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VersaBank

VersaBank is a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank with a difference. It has 3 operating segments: Digital Banking Canada, Digital Banking USA and DRTC. It's, cloud-based, business-to-business deposit and lending model provides valued-added solutions to Canadian financial intermediary partners, enabling them to focus on growing their own businesses faster and more profitably. It obtains all of its deposits and provides the majority of its loans and leases electronically, with deposit and lending solutions for financial intermediaries that allow them to excel in their core businesses. In addition, leveraging its internally developed IT security software and capabilities, Company established a wholly owned, subsidiary. Geographically located in Canada and USA.

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44685818/nvidia-and-google-bet-big-on-quantum-ai-with-150m-investment-in-sandboxaq-raising-series-e-round-to-450-million">SandboxAQ</a>, an artificial intelligence startup backed by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45961532/nvidia-and-samsung-back-4-5b-robotics-startup-skild-ai-with-35m-as-softbank-and-jeff-bezos-drive-push-into-consumer-robots">Nvidia</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and born from Alphabet's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)) Google, has released a dataset containing 5.2 million synthetic molecules aimed at transforming how scientists predict drug-protein binding,<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/nvidia-backed-ai-startup-sandboxaq-creates-new-data-speed-up-drug-discovery-2025-06-18/"> Reuters</a> reports.
Rather than generating the data through lab experiments, SandboxAQ used Nvidia chips and scientific computing methods to create synthetic 3D molecules, using physics-based equations grounded in real-world data. According to Reuters, the goal is to significantly reduce the time associated with discovering new drugs.
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</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SandboxAQ is Building a New Model for Molecular Simulations</h2>
SandboxAQ is helping scientists tackle a critical challenge in drug development: predicting whether a small-molecule drug will bind to a protein target. While this process traditionally involved complex and time-consuming methods, SandboxAQ&#8217;s AI models, trained on synthetic data, can generate predictions in a fraction of the time required by manual calculation, Reuters says.
The 5.2 million structures were generated by simulating how atoms combine to form molecules, using verified equations and a foundation of experimental data. According to Reuters, these structures are computationally created but tagged to real-world results, offering a bridge between traditional drug development and machine-learning approaches.
Scientists can use SandboxAQ's data-driven tools to predict whether a drug molecule designed to disrupt a disease-related process will bind to its intended protein target, Reuters reports.
The approach blends established scientific computing with recent advancements in artificial intelligence, forming a hybrid method that enables faster and more precise molecular modeling. While researchers have long used equations to understand how atoms form molecules, Reuters says that SandboxAQ's integration of AI adds scalability to what was once a tedious process.
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According to Nadia Harhen, SandboxAQ's general manager of AI simulation, this method allows researchers to use synthetic data in new ways. Harhen emphasized the industry-wide challenge this data intends to solve.
&#8220;This is a long-standing problem in biology that we&#8217;ve all, as an industry, been trying to solve for,&#8221; Harhen told Reuters. &#8220;All of these computationally generated structures are tagged to a ground-truth experimental data, and so when you pick this data set and you train models, you can actually use the synthetic data in a way that&#8217;s never been done before.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SandboxAQ is Opening Access and Closing the Gap</h2>
SandboxAQ says its models retain accuracy while allowing researchers to train AI models that can predict whether a drug molecule is likely to bind to a specific protein target, Reuters reported. SandboxAQ will sell its own proprietary AI models built from the dataset, which it hopes will deliver results that rival traditional lab experiments but are done virtually instead. Drug development is notoriously expensive.
According to a report by<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7054832/"> Jama Network</a>, bringing a new drug to market can cost more than $2.8 billion on average. With faster, AI-powered tools, SandboxAQ could become a key player in reducing those costs across the industry. Reuters reports that the company has already secured close to $1 billion in funding and is signaling its intent to lead in AI-driven biotechnology innovation.
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Image: Shutterstock

News

GOOG

NVDA

A Problem The Industry's 'Been Trying To Solve': Nvidia-Powered SandboxAQ Unveils AI Data Breakthrough With 5.2 Million Drug Simulations

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45029646/banned-by-columbia-backed-by-millions-21-year-olds-ai-startup-cluely-lets-you-cheat-on-exams-interviews-and-sales-calls">Cluely</a>, the controversial AI startup originally built to help users &#8220;cheat on everything," has raised $15 million in a new funding round led by venture capital powerhouse <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45336180/former-openai-cto-mira-muratis-2b-ai-startup-thinking-machines-lab-sets-50m-investment-minimum-backed-by-andreessen-horowitz-and-sequoia-capital">Andreessen Horowitz</a>, co-founder Chungin &#8220;Roy&#8221; Lee<a href="https://x.com/im_roy_lee/status/1936138361011585190"> announced</a> on X on June 20.
The San Francisco-based company was co-founded by 21-year-old Lee, who rose to notoriety earlier this year after being suspended from Columbia University for launching an early version of the software,<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/20/cluely-a-startup-that-helps-cheat-on-everything-raises-15m-from-a16z/"> TechCrunch</a> says. Cluely's other co-founder, Neel Shanmugam, also 21 and a former Columbia student, serves as the company's chief operating officer. Like Lee, Shanmugam faced disciplinary action at Columbia related to the AI tool. According to<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/21/columbia-student-suspended-over-interview-cheating-tool-raises-5-3m-to-cheat-on-everything/"> TechCrunch</a>, both founders have since dropped out.
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Originally called "Interview Coder," the tool helped software engineers cheat on technical job interviews by providing real-time, AI-generated answers while the interview was in progress, TechCrunch says.
Although Cluely has since scrubbed explicit references to cheating from its website,<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cluely-viral-ai-cheating-startup-15-million-a16z-2025-6"> Business Insider</a> reports that the platform still promotes itself as an "undetectable" AI assistant capable of viewing the user's screen and feeding answers in real-time during high-stakes conversations like interviews, exams, and sales calls.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How a Columbia Suspension Became a Springboard for Virality</h2>
According to TechCrunch, Lee's suspension from Columbia accelerated his momentum. His viral online presence, often driven by controversial videos and stunts, has helped Cluely break through the noise in a crowded AI market.
In April, Cluely released a video in which Lee used the software to impress a woman on a date by pretending to know about art, wealth, and wine. The comedic tone turned heads across social media, but not everyone was amused, TechCrunch says.
Earlier this week, the startup attempted to throw a massive after-party following Y Combinator's AI Startup School. According to TechCrunch, police intervened after 2,000 people flooded the venue and stopped the party.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8216;Whatever It Takes&#8217;: The Growth Plan Backed by Silicon Valley's Elite</h2>
Lee told Business Insider the company's top priority is achieving 1 billion total views across all social platforms. "We'll do pretty much whatever it takes to do that," he said.
That ambition is reflected in the company's new hiring strategy. Cluely<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7323544823095840768/"> announced</a> on LinkedIn that it will bring on 50 "growth interns" who will each be required to post four TikToks per day promoting the brand.
Andreessen Horowitz partner Bryan Kim told Business Insider that Lee is a "founder with the boldness to rethink what&#8217;s possible," which highlights Andreessen Horowitz's support for Lee's unconventional vision. &#8220;We backed Roy early because he brings a rare mix of vision and fearlessness,&#8221; Kim said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cluely's Future Includes Profitability, Pushback, and Potential</h2>
Cluely's $15 million Series A round follows a previous $5.3 million seed investment co-led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. Two unnamed investors told TechCrunch they believe the startup's current post-money valuation is approximately $120 million, although neither the company nor Andreessen Horowitz confirmed that figure.
According to multiple posts from Lee on X and podcast appearances, Cluely is already profitable, TechCrunch says. Lee's provocative social media presence, including highly produced and often controversial videos, has played a key role in building brand awareness and driving public attention to Cluely.
While Cluely's rapid rise has drawn praise for its bold marketing and attention-grabbing tactics, some reactions have been more critical. One of the company&#8217;s launch videos was compared by viewers to the dystopian themes of "Black Mirror," showcasing a broader tension between innovation and ethical boundaries in emerging AI tools, TechCrunch reports.&nbsp;
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Image: Shutterstock

'Cheat On Everything': Viral AI Startup Cluely Lands $15M From Andreessen Horowitz After Its CEO Was Suspended From Columbia

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers believes markets are far less reactive to geopolitical conflict than many expect, citing the recent example of flaring tensions in Iran.
What Happened: On Thursday, Summers posted on X, discussing his recent Bloomberg interview where he addressed the market&#8217;s response to the flare-up in the Middle East.
Despite the gravity of the situation, including Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure and fears of broader escalation, financial markets have remained largely resilient. Summers says this is because, &#8220;geopolitics are much less significant for markets than geopolitical people think they should be.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46094069/iran-breaks-silence-says-nuclear-facilities-badly-damaged-by-us-strikes">Iran Breaks Silence, Says Nuclear Facilities &#8216;Badly Damaged&#8217; By US Strikes</a>
His comments come amid equity markets remaining remarkably stable amid the nearly two-week-long crisis involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Crude oil prices, however, did experience some volatility, rallying 21% from the beginning of this month to a high of $76.16 per barrel last week, before mellowing down to $68. 
Summers explains this by saying that the &#8220;markets have a life of their own, driven by longer term assessments,&#8221; adding that they are less responsive to even &#8220;very dramatic short term events.&#8221;
He concludes by saying that &#8220;events are ultimately less important than trends,&#8221; underscoring his belief that investors&#8217; behavior is guided more by long-term fundamentals than by momentary panic.
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DavidWestin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavidWestin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BloombergTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BloombergTV</a> asked me about the market reaction to the conflict in Iran: Geopolitics are much less significant for markets than geopolitical people think that they should be. Markets have a life of their own, driven by longer term assessments and markets are less…
&mdash; Lawrence H. Summers (@LHSummers) <a href="https://twitter.com/LHSummers/status/1938250955788566829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Last week, hours after President Donald Trump called for an &#8220;unconditional surrender&#8221; by Iran, markets <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/06/45988507/trump-demands-irans-uncoditional-surrender-stock-futures-remain-steady-defense-shares-trade-higher-in-after-hours-trading">remained unfazed</a> by the threat, with U.S. stock futures continuing to trade flat.
Several other leading market experts have echoed similar views, with Steve Eisman saying that the crisis could be &#8220;extremely positive for the markets,&#8221; helping <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46014941/the-big-short-investor-steve-eisman-says-iran-crisis-could-be-extremely-positive-for-markets-calls-regime-a-death-cult-close-to-nuclear-weapons">bring stability and growth</a> to the Middle East.
Senior analyst, Dan Ives, believes the crisis is already in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46045276/dan-ives-says-iran-threat-is-in-rear-view-mirror-calls-it-positive-for-the-middle-east-and-the-tech-sector">&#8220;rear-view mirror&#8221;</a> of the markets, and calls it broadly &#8220;a positive&#8221; for the Middle East and the tech sector.
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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

Economics

Larry Summers Says Markets 'Have a Life of Their Own' As Iran Conflict Fails to Shake Investors: Events Are 'Less Important Than Trends'

India will deny a UN Aviation investigator to join the probe into the Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45899174/boeing-dreamliner-carrying-over-200-passengers-crashes-shortly-after-takeoff-near-indias-ahmedabad-ba-stock-falls-over-5-in-thursday-pre-market">787 Dreamliner crash</a> in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
What Happened: Citing two anonymous sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported on Friday that the ICAO, or International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the UN, asked India to give its investigator, who was in the country, observer status. However, the country denied the request.
The United Nations took an "unusual step" to provide India with an aviation expert to join the probe, which has been criticized for delays related to crucial Black Box data, the report suggests.
Why It Matters: The news comes as Boeing has been under scrutiny on social media as users shared <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45991614/if-its-boeing-im-not-going-why-some-people-are-turning-their-backs-on-the-american-plane-maker-in-favor-of-rival-airbus">their discontentment online</a> in the aftermath of the Air India Flight 171 crash.
The aircraft manufacturer also faces heat from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/travel/25/06/46070802/this-shouldve-been-caught-years-ago-boeing-faces-ntsb-heat-over-737-max-9-alaska-airlines-mid-air-blowout-incident">the Boeing 737-MAX</a> Alaska Airlines mid-flight blowout.
In a separate investigation, Boeing also faces heat over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46011482/safety-concerns-mount-for-boeing-airbus-as-ntsb-investigates-smoke-risk-linked-to-engines">CFM-sourced engines</a> that could pose a fire risk as the engines could fill the aircraft's cabin as well as the cockpit with smoke.
Elsewhere, the authorities in India are also considering <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45919464/boeing-faces-fresh-turmoil-as-india-mulls-787-8-grounding-after-fatal-crash-ceo-kelly-cancels-paris-trip-report">grounding the 787-Dreamliner</a> fleet following the fatal crash on June 12 that caused the deaths of 241 people out of the 242 on board the aircraft.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
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</ul>
Photo courtesy: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

Politics

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crash: India Shuts Door On UN Aviation Expert Probing Plane Accident

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• Apogee Enterprises (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APOG#NASDAQ">APOG</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.45 per share on revenue of $326.08 million. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
• Cineverse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNVS#NASDAQ">CNVS</a>) is estimated to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings

APOG

CNVS

Earnings Scheduled For June 27, 2025

Democratic lawmakers, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), are scrutinizing the lobbying efforts of two energy companies aimed at securing a $1.1 billion tax loophole in the reconciliation mega-bill.
What Happened: On Thursday, Warren, along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Ron Wyden, and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), sent letters to ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>) and Ovintiv seeking clarification on their role in the proposed tax change, reported The Guardian. The letter, addressed to ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance and Ovintiv CEO Brendan McCracken, questions the amount spent on lobbying and potential tax reductions if the provision is finalized.
Warren criticized the proposal, stating, &#8220;It's&nbsp;an insult to working people&nbsp;to give oil companies a&nbsp;massive tax handout while slashing&nbsp;healthcare and raising energy prices&nbsp;for millions of families.&#8221;&nbsp;
Senate Republicans have proposed an exemption to President Biden's 2022 corporate tax law that would allow fossil fuel companies to deduct drilling costs, potentially eliminating their tax liability. The move, backed by major industry players like ConocoPhillips and Ovintiv, targets the 15% minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The proposed tax break is viewed as especially troubling, given that other measures in the draft reconciliation bill could result in higher utility bills and job losses.
Meanwhile, Schumer said, "Republicans would rather kill over 800,000 good-paying jobs and send energy costs skyrocketing than stand up to their big oil billionaire buddies.&#8221;
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/25/06/46131453/bitcoin-ethereum-rangebound-dogecoin-dips-amid-potential-july-tariff-deadline-extension-analyst-predicts-btcs-next-big-move-once-it-breaks-out-of-this-range" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum Rangebound, Dogecoin Dips Amid Potential July Tariff Deadline Extension: Analyst Predicts BTC&#8217;s &#8216;Next Big Move&#8217; Once It Breaks Out Of This Range </a>
Why It Matters: The senators&#8217; letters come amid a larger debate on the proposed tax breaks and their potential impact. Earlier this week, Warren criticized a provision in President Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Big Beautiful Bill&#8221; that offers&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46087132/elizabeth-warren-says-the-tax-break-for-mark-zuckerbergs-meta-is-so-bountiful-under-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-that-35-copay-from-each-american-wont-still">massive tax break</a>, saying the benefits far outweigh what ordinary Americans could ever contribute.
Furthermore, Senate Minority Leader&nbsp;Chuck Schumer&nbsp;has been vocal in his opposition to the GOP&#8217;s budget reconciliation bill, dubbed the &#8220;One Big, Beautiful Bill,&#8221; for its extensive cutbacks on welfare, alongside tax breaks for the wealthy. Schumer has called the bill&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46132709/chuck-schumer-slams-gops-big-beautiful-bill-as-flawed-it-guts-healthcare-kills-jobs-to-fund-tax-breaks-for-billionaires">&#8220;flawed&#8221; and &#8220;irredeemable&#8221;</a>, stating that it will kick millions off healthcare and kill good-paying energy jobs while taking food away from children.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has been pushing the Senate to pass his &#8216;Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217; bill before the July 4 deadline.
On a year to date basis, shares of ConocoPhillips tumbled 9.18%, as per <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>. 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46107536/elizabeth-warren-blames-trumps-dumb-trade-war-for-feds-grim-outlook-the-president-is-standing-in-the-way-of-lower-rates-and-lower-costs">Elizabeth Warren Blames Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Dumb Trade War&#8217; For Fed&#8217;s Grim Outlook: The President Is &#8216;Standing In The Way Of Lower Rates And Lower Costs&#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.

Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer Grill ConocoPhillips, Big Oil For Massive Tax Break In Trump Budget Law: 'It's An Insult To Working People'

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSM#NYSE">MSM</a>) will release earnings results for the third quarter, before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/msm/earnings">opening bell on Tuesday, July 1.</a>
Analysts expect the Melville, New York-based company to report quarterly earnings at $1.03 per share, down from $1.33 per share in the year-ago period. MSC Industrial Direct projects to report quarterly revenue of $969.19 million, compared to $979.35 million a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On April 3, the company said second-quarter net sales declined 4.7% year-over-year to $891.7 million, missing the consensus of $899.54 million.
MSC Industrial Direct shares gained 3.5% to close at $84.77 on Thursday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GBX/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Loop Capital analyst Chris Dankert maintained a Hold rating and cut the price target from $83 to $74 on April 4, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 70%.</li>
<li>Baird analyst David Manthey maintained a Neutral rating and lowered the price target from $90 to $84 on April 4, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 77%.</li>
<li>Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Tommy Moll downgraded the stock from Overweight to Equal-Weight with a price target of $85 on Dec. 4, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 75%.</li>
<li>Keybanc analyst Ken Newman downgraded the stock from Overweight to Sector Weight on June 17, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying MSM stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSM/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="603" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26132012/image-416-1024x603.png" alt="" class="wp-image-963723" style="width:613px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26132012/image-416-1024x603.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26132012/image-416-300x177.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26132012/image-416-768x453.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26132012/image-416.png 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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Top Wall Street Forecasters Revamp MSC Industrial Direct Expectations Ahead Of Q3 Earnings

Shares of&nbsp;Bakkt Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKKT#NYSE">BKKT</a>)&nbsp;rose in Thursday&#8217;s trading after the cryptocurrency custody company announced plans to raise as much as $1 billion, with proceeds potentially getting allocated to buy Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).
What Happened: The possible shelf offering might include sales of Bakkt&#8217;s&nbsp;Class A common stock, preferred&nbsp;stock, warrants, and debt securities, according to an SEC filing. The funds are expected to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, with a portion potentially allocated to Bitcoin.
Bakkt announced an updated investment policy earlier this month to&nbsp;use the excess capital at its disposal to buy Bitcoin and&nbsp;other digital assets. However, the&nbsp;firm has not yet made&nbsp;any crypto purchases as yet, according to&nbsp;the SEC filing.
As of this writing, the BKKT stock lags in terms of Momentum and Value. Visit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a> to discover the top five cryptocurrency stocks based on these criteria.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="563" height="413" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27035110/image-422.png" alt="" class="wp-image-964463" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27035110/image-422.png 563w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27035110/image-422-300x220.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px" /></figure>
Bakkt, which went public in October 2021 via a SPAC merger, was<a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/admin.php?id=3974&amp;page=benzinga-neuro-displayarticle"> reportedly being considered for acquisition</a> by Trump Media &amp; Technology Group. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>), which is owned by President Donald Trump, last November. The company&#8217;s shares witnessed a significant surge back then.
Price Action:&nbsp; Shares of Bakkt closed 3.09% higher at $13.33 during Thursday&#8217;s regular trading session, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Year-to-date, the stock has plunged 46% in value.
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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.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>
Photo: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

Bakkt Holdings, Inc. Class A Common Stock

BKKT

This Under-The-Radar Crypto Stock Lifted 3% On $1 Billion Fundraising That Could Go Into Buying Bitcoin

Mohamed El-Erian, a prominent economist and former CEO of PIMCO, has voiced significant concerns regarding the Federal Reserve, asserting that it is &#8220;getting harder to convince people that the Fed is apolitical.&#8221;
What Happened: In a recent <a href="https://substack.com/inbox/post/166923226">Substack</a> post, El-Erian identifies three distinct political narratives that he believes threaten the central bank&#8217;s &#8220;institutional integrity and operational credibility.&#8221; 
The first narrative, according to El-Erian, involves speculation about President Donald Trump potentially appointing a &#8220;de facto shadow chair&#8221; to undermine the authority of current Fed Chair Jerome Powell. This suggests a direct challenge to the established leadership structure within the institution.
Secondly, El-Erian points to recent comments from two Republican-leaning Fed Governors who are reportedly &#8220;pushing for the July FOMC meeting to be &#8216;live,&#8217; implying a possible rate cut.&#8221; This public pressure from within the Fed itself could be perceived as politically motivated, impacting the perception of independent decision-making.
The third narrative posits that Chair Powell might be attempting to &#8220;obfuscate significant policy mistakes during his tenure,&#8221; meaning he was trying to hide, obscure, or make less clear the errors or misjudgments that he may have made.
El-Erian cites examples such as the &#8220;2021 surge in the inflation rate (which remains above target four years later) and the major 2023 bank supervision lapses.&#8221;
According to this view, Powell&#8217;s efforts to &#8220;cement his legacy as a defender of Fed independence&#8221; might ironically lead to policies that are &#8220;too tight for too long.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Three distinct political narratives are now circulating, each risking further erosion of the Federal Reserve&#39;s institutional integrity and operational credibility. The first involves the possible appointment by President Trump of a de facto &quot;shadow chair&quot; to undermine the…
&mdash; Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm/status/1938312470646436057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46112471/ross-gerber-touts-an-idea-to-cut-deficit-by-trillions-of-dollars-let-the-tax-cuts-e">Ross Gerber Touts An Idea To Cut Deficit By Trillions Of Dollars: ‘Let The Tax Cuts Expire And Full SALT Come Back'</a>
Why It Matters: El-Erian warns that &#8220;the longer these narratives persist, the greater the threats to an institution&#8221; that is not only grappling with complex policy choices but also in the process of revising its &#8220;monetary policy framework,&#8221; which &#8220;proved problematic shortly after its release in August 2020.&#8221;
His analysis underscores a growing challenge to the Fed&#8217;s crucial role in maintaining economic stability amidst increasing political scrutiny.
During his testimony to Congress, Federal Reserve Chair Powell signaled slower growth and hotter inflation after the central bank left interest rates unchanged.
President Trump, who has been pushing the Fed to cut rates, said that he could announce Powell&#8217;s successor by September, whose term ends later in May 2026, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/trump-next-federal-reserve-chair-powell-d3edcb9c?mod=hp_lead_pos1">reported</a> the Wall Street Journal. 
Price Action: The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, ended higher on Thursday. The SPY was up 0.78% at $611.87, while the QQQ advanced 0.94% to $546.22, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
On Friday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 indices were trading higher.
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Photo courtesy: Domenico Fornas / Shutterstock.com

Federal Reserve

Mohamed El-Erian Flags Political Narratives Affecting Federal Reserve's 'Institutional Integrity And Operational Credibility'

Elon Musk says humanity can dodge a "population collapse" only if today's parents aim higher than two kids.
What Happened: The billionaire told his 221 million followers on X that "people who have kids do need to have 3 kids to make up for those who have 0 or 1," or birth-rate math will "collapse" society.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">People who have kids do need to have 3 kids to make up for those who have 0 or 1 kid or population will collapse <a href="https://t.co/Gx1N4sW59E">https://t.co/Gx1N4sW59E</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1938254253027717270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Musk fired off the post after entrepreneur Mario Nawfal shared Fortune data showing scientists now peg the replacement rate at 2.7 children per woman, up from the long-accepted 2.1. By contrast, the United States sits at 1.66, and rich nations such as Italy (1.29) and Japan (1.30) are even lower.
The Tesla CEO has pounded this drum for years, warning that shrinking families <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40744772/elon-musk-sounds-the-alarm-after-eu-birth-rates-hit-record-low-population-collapse-is-a-certainty">threaten economic growth</a>, innovation and even survival. Last fall, he told followers that Europe's plunging fertility made a "population collapse … a certainty." In March, he even confessed to declining birth rates as the one thought that "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44550912/elon-musk-reveals-the-one-thought-that-keeps-him-awake-at-night">keeps him awake at night</a>."
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/46132209/mark-cuban-calls-out-low-wage-employers-says-taxpayers-are-subsidizing-their-profits-pushes-name-and-shame-strategy-to-cut-medicaid-costs">Mark Cuban Calls Out Low-Wage Employers, Says Taxpayers Are &#8216;Subsidizing&#8217; Their Profits: Pushes &#8216;Name And Shame&#8217; Strategy To Cut Medicaid Costs</a>
Why It Matters: Demographers say the concern is real. CDC figures show America's fertility rate hit another record low in 2024. Globally, average fertility has fallen from about 5.3 births per woman in 1963 to under 2.5 today, according to Our World in Data. Italy's national statistics office <a href="https://www.istat.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DEMOGRAPHIC-INDICATORS_YEAR-2024.pdf">reports</a> parts of Sardinia are already below one child per woman. Japan's 2024 handbook <a href="https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/pdf/2024all.pdf">puts</a> its rate near 1.3, despite decades of pronatalist subsidies.
Economists at the International Monetary Fund <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2025/06/the-debate-over-falling-fertility-david-bloom">warn</a> that fewer babies can mean labor shortages, higher pension costs and slower growth unless countries boost productivity or immigration.
Musk, a father of 14, backs incentives for bigger families in aging nations such as Japan, South Korea and much of Europe. "The birth rate is very low in almost every country. And unless that changes, civilization will disappear," he said in March.
Photo Courtesy: Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO On Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/06/46131850/none-of-that-matters-kevin-oleary-says-you-might-have-to-sacrifice-your-marriage-your-dog-and-even-your-moms-love-to-succeed">&#8216;None Of That Matters&#8217; — Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says You Might Have To Sacrifice Your Marriage, Your Dog, And Even Your Mom&#8217;s Love To Succeed</a>

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General

TSLA

Elon Musk Says People 'Need To Have' 3 Kids To Avoid Population Collapse, Says This Is To Make Up For People Who Have One Or None

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed further improvement in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Thursday.
U.S. stocks settled higher on Thursday, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 400 points during the session.
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) on Thursday reported better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter. Worthington Steel, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WS#NYSE">WS</a>) shares jumped more than 20% on Thursday as the company reported stronger-than-expected financial results for the fourth quarter.
On the economic front, the first-quarter GDP was revised downward to -0.5% from the previous -0.2% figure, primarily due to a widening goods trade deficit linked to weaker exports. Yet, other data released Thursday painted a more positive picture.
Factory orders in May soared by 16.4% month-over-month to $343.6 billion, marking the biggest increase since July 2014. That followed a revised 6.6% drop in April and smashed market expectations of an 8.5% gain. Weekly jobless claims fell by 10,000 to 236,000 in the week ending June 21, while economists had forecast no change — another sign of labor market resilience.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with communication services, consumer discretionary and energy stocks recording the biggest gains on Thursday. However, real estate and consumer staples stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.
The Dow Jones closed higher by around 404 points to 43,386.84 on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.80% to 6,141.02, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.97% to 20,167.91 during Thursday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APOG#NASDAQ">APOG</a>) and Cineverse Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNVS#NASDAQ">CNVS</a>) today.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
At a current reading of 63, the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Thursday, versus a prior reading of 58.2.
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
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Pre-Market Outlook

Dow Jumps Over 400 Points Amid Upbeat Earnings: Investor Sentiment Improves, Fear Index Remains In 'Greed' Zone

A young plumber named Camron called into &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQQp_RhArtQ">The Ramsey Show</a>&#8221; with a tough question: Would it make him a bad husband to move away from his wife so he could start a business in his hometown?
He&#8217;s burned out in Portland, Oregon, and wants to return to Carson City, Nevada, where he already has his plumbing license, an LLC, and a network of contacts. His wife, however, is in graduate school to become a physician assistant and has about 18 months left, most of it clinical rotations that could send her across the country.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8220;She&#8217;s Not A Huge Fan Of The Idea&#8221;</h2>
Camron admitted his wife isn&#8217;t on board with the plan. &#8220;She&#8217;s not a huge fan of the idea,&#8221; he said. That alone was enough for co-host Ken Coleman to shut it down.
&#8220;You called, I&#8217;m going to shoot you really straight. That&#8217;s what you want, correct?&#8221; Coleman asked. &#8220;I think this is a horrible idea.&#8221;
Coleman gave three reasons. First, the relationship is key, and his wife is clearly not comfortable with the idea. Second, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45965931/geoffrey-hinton-says-be-a-plumber-if-you-want-to-have-a-safe-job-godfather-of-ai-says-everyone-doing-mundane-intellectual-labor-will-be-replaced">plumbers are in high demand</a> everywhere, so he could easily start a business where he lives now. And third, her future location is unknown, meaning he could set up in Carson City only for her to get a job somewhere far away.
&#8220;Starting the business somewhere else in your hometown to escape some difficult people is not the right solution,&#8221; Coleman said. &#8220;I just don&#8217;t think you&#8217;ve thought it through because I think there&#8217;s a lot of emotion there.&#8221;
He also emphasized that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38397890/how-i-escaped-the-corporate-rat-race-and-saved-myself-from-burnout-using-these-10-easy-stress-buster">burnout</a>, while real, shouldn&#8217;t drive a major life decision that could strain a marriage. Instead, Coleman suggested that Camron use his existing skills to build something locally, where he could stay close to his wife and still pursue self-employment.
Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bezos-landlord-100-dollars"> become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8220;Suck It Up&#8221;</h2>
Then Camron mentioned something that made both hosts react even more strongly.
&#8220;How long have you guys been married?&#8221; co-host Rachel Cruze asked.
&#8220;Friday will be our one-year anniversary,&#8221; Camron replied.
&#8220;Oh dude, oh no. Don&#8217;t do this,&#8221; Cruze said. &#8220;This is an absolute nuclear no way.&#8221;
&#8220;Suck it up,&#8221; Coleman added.
Cruze explained that marriage, especially in its early years, requires unity and shared decisions. She pointed out that once his wife is finished with school, they can decide together where to live, and he can still <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/07/39635675/mark-cuban-reminds-entrepreneurs-its-not-about-your-dream-because-the-market-doesnt-care">pursue his business dreams</a>. &#8220;Someone in the medical field and a plumber? Y&#8217;all are going to make a lot of money,&#8221; Cruze said.
She encouraged Camron to consider this short period as a foundation-building time. Instead of focusing on what he's missing in Portland, he could prepare for the future by gaining experience, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44066359/someone-asked-for-small-money-saving-habits-that-made-a-big-difference-and-the-responses-poured-">saving money</a>, and building stability as a couple.
Their bottom line of the call is to stay put, stick together, and start the business later, together.
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Personal Finance

Plumber Wants To Leave Portland, Oregon And His Wife Behind To Start A Business. He Asks 'The Ramsey Show,' Would That Make Me A Bad Husband?

The U.S. and China have finalized a trade understanding, building on an agreement reached last month in Geneva. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the deal, which was signed two days ago, noting that the White House has immediate plans to secure agreements with ten other major trading partners.
What Happened: The accord with China codifies terms established during recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/macro-notification/25/06/45876366/howard-lutnick-says-us-and-china-reached-a-framework-to-implement-geneva-consensus-following-trump-xi-call-csi-300-index-gains">trade discussions</a> between Beijing and Washington. 
A key component of this agreement is China&#8217;s commitment to supply rare earths, critical materials used in a wide array of products, from wind turbines to jet engines.
&#8220;They're going to deliver rare earths to us,&#8221; Lutnick <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-26/us-china-have-finalized-tariff-understanding-lutnick-says?srnd=homepage-asia">told</a> Bloomberg News in an interview, adding that once the deliveries commence, &#8220;we'll take down our countermeasures.&#8221; 
However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing did not immediately respond to Benzinga&#8217;s inquiries.
This China agreement marks a significant milestone, especially after both nations previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45715447/xi-jinpings-china-dismisses-trumps-groundless-accusations-on-geneva-trade-deal-breach-vows-strong-retaliation">accused each other of violating</a> earlier &#8220;handshake accords.&#8221; Yet, its success hinges on future actions, particularly China&#8217;s export of rare earth materials. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46112471/ross-gerber-touts-an-idea-to-cut-deficit-by-trillions-of-dollars-let-the-tax-cuts-e">Ross Gerber Touts An Idea To Cut Deficit By Trillions Of Dollars: &#8216;Let The Tax Cuts Expire And Full SALT Come Back&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Lutnick also informed Bloomberg Television that President Donald Trump is prepared to finalize a series of trade deals within the next two weeks, aligning with the president's July 9 deadline to reinstate higher tariffs that were paused in April.
&#8220;We're going to do top 10 deals, put them in the right category, and then these other countries will fit behind,&#8221; Lutnick stated.
While he didn&#8217;t specify which nations would be part of this initial wave, Trump had previously indicated nearing an agreement with India.
The President has also stated he might send &#8220;letters&#8221; dictating trade terms if agreements aren&#8217;t reached in time, with countries being sorted into &#8220;proper buckets&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45603240/trump-agrees-to-extend-50-tariffs-on-europe-until-july-9-it-was-my-privilege-to-do-so">by July 9</a>. 
Price Action: The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, ended higher on Thursday. The SPY was up 0.78% at $611.87, while the QQQ advanced 0.94% to $546.22, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
On Friday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 indices were trading higher.
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Photo courtesy: miss.cabul / Shutterstock.com

Howard Lutnick Confirms US-China Trade Agreement, Reaffirms White House's Progress To Close Deals With 10 Other Trading Partners

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are reportedly working on a plan to end the ongoing war in Gaza and expand the Abraham Accords, with new countries joining the peace agreement.
What Happened: The plan, as reported by Israel Hayom, would require Israel to commit to supporting a future Palestinian state. This proposal was discussed during a phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-trump-said-working-on-plan-to-end-gaza-war-and-expand-abraham-accords/">stated </a>The Times Of Israel. 
The leaders have reportedly agreed to bring the Gaza war to an end within a two-week timeline, which would require Israel to cease its military operations and Hamas to release the remaining 50 hostages. Following this, the leadership of the Palestinian group would be exiled, and the governance of the war-ravaged region would be jointly undertaken by four Arab nations, including the UAE and Egypt.
The plan also includes provisions for the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip, absorption of Gazans wishing to emigrate by several undisclosed countries and Israel&#8217;s backing for a future two-state solution contingent on reforms by the Palestinian Authority. In exchange, Washington would acknowledge Israeli sovereignty over certain areas of the West Bank.
Once the war ends and Israel reaffirms its commitment to a two-state solution, Saudi Arabia and Syria are expected to establish diplomatic ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, with other Arab and Muslim countries likely to follow.
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/46131597/bill-gates-says-he-knows-for-a-fact-that-more-children-will-die-due-to-us-health-aid-cuts-and-he" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Says He Knows For A &#8216;Fact&#8217; That More Children Will Die Due To US Health Aid Cuts And He&#8217;s Taking The &#8216;Proof&#8217; To Congress</a>
Why It Matters: This development comes amid other significant events in the region. Trump recently urged Israel to cancel or pardon <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46108200/trump-calls-for-canceling-netanyahus-witch-hunt-corruption-trial-calls-it-a-travesty-of-justice">Netanyahu&#8217;s corruption</a> trial, calling it a &#8220;witch hunt.&#8221; This public support from Trump could have implications for the Israeli political landscape.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46068097/elizabeth-warren-presses-marco-rubio-over-potential-500-million-usaid-diversion-to-controversial-gaza-foundation-report">raised concerns</a> about a proposal to redirect $500 million from USAID to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial organization. This proposal, if implemented, could have a significant impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46132996/marco-rubio-says-everything-under-the-mountains-is-in-bad-shape-rubbishes-claim-trump-strikes-only-bought-iran-time">Marco Rubio Says &#8216;Everything Under The Mountains Is In Bad&#8217; Shape, Rubbishes Claim Trump Strikes Only Bought Iran Time</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.

Trump And Israel's Netanyahu Working On Plan To End Gaza War, Expand Abraham Accords: Report

President Donald Trump&#8216;s tariffs on Chinese imports have increased Nike Inc.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) costs by $1 billion. As part of their mitigation strategy, the athletic giant plans to start implementing price hikes in the fall of 2025.
Check out the current price of <a href="https://benzinga.com/quote/nke">NKE stock here</a>.
What Happened: The Beaverton-based company disclosed the substantial tariff impact during its fourth-quarter earnings call on Thursday, outlining a four-pronged approach to offset costs while maintaining brand positioning. 
Chief Financial Officer Matt Friend confirmed the company will implement a &#8220;surgical price increase&#8221; in the United States with phased rollouts starting in fall 2025.
The tariff headwinds are expected to pressure gross margins by approximately 75 basis points for fiscal 2026, with a greater impact in the first half.
Nike&#8217;s comprehensive mitigation strategy includes optimizing sourcing mix, partnering with suppliers and retail partners, implementing selective price increases, and evaluating corporate cost reductions. The company expects to fully offset the billion-dollar impact over time as these actions are implemented and annualized.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/46132209/mark-cuban-calls-out-low-wage-employers-says-taxpayers-are-subsidizing-their-profits-pushes-name-and-shame-strategy-to-cut-medicaid-costs">Mark Cuban Calls Out Low-Wage Employers, Says Taxpayers Are &#8216;Subsidizing&#8217; Their Profits: Pushes &#8216;Name And Shame&#8217; Strategy To Cut Medicaid Costs</a>
The tariff challenge comes as Nike reported mixed fourth-quarter results, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46128469/nike-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-headwinds-expected-to-moderate-moving-forward-company">revenue of $11.1 billion beating estimates</a> of $10.72 billion despite a 12% year-over-year decline. Earnings per share of $0.14 exceeded forecasts of $0.12 by 16.67%.
Why It Matters: Nike&#8217;s sourcing strategy will significantly shift production allocation. Currently, China represents roughly 16% of footwear imports into the United States, but the company expects this to decline to high single digits by fiscal 2026.
Friend emphasized that &#8220;manufacturing capacity and capability in China remains important to our global source base&#8221; despite elevated tariffs.
CEO Elliott Hill acknowledged the challenging environment while expressing confidence in Nike&#8217;s turnaround strategy. The company is implementing its &#8220;Sport Offense&#8221; reorganization to drive growth through sport-specific innovation and marketing while cleaning up marketplace inventory.
Price Action: Nike shares rose 2.81% on Thursday to $62.54 and jumped another 10.73% in after-hours trading following its fourth-quarter earnings release.
While Nike ranks low on Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings overall, the stock is showing a favorable short-term price trend. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here for deeper insights into Nike and its competitors</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="880" height="646" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27031506/image-421.png" alt="" class="wp-image-964433" style="width:396px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27031506/image-421.png 880w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27031506/image-421-300x220.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/27031506/image-421-768x564.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px" /></a></figure>
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46132025/nikes-vomero-18-quietly-became-a-100-million-franchise-in-90-days-as-ceo-says-its-time-to-turn-the-page-investor-gary-black-cheers-10-after-hours-rally">Nike&#8217;s Vomero 18 Quietly Became A $100 Million Franchise In 90 Days As CEO Says It&#8217;s &#8216;Time To Turn The Page&#8217; — Investor Gary Black Cheers 10% After-Hours Rally</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: TY Lim / Shutterstock.com

Nike Faces $1 Billion Trump Tariff Blow, Plans 'Surgical' Price Hikes Starting Fall 2025 To Offset Impact

With U.S. stock futures trading higher this morning on Friday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Wall Street expects Apogee Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APOG#NASDAQ">APOG</a>) to report quarterly earnings at 47 cents per share on revenue of $325.48 million before the opening bell, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>. Apogee Enterprises shares gained 3.1% to $40.89 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results for fiscal 2025 on Thursday after the market closed. The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $11.1 billion, beating analyst estimates of $10.72 billion. The company reported fourth-quarter earnings of 14 cents per share, beating analyst estimates of 11 cents per share, according to Benzinga Pro. Nike shares jumped 10.9% to $69.35 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts are expecting Cineverse Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNVS#NASDAQ">CNVS</a>) to post a loss of 7 cents per share on revenue of $14.29 million for the latest quarter. The company will release earnings after the markets close. Cineverse shares rose 5% to close at $4.18 on Thursday.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>American Outdoor Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AOUT#NASDAQ">AOUT</a>) posted upbeat fourth-quarter results. American Outdoor Brands reported quarterly adjusted earnings of 13 cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate for losses of 11 cents per share. Quarterly revenue came in at $61.94 million, beating the Street estimate of $48.46 million. American Outdoor Brands shares climbed 6.6% to $12.75 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Concentrix Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNXC#NASDAQ">CNXC</a>) posted mixed second-quarter results after Thursday&#8217;s closing bell. Concentrix reported quarterly earnings of $2.70 per share, which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $2.75. Quarterly revenue came in at $2.42 billion, which beat the Street estimate of $2.38 billion. Concentrix shares dipped 9% to $50.15 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/06/46115042/top-2-tech-and-telecom-stocks-you-may-want-to-dump-in-june">Top 2 Tech And Telecom Stocks You May Want To Dump In June</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com

AOUT

CNXC

Nike, American Outdoor Brands And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Friday

STLA

Reported Earlier, Stellantis North America Highlights Quality Gains In 2025 J.D. Power IQS As Customer Satisfaction Rises Across Brands

Reported Earlier, Ellington Financial Announces Estimated Book Value Of $13.41 Per Common Share As Of May 31, 2025

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GBX#NYSE">GBX</a>) will release earnings results for the third quarter, after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GBX/earnings">closing bell on Tuesday, July 1.</a>
Analysts expect the Lake Oswego, Oregon-based company to report quarterly earnings at 99 cents per share, down from $1.06 per share in the year-ago period. Greenbrier projects to report quarterly revenue at $785.72 million, compared to $820.2 million a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On June 23, Greenbrier elected Stevan Bobb and Jeffrey Songer to Board of Directors.
Greenbrier shares gained 2.2% to close at $46.25 on Thursday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/gbx/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Susquehanna analyst Bascome Majors maintained a Positive rating and cut the price target from $75 to $52 on April 8, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 62%.</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Ken Hoexter maintained an Underperform rating and raised the price target from $60 to $62 on Jan. 9, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 62%.</li>
<li>Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Justin Long maintained an Overweight rating and increased the price target from $62 to $65 on April 8, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 69%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying GBX stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/gbx/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="586" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26134925/image-418-1024x586.png" alt="" class="wp-image-963778" style="width:633px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26134925/image-418-1024x586.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26134925/image-418-300x172.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26134925/image-418-768x439.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26134925/image-418.png 1163w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Greenbrier Likely To Report Lower Q3 Earnings; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call

Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRGS#NASDAQ">PRGS</a>) will release earnings results for the second quarter, after the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PRGS/earnings"> closing bell on Monday, June 30.</a>
Analysts expect the Burlington, Massachusetts-based company to report quarterly earnings at $1.30 per share, up from $1.09 per share in the year-ago period. Progress Software projects to report quarterly revenue of $237.23 million, compared to $175.08 million a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On March 31, Progress Software reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results.
Progress Software shares gained 0.3% to close at $63.75 on Thursday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GBX/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>DA Davidson analyst Lucky Schreiner maintained a Buy rating and cut the price target from $75 to $70 on April 14, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.</li>
<li>Guggenheim analyst John Difucci reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $83 on April 1, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 68%.</li>
<li>Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives reiterated an Outperform rating with a price target of $75 on April 1, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 81%.</li>
<li>Citigroup analyst Fatima Boolani maintained a Neutral rating and boosted the price target from $65 to $68 on Jan. 17, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 79%.</li>
<li>Jefferies analyst Brent Thill maintained a Hold rating and raised the price target from $65 to $70 on Jan. 6, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 78%</li>
</ul>
Considering buying PRGS stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PRGS/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="567" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26130859/image-415-1024x567.png" alt="" class="wp-image-963688" style="width:654px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26130859/image-415-1024x567.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26130859/image-415-300x166.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26130859/image-415-768x425.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/26130859/image-415.png 1107w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read This Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/06/46093486/top-2-utilities-stocks-that-may-fall-off-a-cliff-in-q2">Top 2 Utilities Stocks That May Fall Off A Cliff In Q2</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

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