Ripple, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44647456/bitcoin-xrp-diversion">the blockchain-based payments firm</a> behind XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>), is raising fresh concerns over the UK's sluggish approach to crypto regulation, arguing that it's leaving British banks unwilling to engage with digital assets.



What Happened: At a policy summit held in London, Cassie Craddock, Ripple's Managing Director for the UK and Europe, said that the country's banking institutions remain hesitant to adopt Ripple's services due to lingering uncertainty around crypto laws.



"It's still difficult to access basic banking services because of this uncertainty," she <a href="https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/why-ripple-says-uk-banks-will-not-engage-with-it/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=organic_social&amp;utm_campaign=">said</a>, adding that large banks continue to keep their distance.



Craddock recalled being dismissed by major banks during earlier attempts to introduce Ripple's solutions. "Back in 2017, financial institutions would hear us out and then never return our calls," she said. 



Although conditions have since improved in the EU, where banks are increasingly embracing digital asset services under the new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, the UK has made less progress.



While the new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has restarted work on a regulatory framework, Ripple says the pace remains too slow.



"We need clarity sooner rather than later if we want to benefit from the pro-crypto stance we're seeing in the U.S.," Craddock told DL News, referencing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363340/crypto-leaders-step-up-pressure-on-sec-as-trumps-policies-reshape-regulatory-landscape">recent policy shifts</a> under President Trump's administration.



Ripple says its expansion in Europe has accelerated thanks to clearer regulation across the bloc. 



According to Craddock, banks on the continent are now facing client demand for digital asset services—leading them to seek out platforms like Ripple. 



In contrast, UK institutions are holding back due to a lack of confidence in the regulatory environment. 



"They don't feel secure enough to get involved," she said.



While large banks hesitate, Ripple is finding more interest among smaller fintechs and startups in the UK looking to leverage its cross-border payment tools.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44644270/bitcoin-will-benefit-from-tariff-chaos-arthur-hayes-says">Bitcoin Will Benefit From Tariff Chaos, Arthur Hayes Says</a>



Why It Matters: The firm is increasingly shifting its hiring strategy to focus on the United States.



CEO Brad Garlinghouse has previously stated that 75% of new roles will be U.S.-based to align with the friendlier policy environment there.



Despite this, Ripple says it continues to invest in its UK and European operations. 



The company is also one of several awaiting regulatory approval from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 



Since 2020, the FCA has only approved 14% of the 351 crypto firms that have applied for registration, a rate that has drawn criticism from the industry.



In response, the FCA maintains that its low approval rate reflects strict adherence to anti-money laundering standards, rather than resistance to innovation. 



"We're not anti-innovation," FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi said last week. "We want the UK to be an attractive destination."



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44645808/bitcoin-has-yet-to-price-in-very-positive-developments-pantera-capitals-dan-morehead-says">Bitcoin Has Yet To Price In &#8216;Very Positive Developments,&#8217; Pantera Capital&#8217;s Dan Morehead Says</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

News

$XRP

Ripple Warns: This Country Is Falling Behind In The Crypto Race

On-chain analytics form Glassnode has highlighted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bitcoin-price-prediction">an important diversion</a> between Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>).



What Happened: In their latest <a href="https://insights.glassnode.com/the-week-onchain-week-13-2025/">report</a>, the firm points out the catalyst-driven growth for Bitcoin, compared to XRP&#8217;s retail-driven speculation.



Bitcoin: Seller Exhaustion, But No Clear Trend Reversal



<ul>
<li>Bitcoin has been in a steady downtrend, with $76,000–$85,000 emerging as a key range where reactive buying appears. The realized profit/loss ratio suggests seller exhaustion near $76,000–$80,000, but relief rallies haven&#8217;t led to sustained momentum.</li>



<li>A recent "On-Chain Death Cross" signals a potential prolonged bearish phase of 3–6 months, mirroring previous cycles. Bear market characteristics—weak liquidity, negative sentiment, and increased loss-taking—are evident, though not as extreme as past bear markets.</li>



<li>Around 4.7 million BTC are currently below their cost basis, but unrealized losses remain relatively moderate compared to historical downturns.</li>
</ul>



XRP: A Retail-Driven Boom and Potential Cooling-Off



<ul>
<li>XRP's active addresses have surged +490% since 2022, far exceeding Bitcoin's 10% growth, indicating heavy retail speculation.</li>



<li>The altcoin saw an explosive rally in December 2024, driven by short-term speculative flows, with its realized cap doubling from $30.1 billion to $64.2 billion. However, momentum has been fading since February, with slowing capital inflows and an increasingly fragile cost basis.</li>



<li>Declining profitability metrics suggest waning confidence, making XRP holders vulnerable to downside volatility. This fragile sentiment could spill over into broader crypto markets, highlighting the risks of a retail-led, short-term speculative cycle.</li>
</ul>



Also Read: <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44634188/are-bitcoin-and-the-sp-500-heading-for-a-death-cross">Are Bitcoin And The S&amp;P 500 Heading For A Death Cross?</a>



Why It Matters: Glassnode says Bitcoin's correction is meaningful in scale but has not yet reached the severity of previous bear markets. 



In comparison, the more speculative assets like XRP may have seen demand peak, suggesting caution may be warranted until signs of a robust recovery start to emerge.



In another X <a href="https://x.com/glassnode/status/1908078663943291095">post</a> on Friday, Glassnode noted that Bitcoin put options are trading at a premium to calls, signaling a surge in demand for downside protection. This skew is particularly pronounced in short-term maturities, reflecting a level of fear not seen since Bitcoin was in the $20,000s in mid-2023.



Despite this heightened anxiety, Bitcoin has remained resilient, unlike equities, which sold off sharply on recent tariff headlines. 



This disconnect—rising panic without a corresponding price collapse—makes the current options market setup especially noteworthy. Historically, these conditions often coincide with market bottoms.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44630045/99-of-americans-know-bitcoin-but-only-91-know-dogecoin-why">99% Of Americans Know Bitcoin, But Only 91% Know Dogecoin: Why?</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

$BTC

Bitcoin Consolidates, But XRP May Have Topped: What's Driving This Diversion?

Chamath Palihapitiya, in a post on X, has shared an old video in which renowned investor Warren Buffett has shared his thoughts on the emotional and psychological aspects of stock ownership, emphasizing the importance of staying calm during market volatility.



What Happened: Buffett, known as the ‘Oracle of Omaha', shared his insights on stock ownership, emphasizing emotional and psychological readiness.



&#8220;If you&#8217;re going to do dumb things because your stock goes down, you shouldn&#8217;t own a stock at all," Buffet said during an interview with CNBC.



<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 GOAT has spoken: No crying in the casino!! <a href="https://t.co/54x0nMhZnr">https://t.co/54x0nMhZnr</a>&mdash; Chamath Palihapitiya (@chamath) <a href="https://twitter.com/chamath/status/1908326913225220458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Buffett&#8217;s remarks highlight the importance of maintaining composure during market fluctuations. He suggested that some individuals may not be suited for stock ownership due to their emotional responses to market changes.



<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">&#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; WARREN BUFFET: SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT OWN STOCKS AT ALL &quot;Some people should not own stocks at all because they get too upset with price fluctuations. If you&#39;re going to do dumb things because a stock goes down, you shouldn&#39;t own a stock at all.&quot; Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/devorydarkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@devorydarkins</a> <a href="https://t.co/VY5LCBldlB">https://t.co/VY5LCBldlB</a> <a href="https://t.co/8R10PHFURJ">pic.twitter.com/8R10PHFURJ</a>&mdash; Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1908384102815822241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



This advice comes as a reminder to investors about the significance of psychological preparedness in the stock market.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44655737/former-microsoft-ceo-steve-ballmer-says-trumps-new-tariffs-could-spark-global-turmoil-hurt-consumers-as-satya-nadella-led-msfts-stock-drops-14-ytd"> Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Says Trump&#8217;s New Tariffs Could Spark Global Turmoil, Hurt Consumers As Satya Nadella-Led MSFT&#8217;s Stock Drops 14% YTD</a>



Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s advice comes at a time when market conditions are particularly unstable. Recently, the U.S. stock market faced a significant downturn due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and China. The ‘Liberation Day' tariffs announced by President Donald Trump led to a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44655719/trump-tariffs-erode-5-trillion-in-market-cap-in-2-days-as-china-retaliates-jerome-powell-warns-of-inflation"> $5 trillion loss in market capitalization</a> for S&amp;P 500 companies over just two days.



Additionally, a Goldman Sachs analyst has warned that these<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44652222/trumps-tariffs-may-shift-us-spending-from-goods-to-services-creating-uncertainty-for-ecommerce-and-advertising-industries-analyst-warns"> tariffs could shift U.S. spending</a> from goods to services, creating uncertainty in various sectors. This environment of heightened uncertainty underscores the importance of Buffett&#8217;s advice on emotional readiness and composure in stock ownership.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44655719/trump-tariffs-erode-5-trillion-in-market-cap-in-2-days-as-china-retaliates-jerome-powell-warns-of-inflation">Trump Tariffs Erode $5 Trillion In Market Cap In 2 Days As China Retaliates, Jerome Powell Warns Of Inflation</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

Markets

'If You're Going To Do Dumb Things Because Your Stock Goes Down…:' Warren Buffett's Old Warning Gains Steam As US Stocks Wipe Out $5 Trillion After Trump Tariffs

Back in 2010, Elon Musk wasn't the world's richest man or the tech messiah with a rocket company, electric car empire, and social media platform in his grip. He was a newly minted billionaire fighting to keep Tesla alive, rebuilding SpaceX, and—at the time—trying to dodge a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44402199/elon-musks-first-ex-wife-says-she-sucked-at-being-his-trophy-wife-and-recalls-him-saying-if-you-were-my-employee-i-would-fire-you">media circus around his divorce</a>.



But when the headlines started claiming he "ran off with an actress," Musk lost his patience.



"Given the choice, I'd rather stick a fork in my hand than write about my personal life," he wrote in a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/correcting-the-record-about-my-divorce-2010-7">Business Insider essay</a>. "Unfortunately, it seems that I don't have any other option."



Don't Miss:



<ul>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>



<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
</ul>



What followed was a rare, unfiltered look into Musk's private life—something he still mostly avoids today. He wasn't posting memes or fighting culture wars yet. This was about correcting what he called a journalist's "creepy fixation" on his marriage, finances, and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43680809/elon-musks-ex-wife-whom-he-was-engaged-to-only-2-weeks-after-meeting-joked-he-invited-her-to-his-hotel-room-just-to-watch-rocket-videos">woman he was about to marry</a>: British actress Talulah Riley.



Musk made it clear that he filed for divorce from his first wife, Justine, before meeting Riley. "Talulah and I lived on opposite sides of the world and hadn't even known of each other's existence before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43940599/elon-musks-second-ex-wife-says-he-proposed-to-her-without-a-ring-and-they-shook-hands-on-it-but-later-he-gave-her-3-engagement-rings">marriage with Justine ended</a>," he wrote. The narrative that he abandoned a "devoted wife" to run off with a young actress? "Could not have been more falsely applied."



Still, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43680809/elon-musks-ex-wife-whom-he-was-engaged-to-only-2-weeks-after-meeting-joked-he-invited-her-to-his-hotel-room-just-to-watch-rocket-videos">relationship with Riley</a> did move quickly. Musk was reportedly engaged to her just two weeks after they met. In a 2014 <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tesla-and-spacex-elon-musks-industrial-empire/">interview with CBS News</a>, Riley confirmed how fast things escalated: "It all happened very fast. We were engaged after, I think, sorta two weeks of knowing each other."



Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>



In the Business Insider essay, Musk also took the opportunity to praise his new fiancée. "It is worth mentioning that Talulah, as anyone who knows her would attest, is one of the most kind hearted and gentle people in the world," he wrote.



They married later that year in 2010, just months after meeting. But like much of Musk's life, the relationship didn't follow a straight path. They divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/01/36561210/elon-musk-married-and-divorced-the-same-woman-twice-paying-her-over-20-million-in-settlements-she-sa">finalized a second divorce in 2016</a>.



He also shot down rumors that he was trying to dodge financial responsibilities. Media outlets had portrayed him as "broke," despite his equity in Tesla and SpaceX. Musk explained that he had funneled nearly all of his cash into saving Tesla from collapse in 2007, leaving just enough to cover his living expenses—which mostly included childcare and supporting Justine's household.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>



His legal bills alone? Around $4 million, or $170,000 a month, most of which went to his ex-wife's lawyers. Under California law, he was required to foot both sides of the bill.



"I never said I was broke," he wrote. "At no point have I ever sought to limit support payments to Justine."



He said he had offered her a post-tax settlement worth roughly $80 million, but she declined, insisting on equity in Tesla and SpaceX. A judge ultimately sided with Musk, upholding the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42878599/elon-musk-married-and-divorced-the-same-woman-twice-paid-her-over-20-million-in-settlements-she-refers-to-him-as-perfect-ex-husband">couple's marital agreement</a>.



As for the media coverage, Musk didn't hold back. He called out journalists for repeating inaccuracies without checking court documents. One, in particular, he described as "Silicon Valley's Jayson Blair"—and said that was probably unfair to Blair.



Fifteen years and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/44050706/elon-musks-neuralink-executive-and-mother-to-3-of-his-13-kids-says-he-was-never-interested-in-doing-anything-for-money-just-for-humanity">several kids later</a>, Musk still doesn't open up much about his personal life. But in 2010, when he felt backed into a corner, he made his case—on his terms, fork and all.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li>Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.</li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Elon Musk Said 'I'd Rather Stick a Fork in My Hand' Than Talk About His Life — But He Did, Just to Deny He Abandoned His Wife for a Young Actress

Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, has attributed the recent stock market decline to the Chinese AI tool DeepSeek rather than President Donald Trump&#8216;s policies.



What Happened: During an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, Bessent emphasized that the market downturn began with the announcement of DeepSeek.



He stated, &#8220;For everyone who thinks these market declines are all based on the President&#8217;s economic policies, I can tell you that this market decline started with the Chinese AI announcement of DeepSeek.&#8221;



"…What&#8217;s happening with the market I&#8217;d say it&#8217;s more a Mag 7 problem, not a MAGA problem,&#8221; Bessent added. The &#8220;Mag 7&#8221; refers to seven high-performing tech stocks that had previously driven the market higher.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44655719/trump-tariffs-erode-5-trillion-in-market-cap-in-2-days-as-china-retaliates-jerome-powell-warns-of-inflation">Trump Tariffs Erode $5 Trillion In Market Cap In 2 Days As China Retaliates, Jerome Powell Warns Of Inflation</a>



Despite a 10% drop in U.S. stocks following Trump&#8217;s new global tariff regime announcement, Bessent downplayed the impact of these policies. He also reiterated the administration&#8217;s commitment to a &#8220;strong dollar&#8221; policy, dismissing claims that tariffs were meant to weaken the dollar.



The dollar has declined nearly 6% against major currencies since Trump&#8217;s inauguration.



Why It Matters: The market&#8217;s reaction to President Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement has been significant. The U.S. markets faced a severe downturn, with S&amp;P 500 companies<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44655719/trump-tariffs-erode-5-trillion-in-market-cap-in-2-days-as-china-retaliates-jerome-powell-warns-of-inflation"> losing $5 trillion in value</a> since the tariffs were announced.



This has led to concerns about potential global turmoil and negative impacts on consumers, as highlighted by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in an interview with CNBC. Ballmer warned that the escalating tariffs could have far-reaching effects on the economy.



Furthermore, a Goldman Sachs analyst has pointed out that Trump&#8217;s<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44652222/trumps-tariffs-may-shift-us-spending-from-goods-to-services-creating-uncertainty-for-ecommerce-and-advertising-industries-analyst-warns"> tariffs could shift U.S. spending</a> from goods to services, creating uncertainty for e-commerce and advertising industries. This uncertainty is expected to slow corporate decisions and impact economic activity for the remainder of the year.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44655841/if-youre-going-to-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-warren-buffetts-old-warning-gains-steam-as-us-stocks-wipe-out-5-trillion-after-trump-tariffs">&#8216;If You&#8217;re Going To Do Dumb Things Because Your Stock Goes Down…:&#8217; Warren Buffett&#8217;s Old Warning Gains Steam As US Stocks Wipe Out $5 Trillion After Trump Tariffs</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says Stock Market Decline Is Due To China's DeepSeek, Not Trump's Policies: 'Mag 7 Problem, Not A MAGA Problem'

Global markets plunged in the first week of the new quarter after President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on Wednesday—an event <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44616760/donald-trump-sets-reciprocal-tariffs-on-key-trade-partners-in-historic-policy-shock">he dubbed "Liberation Day."</a>



Trump unveiled a set of retaliatory tariffs with differentiated rates depending on the trading partner. The announcement sparked backlash from analysts, who criticized the methodology and raised fears of retaliation <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44647999/trumps-tariff-war-could-take-us-tech-industry-back-a-decade-while-china-steam-rolls-ahead-analyst-says">from global trade partners.</a>



China, the country with which the U.S. has the largest trade deficit, was hit with a steep 34% tariff, prompting Beijing to respond with similar countermeasures by the end of the week. The escalation marked the beginning of a new global trade war between the world's two largest economies.



Other key trading partners were also targeted: the European Union faced a 20% tariff, Japan 24%, and India 26%. Canada and Mexico were spared, as long as their exports complied with USMCA provisions.



The surprise severity of the measures sent shockwaves through markets, surpassing even the most pessimistic forecasts. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44645518/strong-jobs-report-offers-hope-but-will-it-be-enough-to-counter-tariff-turmoil">A strong March jobs report</a> offered little reassurance to investors, who remain focused on the looming economic fallout from rising tariffs.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trillions Of Wealth Evaporates As Stocks Crash </h3>



Trillions of dollars in market value were wiped <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44631916/wall-street-wipes-out-2-trillion-apple-eyes-worst-day-since-covid-19-pandemic-oil-plummets-whats-driving-markets-thursday">out from Wall Street</a>. 



The S&amp;P 500 Index recorded its worst weekly decline since March 2020, when markets were devastated by the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns.



With the S&amp;P 500 plunging 10.5% over Thursday and Friday, this marks only the fourth time such a sharp two-day drawdown has occurred in modern market history—joining October 1987, September 2008, March 2020, and now April 2025.



The Nasdaq 100 plunged more than 20% from its February all-time high, officially <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44647678/nasdaq-100-enters-bear-market-dow-in-correction-territory-as-traders-anxiously-await-powell-remarks">entering bear market territory.</a>



Mega-cap tech stocks led the rout, with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) posting its worst two-day drop since October 2008. 



Financial stocks also suffered steep losses, with double-digit declines across JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Citigroup Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and others.



Oil prices bore the brunt of the sell-off. Crude dropped 10% on the week, hitting a four-year low, pressured by weakening demand expectations and a surprise announcement from OPEC+. The cartel disclosed plans for a larger-than-expected production hike starting in May, raising fears of an oversupply in global energy markets.



On Friday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell failed to soothe market concerns, reiterating "no hurry" on interest rate cuts and highlighting that the new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44648681/powell-cites-tariff-driven-inflation-risks-shrugs-off-trumps-call-for-perfect-time-to-cut-rates">tariffs could fuel inflation.</a>



Meanwhile, Trump continued to publicly pressure the central bank, stating that now is the "perfect time" to lower interest rates.



Also on Friday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the tariff plan, attributing the roots of the market collapse instead to China's DeepSeek AI breakthrough.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44652055/its-more-a-mag-seven-problem-than-a-maga-one-treasury-secretary-says-as-wall-street-meltdowns">&#8216;It&#8217;s More A Mag 7 Problem Than A MAGA One,&#8217; Says Bessent As Wall Street Implodes</a></li>
</ul>



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Government

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Regulations

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Economics

Federal Reserve

ETFs

AAPL

Trump Tariffs Trigger Wall Street Bloodbath, S&P 500 Notches Worst Weekly Drop Since 2020: This Week In Markets

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.



Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.



Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/44597684/exclusive-marchs-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-nvidia-apple-applovin-stock-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: March&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Applovin Stock Rank?</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Here&#8217;s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending April 4:</h1>



Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOLD#NYSE">GOLD</a>): For the second-straight week, a gold stock makes its way on the Stock Whisper Index. Readers are paying increased attention to gold stocks with the price of gold at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44308014/gold-hits-record-highs-as-trade-war-fears-fuel-safe-haven-demand-mining-stocks-soar">record highs</a>. 



Barrick Gold is expected to report first-quarter financial results later this month. Analysts expect the company to post earnings per share and revenue growth from the year-over-year period. Barrick has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in two of the last three quarters, but only four of the past 10 quarters overall. The company has missed revenue estimates in seven of the past 10 quarters, including two straight quarters. With improving prices for gold, investors will be waiting to see if Barrick's financials improved and what the company is saying about the future.



The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59">Benzinga Pro chart</a> below shows shares dropping slightly on the week in the midst of tariffs from President Donald Trump.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856512" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181219/Screenshot-374-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Prologis Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLD#NYSE">PLD</a>): The industrial and logistics real estate company saw increased interest from readers during the week. 



The company is set to report first-quarter financials on April 16. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.38, up from $1.28 per share in last year's first quarter. Prologis has beaten earnings estimates in three straight quarters. 



Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter revenue of $2.04 billion, up from $1.83 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has missed analyst estimates for revenue in five straight quarters and seven of the past 10 quarters overall. Prologis will also host its annual shareholder meeting on May 8, which could provide back-to-back months of company news and catalysts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="498" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856513" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181238/Screenshot-375-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>



 Ecolab Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>): The cleaning and sanitation company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes with Baird maintaining a Neutral rating and lowering the price target from $288 to $277. 



The company is expected to report first-quarter financial results later this month. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.50, up from $1.34 in last year's first quarter; it has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine straight quarters. Analysts expect the company to report revenue of $3.70 billion, down from $3.75 billion in last year's first quarter. Ecolab beat analyst estimates for revenue in the fourth quarter and has beaten the estimate in five of the last 10 quarters.



"We enter 2025 confident in our ability to deliver continued strong performance in a dynamic environment. Growth in the United States, our largest and most profitable region, continues to be very strong," Ecolab CEO Christophe Beck <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43626120/ecolab-q4-solid-eps-growth-industrial-and-institutional-acceleration-2025-momentum-and-more">said </a>after fourth-quarter financial results.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="501" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856514" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181253/Screenshot-376-768x385.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Nutanix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTNX#NASDAQ">NTNX</a>): The cloud software company saw increased interest from readers during the week. 



In February, Nutanix<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/44007219/nutanix-q2-revenue-rises-16-margins-expand-as-cloud-business-gains-momentum"> reported second-quarter results</a> that included revenue up 16% year-over-year and earnings per share of 56 cents. Both figures beat analyst estimates and led to several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NTNX/analyst-ratings">raising their price targets </a>on the stock. Nutanix also raised its full-year revenue, operating margin and free cash flow estimates. The company will <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/03/3055224/0/en/Nutanix-Announces-2025-NEXT-Event-Lineup-Shape-the-Next-Era-of-AI-Cloud-Native-and-Hybrid-Multicloud-Innovation.html">host </a>the NEXT 2025 event covering sectors like AI and the cloud from May 7 to May 9.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856515" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181309/Screenshot-377-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



Xylem Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYL#NYSE">XYL</a>): The water technology company saw increased interest from investors during the week. The company will report first-quarter financial results on April 29. 



Analysts expect earnings per share and revenue to increase from last year's first quarter. Xylem beat analyst estimates for earnings per share in the fourth quarter and has beaten estimates in eight of the past 10 quarters overall. The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in eight of the past 10 quarters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378.png" alt="" class="wp-image-856516" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03181324/Screenshot-378-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>



Stay tuned for next week's report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0403" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>



Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44209284/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-56" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 7</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44333602/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 14</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44448522/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 21</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59">March 28</a></li>
</ul>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43041374/exclusive-how-high-will-sp-500-go-under-donald-trump-in-2025-readers-are-optimistic-26-say-this" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: How High Will S&amp;P 500 Go Under Donald Trump In 2025? Readers Are Optimistic, 26% Say This…</a></li>
</ul>

Commodities

Exclusives

Tech

Trading Ideas

GOLD

NTNX

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled a cautious policy stance on Friday, hinting that slowing economic momentum is not yet enough to ease the Federal Reserve's inflation concerns, as higher tariffs threaten to complicate the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">path toward price stability.</a>



Speaking at the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing conference, Powell said the economy is still "in a good place," but acknowledged that growing uncertainty tied to trade and regulatory changes has raised the risk of both slower growth and rising inflation.



Just minutes before Powell took the stage, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, urging the Fed chair to act swiftly: "This would be a perfect time for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to cut Interest Rates. He is always ‘late,' but he could now change his image, and quickly.&#8221;



Trump claimed that energy prices, interest rates, and inflation have all declined—highlighting that even egg prices have dropped 69%—while job growth has surged in just two months, calling it "a big win for America."



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fed Faces New Trade-Induced Inflation Pressures</h3>



While Powell reaffirmed the Fed's commitment to its dual mandate—maximum employment and stable prices—he didn't shy away from addressing the challenge posed by rising tariffs. 



He said the increases will likely be "significantly larger than expected" and warned that "higher tariffs will be working their way through our economy and are likely to raise inflation in coming quarters."



After falling from the pandemic highs of 2022, price pressures are proving stickier. Data from February show that total Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation rose 2.5% year-over-year, while the core measure, which excludes volatile food and energy categories, climbed 2.8%. These levels remain above the Fed's 2% target.



Though long-term inflation expectations remain "well anchored," Powell said both survey-based and market-based measures of near-term inflation expectations have "moved up." 



The Fed, he added, is closely watching this development.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Job Market Still Strong, But Growth Slows</h3>



The U.S. labor market continues to show resilience. March's jobs report showed the unemployment rate at 4.2%, in line with its average since early 2024. 



Over the first quarter, payrolls increased by an average of 150,000 jobs per month. The Fed views this as a sign of a labor market that is "broadly in balance" and "not a significant source of inflationary pressure."



Powell acknowledged that "many forecasters have anticipated somewhat slower growth this year," and that both hard and soft data reflect that shift.



While the initial estimate for first-quarter GDP is still pending, early indicators align with expectations for a deceleration. At the same time, business and household surveys show a notable uptick in pessimism, driven largely by policy uncertainty.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fed Signals Patience Amid Uncertainty</h3>



"It is too soon to say what will be the appropriate path for monetary policy," Powell said. 



&#8220;We face a highly uncertain outlook with elevated risks of both higher unemployment and higher inflation.&#8221; he added.



The outlook is complicated by uncertainty over tariff details, including which goods will be taxed, at what rates, for how long, and the potential response from trading partners. 



Powell said the size and duration of tariff-related inflation "remain uncertain," and warned of the possibility that temporary price increases could become more persistent.



The Fed's challenge, he noted, is to ensure "a one-time increase in the price level does not become an ongoing inflation problem."



"We are well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustments to our policy stance."



Rate Cuts? Not So Fast



The message for markets was clear: The Fed is in wait-and-see mode. While investors began 2025 pricing in as many as four rate cuts, recent data and Powell's comments suggest that dovish pivot may be postponed.



&#8220;It&#8217;s too soon to say what the appropriate monetary policy response would be to these policies,&#8221; Powell said. 



Stocks fell in response to Powell&#8217;s remarks. The S&amp;P 500 index – as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) – was 4.2% lower by 11:35 a.m. ET. 



The Nasdaq 100 – as tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) – tumbled 4.3%. 



Read now: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44647678/nasdaq-100-enters-bear-market-dow-in-correction-territory-traders-await-fed-chair-powells-remarks">Nasdaq 100 Enters Bear Market, Dow In Correction Territory, Traders Await Fed Chair Powell&#8217;s Remarks</a></li>
</ul>



Image created using photos from Shutterstock.

Econ #s

Powell Says It's 'Too Soon To Say' On Rates As Tariffs 'Likely To Raise Inflation'

The Symbol CO was not found. Here are some similar symbols and popular symbols to consider.

Symbol Similar to: CO

Top Gaining Stocks

Notizie

PARTNER/COLLABORATORE

BENZINGA NEL MONDO