Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk has raised fresh concerns about MacKenzie Scott&#8216;s charitable donations, highlighting growing tensions over billionaire philanthropy and its societal impact.



What Happened: Responding to a social media post about Scott&#8217;s donations to liberal nonprofits, Musk offered a one-word critique: &#8220;Concerning.&#8221; The comment came after author John LeFevre highlighted Scott&#8217;s contributions to organizations focused on racial equity, social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights.



Scott, who received Amazon.com Inc. shares worth billions in her 2019 divorce from Jeff Bezos, has emerged as one of America&#8217;s most prolific philanthropists. Through her Yield Giving organization, she has donated over $19 billion to more than 2,450 nonprofits since 2019, while maintaining a net worth above $30 billion due to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42568686/mackenzie-scotts-mission-driven-investing-pushes-back-against-wealth-concentration-amazon-stock-rich-philanthropist-pledges-2-billion-in-donations">Amazon&#8217;s stock performance</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Concerning <a href="https://t.co/C11Lnm8XeH">https://t.co/C11Lnm8XeH</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1871163247593996349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



This marks Musk&#8217;s latest criticism of Scott&#8217;s giving. In March, he suggested in a now-deleted post that &#8220;super rich ex-wives who hate their former spouse&#8221; could contribute to the decline of Western civilization. Shortly after his comment, Scott announced an additional $640 million in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37839087/shrugging-off-elon-musks-western-civilization-jab-jeff-bezoss-ex-wife-doubles-her-donation-efforts-t">donations to 361 organizations</a>.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42676821/how-to-stream-the-nfl-christmas-gameday-live-on-netflix">How To Watch NFL Christmas Gameday Live On Netflix With Mariah Carey, Beyoncé And Epic Football Matchups</a>



What Happened: Scott recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/42009316/jeff-bezos-ex-wife-mackenzie-scott-sells-more-amazon-shares">sold 11% of her Amazon holdings</a>, valued at over $8 billion, signaling a shift toward mission-aligned investments rather than traditional portfolio management. 



The debate over billionaire philanthropy has drawn in other prominent voices, including Melinda French Gates, who has publicly supported Scott&#8217;s rapid-giving approach while criticizing other tech billionaires, including Musk, for prioritizing public influence over charitable giving. 



In a recent New York Times interview, French Gates questioned whether certain tech leaders should even be called philanthropists, suggesting they use their platforms primarily to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40231450/melinda-french-gates-questions-philanthropy-of-musk-thiel-i-would-not-call-those-men-philanthrop">shape public opinion rather than contribute</a> meaningfully to charitable causes.



Her giving strategy contrasts sharply with other tech billionaires, including Musk, who has focused his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42640044/trump-fires-back-at-critics-and-denies-ceding-presidency-to-elon-musk-and-im-safe-he-wasnt-born-in-this-country">recent attention on political causes</a>, including substantial support for President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s campaign.



Scott&#8217;s donations for 2024 include significant support for economic security initiatives and repeat grants to organizations like CAMFED, which supports girls&#8217; education in Africa, demonstrating her continued commitment to addressing systemic inequalities despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42568686/mackenzie-scotts-mission-driven-investing-pushes-back-against-wealth-concentration-amazon-stock-rich-philanthropist-pledges-2-billion-in-donations">criticism from fellow billionaires</a>.



Read Next: 



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</ul>



Image via Flickr



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

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Elon Musk Calls Jeff Bezos' Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott's $19 Billion Charitable Donations 'Concerning'

The year 2024 saw the U.S. stock market make new records, with major indices breaching key milestones. While many stocks witnessed a stellar rally this year, analysts still expect some blue-chip equities to rise further as they forecast a better return potential.



Dow&#8217;s Performance In 2024



The Dow Jones Industrial Average index hit a record eight 1,000-point milestones this year. It started the year around the 37,000 level and breached the 45,000 level at the beginning of December. It took only seven trading days for the index to go from 44,000 to 45,000, the second fastest 1,000-point milestone ever.



Following that the index also saw one of its longest 10-day losing streak, the first ever since 1974. These 10 days of underperformance stems from a confluence of factors. 



The Dow doesn&#8217;t include all &#8220;Magnificent 7&#8221; stocks like Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>). The recent inclusion of Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) in the Dow has also pulled the index down because of the stock&#8217;s underperformance.



Dow&#8217;s constituent UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) has experienced a substantial decline this month following the tragedy with its CEO&#8217;s shooting. Moreover, in essence, the Dow&#8217;s historical advantage of its price-weighted indexing has become a significant disadvantage in today&#8217;s market. This is because, unlike market capitalization-weighted indices, higher-priced stocks have more weight in the calculation of a price-weighted index.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dow Jones Stocks With The Best And Worst Return Potential</h4>



Analysts still expect that a group of stocks led by Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>), UnitedHealth and Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) within the Dow will rise even more, according to estimates compiled by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>. Others on the list are the Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Chevron Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) and Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>).



To be sure, analysts keep updating their forecasts based on company performance and may change their estimates as the new earnings season begins.



Selection Criteria:



<ul>
<li>The thirty blue-chip stocks in Down Jones.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The highest and lowest return potential is based on the average 12-month target prices from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Companies</td><td>M-Cap</td><td>Highest PT ($/Share)</td><td>Lowest PT ($/Share)</td><td>Consensus PT ($/Share)</td><td>Upside/Downside Potential</td></tr><tr><td>Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>)</td><td>176.73B</td><td>515</td><td>174</td><td>331.35</td><td>31.68%</td></tr><tr><td>UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)</td><td>460.26B</td><td>675</td><td>460</td><td>608.16</td><td>28.95%</td></tr><tr><td>Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>)</td><td>86.71B</td><td>450</td><td>249</td><td>371.19</td><td>24.08%</td></tr><tr><td>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</td><td>2,365.04B</td><td>290</td><td>197</td><td>247.05</td><td>23.82%</td></tr><tr><td>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>)</td><td>347.83B</td><td>215</td><td>40</td><td>168</td><td>22.41%</td></tr><tr><td>Chevron Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>)</td><td>256.71B</td><td>212</td><td>160</td><td>179.36</td><td>21.42%</td></tr><tr><td>Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE: MRK</td><td>248.03B</td><td>155</td><td>104</td><td>126.24</td><td>20.76%</td></tr><tr><td>Salesforce Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crm#NYSE">CRM</a>)</td><td>328.87B</td><td>450</td><td>236</td><td>378.52</td><td>20.60%</td></tr><tr><td>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</td><td>3,246.07B</td><td>600</td><td>465</td><td>508</td><td>18.21%</td></tr><tr><td>Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>)</td><td>622.63B</td><td>375</td><td>252</td><td>318.42</td><td>17.69%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Benzinga.com (Data as of Dec. 22, 2024)</figcaption></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42430296/carson-researchs-50-year-study-suggests-that-the-26-months-old-bull-market-is-far-from-over">Is The 26-Month Bull Market Over? Here Is What Carson Research&#8217;s 50-Year Old Study Tells Us</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Caterpillar Inc</h3>



<ul>
<li>Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>) has the highest return potential of 31.68% among the Dow Jones constituents.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The 28 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $331.35 per share, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CAT/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Truist Securities&#8217; Jamie Cook raised the price target from $454 to $471 per share on Dec. 19, 2024 as he expects significant investments in infrastructure, likely driven by government initiatives and private sector projects to fuel demand for Caterpillar&#8217;s equipment.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Citigroup analyst Kyle Menges maintained a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating on the company and raised the price target from $435 to $460 apiece on Dec. 9, 2024.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>On Dec. 9, JPMorgan analyst Tami Zakaria also reaffirmed her bullish stance on Caterpillar, maintaining a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating on the stock. Concurrently, she raised the firm&#8217;s price target for Caterpillar from $500 to $515 per share.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">UnitedHealth Group</h3>



<ul>
<li>UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) has the second highest return potential of 28.95% among the Dow Jones constituents.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The 26 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $331.35 per share, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNH/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Oppenheimer raised its price target to $640 from $610 apiece on Dec.6, 2024. The primary reason for the price target increase is that the Oppenheimer analyst is updating their financial model. This update appears to be based solely on the publicly available information disclosed by UnitedHealth in their 8-K filing.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Stephens &amp; Co raised its target price to $675 from $605 per share on Dec. 5, 2024, after conducting a detailed review of the 2025 guidance metrics that UnitedHealth had shared before the fatal shooting of CEO Brian Thompson that led to the cancellation of their investor conference.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Deutsche Bank also increased its target from $595 to $625 apiece as it believes investor positioning into the event is mostly neutral to positive, with almost no one expecting a negative revision versus the third quarter outlook.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sherwin-Williams Company</h3>



<ul>
<li>Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>) has a return potential of 24.08% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>A consensus price target of $371.19 per share was maintained by 25 analysts that track the company, as per <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHW/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Greg Melich from Evercore ISI raised the price target of the Ohio-based paints, coatings and related products manufacturer to $420 from $400 per share on Nov. 7, 2024.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>RBC Capital&#8217;s Arun Viswanathan lowered his target on the company from $455 to $446 per share on Oct. 24, 2024. While acknowledging that third-quarter results might not have met investor expectations, Viswanathan emphasized the company&#8217;s potential for market share gains and the positive impact of its upcoming price increase scheduled for January 2025.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Citigroup adjusted its price target from $430 to $420 apiece on Oct. 24 as it anticipates choppy demand in the first half of 2025, which could hinder the rapid pass-through of interest rate cuts.</li>
</ul>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42383725/trump-administrations-deregulation-efforts-to-lift-energy-oil-and-gas-sectors-ai-frenzy-to-aid-faang-stocks-and-nvidia-says-fintech-insider">Trump&#8217;s Deregulation Efforts To Benefit Energy, Oil And Gas Sectors, While AI Frenzy Will Boost FAANG Stocks And Nvidia, Says Fintech Insider</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Amazon.com Inc</h3>



<ul>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) has a return potential of 23.82% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>A consensus price target of $247.05 per share was maintained by 39 analysts that track the company, as per <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Tigress Financial&#8217;s Ivan Feinseth umped is price target from $245 to $290 apiece on Dec.20, 2024 as it believes Amazon is well-positioned for continued success, driven by robust retail trends, effective utilization of generative AI and its fulfillment network, and the strategic integration of AI across its entire business.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The expectations of strong long-term growth driven by operational efficiency and sustained momentum across its business segments led Bernstein to raise its target price from $235 to $265 per share on Dec. 18, 2024.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>According to JPMorgan analyst Douglas Anmuth, Amazon is a best idea for 2025, and confidence in AWS growth in the months to come is a major reason for that. He raised its target price from $250 to $280 apiece on Dec. 18, 2024.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Johnson &amp; Johnson</h3>



<ul>
<li>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) has the fifth highest return potential in Dow of 22.41% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The 21 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $168 apiece, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JNJ/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>. </li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Citigroup&#8217;s Joanne Wuensch lowered Johnson &amp; Johnson&#8217;s price target from $185 to $175 per share while maintaining a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating on Dec. 11, 2024.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>BofA Securities reinstated coverage of Johnson &amp; Johnson with a &#8216;neutral&#8217; rating and a $166 price target on Dec. 10, 2024. BofA notes that J&amp;J&#8217;s current valuation premium to peers may limit upside potential. However, the analyst acknowledges a &#8220;fairly interesting&#8221; pipeline and anticipates that resolving the talc litigation in 2025 would be beneficial. This analysis was part of BofA&#8217;s broader coverage initiation of 11 large-cap U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Wolfe Research analyst Alexandria Hammond commenced coverage of Johnson &amp; Johnson with an &#8216;outperform&#8217; recommendation and established a price target of $190 per share on Nov. 15, 2024</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chevron Corporation</h3>



<ul>
<li>Chevron Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) has a return potential of 21.42% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The 24 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $179.36 apiece, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CVX/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Piper Sandler analyst Ryan Todd reduced his price target on the company from $184 to $173 per share on Dec. 19, 2024, while maintaining a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating. Piper Sandler suggests the valuation gap between Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) and Chevron implies a probability of over 65% of the Hess Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HES#NYSE">HES</a>) deal failing out. This scenario presents a potential 15%-25% upside, while a successful deal offers a 5%-10% downside ahead of the upcoming arbitration.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Despite this deal uncertainty, Piper expects Chevron to deliver strong portfolio performance in 2025, driven by project starts and controlled capital expenditures. This is projected to result in a significant free cash flow increase of $6-$7 billion.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst Roger Read raised his target price from $171 to $188 apiece on Dec. 9, 2024</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Truist Securities raised its price target on Chevron to $160 from $155 while maintaining a &#8216;hold&#8217; rating, on Dec. 6, 2024. The analyst highlights Chevron&#8217;s significant inventory, including ample royalties, and expects improved capital efficiency to drive a cash flow inflection in the coming year.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Merck &amp; Co Inc</h3>



<ul>
<li>Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) has the seventh highest return potential in Dow of 20.76% going into 2025.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The 27 analysts tracking the company have a consensus price target of $126.24 apiece, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRK/analyst-ratings">Benzinga</a>.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>BMO Capital Markets downgraded Merck to &#8216;market perform&#8217; from &#8216;outperform&#8217; lowering the price target from $136 to $105 apiece, on Dec. 20, 2024. The downgrade reflects concerns about the company&#8217;s Gardasil franchise in China and the potential revenue gap as Keytruda faces increased competition from biosimilars and generic drugs.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Tim Anderson from BofA Securities maintains his bullish stance on Merck with a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating, while adjusting the price target downward to $121 from $127 per share, on Dec. 10, 2024.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Truist analyst Robyn Karnauskas reaffirms a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating for Merck on Nov. 7, 2024, but lowers the price target to $130 from $132 apiece.</li>
</ul>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642834/market-breadth-turns-positive-after-a-rare-14-day-negative-streak-history-suggests-gains-ahead">Market Breadth Rebounds As Risk Appetite Makes A Comeback: This Analyst Predicts Gains Ahead After S&amp;P 500&#8217;s Record Negative Streak</a></li>
</ul>



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Top 7 Blue-Chip Stocks With The Best Return Potential Going Into 2025

U.S. financial markets will observe the Christmas holiday with modified trading hours, marking a brief pause in what has been an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42665923/is-stock-market-open-on-christmas-eve-2024-a-quick-guide-for-market-hours-banks-and-whats-closed-for-santa-claus">eventful year for Wall Street</a>.



The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will remain fully closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25, for Christmas Day. The bond market will follow a similar schedule, with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association <a href="https://www.sifma.org/resources/general/holiday-schedule/">announcing</a> a 2 p.m. ET close on Christmas Eve.



The adjusted schedule affects a broad range of market participants, from institutional investors to retail traders. Regular trading will resume on Thursday, Dec. 26, giving market participants time to position themselves before the year&#8217;s final trading week.



Meanwhile, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) which tracks the S&amp;P 500 saw its year-to-date returns climb by 27.35%, while that of the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which represents the Nasdaq composite, rose by 29.41%.



While traditional markets pause, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), and other cryptocurrencies will continue trading non-stop on global exchanges, demonstrating the digital asset market&#8217;s unique 24/7 accessibility.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42676790/mega-millions-jackpot-hits-1-billion-on-christmas-eve-amid-year-of-rare-wins">Christmas Eve Mega Millions: Jackpot Soars To Record $1 Billion In Year Of Rare Wins</a>



Looking ahead, investors should note that while stock markets will maintain regular hours on New Year&#8217;s Eve, the bond market will close early at 2 p.m. ET on Dec 31. All U.S. markets will be closed on Jan. 1, 2025, for New Year&#8217;s Day.



The holiday closures come as Asian markets maintain varying schedules. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange will operate abbreviated sessions around Christmas, while the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange will continue normal operations during this period.



Major U.S. financial institutions, including Bank of America Corp, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co, and Citigroup Inc., will close their branches on Christmas Day, aligning with the market holiday schedule.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42676444/biden-harris-and-pope-francis-deliver-messages-of-hope-and-inclusion-on-christmas-eve-trump-promotes-his-new-book-as-hottest-gift">Biden, Harris, And Pope Francis Deliver Messages Of Hope And Inclusion On Christmas Eve, Trump Promotes His New Book As &#8216;Hottest Gift&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image via Shutterstock



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

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$ETH

Is Stock Market Open Or Closed On Christmas Day 2024? Here Is What You Can Trade Today

The year of milestones, 2024, has seen an unperturbed rise in the current bull market, which is nearly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42430296/carson-researchs-50-year-study-suggests-that-the-26-months-old-bull-market-is-far-from-over">26 months</a> old. It is higher by more than 70% from the mid-October 2022 lows. As we wrap up the year with the possibility of a &#8216;Santa Rally,&#8217; let&#8217;s recap 2024&#8217;s landmark junctures.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Major U.S. Benchmarks Scale Fresh Records</h3>



The S&amp;P 500 Index has made 57 new all-time highs this year, hitting the last one on Dec. 6, 2024. Also, &#8220;2024 would go down as the best election year return ever,&#8221; said Ryan Detrick, the chief market strategist at Carson Research in a note.



&#8220;Going back 50 years, we found five other bull markets that had lasted at least this long and the shortest any of them lasted was five total years. Think of it like a cruise ship — once it gets moving, it can be quite hard to stop,&#8221; added Detrick



While the S&amp;P 500 index was up 25.96% on a year-to-date basis as of Dec. 23 close, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) rose by 25.82% in the same period.



The Dow Jones Industrial Average index, on the other hand, hit a record eight 1,000-point milestones this year. It started the year around the 37,000 level and breached the 45,000 level at the beginning of December. It took only seven trading days for the index to go from 44,000 to 45,000, the second fastest 1,000-point milestone ever. Following that the index also saw one of its longest 10-day losing streak, the first ever since 1974.



Dow was up 13.77% year-to-date as of the Dec. 23 close, whereas the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) gained 13.74% in the same period.



The Nasdaq 100 index which includes all the &#8216;magnificent seven&#8217; stocks, unlike Dow, rose 29.98% year-to-date as Dec. 23 close. The ETF tracking the index, Fidelity NASDAQ Composite Index ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ONEQ#NASDAQ">ONEQ</a>) rose by 33.85% in the same period. Whereas, the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose by 29.88% in 2024.



The smallcap index Russell 2000 was up 11.16% over the year, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) was up 10.97% in the same period as of the Dec. 23 close.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021350/CHARt-1-INDICES-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-705432" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021350/CHARt-1-INDICES-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021350/CHARt-1-INDICES-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021350/CHARt-1-INDICES-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021350/CHARt-1-INDICES-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021350/CHARt-1-INDICES.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42430296/carson-researchs-50-year-study-suggests-that-the-26-months-old-bull-market-is-far-from-over">Is The 26-Month Bull Market Over? Here Is What Carson Research&#8217;s 50-Year Old Study Tells Us</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">U.S. Market Trumps The World</h3>



Among the developed economies, the S&amp;P 500 remains the best index with a 25.96% gain on a year-to-date basis, outperforming all the other developed market indices.



While the <a href="https://x.com/RyanDetrick/status/1871317802306707882">first </a>year of a new president&#8217;s term has usually been strong since 1897, the returns during year one of a second term haven&#8217;t been very good overall, said Detrick.



<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">Returns during year one of a second term haven&#39;t been very good overall, but way better lately. Down 5 in a row, but now up 4 in a row. &#x1f914; <a href="https://t.co/aUrCbf22Gw">pic.twitter.com/aUrCbf22Gw</a>&mdash; Ryan Detrick, CMT (@RyanDetrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanDetrick/status/1871320275129967103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Developed Markets</td><td>Indices</td><td>YTD Performance</td></tr><tr><td>United States</td><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>25.96%</td></tr><tr><td>Germany</td><td>DAX</td><td>18.36%</td></tr><tr><td>Japan</td><td>Nikkei 225</td><td>17.27%</td></tr><tr><td>Hong Kong</td><td>Hang Seng</td><td>19.71%</td></tr><tr><td>Spain</td><td>IBEX 35</td><td>12.31%</td></tr><tr><td>United Kingdom</td><td>FTSE 100</td><td>4.94%</td></tr><tr><td>Switzerland</td><td>Swiss Market</td><td>2.85%</td></tr><tr><td>France</td><td>CAC 40</td><td>-3.43%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(As Of Dec. 23 Close)</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Communication, Consumer Discretionary, And Technology Lead Gains In 2024</h3>



Tracking the exchange-traded funds that track the major sectors in the U.S. market, communication services emerged as the top sector for the year, followed by consumer discretionary and technology. The information technology sector has the highest weight of 31.3% in the S&amp;P 500, followed by financials a t13.9%.



BlackRock said that they see technology companies&#8217; earnings performing well in 2025. &#8220;We are overweight as the AI theme and earnings growth broaden. Valuations for AI beneficiaries are supported by tech companies delivering on earnings.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cyclical Sectors</td><td>ETFs</td><td>YTD Performance</td></tr><tr><td>Communication Services</td><td>Communication Services Select SPDR ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>)</td><td>35.97%</td></tr><tr><td>Consumer Discretionary</td><td>Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VCR#NYSE">VCR</a>)</td><td>27.21%</td></tr><tr><td>Technology</td><td>Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>)</td><td>27.01%</td></tr><tr><td>Financials</td><td>Invesco S&amp;P 500 Equal Weight Financial ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSPF#NYSE">RSPF</a>)</td><td>23.48%</td></tr><tr><td>Industrials</td><td>Vanguard Industrials ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VIS#NYSE">VIS</a>)</td><td>17.80%</td></tr><tr><td>Real Estate</td><td>Real Estate Select Sector SPDR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>)</td><td>0.27%</td></tr><tr><td>Materials</td><td>Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (ARC: XLB)</td><td>-0.37%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(As Of Dec. 23 Close)</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021831/Chart-2.1-cyclical-sectors-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-705439" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021831/Chart-2.1-cyclical-sectors-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021831/Chart-2.1-cyclical-sectors-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021831/Chart-2.1-cyclical-sectors-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021831/Chart-2.1-cyclical-sectors-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24021831/Chart-2.1-cyclical-sectors.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42383725/trump-administrations-deregulation-efforts-to-lift-energy-oil-and-gas-sectors-ai-frenzy-to-aid-faang-stocks-and-nvidia-says-fintech-insider">Trump&#8217;s Deregulation Efforts To Benefit Energy, Oil And Gas Sectors, While AI Frenzy Will Boost FAANG Stocks And Nvidia, Says Fintech Insider</a>



Among the defensive sectors, utilities emerged as a winner, whereas energy was an underperformer. Consumer staples, energy, and utilities take up 5.7%, 3.4%, and 2.5% weight, respectively in the S&amp;P 500 index.



As per Morgan Stanley, the energy sector faces a divided future. Trump's deregulation could benefit traditional energy, but the outlook for oil is uncertain due to potential oversupply and weak global demand, especially from China. In contrast, natural gas may see growth from strong European demand and increased domestic use for electrification and AI-powered data centers. The clean energy sector could face challenges, if Trump rollbacks Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. However, a full repeal seems unlikely due to the benefits for Republican states.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Defensive Sectors</td><td>ETFs</td><td>YTD Performance</td></tr><tr><td>Utilities</td><td>Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VPU#NYSE">VPU</a>)</td><td>18.23%</td></tr><tr><td>Consumer Staples</td><td>Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VDC#NYSE">VDC</a>)</td><td>10.04%</td></tr><tr><td>Healthcare</td><td>Vanguard Health Care ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VHT#NYSE">VHT</a>)</td><td>0.63%</td></tr><tr><td>Energy</td><td>The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>)</td><td>-0.96%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(As Of Dec. 23 Close)</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022041/Chart-2.2-defensive-sectors-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-705442" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022041/Chart-2.2-defensive-sectors-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022041/Chart-2.2-defensive-sectors-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022041/Chart-2.2-defensive-sectors-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022041/Chart-2.2-defensive-sectors-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022041/Chart-2.2-defensive-sectors.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top S&amp;P 500 Performers In 2024</h3>



Palantir was the top performer within the S&amp;P 500 index this year, as it zoomed 386.67% year-to-date, as of Dec. 23 close. Vistra and Nvidia followed Palantir to advance 269.82% and 189.95% in the same period.



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>S&amp;P 500 Stocks</td><td>YTD Performance</td></tr><tr><td>Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>)</td><td>386.67%</td></tr><tr><td>Vistra Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>)</td><td>269.82%</td></tr><tr><td>NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)</td><td>189.95%</td></tr><tr><td>GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>)</td><td>162.80%</td></tr><tr><td>Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>)</td><td>148.04%</td></tr><tr><td>United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UAL#NASDAQ">UAL</a>)</td><td>144.30%</td></tr><tr><td>Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>)</td><td>114.07%</td></tr><tr><td>Texas Pacific Land Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPL#NYSE">TPL</a>)</td><td>113.03%</td></tr><tr><td>Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRGP#NYSE">TRGP</a>)</td><td>106.40%</td></tr><tr><td>Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>)</td><td>105.73%</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(As Of Dec. 23 Close)</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022228/Chart-3-top-performers-of-SPY-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-705446" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022228/Chart-3-top-performers-of-SPY-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022228/Chart-3-top-performers-of-SPY-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022228/Chart-3-top-performers-of-SPY-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022228/Chart-3-top-performers-of-SPY-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022228/Chart-3-top-performers-of-SPY.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">U.S. Dollar Surges Over 6% In 2024</h3>



The Dollar index was up 6.72% year-to-date with a 52-week range of 100.1570 to 108.5410 per unit. If the Greenback can hold on to these gains, the currency would leave behind the second-best year since 2015.



The UDS&#8217;s demand has been rising due to the &#8220;Uncertainties arising from expected Trump's policies and hawkish comments from the Fed towards rate cycle,&#8221; said Kunal Sodhani, vice president of the global trading center at Shinhan Bank.



According to Franklin Templeton, &#8220;The Fed easing cycle will be a dominant factor for the USD. The two main comparisons we draw against the Fed cyclically, interest-rate-wise, are emerging markets, and Japan.&#8221;



WisdomTree Bloomberg US Dollar Bullish Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USDU#NYSE">USDU</a>) was up 13.24% on a year-to-date basis, as of Dec. 23 close, where as Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) advanced by 7.21% in the same period.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022447/Chart-4-Dollar-ETFs-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-705448" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022447/Chart-4-Dollar-ETFs-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022447/Chart-4-Dollar-ETFs-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022447/Chart-4-Dollar-ETFs-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022447/Chart-4-Dollar-ETFs-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24022447/Chart-4-Dollar-ETFs.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



Read Next



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642834/market-breadth-turns-positive-after-a-rare-14-day-negative-streak-history-suggests-gains-ahead">Market Breadth Rebounds As Risk Appetite Makes A Comeback: This Analyst Predicts Gains Ahead After S&amp;P 500&#8217;s Record Negative Streak</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

ETFs

AVGO

AXON

ONEQ

PLTR

RSPF

TRGP

USDU

XLRE

S&P 500 Hits 57 All-Time Highs In Record-Breaking 2024: Magnificent 7 Drive 30% Of Nasdaq's Surge

Russian companies have started using Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and other digital currencies for international transactions, said Finance Minister Anton Siluanov on Wednesday.



What Happened: Siluanov revealed that Russian businesses have begun using Bitcoin and other digital currencies for international transactions, reported Reuters. The legislative changes that allowed this move were implemented to counter the impact of Western sanctions on Russia&#8217;s trade with major partners like China and Turkey.



Siluanov told Russia 24 television channel &#8220;As part of the experimental regime, it is possible to use bitcoins, which we had mined here in Russia (in foreign trade transactions).&#8221; 



&#8220;Such transactions are already occurring. We believe they should be expanded and developed further. I am confident this will happen next year,&#8221; he continued, expressing his conviction that digital currencies will play a significant role in future international payments.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639340/bernie-sanders-is-all-for-canada-becoming-the-51st-state-if-the-u-s-will-also-adopt-universal-healthcare?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bernie Sanders Is &#8216;All For&#8217; Canada Becoming The 51st State If The U.S. Will Also Adopt Universal Healthcare</a>



Why It Matters: Russia has been increasingly embracing cryptocurrencies. This came after President Vladimir Putin, earlier this month, criticized the current U.S. administration for undermining the role of the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency by using it for political purposes. According to Putin, this has compelled many countries to seek alternative assets. He highlighted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42317460/vladimir-putin-says-nobody-can-ban-bitcoin-stresses-crypto-will-develop-one-way-or-the-other">Bitcoin as an example of such assets</a>, asserting that no global authority could regulate Bitcoin. 



Putin also said that cryptocurrencies are becoming the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42405700/russia-weighs-bitcoin-reserve-as-deputy-warns-sanctions-leave-crypto-only-instrument-for-trade-amid-trumps-pro-bitcoin-push">only instrument for international trade</a> in countries under sanctions. 



 This move comes despite the recent ban on cryptocurrency mining in several regions of Russia. The Russian government announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42667932/did-vladimir-putin-just-ban-bitcoin-mining-in-russia-the-devil-is-in-the-details">six-year ban on cryptocurrency mining</a> in ten regions, effective from Jan. 1, 2025, due to concerns over excessive energy consumption.



Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $$98,305, up 4% 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.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42650677/kevin-oleary-says-deregulation-is-the-real-reason-everybody-is-sucking-up-to-trump-now-not-lower-taxes?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says Deregulation Is The Real Reason Everybody Is &#8216;Sucking Up To Trump Now,&#8217; Not Lower Taxes</a>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image via Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

General

Russian Firms Adopt Bitcoin For Global Trade In Response To Western Sanctions: 'Should Be Expanded And Developed Further'

Ford Motor Co&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) F-150 Lightning sales have been falling in the U.S. over the past two months as compared to the corresponding months of 2023, while sales of its rival, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cybertruck">the Cybertruck</a>, rose significantly.



Quarterly Sales Comparison: Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) started delivering Cybertrucks to customers in the U.S. in late November 2023. Since then, the company has been ramping up deliveries.



In the quarter that ended in September, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41325252/tesla-cybertruck-leads-the-pack-as-most-popular-ev-truck-in-us-in-q3-outselling-rivals-from-ford-gm">Tesla delivered 16,692 Cybertruck vehicles</a> in the U.S., according to data from automotive research company Kelley Blue Book. Ford, in the meantime, managed to sell just 7,162 F-150 Lightnings.



This number, though higher than the number of EV trucks delivered by the company in the corresponding quarter of 2023, placed the conventional Ford truck behind its stainless steel counterpart.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="476" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23053934/gB1eV-quarterly-sales-of-f-150-lightning-amp-cybertruck-1024x476.png" alt="" class="wp-image-703836" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23053934/gB1eV-quarterly-sales-of-f-150-lightning-amp-cybertruck-1024x476.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23053934/gB1eV-quarterly-sales-of-f-150-lightning-amp-cybertruck-300x139.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23053934/gB1eV-quarterly-sales-of-f-150-lightning-amp-cybertruck-768x357.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23053934/gB1eV-quarterly-sales-of-f-150-lightning-amp-cybertruck.png 1240w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Cybertruck sales overtook F-150 Lightning sales for the first time in the second quarter of 2024 despite the latter having a lower starting price. Cybertruck has been keeping its lead for two quarters straight.



Furthermore, Cybertruck sales have been rising drastically compared to Ford&#8217;s Lightning sales which have remained more or less stable at around 7,000-8,000 units over the last three quarters.



Thus Far Into Q4: F-150 Lightning sales have been falling over the past two months. Ford sold just 5,506 Lightnings in October and November put together as compared to 8,105 in the corresponding period last year. 



In the last quarter of 2023, the Lightning was, in fact, the best-selling electric truck in the U.S.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="368" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23055647/1Qq5V-f-150-lightning-sales-1024x368.png" alt="" class="wp-image-703877" style="width:920px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23055647/1Qq5V-f-150-lightning-sales-1024x368.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23055647/1Qq5V-f-150-lightning-sales-300x108.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23055647/1Qq5V-f-150-lightning-sales-768x276.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23055647/1Qq5V-f-150-lightning-sales.png 1240w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Unlike Ford which shares monthly sales data, Tesla doesn&#8217;t. It is unclear how many Cybertrucks were sold in October and November this year. 



Demand Challenges: However, both the Lightning and Cybertruck are seemingly faced with demand challenges. In November, Benzinga reported that Ford will pause the production of its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ford-f-150-lightning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">F-150 Lightning pickup</a>&nbsp;truck for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41677673/ford-f-150-lightning-pickup-truck-production-to-be-halted-temporarily-after-teslas-cybertruck-races" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">six weeks from Nov. 18 to Jan.6</a>&nbsp;at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Plant.



"We continue to adjust production for an optimal mix of sales growth and profitability,&#8221; Ford said about the decision then.



Tesla, meanwhile, told its workers on the Cybertruck production line at Giga Texas that they need not report to work for three days from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5, implying that both companies have inventory exceeding demand. 



Price Point Comparison: The F-150 Lightning is a cheaper EV truck offering as compared to the Cybertruck. The model year 2024 Lightning starts at $67,995 for the base variant and at $84,995 for the more premium Platinum variant. The company also manufactures two more variants priced in between. 



The Cybertruck, meanwhile, starts at $79,990 for the lower-priced All-wheel drive variant and at $99,990 for the higher-end Cyberbeast version. The EV giant offers just two variants of the truck. 



Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42640472/tesla-exec-bemoans-cost-of-sending-letter-to-owners-affected-by-ev-giants-recent-recall-of-nearly-700000-vehicles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Exec Bemoans Cost Of Sending Letter To Owners Affected By EV Giant's Recent Recall Of Nearly 700,000 Vehicles</a></li>
</ul>



Photos courtesy: Tesla and Ford

Tesla Cybertruck's Popularity Threatens Ford F-150 Lightning Sales, Shows Data

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? You can&#8217;t go wrong with tech.



The Magnificent 7 companies—Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), and Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)—offer some of the best gadgets, accessories, and experiences.



So, this Christmas, whether you&#8217;re shopping for a techie, a gamer, or someone who just loves convenience, there's something for everyone.



Apple



Apple Watch Strap: Add some flair to an Apple Watch with a durable, comfy band. Available in multiple colors. The starting price is $49.



AirTag: Perfect for tracking keys, bags, or anything else you misplace. Compact and easy to use. Price: $29.



Amazon



Echo Dot (5th Gen): A smart speaker with Alexa to control devices, play music, and more. Compact and stylish. Price starting at $22.99.



Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: Stream your favorite shows in 4K resolution. Supports 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos. Easy to set up and use.&nbsp;



See Also:&nbsp;<a data-google-interstitial="false" style="white-space: normal; box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); color: rgb(44, 162, 209); text-decoration: inherit; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, OpenSans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42378596/openais-chatgpt-makes-headway-in-search-threatening-googles-reign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-pan-x: ; --tw-pan-y: ; --tw-pinch-zoom: ; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-gradient-from-position: ; --tw-gradient-via-position: ; --tw-gradient-to-position: ; --tw-ordinal: ; --tw-slashed-zero: ; --tw-numeric-figure: ; --tw-numeric-spacing: ; --tw-numeric-fraction: ; --tw-ring-inset: ; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-blur: ; --tw-brightness: ; --tw-contrast: ; --tw-grayscale: ; --tw-hue-rotate: ; --tw-invert: ; --tw-saturate: ; --tw-sepia: ; --tw-drop-shadow: ; --tw-backdrop-blur: ; --tw-backdrop-brightness: ; --tw-backdrop-contrast: ; --tw-backdrop-grayscale: ; --tw-backdrop-hue-rotate: ; --tw-backdrop-invert: ; --tw-backdrop-opacity: ; --tw-backdrop-saturate: ; --tw-backdrop-sepia: ; --tw-contain-size: ; --tw-contain-layout: ; --tw-contain-paint: ; --tw-contain-style: ;">OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT Makes Headway In Search, Threatening Google&#8217;s Reign</a>



Alphabet



Chromecast with Google TV: A versatile streaming device that integrates various streaming services into a single user-friendly interface. Features a compact design that connects directly to the HDMI port of your TV and comes with a voice remote equipped with Google Assistant.&nbsp;



YouTube Premium Subscription: Enjoy ad-free videos, background play, and YouTube Music access. Priced at $13.99 per month.



Meta



Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap: For those who like to extend their virtual reality experience, this is a perfect gift. Addresses common discomfort issues by redistributing weight more evenly across the head, reducing pressure on the face and neck. Priced at $69.99.



Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Microsoft



Xbox Wireless Controller: The controller features a sleek, updated design with improved ergonomics, textured grips, and a hybrid D-pad for superior comfort and precision during gameplay. It offers compatibility with both Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth.



Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse: A simple, modern mouse that works with Windows and Mac can boost your productivity infinitely. Great for daily use.



Nvidia



GeForce NOW Priority Membership (One year): Stream top games with priority access and extended sessions. Users can stream games in up to 1440p resolution—an improvement from the previous 1080p—and enjoy support for ultrawide resolutions. A gamer's dream. Price: $9.99/month or $99.99/ year.



Tesla



Tesla Key Card: A handy backup or replacement key for Tesla owners. Makes life easier. Price: $40.



Tesla Wireless Portable Charger: A sleek, fast charger compatible with most smartphones. It offers magnetic, wireless charging and boasts a robust 5000mAh battery capacity. Perfect for on-the-go charging. Price: $95.



From sleek devices to powerful experiences, these gifts from the Magnificent 7 companies are sure to impress anyone on your list.



The best part? You can't go wrong with these trusted brands.



Happy shopping!



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41141844/after-googles-2-7b-acquisition-of-founders-and-staff-this-ai-startup-abandons-large-language-model-p" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">After Google's $2.7B Acquisition Of Founders And Staff, This AI Startup Abandons Large Language Model Plans And Shifts Focus Away From Chatbots</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

AAPL

Tech, Toys, And Tesla: The Ultimate Santa Tech Wishlist From Magnificent 7 Companies

Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang has shared his thoughts on his company's relationship with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) and the remarks by President-elect Donald Trump.



What Happened: Earlier this month, during WIRED&#8217;s &#8220;The Big Interview&#8221; series, Huang was asked about Trump's accusation about Taiwan taking some of the chip business from the U.S. and its implications for Nvidia&#8217;s close partnership with TSMC.



In response, Huang highlighted the pivotal role of TSMC in the global tech supply chain, praising the company as an &#8220;extraordinary&#8221; innovator with strong leadership.



&#8220;If anything, TSMC as a company gets better and better every single year that we work with them so our relationship with TSMC is going to continue,&#8221; he stated.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42608964/samsung-one-ui-6-1-1-update-is-turning-this-galaxy-series-phones-into-paperweights-bricking-random-reboots-and-overheating-reported?itm_source=parsely-api">Samsung One UI 6.1.1 Update Is Turning This Galaxy Series Phones Into Paperweights: Bricking, Random Reboots And Overheating Reported</a>



The Nvidia CEO also confirmed reaching out to Trump to congratulate him and expressed Nvidia&#8217;s readiness to support the new administration.



He expressed confidence that the incoming administration would recognize the importance of AI and offered to provide any necessary support to help the administration succeed in this area.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Jensen Huang, Zach Snyder, Mira Murati &amp; More - The Big Interview Live 2024 &#x7C; WIRED" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CC6H2dBt5WE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s concerns about Taiwan&#8217;s semiconductor industry have been a recurring theme. In October, while appearing on the Joe Rogan podcast, Trump accused Taiwan of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41604100/trump-goes-after-taiwan-semiconductor-on-joe-rogan-podcast">undermining the U.S. chip industry</a> and criticized the U.S. CHIPS Act.



He pledged to impose tariffs on Taiwanese chips, which could significantly impact TSMC, a major supplier for companies like Nvidia and Apple Inc.



Despite Trump&#8217;s critical remarks, TSMC announced that its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41845483/taiwan-semiconductor-us-expansion-plans-unfazed-by-trump-win-report">U.S. expansion plans remain</a> unchanged. The company proceeded with a $65 billion investment in advanced semiconductor production facilities in Arizona.



TSMC also plans a significant global expansion, with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42032114/taiwan-semiconductor-plans-major-global-expansion-sets-record-38-billion-investment-target">record $38 billion investment</a> target. The company aims to increase its production capacity by constructing several new semiconductor fabrication plants worldwide by 2025.



Nvidia and TSMC have partnered since 1995, with TSMC historically serving as the primary manufacturer of Nvidia&#8217;s high-performance GPUs.&nbsp;



In October, TSMC reported consolidated third-quarter revenue of NT$759.69 billion ($23.50 billion), reflecting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41373163/nvidia-supplier-tsmc-reports-q3-revenue-earnings-beat-amid-rising-demand-for-ai-chips">39% year-over-year increase</a>.



Price Action: TSMC&#8217;s stock has increased by 103.22% year-to-date, while Nvidia&#8217;s stock has risen by 191.09% during the same period, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



The latest analyst reports from Barclays and Needham set an average price target of $226.67 for TSMC, indicating a potential upside of 9.87%.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSM/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/25061619/Screenshot-2024-12-25-at-4.46.11%E2%80%AFPM-1024x376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706808"/></a></figure>



Meanwhile, reports from DA Davidson, Phillip Securities, and Truist Securities set an average price target of $154.67 for Nvidia, suggesting a potential upside of 10.65%.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/25061648/Screenshot-2024-12-25-at-4.46.39%E2%80%AFPM-1024x376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706810"/></a></figure>



Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.



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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo by Sundry Photography on Shutterstock

Amid Donald Trump's Concerns About Taiwan's Rising Chip Business, Jensen Huang Praises TSMC For Its Unquestionable Innovation — Vows Nvidia's Support For The Incoming US Administration

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is gearing up to launch the AirTag 2, featuring significant upgrades in range and safety.



Everything we know so far about Apple's upcoming item tracker:&nbsp;



Ultra Wideband Chip For Longer Range



One of the most anticipated upgrades for the AirTag 2 is the integration of Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. This new chip, first seen in the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, significantly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42501665/apples-2025-airtag-to-feature-iphone-15s-ultrawide-band-chip-for-smarter-longer-range-tracking-report">boosts the tracker's range</a>—potentially up to three times the distance of the first-generation AirTag.



Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Improved Safety Measures To Address Stalking Concerns



One rumored change involves the tracker's built-in speaker, which is expected to be more difficult to remove. This tweak could help address concerns about AirTags being used for unauthorized tracking or stalking.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42609769/elon-musk-is-a-legendary-entrepreneur-but-also-a-bully-says-openai-ceo-sam-altman-now-its-me-its-been-bezos-gates-zuckerberg-lots-of-other-people?itm_source=parsely-api">Elon Musk A Legendary Entrepreneur But Also A Bully, Says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: &#8216;Now It&#8217;s Me, It&#8217;s Been Bezos, Gates, Zuckerberg, Lots Of Other People&#8217;</a>



Better Integration With Apple Vision Pro



While specific details remain scarce, rumors suggest that the AirTag 2 will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38911822/upgraded-apple-airtag-with-advanced-chip-and-superior-location-tracking-set-for-2025-launch-says-mar">feature better compatibility</a> with Apple Vision Pro, the company's mixed-reality headset. This integration could unlock new possibilities for spatial tracking.



Design Consistency Overhaul Unlikely



Unlike some of Apple's other product updates, the AirTag 2 is not expected to undergo a major design overhaul. The current circular and compact form factor has proven effective, and Apple seems to be focusing on internal upgrades rather than aesthetic changes for its second-generation tracker.



Why It Matters: According to verified market research, the AirTag keychain market, valued at $0.6 billion in 2023, is anticipated to surge to $4.2 billion by 2030.



This reflects a compound annual growth rate of 35.19% from 2024 to 2030.



In January 2023, it was reported that Apple had sold over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/01/30446236/apple-airtags-and-bluetooth-trackers-are-officially-a-billion-dollar-industry-heres-what-to-know-tre">$1 billion worth of AirTags</a>—approximately 55 million units—since its debut in April 2021.



Earlier this year, Apple was also hit with a lawsuit claiming that AirTags were being used by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37764878/apple-loses-motion-to-dismiss-lawsuit-claiming-airtags-are-weapon-of-stalkers-determination-cannot-b">stalkers for malicious purposes</a>.



However, AirTags have also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/07/33226618/how-an-apple-airtag-led-to-the-capture-of-a-sneaky-thief">demonstrated their value</a> in numerous scenarios, including helping to recover stolen possessions. Last month, Cupertino also launched a new feature enabling users to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/41931360/apples-airtag-users-can-now-share-location-with-airlines-for-faster-recovery-of-lost-luggage">share the location</a> of lost items with third parties, like airlines, via the Find My app.



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.&nbsp;



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple&#8217;s Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon&#8217;s Ring</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo by Moma okgo on Shutterstock

What To Expect From Apple's AirTag 2: Ultra Wideband Boost, Enhanced Tracking, Safety Upgrades And More

Nvidia Corporation's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CES 2025 keynote is set to be one of the biggest tech events of the year.



What Happened: The tech world is eagerly waiting for the commencement of CES 2025 and all eyes are on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's keynote.



When And Where To Watch



Huang will deliver Nvidia's keynote on Jan. 6, 2025, at 9:30 pm ET. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube and Nvidia's official website.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Keynote at CES 2025" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k82RwXqZHY8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42609769/elon-musk-is-a-legendary-entrepreneur-but-also-a-bully-says-openai-ceo-sam-altman-now-its-me-its-been-bezos-gates-zuckerberg-lots-of-other-people?itm_source=parsely-api">Elon Musk A Legendary Entrepreneur But Also A Bully, Says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: &#8216;Now It&#8217;s Me, It&#8217;s Been Bezos, Gates, Zuckerberg, Lots Of Other People&#8217;</a>



What To Expect



RTX 5000 Series GPU: Nvidia is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41227135/next-gen-nvidia-gpus-could-be-revealed-at-ces-2025-what-you-need-to-know">expected to unveil</a> its next-generation RTX 5000 series GPUs. These GPUs could redefine gaming and creative workflows with even greater performance and efficiency.



AI and Robotics Innovations: Huang will likely showcase Nvidia's advancements in AI and robotics. From AI-powered tools to next-gen robots, the keynote could highlight how Nvidia's chips are driving these fields.



Automotive Technology Updates: Nvidia's impact on autonomous vehicles will also reportedly take center stage.



Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Why It Matters: With a market cap exceeding $3.433 trillion, Nvidia currently is the second most valuable company in the world after Apple Inc.



Nvidia is at the heart of the AI revolution, powering companies like ChatGPT-parent OpenAI, Alphabet Inc., and Meta Platforms, Inc. with its advanced chips.&nbsp;



Year-to-date, Nvidia shares have increased by 191.09%, significantly outperforming NASDAQ 100 which is at 31.76%, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



Price Action: Nvidia&#8217;s stock gained 0.39% on Tuesday, closing at $140.22. So far this year, the stock has climbed 191.09%. The latest analyst reports from DA Davidson, Phillip Securities, and Truist Securities set an average price target of $154.67, suggesting a potential upside of 10.65%.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/25033227/Screenshot-2024-12-25-at-2.02.21%E2%80%AFPM-1024x376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706764"/></a></figure>



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



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</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image via Shutterstock

Nvidia CES 2025 Keynote: How To Watch Jensen Huang Unveil The RTX 5000 Series GPUs

U.S. Treasury yields could trade in the 4.75-5.00% range for much of 2025, according to Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz, as markets digest the Federal Reserve&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42564443/santa-came-early-with-rate-cut-but-federal-reserve-brings-coal-next-year-experts-weigh-in-on-rate-cut-feds-2025-p">revised rate outlook and end-of-year dynamics</a>.



What Happened: The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield touched 4.613% on Tuesday, its highest level since May 30, before settling at 4.594% in a holiday-shortened trading session. 



The recent yield movement follows the Federal Reserve&#8217;s December meeting, where officials reduced their projected interest rate cuts for 2025 from four to two.



&#8220;The yield on the 10-year U.S. government bond is flirting again with the 4.60% level,&#8221; El-Erian wrote on X, formerly Twitter, suggesting sustained pressure on government debt prices could persist well into next year.



Rising Treasury yields typically signal heightened concerns for stock investors as they can draw money away from equities into lower-risk fixed-income securities, compress stock valuations, and discourage consumer and business borrowing &#8211; all of which can impact economic growth and corporate profits.



This impact was evident in October when stocks tumbled as the 10-year yield breached 4% for the first time since August.



<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 yield on the 10 year US government bond is flirting again with the 4.60% level. It would not surprise me if this yield traded in the 4.75-5.00% range for a good part of 2025. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/markets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#markets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/investing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#investing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/investors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#investors</a> <a href="https://t.co/b1Xi5EnBzj">pic.twitter.com/b1Xi5EnBzj</a>&mdash; Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm/status/1871315853280718925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42676432/cathie-woods-pre-christmas-sale-ark-invest-dumps-even-more-tesla-palantir-stock">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Pre-Christmas Sale: Ark Invest Dumps Even More Tesla, Palantir Stock</a>



Why It Matters: The yield outlook comes amid broader market optimism, with major U.S. stock indices advancing in what traders call the &#8220;Santa Claus rally&#8221; period. The S&amp;P 500, as tracked by SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) gained 1% on Tuesday, marking its third consecutive session of gains, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 tracked by Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp; rose 1.3%.



Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) led the market surge with a 7.35% jump, its strongest single-day performance since November. Other notable gainers included Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) and Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>), rising 2.4% and 2.5% respectively.



Historical data suggests the year-end rally could continue, with the S&amp;P 500 having posted gains in 64 of the past 96 years during the Dec. 24-31 period, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42675763/santa-rally-serial-winners-10-stocks-historically-poised-for-big-year-end-gains">averaging a 0.85% return</a>. The strongest Santa rally occurred in 2018 when the index surged 6.6%.



Financial markets will remain closed on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42665923/is-stock-market-open-on-christmas-eve-2024-a-quick-guide-for-market-hours-banks-and-whats-closed-for-santa-claus">Wednesday for the Christmas holiday</a>, with trading set to resume on Thursday.



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Image via Pixabay



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

Bonds

Economics

NFLX

Treasury Yields Could Hit 5% In 2025, Mohamed El-Erian Warns: Will Next Year Bring Head Winds For Surging Markets?

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has expressed his disdain for billionaires, including Elon Musk, influencing elections and has called for an immediate ban on Super PACs by the Democratic National Committee.



What Happened: On Christmas Eve, Sanders took to X to voice his concerns about the role of billionaires in swaying elections. He specifically mentioned Musk, who has been previously criticized for his hefty campaign contributions. Sanders&#8217; post read, &#8220;The American people are disgusted with Musk and other billionaires buying elections. We must not only fight to end Citizens United. We must demand that the DNC ban Super PACs NOW in Democratic primaries.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The American people are disgusted with Musk and other billionaires buying elections. We must not only fight to end Citizens United. We must demand that the DNC ban Super PACs NOW in Democratic primaries.&mdash; Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1871320030769758364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



In the past, Sanders has been vocal about his concerns regarding the influence of big money in politics. He has repeatedly called for an end to Citizens United and Super PACs, advocating for public funding of elections instead.



The Citizens United decision, issued by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010, ruled that laws preventing corporations and labor unions from making independent political expenditures violated the First Amendment&#8217;s free speech protections.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42654769/tiktok-ban-under-trump-president-elect-wants-to-keep-months-after-pelosi-said-follow-the-money?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok Ban Under Trump? President-Elect Reconsiders As Pelosi Says &#8216;Follow The Money&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: Sanders&#8217; recent post comes in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39807458/bernie-sanders-slams-elon-musks-reported-45m-donations-to-trump-campaign-we-need-a-government-that-r">wake of his criticism</a> of Musk&#8217;s reported monthly donations of $45 million to the Trump campaign. He stressed the importance of overturning Citizens United and transitioning to publicly funded elections to ensure a government that represents all citizens, not just billionaires.



The Vermont senator had previously expressed concern over the defeat of Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) in a primary election, attributing it to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40273794/bernie-sanders-calls-for-end-to-super-pacs-billionaires-buying-elections-is-not-what-this-country-is">influence</a> of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's Super PAC, United Democracy Project.



According to Sanders, just 150 billionaire families <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42463691/just-150-billionaire-families-spent-nearly-2-billion-on-elections-bernie-sanders-says-we-live-in-an-oligarchy-heres-what-he-proposes">spent almost $2 billion</a> in the 2024 elections, further emphasizing his argument that the U.S. is becoming an oligarchy.



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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>

Politics

Bernie Sanders: 'The American People Are Disgusted With Musk' — Calls On Democrats To End Super PACs In Primaries

Kevin O'Leary, known for his straightforward attitude on Shark Tank, recently stated that you don't have to love Donald Trump to appreciate his policies. In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAEDN5TLnmY">appearance</a> on Fox Business, O'Leary praised the president-elect&#8217;s pro-business strategies, saying they are exactly what America needs to boost the economy and create jobs.



O'Leary is working on a massive project in Alberta, Canada – supposedly the world's largest AI data center. However, his attention is equally focused on the U.S., where he believes Trump's policies could fast-track similar ventures. Trump recently promised expedited permits for large infrastructure projects, something O'Leary says would be a game-changer.



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"If he can deliver that," O'Leary said, "it's going to bring capital back to the United States." He explained that permitting delays often scare off investors and stall big projects. By cutting red tape, Trump's plan could open the floodgates for investment, particularly in the energy and tech sectors, per O&#8217;Leary.



The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/12/42486613/kevin-oleary-has-recently-noted-the-increasing-demand-for-data-centers-describing-them-as-a-notable-combination-of-real-estate-and-technology-with-considerable-potential">AI data center</a> he is building in Canada will rely on natural gas turbines for power, an interim solution until nuclear energy becomes more viable. He is also exploring similar projects in West Virginia and North Dakota but says U.S. permitting delays are a major hurdle.



According to O'Leary, Trump's promise to simplify the permitting process is exactly what is needed to turn these ideas into reality.



Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jobs and Economic Growth</h2>



O'Leary also believes that policies promoting infrastructure and energy projects will create significant jobs. "This is what we need," he said. "You can still hate Trump, but you've got to love his policies because that will bring jobs to these states."



O'Leary argues that these initiatives can breathe new life into local economies by cutting through bureaucracy and encouraging private investment. He is particularly optimistic about how such policies can attract capital, boost industries and ultimately create long-term stability.



Critics fear that cutting corners on permits could result in problems for the environment and public safety. Some contend that these rules prioritize corporations over regular citizens. O&#8217;Leary, however, is adamant and emphasizes the necessity of bold action to boost businesses and lessen supposed dependency on imported energy.



See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>



O'Leary is focused on outcomes. For him, it is not about politics – it is about what works. Whether AI data centers in Canada or energy projects in the U.S., he sees Trump's business-first approach as a blueprint for success.



In October, O'Leary also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/41750727/kevin-oleary-supports-elon-musks-2-trillion-plan-to-slash-government-spending-with-trumps-backing-it">weighed in on Elon Musk's ambitious $2 trillion plan</a> to slash federal spending. Backed by Trump, Musk is proposed to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Trump&#8217;s second term. O'Leary called for Musk's cost-cutting expertise to be unleashed across federal agencies. "Let them in there and come back with a shopping list of ideas and let's debate it. Why not? We need to find some savings," he said.



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Kevin O'Leary Says, 'You Can Hate Trump, But You've Got To Love His Policies' – They Will 'Bring Jobs'

The irony here is impossible to ignore. Bill Gates, whose legacy includes making email an essential part of modern life, now texts his youngest daughter, Phoebe, to let her know he's sent her an email. Yes, the same Bill Gates who cofounded<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/05/39084795/bill-gates-66-000-sq-ft-mansion-features-a-trampoline-room-and-24-bathrooms-but-was-dubbed-a-nightma"> Microsoft</a> and made tools like Outlook a household name is being told by his 22-year-old daughter that email is ancient history.



"When I asked her why not, she said, ‘No one uses email for personal communications anymore. Just text me,'" Gates wrote in a blog post on Sept. 18, promoting his new Netflix docuseries What's Next? The Future with Bill Gates.



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His response? That was a classic dad move. "I ended up meeting her halfway," he explained. "These days, I text her to say that I'm sending her an email."



The exchange is a modern twist on the age-old generational divide, but Gates isn't bitter about it. He says this adaptation has improved their relationship. "We've ended up talking more on the phone," he shared, which is a small win for a dad navigating the ever-evolving communication preferences of Gen Z.



This wasn't the only moment of blunt honesty between father and daughter. Gates called his conversations with Phoebe, featured in the new series, his "favorite" part of the project. "Few people in your life can be as direct with you as your own children," he wrote, reflecting on the lessons he learned from her about social media, how to avoid trolls and the importance of exposing yourself to different viewpoints.



See Also: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.



Phoebe, a Stanford graduate and co-founder of the digital fashion platform Phia, didn't hold back when discussing what's outdated. In addition to email, Facebook also made the list of things she doesn't bother with.



"The important lesson (for me, at least) is that no one uses Facebook or email anymore," Gates admitted.



It's a surprising acknowledgment from someone who built his empire on technology, but Gates seems genuinely open to learning – even from his kids. "I've always thought of myself as a student trying to get to the bottom of things," he wrote. "A good day for me is one where I go to sleep with just a little bit more knowledge than I had when I woke up in the morning."



Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>



While Phoebe may not use email, most of Gen Z still does. According to Statista, about 94% of Gen Z individuals in the U.S. reported relying on email communications as of January 2022. However, she nailed it when it comes to Facebook. Engagement among young adults and teens has dropped significantly. The Verge reports that while half of teens say they're "almost constantly" online, only 32% of U.S. teens use Facebook – a dramatic decline from 71% just a decade ago.



Gates also couldn't hide his pride in Phoebe, calling her an "incredible advocate for women's rights and women's health." He wrote, "I can't wait to see how her advocacy work will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42438799/bill-gates-predicts-ai-in-the-workforce-will-lead-to-so-much-leisure-time-but-itll-create-a-what-do-we-do-with-all-that-time-problem">make a difference in the world – </a>and hear what she thinks of What's Next? now that it's out."



The man who helped the world transition to digital communication is now rethinking his habits, one text message at a time. It's an unexpected twist, but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/06/39228376/bill-gates-could-be-the-worlds-first-trillionaire-if-he-had-diamond-handed-his-microsoft-shares-hed">Gates seems to be embracing it,</a> quirks and all.



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Personal Finance

Bill Gates Says His 22-Year-Old Daughter Told Him To 'Never Email Her' – So Now He Sends Her A Text Letting Her Know He's Emailing

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