print.</li>
<li>Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UMAC#NYSE">UMAC</a>) shares were also up, gaining 82% to $10.08 after the company announced that Donald Trump Jr. has joined its advisory board.</li>
</ul>
Equities Trading DOWN
<ul>
<li>Symbotic Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYM#NASDAQ">SYM</a>) shares dropped 40% to $22.44 after the company cut its first-quarter revenue forecast.</li>
<li>Shares of Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OTLK#NASDAQ">OTLK</a>) were down 61% to $1.8900 after the company announced it plans to resubmit the biologics license application for ONS-5010 after reporting preliminary topline results of its Norse eight clinical trial.</li>
<li>HP Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPQ#NYSE">HPQ</a>) was down, falling 13% to $34.10 after the company reported fourth-quarter financial results and issued first-quarter adjusted EPS guidance below estimates.</li>
</ul>
Commodities In commodity news, oil traded up 0.1% to $68.84 while gold traded up 0.7% at $2,640.80.
Silver traded down 0.7% to $30.170 on Wednesday, while copper rose 0.7% to $4.1475.
Euro zone
European shares were mostly lower today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 slipped 0.25%, Germany's DAX fell 0.23% and France's CAC 40 dipped 0.78%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index fell 0.30%, while London's FTSE 100 rose 0.14%.
The GfK Consumer Climate Indicator for Germany declined to a reading of -23.3 points heading into December, recording the lowest level since May.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 falling 0.80%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gaining 2.32%, China's Shanghai Composite Index climbing 1.53% and India's BSE Sensex gaining 0.29%.
Economics
<ul>
<li>The U.S. economy grew by an annualized rate of 2.8% in the third quarter, the same as in the flash reading, versus 3% in the previous quarter.</li>
<li>U.S. initial jobless claims came in unchanged at 213,000 for the week ending Nov. 23, compared to market estimates of 216,000.</li>
<li>The U.S. goods trade deficit shrank to $99.1 billion in October versus a revised gap of $108.7 billion in the previous month.</li>
<li>U.S. wholesale inventories increased by 0.2% month-over-month to $905 billion in October, compared to a 0.2% decline in the prior month.</li>
<li>The Chicago PMI fell to 40.2 in November compared to 41.6 in September.</li>
<li>U.S. crude oil inventories declined by 1.844 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 22, compared to market estimates of a 1.1 million fall.</li>
<li>U.S. personal income increased by 0.6% month-over-month to $24.96 trillion in October, while personal spending rose by 0.4% to an annualized rate of $20.1 trillion.</li>
<li>The US core PCE price index increased by 0.3% month-over-month in October, the same pace as in the previous month, in-line with market estimates.</li>
<li>U.S. pending home sales rose 2% month-over-month in October compared to a revised 7.5% gain in September.</li>
</ul>
Now Read This: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42210452/top-3-consumer-stocks-that-are-set-to-fly-in-q4">Top 3 Consumer Stocks That Are Set To Fly In Q4</a></li>
</ul>

Earnings

Equities

News

Eurozone

Commodities

Intraday Update

Markets

Trading Ideas

IREN

OTLK

UMAC

URBN

Dow Falls Over 100 Points; US Crude Oil Stocks Decline

Project to Double Micro Bird's Production Capacity and Create More Than 350 New U.S. Jobs
Blue Bird Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLBD#NASDAQ">BLBD</a>), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, lauds the U.S. expansion of Micro Bird's manufacturing operations to build small and midsize buses in New York State. Micro Bird, a 50/50 joint venture of Blue Bird Corporation and Girardin, has confirmed the purchase of the Nova Bus facility in Plattsburgh, NY, and plans to begin production in mid-2025.
The investment will enable Micro Bird to double its production capacity to better meet the sustained and growing demand for its full line of school buses, school activity buses, multi-purpose vehicles and commercial buses.
Micro Bird is poised to create more than 350 full-time jobs over the next several years at its Plattsburgh facility. This project is supported by the Empire State Development with nearly $10 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $2.5 million capital grant from the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.

BLBD

Blue Bird Joint Venture Micro Bird To Establish Bus Manufacturing Facility In New York State; Plans To Begin Production In Mid-2025

Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser upgrades Foot Locker (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FL#NYSE">FL</a>) from Sell to Hold and raises the price target from $17 to $21.

Upgrades

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Williams Trading Upgrades Foot Locker to Hold, Raises Price Target to $21

KDLY

Kindly MD Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Downside, Stock Now Down -61.9%

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>) stock is trading lower Wednesday after the company reported <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42202105/crowdstrike-beats-q3-earnings-revenue-estimates-cybersecurity-company-highlights-incredible-success-retaining-customers-following-it-outage" rel="noreferrer noopener">third-quarter financial results</a>.
On Tuesday, CrowdStrike reported third-quarter revenue of $1.01 billion, up 29%, beating the&nbsp;consensus estimate of $982.36 million.&nbsp;The company reported adjusted EPS of $0.93, beating analyst estimates of $0.81. Annual recurring revenue increased 27% to $4.02 billion.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/42136902/microsofts-brad-smith-urges-trump-government-to-tackle-growing-cyber-threats" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft&#8217;s Brad Smith Urges Trump Government to Tackle Growing Cyber Threats</a>
CrowdStrike expects fourth-quarter revenue of $1.029 billion—$1.035 billion, versus estimates of $1.03 billion. The company anticipates fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $0.84—$0.86 versus estimates of $0.86.
CrowdStrike now expects full-year revenue of $3.924 billion—$3.931 billion, compared to estimates of $3.897 billion. The company also expects full-year EPS of $3.74—$3.76, compared to estimates of $3.63.
Analysts rerated the stock after the quarterly print.
WestPark Capital analyst Paul Rodriguez reiterated CrowdStrike <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CRWD/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">with a Hold</a>.
Needham analyst Mike Cikos maintained CrowdStrike with a Buy and raised the price target from&nbsp;$360&nbsp;to&nbsp;$420.
WestPark Capital: Based on the upbeat quarterly print and guidance boost, Rodriguez increased their full-year estimates to $3.93 billion in revenue and $3.76 in EPS, up from prior projections of $3.89 billion and $3.62.
The adoption rate of CrowdStrike&#8217;s cybersecurity modules continues to outpace its overall revenue growth of 28.5% in the third quarter. Customers using five or more modules are driving this momentum, suggesting that spending on additional modules could sustain growth above 28% for longer than anticipated. Integrating Next-Gen SIEM and artificial intelligence tools like Charlotte AI further supports this trend, fueling customer interest and module adoption.
While the quarter&#8217;s overall performance was robust, CrowdStrike&#8217;s net new ARR declined compared to the second quarter, dropping to $217 million. The company attributed this to the July security incident and a slowdown in new customer acquisitions. Despite this, management expressed confidence in regaining growth in net new ARR as fiscal 2026 approaches.
CrowdStrike&#8217;s valuation continues to trade at a significant premium relative to its peers. The company&#8217;s calendar year 2025 price-to-sales (P/S) multiple stands at 19.7x, compared to the peer average of 10.5x. Similarly, its enterprise value-to-sales (EV/Sales) multiple of 22.4x far exceeds the peer group&#8217;s 9.3x. Analysts at WestPark reiterated a &#8220;Hold&#8221; rating, citing these valuation disparities. Rodriguez expects fourth-quarter revenue of $1.034 billion and EPS of $0.85.
Needham:&nbsp;CrowdStrike exceeded all guided metrics in its third quarter of fiscal year 2025, demonstrating solid execution despite industry challenges. Gross retention, which declined less than 0.5% quarter-over-quarter, highlights the company&#8217;s resilience and supports management&#8217;s approach to leveraging opportunities amid crises. A $500 million quarter-over-quarter increase in Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) reflects a surge in multi-year contracts. CrowdStrike consolidates customers onto its Falcon platform and strengthens retention through multi-module adoption, making replacements more difficult.
Management acknowledges reduced visibility heading into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, emphasizing headwinds in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and subscription growth. However, the company remains confident about ARR reacceleration in the second half of fiscal 2026.
CrowdStrike&#8217;s Falcon Flex offering has gained significant traction, with its total contract value (TCV) nearly doubling quarter-over-quarter to $1.3 billion, up from $700 million in the prior quarter. Flex customers, often strategic partners, spend millions of dollars with CrowdStrike, far exceeding the spending of the average customer.
The company&#8217;s Next-Gen SIEM product continues to grow rapidly, with ARR increasing over 150% year-over-year, nearing $300 million. Adoption by over 2,000 customers underscores its appeal, with each paying approximately $150,000 annually.
Cikos raised the price target, applying a 21.3x EV/Sales multiple to fiscal 2026 revenue estimates. The updated valuation reflects increased confidence in CrowdStrike&#8217;s ability to execute its customer commitment strategy and outperform its target operating model. The previous price target of $360 was based on an 18.3x EV/Sales multiple.
CrowdStrike is poised for further growth as it continues to capitalize on multi-module adoption and innovative offerings like Falcon Flex and Next-Gen SIEM. Management&#8217;s focus on ARR recovery and cost optimization positions the company for improved visibility and performance exiting fiscal 2025.
Cikos expects fourth-quarter revenue of $1.034 billion and EPS of $0.86. He projects fiscal 2025 revenue of $3.901 billion and EPS of $3.62.
Price Action: CRWD stock is down 6.28% at $341.42 at last check Wednesday.
Also Read:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42193222/orange-taps-openai-meta-to-create-ai-that-speaks-african-languages" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta, OpenAI, Orange Join Forces To Build AI Models For African Languages</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Analyst Color

Reiteration

CRWD

CrowdStrike Sees Strong Module Adoption, Valuation Concerns Persist: Analysts

WIIM

Shares of US-listed Chinese stocks shares are trading higher following a report indicating additional Chinese fiscal stimulus after a key economic meeting in December.

TD Cowen analyst Krish Sankar maintains HP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPQ#NYSE">HPQ</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $32 to $39.

TD Cowen Maintains Hold on HP, Raises Price Target to $39

High-rolling investors have positioned themselves bullish on T-Mobile US (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>), and it's important for retail traders to take note. 
\This activity came to our attention today through Benzinga's tracking of publicly available options data. The identities of these investors are uncertain, but such a significant move in TMUS often signals that someone has privileged information.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 11 options trades for T-Mobile US. This is not a typical pattern.
The sentiment among these major traders is split, with 45% bullish and 27% bearish. Among all the options we identified, there was one put, amounting to $48,870, and 10 calls, totaling $1,051,318.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $170.0 to $300.0 for T-Mobile US over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for T-Mobile US options trades today is 1006.56 with a total volume of 937.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for T-Mobile US's big money trades within a strike price range of $170.0 to $300.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>T-Mobile US Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732729567_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TMUS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$53.9</td>
<td>$52.55</td>
<td>$52.64</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$263.3K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMUS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$39.0</td>
<td>$38.05</td>
<td>$38.05</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$190.2K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMUS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$28.5</td>
<td>$28.3</td>
<td>$28.5</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
<td>$114.0K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td align="right">81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMUS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$37.95</td>
<td>$37.9</td>
<td>$37.95</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$113.8K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMUS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$2.14</td>
<td>$1.85</td>
<td>$2.14</td>
<td>$252.50</td>
<td>$89.3K</td>
<td>75</td>
<td align="right">476</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About T-Mobile US</h3>
Deutsche Telekom merged its T-Mobile USA unit with prepaid specialist MetroPCS in 2013, and that firm merged with Sprint in 2020, creating the second-largest wireless carrier in the us. T-Mobile now serves 77 million postpaid and 21 million prepaid phone customers, equal to around 30% of the us retail wireless market. The firm entered the fixed-wireless broadband market aggressively in 2021 and now serves more than 5 million residential and business customers. In addition, T-Mobile provides wholesale services to resellers.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with T-Mobile US, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of T-Mobile US</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,243,754, the price of TMUS is up 0.92% at $247.18. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 57 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About T-Mobile US</h3>
1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $239.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Overweight rating on T-Mobile US with a target price of $239. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for T-Mobile US with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

TMUS

T-Mobile US's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Block (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SQ#NYSE">SQ</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the positions showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with SQ, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 8 options trades for Block.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 50% bullish and 25%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $42,900, and 7, calls, for a total amount of $240,743.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $67.5 and $130.0 for Block, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Block's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Block's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $67.5 to $130.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Block 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732729562_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$8.8</td>
<td>$8.05</td>
<td>$8.77</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$51.7K</td>
<td>265</td>
<td align="right">241</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$6.6</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$6.55</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$44.5K</td>
<td>8.0K</td>
<td align="right">77</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/27/24</td>
<td>$4.4</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$4.29</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$42.9K</td>
<td>169</td>
<td align="right">101</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$3.55</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$35.0K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
<td align="right">441</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SQ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$1.1</td>
<td>$1.04</td>
<td>$1.01</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$28.5K</td>
<td>14.2K</td>
<td align="right">857</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Block</h3>
Founded in 2009, Block provides payment services to merchants, along with related services. The company also launched Cash App, a person-to-person payment network. In 2023, Square's payment volume was a little over $200 million.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Block</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,955,823, with SQ's price down by -0.79%, positioned at $88.31.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 85 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Block</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $92.2.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods keeps a Market Perform rating on Block with a target price of $80. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Exane BNP Paribas downgraded its rating to Neutral, setting a price target of $88. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Canaccord Genuity continues to hold a Buy rating for Block, targeting a price of $120. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Needham persists with their Buy rating on Block, maintaining a target price of $90. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Piper Sandler downgraded its rating to Overweight, setting a price target of $83. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Block with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Behind the Scenes of Block's Latest Options Trends

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Shopify.
Looking at options history for Shopify (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NYSE">SHOP</a>) we detected 18 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 33% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 44% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $107,910 and 16, calls, for a total amount of $1,345,213.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $40.0 to $115.0 for Shopify over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Shopify's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Shopify's significant trades, within a strike price range of $40.0 to $115.0, over the past month.
<h3>Shopify Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732729557_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$74.4</td>
<td>$72.15</td>
<td>$73.3</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$439.8K</td>
<td>342</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$5.2</td>
<td>$5.15</td>
<td>$5.2</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$260.0K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>514</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/06/24</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$3.8</td>
<td>$3.82</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$129.7K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>705</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.59</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
<td>$83.9K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/27/24</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.66</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$73.2K</td>
<td>349</td>
<td>202</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Shopify</h3>
Shopify offers an e-commerce platform primarily to small and medium-size businesses. The firm has two segments. The subscription solutions segment allows Shopify merchants to conduct e-commerce on a variety of platforms, including the company's website, physical stores, pop-up stores, kiosks, social networks (Facebook), and Amazon. The merchant solutions segment offers add-on products for the platform that facilitate e-commerce and include Shopify Payments, Shopify Shipping, and Shopify Capital.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Shopify, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Current Position of Shopify</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 2,565,336, the price of SHOP is down -0.68% at $111.32. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 76 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Shopify</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $113.4.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Wells Fargo continues to hold a Overweight rating for Shopify, targeting a price of $120. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Shopify, maintaining a target price of $93. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Keybanc persists with their Overweight rating on Shopify, maintaining a target price of $130. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler persists with their Neutral rating on Shopify, maintaining a target price of $94. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Oppenheimer persists with their Outperform rating on Shopify, maintaining a target price of $130. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Shopify, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

SHOP

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With SHOP

Leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) didn't have as much interest in 2015 as it does today, as the price soars to new highs after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41778425/bitcoins-all-time-high-a-groundbreaking-milestone-and-strong-post-election-rally-coming-ex">2024 presidential election.</a>
While taking 50,000 Bitcoin for a real estate transaction in 2015 may have proved risky, the homeowner who turned down the deal is likely regretting their decision.
What Happened: Over the years an episode of "Million Dollar Listing New York" has gone viral thanks to the missed profits a person could have had if they had accepted Bitcoin for a real estate deal in 2015, six years after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/01/36471920/happy-birthday-bitcoin-15-fun-facts-about-leading-cryptocurrency">the cryptocurrency launched.</a>
The real estate show, which aired on Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) unit Bravo for nine seasons, featured many real estate transactions over the years.
The one that draws attention from the cryptocurrency community today is the Season 4, Episode 10 airing that was shown on Bravo on June 17, 2015.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The year is 2015. Seller receives a $13million offer for their property &#8211; but paid in Bitcoin. 50,000 Bitcoin. He declines. Todays value? $3.18 billion. <a href="https://t.co/kmf8A4r15p">pic.twitter.com/kmf8A4r15p</a>
&mdash; Tyler (@TylerDurden) <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerDurden/status/1838483887837614091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
In the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/howtobeentrepreneur/reel/DAEBptvNozn/">episode</a>, real estate agent Ryan Serhant is trying to sell a New York two-bed apartment for $13,950,000. The agent gets an offer from a buyer for 50,000 Bitcoin, which was around $13,041,000 at the time.
"You want to pay in Bitcoin?" Serhant asks the prospective buyer.
The episode shows Serhant on speaker with the client, the apartment owner.
"You sent us an offer in Bitcoin? I'll be totally honest with you Ryan, that's not even the biggest problem. This offer's a million dollars below ask!" the seller says.
While taking Bitcoin for real estate may have been more risky in 2015 given less use cases and ways to sell the cryptocurrency, the deal likely never materialized due to being below the listing price.
Fast forward to today and the seller and Serhant are likely having regrets and nightmares about what could have been.
Based on a price of $94,271.82 for Bitcoin at the time of writing, 50,000 Bitcoin is worth $4,713,591,000. This means the $13 million offer could have turned into more than $4.7 billion, which Serhant would have gotten a piece of as commission.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/11/42125880/if-you-bought-1-worth-of-bitcoin-at-launch-heres-how-much-youd-have-today-2">If You Bought $1 Worth Of Bitcoin At Launch, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Today</a>
Why It's Important: Obviously, the seller and Serhant didn't know how high the price of Bitcoin would go. The episode could serve as a learning lesson that sometimes investments that people don't know as much about can have future value.
Serhant has moved on and after nine seasons of "Million Dollar Listing New York," is also an author. The real estate agent recently starred in "Owning Manhattan," a new real estate show on Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>).
The series premiered in June 2024 and a second season has been announced. Here's hoping that some of the transactions on the new show involve cryptocurrency.
Serhant <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanserhant/video/6927028426297576710?lang=en">shared </a>a TikTok in February 2021 where it showed a clip from the famous Bitcoin episode. The TikTok titled "Missed Opportunities in the Crypto Market" featured an image of a calculator multiplying 50,000 (for the Bitcoin) by 37,644, which was the price of Bitcoin at the time. The calculator then shows a value of $1,882,200,000.
With an airdate of June 17, 2015, investors who saw the episode and went and did research on Bitcoin and decided to buy could have also profited nicely.
A $1,000 investment could have bought 3.8933 BTC based on a price of $256.85 at the time. The $1,000 investment would be worth $367,028.48 today.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41951961/bitcoin-to-100k-benzinga-readers-predict-if-btc-can-hit-new-milestone-before-end-of-2024">Bitcoin To $100K? Benzinga Readers Predict If BTC Can Hit New Milestone Before End Of 2024</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: MiniStocker via Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

Entertainment

Media

Real Estate

$BTC

CMCSA

NFLX

Million Dollar Listing Seller Turned Down 50,000 Bitcoin For $14 Million New York Apartment In 2015, Missed Out On Billions

BITF

CLSK

HIVE

MARA

MSTR

RIOT

Shares of Bitcoin miners and crypto-linked stocks are trading higher amid a rise in Bitcoin.

Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WDAY#NASDAQ">WDAY</a>) shares are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42202858/workday-stock-slides-after-q3-results-beat-expectations-fy-subscription-revenue-guidance-revised-lower" rel="noreferrer noopener">trading lower on Wednesday.</a>
The company reported third-quarter earnings of $1.89 per share, surpassing the $1.76 estimate. Revenue of $2.16 billion also beat expectations of $2.13 billion, up from $1.87 billion last year. Workday revised its FY25 subscription revenue guidance.
Here are the analyst&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WDAY/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">take on the stock:</a>
<ul>
<li>Piper Sandler analyst Brent A. Bracelin downgraded the stock to Neutral from Overweight, lowering the price forecast to $270 from $285.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Kash Rangan reiterated the Buy rating on the stock, lowering the price forecast to $300 from $305.</li>
<li>Needham analyst Scott Berg reiterated the Buy rating on the company, with a price forecast of $300.</li>
</ul>
Piper Sandler: Bracelin has lowered the growth estimate for Workday in 2026 to 12.5%, down from 14.0%, due to concerns over weak guidance and the company&#8217;s ability to drive growth next year.
Per the analyst, until international expansion, new products, and partnerships begin to show stronger results, Workday&#8217;s growth prospects are diminishing, leading them to downgrade their rating to Neutral.
While margin expansion to 27.5% in fiscal 2026 could support more than 15% earnings per share (EPS) growth, the analyst struggles to justify Workday&#8217;s high valuation, especially given a 28x price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple for CY26 (compared to a GAAP P/E of 70x).
As a result, the analyst writes that the growth momentum for Workday has slowed.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/41949068/bitcoin-could-reach-1-million-by-2037-economist-says-buy-of-a-lifetime-opportunity" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million By 2037, Economist Says: &#8216;Buy Of A Lifetime&#8217; Opportunity</a>
Goldman Sachs: The analyst notes a slight decrease in fourth-quarter growth due to delayed large-deal revenue recognition and compression in 1Q25 from leap-year comparisons.
Despite these challenges, the analyst is cautiously optimistic, noting that the macro environment in FY26 could improve following election results and potential rate cuts.
Additionally, Workday&#8217;s AI products are showing strong traction, with 30% of third quarter customer expansions incorporating AI solutions, leading to a 39% reduction in turnover and a significant boost in selling prices. While the delayed revenue recognition from strategic deals was unexpected, the analyst forecasts that the products and features delivered should result in long-term revenue benefits.
If Workday can maintain stable, durable growth and improve its margins, the stock is likely to see a re-rating, the analyst adds.
Needham: Workday is facing longer sales cycles than in FY24, with cRPO at $6.98 billion, up 15.4% year-over-year, slightly above guidance.
However, the analyst forecasts that Workday shares will be weak due to a lower-than-expected FY26 subscription revenue growth forecast of 14%, below the 15% consensus. This shortfall is attributed to revenue recognition timing on large deals.
The analyst also sees investor concern growing over the intermediate-term outlook, as the company&#8217;s new management team has recently reaffirmed its 15% subscription growth targets.
The analyst raised the FY25 EPS estimates to $7.20 from $7.12.
Price Action: WDAY shares are trading lower by 8.26% to $247.87 at last check Wednesday.
Read More:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41822473/trumps-potential-health-czar-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rattles-vaccine-stocks-shoot-first-reaction" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s Potential&#8217; Health Czar&#8217; Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rattles Vaccine Stocks: &#8216;Shoot First Reaction&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Movers

General

WDAY

Workday Faces Mixed Analyst Views: Strong Q3 Earnings Beat Offset By Growth Concerns And Guidance

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will hold its first hearing on December 2 to address the Biden administration&#8217;s proposal to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cannabis-rescheduling">reclassify marijuana</a> from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The hearing, announced through a <a href="https://www.dea.gov/stories/2024/2024-11/2024-11-26/dea-hold-hearing-rescheduling-marijuana">public advisory</a> on November 26, is procedural and will not include witness testimony. Instead, it will focus on logistical matters and future scheduling for merit-based discussions.
This pivotal rescheduling initiative could significantly impact cannabis research and industry operations, though it stops short of federal legalization. Moving marijuana to Schedule III would allow licensed cannabis businesses to claim federal tax deductions under Section 280E of the IRS tax code, a long-sought reform. It would also remove some barriers to scientific research, though marijuana would remain subject to CSA regulations and applicable criminal prohibitions.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Divisive Proposal</h3>
The proposal has sparked debate across political and regulatory landscapes. While the DEA is officially listed as the &#8220;proponent&#8221; of the rule, questions persist regarding the agency's commitment to the initiative. Notably, it was Attorney General Merrick Garland, not DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38969555/dea-vs-dept-of-justice-over-cannabis-rescheduling-too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen">who signed the proposal</a>—an unprecedented move that some interpret as signaling internal hesitancy.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which conducted the scientific review underpinning the rescheduling recommendation, declined the DEA&#8217;s request to provide witnesses for the hearing, <a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/top-stories/news/15709211/dea-could-subpoena-hhs-in-marijuana-rescheduling-hearings">according</a> to Cannabis Business Times. This decision has fueled speculation about bureaucratic tensions and perceived gaps in interagency coordination.
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/11/42017583/trumps-go-wild-on-health-plan-puts-rfk-jr-in-charge-what-it-means-for-cannabis-and-psychedelics-reform">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Go Wild On Health&#8217; Plan Puts RFK Jr. In Charge: What It Means For Cannabis And Psychedelics Reform</a>
In its prehearing statement, the DEA previewed testimony from its two selected witnesses: Heather Achbach, who will address rulemaking procedures, and Dr. Luli Akinfiresoye, a pharmacologist, who will provide insights into public health risks, marijuana potency and abuse patterns. However, the agency stopped short of revealing its stance on the proposed reclassification.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Congressional Scrutiny</h3>
The rescheduling process has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers, particularly from Republican members of Congress. As Marijuana Moment <a href="https://www.marijuanamoment.net/dea-posts-details-on-next-weeks-marijuana-rescheduling-hearing-including-live-stream-and-documents-portal/">reported</a>, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) have expressed concerns about the transparency and motivations behind the Biden administration&#8217;s push for reform. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have urged swift action, emphasizing the potential benefits for the cannabis industry and public health.
Opposition has also come in the form of allegations from pro-rescheduling advocates, who accuse the DEA of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42144540/dea-slammed-over-unlawful-talks-with-cannabis-opponents-the-plot-thickens">improper communications with prohibitionist groups</a>, such as Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). Both the DEA and SAM have denied these claims, with Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney overseeing the proceedings and rejecting several motions to postpone the hearing.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Road Ahead</h3>
Although the initial hearing is set to proceed, the evidentiary sessions have been postponed to early 2025, reflecting ongoing complexities in the process. Vice President Kamala Harris recently attributed delays to federal bureaucracy, calling for expedited action while reiterating the administration&#8217;s commitment to reform.
While rescheduling to Schedule III represents a significant shift, experts and lawmakers agree it is not a panacea. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has emphasized that this change would not federally legalize marijuana, leaving key issues like interstate commerce and criminal justice reform unresolved.
The outcome of the DEA's proceedings will have profound implications for the cannabis industry, research and federal drug policy. As the rescheduling debate unfolds, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure from both advocates and critics to deliver meaningful progress in cannabis reform.
Cover image made with AI

Cannabis

Government

Psychedelics

Regulations

DEA Sets Stage For Marijuana Rescheduling With December 2 Hearing

Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes maintains Dell Technologies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $140 to $155.

DELL

Melius Research Maintains Buy on Dell Technologies, Raises Price Target to $155

Blockchain payments firm Ripple (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) on Wednesday announced plans to invest in the newly rebranded <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42170669/wisdomtree-files-for-xrp-etf-trust-report">Bitwise Physical XRP ETP.</a>
The ETP, which is backed by XRP, is part of a broader rebranding effort by Bitwise Asset Management to enhance its European product suite.
What Happened: Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, emphasized the significance of this investment amid rising demand for crypto-backed financial products.
"Global demand for exposure to the crypto asset class has exploded in 2024," Garlinghouse said in a <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/27/2987978/0/en/Bitwise-Rebrands-XRP-ETP-Ripple-To-Invest-in-Product.html">statement</a>. "XRP is at the forefront of this momentum, standing out as a cornerstone for those seeking access to assets that are resilient and have real-world utility."
The Bitwise Physical XRP ETP offers European investors direct exposure to XRP and is issued under a prospectus approved by Germany's financial regulator BaFin. 
Originally launched in 2022 by ETC Group, the ETP is now part of Bitwise's growing portfolio following its acquisition of ETC Group earlier this year.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42216782/long-term-bitcoin-holders-lock-in-202-billion-in-daily-realized-profits-setting-a-new-record">Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Locking In $2.02 Billion In Daily Realized Profits, Setting A New Record</a>
Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, praised XRP's utility and reliability, stating, "XRP and the XRP Ledger are among the most familiar and trusted blockchains in crypto."
XRP long-term holders realized profits exceeding $1.5 billion last week as the cryptocurrency soared to its highest price in three years, according to market data. 
This marks the largest profit realization for XRP since April 2021.
The Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio, a key market indicator, climbed to 217% on Tuesday, per a <a href="https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/ripple-donates-25-million-to-crypto-super-pac-again-amid-record-profit-taking-levels-among-xrp-investors-202411262145">report</a> from FXStreet citing Santiment data.
The elevated MVRV ratio indicates that XRP's current market valuation is significantly higher than its average purchase price. 
While this suggests substantial profits for holders, it also signals a potential overvaluation in the short term, which could hinder a continued rapid rally.
The MVRV ratio measures the total market value of all circulating coins against the aggregate cost basis of those coins, determined by the prices at which they were last moved on the blockchain. 
This metric provides insights into whether a cryptocurrency is overvalued or undervalued relative to its historical average acquisition cost.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42212325/jim-cramer-cannot-take-so-much-abuse-after-drawing-ridicule-for-bitcoin-apple-calls-but-hes-not-the-only-one-touting-btc">Jim Cramer &#8216;Cannot Take So Much Abuse&#8217; After Drawing Ridicule For Bitcoin, Apple Calls — But He&#8217;s Not The Only One Touting BTC</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$XRP

Ripple To Invest In Rebranded XRP Exchange-Traded Product By Bitwise

Mizuho analyst Matthew Broome maintains Autodesk (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADSK#NASDAQ">ADSK</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $260 to $280.

ADSK

Mizuho Maintains Neutral on Autodesk, Raises Price Target to $280

Black Friday, known for its enticing discounts on the latest technology, may not always deliver the bargains shoppers expect. A recent study by KnownHost revealed that nearly a third of these &#8220;deals&#8221; aren&#8217;t <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/psychology/24/11/42196027/amazon-dominates-holiday-shopping-as-black-friday-spending-soars-goldman-sachs">genuine savings at all.</a>
What To Know: An analysis of 65 of the most anticipated Black Friday <a href="https://www.knownhost.com/blog/what-products-have-the-highest-price-hikes-before-black-friday/">tech deals</a> from last year showed that, while 78% of products participated in sales, about 30% experienced price increases before the event to create the illusion of deeper discounts. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/retail-sales/24/11/42170721/thanksgiving-dinner-gobbles-up-19-more-cash-this-year-many-holiday-hosts-already-regret-their-decision">Thanksgiving Dinner Gobbles Up 19% More Cash This Year, Many Holiday Hosts &#8216;Already Regret Their Decision&#8217;</a>
Only 42% of items had stable prices leading up to Black Friday before significant price drops, representing authentic deals. In comparison; 29% of products saw price hikes before Black Friday, with the average being a 20.5% increase, before dropping on the sale. 
According to the KnownHost report, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) products were some of the biggest offenders. The largest price hike in the week before Black Friday was Amazon&#8217;s Fire TV Stick, which saw its price double before the sales event. The price of Amazon's Echo Buds rose 46% and the Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet saw a price increase of 35% in the week before Black Friday. 
Other products that saw large price increases were HP, Inc.'s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPQ#NYSE">HPQ</a>) HP 14 laptop with a 27% increase and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone up 16%. 
Benzinga has contacted Amazon for comment on the KnownHost report. 
Tech accessories are mostly likely to experience hikes ahead of Black Friday sales, the report showed, followed by headphones, smartwatches and laptops. 
TVs and tablets were the least likely to have seen increased prices leading up to Black Friday, and therefore, the categories where shoppers are most likely to find genuine savings. 
"Black Friday can be as good as it seems with genuine deals still available to save money and get presents just before Christmas, but checking these deals out beforehand is important," KnownHost said in its report.&nbsp;
Read More: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42194570/starbucks-employee-systems-down-after-software-provider-suffers-ransomware-attack">Starbucks&#8217; Employee Systems Down After Software Provider Suffers Ransomware Attack</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Retail Sales

Tech

AMZN

Black Friday Discounts Too Good To Be True? Survey Shows Only 42% Of Sales Are Authentic

Jayud Global Logistics Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JYD#NASDAQ">JYD</a>) ("Jayud" or the "Company"), a leading end-to-end supply chain solution provider based in Shenzhen specializing in cross-border logistics, today announced that it has received notice from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications staff ("Nasdaq") informing the Company that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the "Rule").&nbsp;

Jayud Global Logistics Regains Compliance With Nasdaq's Minimum Bid Price Requirement

President-elect Donald Trump is considering a proposal to establish <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42121376/strategic-bitcoin-reserve-wouldnt-require-new-taxpayer-dollars-says-sen-cynthia-lummis">a national Bitcoin reserve</a>, a move that could intertwine cryptocurrency with U.S. fiscal strategy.
What Happened: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42122348/trumps-planned-crypto-council-may-oversee-bitcoin-reserve-report">Cryptocurrency executives are rallying</a> behind the idea, advocating for the U.S. government to acquire billions of dollars' worth of Bitcoin as a long-term asset, according to a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/11/27/trump-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-plan/">report</a> by The Washington Post on Wednesday.
Proponents argue that Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) value growth could help pay down the national debt, which now exceeds $36 trillion. 
However, critics warn of significant risks, citing the volatility of crypto markets and potential taxpayer exposure.
The plan has drawn mixed reactions. 
Trump has signaled openness to the idea, with a promise to stop federal sales of seized Bitcoin and instead build <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41986427/pennsylvania-introduces-bitcoin-strategic-reserve-act-to-invest-up-to-700-million-in-btc">a strategic reserve.</a>
Speaking at a summer conference, Trump stated, "For too long, the government has violated the cardinal rule that every Bitcoin owner knows by heart: Never sell your Bitcoin." 
He added that the reserve would become a "permanent national asset to benefit all Americans."
What Supporters Are Saying
Supporters claim that holding Bitcoin could be a transformative fiscal tool.
Cody Carbone, president of the Digital Chamber lobbying group, described Bitcoin as "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42014415/bitcoin-and-gold-whats-all-the-fuss-about">digital gold</a>," asserting that a reserve would "set us up for massive financial success."
Andrew O'Neill, managing director at S&amp;P Global, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Bitcoin's rising value could "pay off a significant chunk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42205579/jim-cramer-says-bitcoin-and-ethereum-deserve-a-spot-in-your-portfolio-as-hedge-against-rising-us-debt-ive-liked-crypto-for-a-very-long-time">of national debt</a>."
Despite these bold claims, economists and financial experts remain skeptical. 
Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, criticized the idea, stating, "There's just no discernible logic to do it. I get why the crypto investor would love it, but for taxpayers, it's risky." 
The unpredictable nature of Bitcoin's value has prompted concerns that acquiring it at current high prices could result in significant losses if the market crashes.
Additionally, some see the proposal as a boon for existing Bitcoin holders, whose portfolios would benefit if government purchases push prices higher. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42212325/jim-cramer-cannot-take-so-much-abuse-after-drawing-ridicule-for-bitcoin-apple-calls-but-hes-not-the-only-one-touting-btc">Jim Cramer &#8216;Cannot Take So Much Abuse&#8217; After Drawing Ridicule For Bitcoin, Apple Calls — But He&#8217;s Not The Only One Touting BTC</a>
What Critics Are Saying
Critics argue that such actions would primarily serve wealthy crypto investors while placing public funds at risk.
The U.S. government already holds roughly $20 billion worth of cryptocurrencies, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39810138/by-dumping-50k-seized-bitcoins-at-the-wrong-time-germany-lost-an-amount-worth-more-than-th">primarily seized</a> through law enforcement actions.
Currently, these assets are periodically sold. 
Trump's proposal would halt these sales, turning seized Bitcoin into the foundation of a national reserve. 
His stance has energized the crypto market, with Bitcoin prices surging to $92,000 since his election victory.
Legislators aligned with Trump are also taking steps to institutionalize the idea. 
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a vocal crypto advocate, has introduced legislation proposing that the government acquire up to 1 million Bitcoins over the next two decades. 
Lummis claims the plan could cut the national debt in half without requiring taxpayer dollars, suggesting revaluation of U.S. gold reserves as a funding mechanism. 
"Not a single U.S. taxpayer dollar would go into the bill I filed,&#8221; she said.
However, experts warn that such measures, including gold revaluation, could be highly inflationary. 
Ananya Kumar, deputy director at the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, argued, "Because we cannot determine what the price of Bitcoin is going to be 20 years from now, it's hard to make the argument for Bitcoin over gold or another more stable asset."
The proposal has also drawn comparisons to historical milestones. 
Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NYSE">MSTR</a>) and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42152946/michael-saylor-reveals-microstrategy-is-making-500m-a-day-with-bitcoin">major Bitcoin investor</a>, likened a national Bitcoin reserve to the Louisiana Purchase, calling it "manifest destiny for the United States."
He added, "The Trump administration understands the transformative potential of this asset."
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42211674/bitcoin-at-93000-crash-or-pause-bullish-outlook-for-2025-says-10x-research">Bitcoin At $93,000—Crash Or Pause? &#8216;Bullish Outlook For 2025,&#8217; Says 10x Research</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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