Bank of America Option Alert: Jan 16 $45 Puts at the Ask: 4500 vs 21289 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open 

Bank of America Option Alert: Jan 16 $45 Puts at the Ask: 4500 @ $3.44 vs 21289 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open Ref=$45.925

Bank of America Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $55 Calls at the Bid: 2050 vs 6577 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open 

Bank of America Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $55 Calls at the Bid: 2050 @ $3.35 vs 6577 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open Ref=$45.695

Bank of America Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $35 Puts at the Bid: 5000 vs 1119 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open 

Bank of America Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $35 Puts at the Bid: 5000 @ $1.84 vs 1119 OI; Earnings 4/15 Before Open Ref=$46.6912

Bank of America Option Alert: Sep 19 $47 Calls at the Bid: 1500 vs 7509 OI

Bank of America Option Alert: Sep 19 $47 Calls at the Bid: 1500 @ $3.35 vs 7509 OI; Ref=$46.455

Bank of America Option Alert: Mar 21 $45 Calls at the Ask: 2500 vs 18172 OI

Bank of America Option Alert: Mar 21 $45 Calls at the Ask: 2500 @ $2.03 vs 18172 OI; Ref=$46.245

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) 株価情報

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, with more than $3.2 trillion in assets. It is organized into four major segments: consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking, and global markets. Bank of America's consumer-facing lines of business include its network of branches and deposit-gathering operations, retail lending products, credit and debit cards, and small-business services. The company's Merrill Lynch operations provide brokerage and wealth-management services, as does its private bank. Wholesale lines of business include investment banking, corporate and commercial real estate lending, and capital markets operations. Bank of America has operations in several countries but is primarily US-focused.

Bank of America Corp

BERENSON ACQUISITION CORP I CL A

Berenson Acquisition Corp I Warrants (01/08/2026)

BANK OF CHINA LTD ORD by Bank of China, Ltd.

Bank Of China Ltd

BANK OF CHINA UNSP/ADR by Bank of China, Ltd.

IMAC Holdings Inc

Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. I - Class A Ordinary Shares

Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp I

Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. I - Right

BANK OF AMERICA 7.00B PFD by Bank of America Corp.

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 6.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series GG

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Sh repstg 1/1000th Perp Pfd Ser E

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.875% Non- Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series HH

Bank of America Corporation Non Cumulative Perpetual Conv Pfd Ser L

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series KK

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.000% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series LL

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.375% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series NN

Bank of America Corporation Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.125% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series PP

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.250% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series QQ

Bank of America Corporation Depositary shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of 4.750% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series SS

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Bank of America.
Looking at options history for Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) we detected 11 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 18% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 81% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 8 are puts, for a total amount of $379,858 and 3, calls, for a total amount of $221,066.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $45.0 to $50.0 for Bank of America over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Bank of America stands at 3538.2, with a total volume reaching 1,451.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Bank of America, situated within the strike price corridor from $45.0 to $50.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Bank of America Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740149143_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$0.5</td>
<td>$0.49</td>
<td>$0.49</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$141.9K</td>
<td>8.9K</td>
<td align="right">117</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$3.3</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.3</td>
<td>$48.00</td>
<td>$66.0K</td>
<td>996</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$2.52</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$47.00</td>
<td>$53.0K</td>
<td>4.1K</td>
<td align="right">400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.57</td>
<td>$2.49</td>
<td>$2.57</td>
<td>$47.00</td>
<td>$51.4K</td>
<td>4.1K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$5.4</td>
<td>$4.8</td>
<td>$5.4</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$50.2K</td>
<td>400</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Bank of America</h3>
Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, with more than $3.2 trillion in assets. It is organized into four major segments: consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking, and global markets. Bank of America's consumer-facing lines of business include its network of branches and deposit-gathering operations, retail lending products, credit and debit cards, and small-business services. The company's Merrill Lynch operations provide brokerage and wealth-management services, as does its private bank. Wholesale lines of business include investment banking, corporate and commercial real estate lending, and capital markets operations. Bank of America has operations in several countries but is primarily US-focused.
<h3>Current Position of Bank of America</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,646,293, the price of BAC is down by -0.1%, reaching $45.26.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 53 days from now.</li>
</ul>
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>.
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Bank of America options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Markets

What the Options Market Tells Us About Bank of America

Institutional investors were bullish on technology and financials during the fourth quarter of 2024 as these sectors saw major inflows, according to 13F filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors were seen pulling back from the healthcare sector.
What Happened: 13F filings are mandatory reports filed by the managers overseeing at least $100 million in assets filed with the SEC. Adam Turnquist, the chief technical strategist at LPL Financial analyses the big rotation in the holdings of such funds for the fourth quarter.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tech&#8217;s Resurgence and Financial Gains</h3>
The results of the U.S. presidential elections, hopes for deregulation, and the possibility of increased lending activity in the wake of Fed rate cuts led the investors to bump their stakes in technology and financials in the fourth quarter according to Turnquist.
After a slight dip in the third quarter, tech holdings surged by 0.7%, reflecting confidence in the sector&#8217;s growth potential. Rotation into financials increased by 0.6%.
&#8220;Communication services and consumer discretionary allocations both increased 0.5% from the third quarter, while allocations toward exchange-traded funds rose 0.4%,&#8221; according to LPL Financial&#8217;s note.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Healthcare Under Pressure</h3>
On the other hand, healthcare experienced a sharp decline, with allocations dropping by 1.4%.
This retreat followed a period of stagnation and was likely influenced by political factors. Turnquist said that &#8220;The nomination of the so-called anti-vaccine Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the potential for reduced Affordable Care Act subsidies,&#8221; was also a potential trigger.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sectors</td>
<td>Changes In Q4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Technology</td>
<td>0.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Financials</td>
<td>0.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Communications</td>
<td>0.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td>0.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Other</td>
<td>0.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Energy</td>
<td>-0.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Industrials</td>
<td>-0.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Utilities</td>
<td>-0.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Consumer Staples</td>
<td>-0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Materials</td>
<td>-0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Real Estate</td>
<td>-0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Health Care</td>
<td>-1.40%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43876325/quantum-computing-top-holders-in-q4-blackrock-vanguard-ubs-state-street-pour-money-in-rigetti-d-wave-ionq-qubt">Top Holders Of Quantum Computing Stocks In Q4: BlackRock, Vanguard, UBS, State Street Pour Money In Rigetti, D-Wave, IonQ, QUBT</a>
Why It Matters: These filings provide a window into the strategies of major players like hedge funds, pension funds, and endowments.
LPL Research&#8217;s Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee remains neutral on equities but favors large-cap growth and domestic companies. They also maintain a neutral stance on fixed income, recommending an &#8220;up-in-quality&#8221; approach and cautioning against adding duration due to expected interest rate volatility.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hedge Funds Latgely Follow The Trend</h3>
Hedge funds largely mirrored the broader trend, increasing their tech holdings while reducing exposure to healthcare, according to the note.
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) were among the top picks, with significant increases in market value. However, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) saw a net selling of 2.1 million shares, and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) and PDD Holdings Inc. ADR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) also faced substantial reductions.
While the overall trend was consistent, individual hedge fund strategies varied. While Warren Buffett&#8216;s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) increased its tech exposure and added Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>) while reducing its stake in Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>).
Conversely, Scion Asset Management, led by Michael Burry, favored healthcare and consumer staples, exiting positions in financials and consumer discretionary.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bond Market Bets And ETF Insights</h3>
Beyond individual stocks, 13F filings revealed that four of the top ten purchased bond ETFs tracked the U.S. bond market. Large-cap growth ETFs also saw significant inflows, indicating a preference for these high-growth stocks, highlighted the note.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43875557/donald-trump-airs-fort-knox-inspection-as-gold-edges-closer-to-3000-it-is-an-essential-component-of-portfolio-says-expert">Gold Is An &#8216;Essential Component&#8217; Of Portfolio, Says Expert As It Nears $3000 While Trump, Musk Suggest Fort Knox Inspection Amid The Surge</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

Government

News

Hedge Funds

Analyst Ratings

AMZN

MSFT

NVDA

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

PLTR

TSLA

Institutional Investors Load Up On Technology And Financial Stocks In Q4 While Reducing Positions In Healthcare Sector Amid Political Uncertainty

In response to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) might have to raise iPhone prices by 9%, said analysts at the Bank of America.
What Happened: Bank of America analyst Analyst Wamsi Mohan suggests that the tech titan may need to revise its pricing strategy to compensate for the costs related to the tariffs, reported <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/19/apple-will-need-to-raise-iphone-prices-by-9percent-to-offset-trumps-tariffs-bank-of-america-says.html#:~:text=Apple%20will%20need%20to%20raise%20prices%20for%20the%20iPhone%2C%20other,tariffs%2C%20estimates%20Bank%20of%20America&amp;text=Apple%20will%20need%20to%20hike,according%20to%20Bank%20of%20America.">CNBC</a> on Wednesday. BofA stated that the iPhone maker will need to hike prices on iPhones, iPads, and other products by approximately 9% to counter the effect of tariffs. assuming a minimum 10% tariff applies to all of them. Mohan also expects a potential hit on the sales volume of
The analysis considered scenarios in which Apple either maintains its current pricing in the U.S. or raises prices due to increased costs from tariffs. If Apple chooses not to raise prices, earnings per share would decline by $0.26, or 3.1%, in the 2026 calendar year. 
On the other hand, a price increase of approximately 3% would lead to a 21-cent drop in earnings per share, representing a 2.4% decline during the same period. This projection assumes that higher prices would reduce device sales by 5%. However, if sales remain unaffected despite the price hike, the impact of tariffs could be even smaller.
Based on these calculations, Analyst Wamsi Mohan cautioned that the company&#8217;s earnings may be impacted regardless of its response. 
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43837526/top-analyst-predicts-apple-will-hit-4-trillion-first-followed-by-nvidia-says-ai-demand-is-exploding-despite-tariffs-and-deepseek-fears-the-bears-cant-see-ai-in-the-spreadsheets">Top Analyst Predicts Apple Will Hit $4 Trillion First Followed By Nvidia — Says AI Demand Is &#8216;Exploding&#8217; Despite Tariffs And DeepSeek Fears: &#8216;The Bears Can&#8217;t See AI In The Spreadsheets&#8230;&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This potential price hike comes in the wake of President Donald Trump&#8216;s plans to impose tariffs on imported goods from several countries, including China. In a poll conducted by Benzinga, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827658/exclusive-apple-nvidia-tesla-or-boeing-which-company-faces-the-biggest-risk-from-trumps-china-tariffs-35-say-this-stock">35% of the respondents </a>believed that Apple would see maximum impact from Trump&#8217;s tariffs due to its reliance on Chinese supply chains. Most respondents also feel that these plans could provoke retaliation from other nations.
Furthermore, Trump&#8217;s plan for reciprocal tariffs on India is likely to hamper Apple&#8217;s plan to avoid the tariff levies. Although most iPhone models can now be produced in India, the reciprocal tax could exceed the 10% fee imposed on China.
On Feb 19, Apple announced the iPhone 16e, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43820197/apple-unveils-iphone-16e-with-a18-chip-ai-features-599-price-tag">a budget-friendly offering </a>replacing the third-generation iPhone SE. The iPhone 16e, priced at $599, is said to be capable of running artificial intelligence efficiently.
Meanwhile, Analyst Wamsi Mohan maintained his Buy rating on Apple with a $265 price target, indicating an 8.22% upside from Wednesday&#8217;s close. 
<ul>
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43814319/a-new-website-lets-you-spend-elon-musks-vast-fortune-on-everything-from-ps5s-to-nfl-teams-and-its-eye-opening-just-how-much-money-he-has">A New Website Lets You &#8216;Spend&#8217; Elon Musk&#8217;s Vast Fortune On Everything From PS5s To NFL Teams—And It&#8217;s Eye-Opening Just How Much Money He Has</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.

Tech

AAPL

Apple May Hike iPhone Prices By 9% Due To Trump's Tariffs, Says Bank Of America

Bank of America's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) short percent of float has fallen 20.0% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 57.75 million shares sold short, which is 0.88% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.55 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?utm_source=insights&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?utm_source=insights&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Bank of America Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739995228_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Bank of America has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Bank of America's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Bank of America's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 1.09%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?utm_source=insights&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About Bank of America?

Bank Of America Credit Card Delinquency Rate Was 1.48% At January End;  Credit Card Charge-Off Rate Was 2.43% In January

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has called out the tax reduction plans of the Donald Trump-led administration in an X post, terming them as an &#8220;absolutely shameless giveaway,&#8221; that could shoot up the deficit by $4.6 trillion.
What Happened: The possible tax cuts for rich individuals and lower corporate tax rates are likely to widen the U.S. trade deficit, which the Trump 2.0 administration would most likely fund from the tariffs imposed on its trading partners.
<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">Trump wants to extend his tax cuts for rich individuals, which would add $4.6T to the deficit. But he wants to go even further, cutting the corporate tax rate to 15%. It&#39;s yet another absolutely shameless giveaway. <a href="https://t.co/mkAWOFkkUd">pic.twitter.com/mkAWOFkkUd</a>
&mdash; Robert Reich (@RBReich) <a href="https://twitter.com/RBReich/status/1891623719304339516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The data from the Center For American Progress Action Fund or CAPAF shows that cutting the corporate tax rate down to 15% would save all sectors and companies billions of dollars in tax.
<ul>
<li>Top 100 U.S. Companies: Can expect a total annual tax cut of $48 billion despite reporting $1.1 trillion in profits in their 2023 annual report.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Top 10 U.S. Companies: Reported more than $520 billion in profits according to their 2023 annual report can expect an annual tax cut of $23 billion. These include firms like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>), and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Oil: The five largest U.S. oil companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>), Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>), Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>), and Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLO#NYSE">VLO</a>) will receive an estimated $2.2 billion annual tax cut, despite over $80 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Pharma: The five largest U.S. drug makers, Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) will receive an estimated $3.1 billion annual tax cut, despite over $50 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Banking: The five largest Wall Street banks, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) will receive an estimated $4.1 billion annual tax cut, despite nearly $113 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Grocery: The five largest grocery companies, Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>), Albertsons Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACI#NYSE">ACI</a>), Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) will receive an estimated $1.7 billion annual tax cut, despite over $29 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43763438/trump-acting-like-a-mafia-don-says-this-economist-as-uncertainty-mounts-businesses-hold-back-in-fear-of-unforeseen-economic-shifts">Trump &#8216;Acting Like A Mafia Don,&#8217; Says This Economist As Uncertainty Mounts, Businesses Hold Back In Fear Of Unforeseen Economic Shifts</a>
Why It Matters: Trump has threatened all its trading partners with &#8220;reciprocal tariffs,&#8221; while already having implemented 25% on steel and aluminum imports.
According to economists like Craig Shapiro, who is a macro strategist at the Bear Traps Report, tariffs are the "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43587245/tariffs-are-the-only-way-to-fund-tax-cuts-without-deficit-expansion-argues-expert-as-it-takes-center-stage-in-donald-trumps-economic-plan">only way</a>" to fund tax cuts without expanding the federal deficit. 
Shapiro likened Trump&#8217;s governance to that of a &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43763438/trump-acting-like-a-mafia-don-says-this-economist-as-uncertainty-mounts-businesses-hold-back-in-fear-of-unforeseen-economic-shifts">Mafia Don</a>,&#8221; saying businesses are now uncertain about the economy&#8217;s direction. He noted fading &#8220;initial euphoria&#8221; and a &#8220;wait-and-see&#8221; approach from business leaders due to unclear policies, tariffs, trade agreement uncertainty, and fluctuating government spending. &#8211;
Price Action: On Friday, 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 and Nasdaq 100 indices, closed mixed. SPY fell 0.0049% to a value of $609.7, and QQQ was up by 0.42% to end at a value of $538.15, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43773441/ahead-of-gamestops-bitcoin-purchase-plans-blackrock-morgan-stanley-goldman-sachs-and-other-billion-dollar-funds-load-up-on-gme-stock-in-q4">Ahead Of GameStop&#8217;s Bitcoin Purchase Plans, BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, And Other Billion Dollar Funds Load Up On GME Stock In Q4</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Macro Notification

Economics

ABBV

CMCSA

COST

Trump's Tax Cut Could Add $4.6 Trillion To Deficit, With $48 Billion Tax Relief For Top 100 Firms: Robert Reich

Last year Warren Buffett amassed an unprecedented $325 billion in cash and cash equivalents, primarily in Treasury bills, via <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43423897/buffett-advises-against-using-credit-cards-as-a-source-of-funds-paying-it-off-is-gonna-be-way-better-than-any-investment-idea">his firm Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>).</a>
What Happened: The amount was the largest that Buffett has ever held, sufficient to acquire all but the top 25 most valuable U.S. corporations. 
Berkshire Hathaway has notably downsized its stakes in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) in recent times. Moreover, for the first time in six years, it has stopped buying back more of its own shares.
As per the report <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/does-warren-buffett-know-something-that-we-dont-48fabc9d?mod=series_buffett">by </a>The Wall Street Journal, Buffett, renowned for his long-term investment approach, has been known to adopt a conservative stance during periods of market volatility. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43756510/berkshire-hathaway-adjusts-portfolio-keeps-apple-stake-unchanged-offloads-stakes-in-bofa">Berkshire Hathaway Adjusts Portfolio, Keeps Apple Stake Unchanged, Offloads Stakes in BofA</a>
His current cash reserve could either be a sign of caution or an indication that he is gearing up for a significant acquisition. Nevertheless, Buffett has not revealed his plans.
Why It Matters: Despite the ambiguity, the report emphasizes that retail investors should not necessarily mimic Buffett&#8217;s actions, given that they have a wider range of options and flexibility compared to the billionaire investor. 
The accumulation of such a substantial cash reserve by Berkshire Hathaway could be interpreted in several ways. 
It could be a strategic move in anticipation of a major acquisition, or it could be a precautionary measure in response to market uncertainties. Until Buffett discloses his intentions, the speculation will continue.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42803589/warren-buffetts-advice-for-overpriced-stocks-zip-up-your-wallet-take-a-vacation-and-come-back-in-a-few-years-to-buy-stocks-at-cheap-prices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett's Advice for Overpriced Stocks: ‘Zip up Your Wallet, Take a Vacation, and Come Back in a Few Years To Buy Stocks at Cheap Prices'</a>

What Does Warren Buffett Know That We Don't? Investors Are Paying Attention

Berkshire Hathaway, under the leadership of&nbsp;Warren Buffett, has amplified its investments in&nbsp;Domino&#8217;s Pizza Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NYSE">DPZ</a>),&nbsp;Pool Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POOL#NASDAQ">POOL</a>), and&nbsp;Constellation Brands, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>).
What Happened: According to the recent 13F filings, Berkshire&#8217;s investment in Pool Corp escalated from approximately&nbsp;$152 million to $204 million.&nbsp;Its stake in Domino&#8217;s Pizza also witnessed a substantial surge from nearly $549 million to $1 billion. Furthermore,&nbsp;Berkshire initiated a significant stake&nbsp;in Constellation Brands, estimated at around $1.2 billion.
Investment experts speculate that these investment choices were probably made by Todd Combs or Ted Weschler, who manage smaller investment portfolios at Berkshire Hathaway, reports <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/02/15/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-stocks-pool-dominos-ulta-beer-wine/">the </a>Fortune. Currently, the company holds a cash reserve&nbsp;valued at more than $300&nbsp;billion.
During the same period, Berkshire retained&nbsp;its $75 billion stake in&nbsp;Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) while reducing its stakes in&nbsp;Bank of America Corporation&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>),&nbsp;Citigroup Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), and&nbsp;Capital One Financial Corporation&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>).
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43756510/berkshire-hathaway-adjusts-portfolio-keeps-apple-stake-unchanged-offloads-stakes-in-bofa">Berkshire Hathaway Adjusts Portfolio, Keeps Apple Stake Unchanged, Offloads Stakes in BofA</a>
Interestingly, Berkshire completely divested its stake in&nbsp;Ulta Beauty Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>). The company&#8217;s annual letter to shareholders, which usually sheds light on its investment decisions, is due later this month.
Why It Matters: Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s recent investment decisions indicate a strategic shift towards companies that have demonstrated resilience and growth potential amidst market volatility. 
The significant increase in stakes in Domino&#8217;s Pizza, Pool Corp, and the initiation of a substantial stake in Constellation Brands, underscores Berkshire&#8217;s confidence in these companies&#8217; future performance. 
The divestment from Ulta Beauty and the trimming of stakes in several major banks suggest a cautious approach towards sectors that may face headwinds in the current economic climate.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42803589/warren-buffetts-advice-for-overpriced-stocks-zip-up-your-wallet-take-a-vacation-and-come-back-in-a-few-years-to-buy-stocks-at-cheap-prices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett's Advice for Overpriced Stocks: ‘Zip up Your Wallet, Take a Vacation, and Come Back in a Few Years To Buy Stocks at Cheap Prices'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Earnings

Entrepreneurship

POOL

ULTA

Berkshire Hathaway's 13F Filing Suggests a Buffett-Style Bash — Pizza, Beer and Fine Wine

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a government agency created to protect people from unfair financial practices, has been largely shut down by acting chief Russell Vought. Many crypto leaders, like Coinbase Global (COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong and Gemini CEO Tyler Winklevoss, are very happy about this decision.
Armstrong <a href="https://x.com/brian_armstrong/status/1888385895163953554">called</a> the shutdown "100% the right call," labeling the CFPB an "activist organization that has done enormous harm to the country." He argued that fraud prevention should be handled by the Department of Justice and other financial regulators, not the CFPB. Winklevoss <a href="https://x.com/tyler/status/1888461425703555209">posted</a> "CFPB Unplugged" alongside an image of a 404 error page from the agency's website.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">100% the right call The CFPB is unconstitutional on the face of it. And even if it wasn't, it should be deleted as we already have DOJ to prosecute fraud, and (many) other financial services regulators. It's an activist organization that has done enormous harm to the country. <a href="https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt">https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt</a>
&mdash; Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/brian_armstrong/status/1888385895163953554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The shutdown comes after years of tension between the CFPB and financial institutions, including crypto exchanges. Coinbase, for example, has faced more CFPB complaints than any other U.S. crypto platform, with more than&nbsp; <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/?chartType=line&amp;dateInterval=Month&amp;dateRange=All&amp;date_received_max=2025-02-11&amp;date_received_min=2011-12-01&amp;lens=Product&amp;searchField=all&amp;searchText=coinbase&amp;subLens=sub_product&amp;tab=Trends">7,747 grievances</a> related to poor customer service, restricted accounts, and lost funds.
Vought, who also leads the Office of Management and Budget, told CFPB workers to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/02/43637114/regulatory-freeze-at-cfpb-these-etfs-could-gain-as-oversight-weakens">stop all investigations</a>. He also <a href="https://x.com/russvought/status/1888423503537360986">said</a> the agency wouldn't ask for more funding because it already had $711.6 million, as Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1889005419273638392">called</a> for the return of that money to taxpayers.
While tech and crypto leaders are happy, others are upset. Some say shutting down the CFPB helps billionaires and leaves regular people at risk. BuccoCapital Bloke, a finance commentator, accused billionaires of dismantling the agency for personal gain, arguing that &#8220;It is not a coincidence that every single one of the tech billionaires trying to destroy the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a lot to gain from a less informed, less protected consumer,&#8221; he wrote on X.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It is not a coincidence that every single one of the tech billionaires trying to destroy the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a lot to gain from a less informed, less protected consumer <a href="https://t.co/RL3u9nXfVg">pic.twitter.com/RL3u9nXfVg</a>
&mdash; BuccoCapital Bloke (@buccocapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/buccocapital/status/1888622663037317603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) <a href="https://x.com/ChrisVanHollen/status/1888358187503661399">vowed</a> to fight the shutdown, emphasizing the agency's role in returning billions to consumers. The CFPB has recovered $21 billion for Americans over the years, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43586493/jpmorgan-bofa-equifax-honda-block-and-many-more-may-get-relief-after-cfpb-dissolution-as-director-vought-halts-activities-maryland-senator-says-will-ensure-the-body-continues-to-fight-for-consumers">addressing misconduct by major companies</a> like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43060668/equifax-fined-15m-for-consumer-dispute-failures">Equifax</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFX#NYSE">EFX</a>), Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42981370/cfpb-sues-capital-one-over-alleged-2-billion-in-lost-interest-for-consumers">Capital One</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>).
The shutdown also benefits companies facing ongoing investigations, such as JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) and Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), which were recently accused of failing to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit">protect Zelle users from fraud</a>. Other firms like Honda Finance and Jack Dorsey's Block (Cash App) were also under scrutiny for misleading practices.
Elon Musk, who has been at the forefrunt of cutting regulatory agencies since President Donald Trump took office again, celebrated the shutdown with a simple <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1887979940269666769">post</a>: "CFPB RIP." Musk, who is developing a digital wallet through X, has a vested interest in reducing financial oversight. Economist Paul Krugman criticized the move, saying that the government now serves "financial predators."
See Also: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
Critics like Salon&#8217;s Amanda Marcotte highlighted the cultural angle, accusing Musk and other tech billionaires of using sexism to undermine the CFPB by associating it with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), its key architect. She warned that without the CFPB, scams will continue, and companies will be free to cheat people.
Former CFPB director Rohit Chopra said in an <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/former-cfpb-director-says-trump-begging-for-another-financial-crisis-by-closing-agency">interview</a> with PBS News Hour that &#8220;defunding this type of oversight is just begging for another financial crisis, and it&#8217;s a complete giveaway to many of these big tech companies who increasingly want to become a bank.&#8221;
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'It Has Done Enormous Harm To The Country'—Crypto Leaders Celebrate As CFPB Is Shut Down

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crypto industry</a> leaders are intensifying their fight against alleged debanking practices, which they claim have targeted digital asset firms under the Biden administration.
At a recent Senate hearing, executives, including Nathan McCauley, CEO of Anchorage Digital, testified about their struggles.
McCauley <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/15/crypto-trump-gop-leadershipo-gang-up-on-fdic-over-debanking-.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">shared </a>with CNBC in an interview how his company, after years of banking relationships, suddenly had its account cut off with no warning or explanation in 2023, an experience echoed by other crypto firms facing similar challenges.
The industry has dubbed this alleged campaign &#8220;Operation Choke Point 2.0,&#8221; likening it to a prior Obama-era initiative that targeted banks associated with gun manufacturers and payday lenders, CNBC adds.
This time, however, the focus is on the crypto industry, with claims that U.S. regulators are pressuring financial institutions to sever ties with digital asset firms.
Also Read:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43756510/berkshire-hathaway-adjusts-portfolio-keeps-apple-stake-unchanged-offloads-stakes-in-bofa" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Berkshire Hathaway Adjusts Portfolio, Keeps Apple Stake Unchanged, Offloads Stakes in BofA</a>
Crypto executives have now found allies in Washington, especially among Republicans, who are now advocating for investigations into these debanking efforts.
Donald Trump has seized on the issue for political gain, claiming that banks like JP Morgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) and Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) have been politically motivated to debank conservative-aligned clients under regulatory pressure, CNBC adds.
Although banks have denied these claims, Trump&#8217;s rhetoric is gaining traction.
In Washington, Republicans like Sen. Rick Scott are voicing concerns over how financial institutions have cut off services to crypto businesses and conservative figures.
Meanwhile, McCauley highlighted the negative impacts on smaller crypto startups, forcing Anchorage to lay off 20% of its workforce and making it difficult for clients to send wire transfers.
The crypto industry has used its political influence to push back, with significant donations to pro-crypto PACs.
Trump&#8217;s executive order on crypto promises fair access to financial services, and the SEC is rolling back regulations that hinder banks from working with digital asset firms.
Additionally, the FDIC has faced pressure to revise its guidelines on crypto.
Recent high-profile incidents, like the forced closures of Silvergate and Signature Banks in 2023, have fueled concerns.
Signature Bank, particularly, was seen as sending an anti-crypto message, a sentiment shared by former Congressman Barney Frank.
With increasing influence, the crypto industry is navigating a shift in Washington, aligning itself with Trump and key figures like Elon Musk to push for more favorable conditions.
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</ul>

Politics

General

Trump and Crypto Industry Team Up To Fight Biden's 'Debanking' War on Digital Asset Firms

Warren Buffett&#8216;s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) made significant adjustments to its portfolio in Q4 2024, reducing its investment in a number of stocks. However, its stake in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) remains unchanged, as revealed in the recent 13F filings.
What Happened:&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway has continued to offload its shares in&nbsp;Bank of America Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), one of its largest holdings. The company also downsized its stake in&nbsp;Citigroup Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) and sold a portion of its investment in&nbsp;Capital One Financial Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>).
In addition, Berkshire Hathaway announced a new $1.2 billion position in&nbsp;Constellation Brands, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>), a U.S. seller of Modelo and Corona beer, and divested&nbsp;its shares of Ulta Beauty.
According to the report <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/buffetts-berkshire-holds-on-to-apple-shares-but-trims-stakes-in-bofa-citi-and-capital-one-b9efdb12">by </a>Wall Street Journal, despite ongoing speculation, Berkshire Hathaway did not sell any of its 300 million Apple shares, which were valued at $75.1 billion as of December 31, 2024.
The regulatory filing also indicated that Berkshire increased its investments in Domino&#8217;s Pizza and Pool Corp., which it had previously disclosed three months ago.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42803589/warren-buffetts-advice-for-overpriced-stocks-zip-up-your-wallet-take-a-vacation-and-come-back-in-a-few-years-to-buy-stocks-at-cheap-prices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Advice for Overpriced Stocks: ‘Zip up Your Wallet, Take a Vacation, and Come Back in a Few Years To Buy Stocks at Cheap Prices&#8217;</a>
Investors are eagerly awaiting Buffett&#8217;s annual letter, set to be released on February 22, for insights into these recent trading decisions.
Why It Matters: The recent changes in Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s portfolio reflect the company&#8217;s strategic investment decisions. The continued investment in Apple, despite the sale of other tech stocks, suggests confidence in the tech giant&#8217;s performance. 
The reduction in financial stocks could indicate a shift in Berkshire&#8217;s investment strategy, possibly due to changing market conditions or a reassessment of the financial sector&#8217;s future prospects. The new stake in Constellation Brands and increased positions in Domino&#8217;s Pizza and Pool Corp. highlight Berkshire&#8217;s interest in diversifying its portfolio. 
The upcoming annual letter from Buffett will likely provide further clarity on these decisions.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43423897/buffett-advises-against-using-credit-cards-as-a-source-of-funds-paying-it-off-is-gonna-be-way-better-than-any-investment-idea">Buffett Advises Against Using Credit Cards as a Source of Funds: &#8216;Paying It off Is Gonna Be Way Better Than Any Investment Idea&#8217;</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Berkshire Hathaway Adjusts Portfolio, Keeps Apple Stake Unchanged, Offloads Stakes in BofA

ADBE

DASH

INTU

NFLX

SBUX

SCHW

Viking Global Investors' Latest 13F Filing Reveals Increased Stakes In JPMorgan Chase By 7.47M Shares, Bank of America By 24.72M, Charles Schwab By 14.66M, Intuit By 1.72M Shares, DoorDash By 4.95M, Alphabet By 3.66M, Netflix By 502.3K, Starbucks By 5.34M, CSX By 14.67M; Decreased Stakes In US Bancorp By 24.45M Shares, Philip Morris By 5.09M, Amazon By 2.61M, Adobe By 1.23M, Progressive By 2.17M, Sherwin-Williams By 618K, UnitedHealth Group By 438.8K

The merger of cryptocurrency and mainstream finance is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42379899/trump-fuels-bitcoin-rally-but-where-will-it-go-next-year">accelerating under President Donald Trump&#8216;s administration</a>, raising concerns about systemic risks to the U.S. financial system.
Trump&#8217;s Jan. 23 executive order declared digital assets &#8220;crucial&#8221; to U.S. economic development and international leadership, marking a reversal from Biden-era restrictions.
Major financial institutions are already positioning themselves. Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) CEO Brian Moynihan has indicated banks will embrace cryptocurrencies like stablecoins for transactions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick bring significant crypto exposure to the cabinet, with Lutnick having managed assets for the $140 billion USDT stablecoin issuer Tether.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Many don&#8217;t know there are tax benefits when buying a unit as an investment —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/casa-shares"> Here&#8217;s how to invest in real estate by mirroring BlackRock's big move</a></li>
<li>They call it the &#8216;Biggest Disruption To IP Since Disney&#8217; and their funding window is closing . <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-1">Less than 24 hours left  for investors to claim shares at just $2/share with $980 minimum.</a></li>
</ul>
The administration&#8217;s crypto enthusiasm extends to symbolic gestures. Trump promoted his own meme cryptocurrency ($TRUMP) before inauguration, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41734897/elon-musks-doge-department-mention-gives-dogecoin-boost-to-top-of-daily-gainers-memecoin-s">Elon Musk naming a new government department after another digital token</a>.
Regulatory changes are clearing paths for Wall Street&#8217;s crypto adoption. The Securities and Exchange Commission no longer requires institutions to account for customer crypto assets on their own balance sheets, while the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has signalled more transparent crypto regulation.
However, experts warn of risks. Yale University&#8217;s Steven Kelly expressed concern to The Economist about &#8220;ties between what happens in crypto prices and what happens to banks,&#8221; pointing to the 2023 collapses of crypto-focused banks Silvergate and Signature during market downturns.
Trending: Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-the-most-boring-blockchain-company-partners-with-salesforce">this blockchain company partners with Salesforce to uproot lengthy and expensive B2B transactions, and you can invest with just $100.</a>
The industry&#8217;s reputation remains problematic. Recent high-profile criminal cases include FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried&#8216;s 25-year sentence for fraud and Binance founder Changpeng Zhao&#8216;s imprisonment for money laundering.
Despite the warning signs, Bitcoin recently topped $100,000 as traders speculate on cryptocurrency&#8217;s future role in U.S. financial markets. Standard Chartered Bank analysts project Bitcoin could reach $500,000 before Trump leaves office in 2029. Traditional banks and crypto firms are already clashing over access to Federal Reserve payment systems. About 9,000 firms hold master accounts with the central bank, but crypto-focused institutions like Custodia Bank and Kraken Financial face resistance to their applications.&nbsp;
See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Bank lobbying groups support restricting access, citing money-laundering and terrorist financing risks.
The changes could fundamentally reshape Wall Street. Dylan Walsh of Oliver Wyman told The Economist that digital-asset companies might acquire mainstream financial institutions, potentially including those with banking licenses. &#8220;As a practical matter it&#8217;s much harder for regulators to un-ring the bell,&#8221; University of Wyoming's Julie Andersen Hill said to The Economist.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>According to Juniper Research, the total value of B2B cross-border payments stored on the blockchain is projected to exceed $4.4 trillion — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-future-of-enterprise-transactions">Join the first company to bring blockchain payments to Salesforce early with just $100.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-centennial">Jeff Bezos-Backed Arrived Homes Hits A Big Sale On Charlotte Property – Investors Earning A 34.7% Return </a></li>
</ul>

Startups

Wall Street And Washington Are Betting Big On Crypto—But Who Pays If It Crashes?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been put on ice. Staffers have been told to halt all work, and the agency's Washington headquarters has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cfpb">reportedly been shut down</a>. 
While this unprecedented move raises serious concerns about consumer rights, it also presents a potential opportunity for investors. ETFs with significant exposure to banks, payday lenders, and credit reporting agencies may benefit if looser regulations translate into higher profit margins.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43451675/bessent-freezes-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-work-leaving-lawsuits-against-jpmorgan-bank-of-america-capital-one-in-limbo">Bessent Freezes Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Work Leaving Lawsuits Against JPMorgan, Bank Of America, Capital One In Limbo</a>
Banking &amp; Financial Sector ETFs: The Biggest Beneficiaries?
Big banks have frequently clashed with the CFPB over issues ranging from overdraft fees to consumer lending practices. With the watchdog out of commission, major financial institutions could see reduced compliance costs and potentially higher profits. 
Investors looking to capitalize on this regulatory shift might consider ETFs with heavy bank exposure, such as:
<ul>
<li>Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>): This fund tracks large U.S. financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>). </li>
<li>Invesco KBW Bank ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBWB#NASDAQ">KBWB</a>): This ETF could benefit if regulatory rollbacks allow banks to expand lending operations with fewer restrictions. Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), Bank Of America and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) are among the top holdings of the ETF.</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Financials ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYF#NYSE">IYF</a>): Another broad financial sector play, IYF provides exposure to insurance firms, banks, and capital markets. Among its top holdings are S&amp;P Global (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPGI#NYSE">SPGI</a>), BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) and Wells Fargo.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42479974/us-lenders-file-joint-lawsuit-against-consumer-finance-watchdog-for-capping-overdraft-fees-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-citigroup-stocks-in-focus">US Lenders File Joint Lawsuit Against Consumer Finance Watchdog For Capping Overdraft Fees</a>
FinTech &amp; Alternative Lending: Risky Yet Promising
The CFPB has been a thorn in the side of payday lenders and fintech firms, often cracking down on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42836870/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-subsidiary-sued-over-unaffordable-loans-2008-style-predatory-loan-approval-tactics">predatory lending practices</a>. With enforcement on hold, companies like LendingClub (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LC#NYSE">LC</a>) may operate with fewer regulatory headaches. That makes fintech-focused ETFs worth watching, such as:
<ul>
<li>Global X FinTech ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FINX#NASDAQ">FINX</a>): This fund invests in innovative financial technology firms that could benefit from a more relaxed regulatory environment. Fidelity National Info (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) and Fiserv (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FI#NYSE">FI</a>) sit at the top of the portfolio distribution.</li>
<li>iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SVAL#BATS">SVAL</a>): It is an equal-weighted equity index tracking the Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index which measures the performance of small-cap U.S. companies&nbsp;including LendingClub.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Background</h3>
The CFPB, created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, has been — according to advocates — a necessary watchdog keeping financial institutions in check. 
For example, the CFPB has <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/twelve-years-of-protecting-consumers-and-honest-businesses/#:~:text=Here%27s%20a%20look%20at%20some,CFPB%20enforcement%20and%20supervision%20work">recovered</a> over $17.5 billion for consumers affected by fraudulent or predatory practices.
It has also <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-protection/how-cfpb-changes-could-impact-consumers-a2527371632/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">established</a> rules to limit overdraft fees and reduce credit card late fees, aiming to protect consumers from excessive charges.
Meanwhile, critics — especially from the banking industry (i.e., JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon) — argue <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/42024453/if-youre-in-a-knife-fight-you-better-damn-well-bring-a-knife-jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-calls-for-a-stand-against-regulation">it&#8217;s a regulatory burden</a>.
Now, with an abrupt directive for staff to ‘stand down' and stop all work, the agency's future is uncertain.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/02/43632056/3-etfs-for-cybersecurity-investors-as-ai-driven-threats-grow">3 ETFs For Cybersecurity Investors As AI-Driven Threats Grow</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

ETFs

FINX

iShares Dow Jones US Financial Sector Index Fund

KBWB

SPGI

SVAL

Regulatory Freeze At CFPB: These ETFs Could Gain As Oversight Weakens

Over the weekend, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau&#8217;s (CFPB) operations were unexpectedly suspended. This followed DOGE lead Elon Musk&#8217;s apparent call for the agency&#8217;s dissolution in an X post on Saturday, where he wrote &#8220;CFPB RIP.&#8221; The decision is expected to benefit financial firms facing ongoing enforcement actions.
What Happened: Shortly after Musk&#8217;s post, the CFPB&#8217;s acting director, Russell Vought, who also recently became the Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, took action.
Vought halted all pending CFPB investigations and supervisory activities. He then informed the Federal Reserve that the CFPB would not be requesting its next round of funding, citing the agency&#8217;s current $711.6 million balance as &#8220;excessive in the current fiscal environment.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Pursuant to the Consumer Financial Protection Act, I have notified the Federal Reserve that CFPB will not be taking its next draw of unappropriated funding because it is not &quot;reasonably necessary&quot; to carry out its duties. The Bureau&#39;s current balance of $711.6 million is in fact…
&mdash; Russ Vought (@russvought) <a href="https://twitter.com/russvought/status/1888423503537360986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Companies With Recent Enforcement Actions By CFPB</h3>
According to the CFPB <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/#:~:text=Early%20Warning%20Services%2C%20LLC;%20Bank,of%20dollars%20in%20consumer%20losses.">website</a>, it took recent actions on some listed companies like Equifax Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFX#NYSE">EFX</a>), Honda Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>), Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>), and others.
<ul>
<li>The Bureau, in a release dated Jan. 17, said that Equifax violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Honda Motor&#8217;s American Honda Finance Corporation furnished inaccurate consumer reporting information. In a release dated Jan. 16, CFPB issued an order against Jack Dorsey&#8217;s Block for failing to provide effective customer service for Cash App, citing the failure to provide live telephone agents.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>): The Bureau alleged that the firm&#8217;s representations for its 360 Savings account were false or misleading for a period ranging from December 2020 to at least August 2024.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>): CFPB alleged that Walmart and Branch Messenger Inc. engaged in unfair, abusive, and deceptive practices by requiring Walmart Spark drivers to use Branch accounts for payment, often without consent, and misrepresenting the Branch account&#8217;s features.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKT#NYSE">RKT</a>): The company allegedly violated the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act by giving things of value to real estate brokerages, including referrals, in exchange for referrals of real estate settlement business to Rocket Mortgage and Amrock.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Bureau also filed a lawsuit on Dec. 20, 2024, against Early Warning Services LLC., Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), alleging their failure to adequately protect the Zelle network from fraud and other vulnerabilities, leading to consumer losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42479974/us-lenders-file-joint-lawsuit-against-consumer-finance-watchdog-for-capping-overdraft-fees-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-citigroup-stocks-in-focus">US Lenders File Joint Lawsuit Against Consumer Finance Watchdog For Capping Overdraft Fees: Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Citigroup Stocks In Focus</a>
Why It Matters: Tesla Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO, Musk, who is charged with cutting wasteful federal spending via the Department of Government Efficiency, in an X <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1861644897490751865">post</a> dated Nov. 27, 2024 had said, &#8220;Delete CFPB. There are too many duplicative regulatory agencies.&#8221; 
The co-founder and CEO of Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) Brian Armstrong supported Musk and said &#8220;CFPB is unconstitutional&#8221; and the U.S. already has Department of Justice to prosecute fraud.
<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">100% the right call The CFPB is unconstitutional on the face of it. And even if it wasn't, it should be deleted as we already have DOJ to prosecute fraud, and (many) other financial services regulators. It's an activist organization that has done enormous harm to the country. <a href="https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt">https://t.co/GlbETlnsZt</a>
&mdash; Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/brian_armstrong/status/1888385895163953554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
However, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in an X post said &#8220;The CFPB is protected by law and we will fight to ensure it can continue to fight for consumers.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This is the richest man on earth bragging about destroying an agency that's returned BILLIONS of dollars to working Americans who were cheated by big corporations. Well guess what &#8211; the CFPB is protected by law and we will fight to ensure it can continue to fight for consumers. <a href="https://t.co/TDoof9dtGd">pic.twitter.com/TDoof9dtGd</a>
&mdash; Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisVanHollen/status/1888358187503661399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Also, Eric Feigl-Ding, the chairman of the Department of Public Health at New England Complex Systems Institute said that CFPB was &#8220;murdered by the richest man on Earth and his oligarchs.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">CFPB, the agency to help the poor fight corrupt banks and bad corporations, is dead (website and X account at least)… murdered by the richest man on Earth and his oligarchs. <a href="https://t.co/uruaia9wkX">pic.twitter.com/uruaia9wkX</a>
&mdash; Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1888780098058457180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
In December 2024, financial industry groups, including American Credit Unions, the Consumer Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, and the Mississippi Bankers Association filed a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42479974/us-lenders-file-joint-lawsuit-against-consumer-finance-watchdog-for-capping-overdraft-fees-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-citigroup-stocks-in-focus">joint lawsuit</a> against the CFPB over its new rule capping overdraft fees. The CFPB estimated the cap will save consumers up to $5 billion annually, or $225 per household.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43521806/deepseeks-hedge-fund-owner-had-multiple-top-projects-before-creating-the-firm-that-fueled-1-trillion-market-cap-erosion-of-ai-stocks">DeepSeek&#8217;s Hedge Fund Owner Had Multiple Top Projects Before Creating The Firm That Fueled $1 Trillion Market Cap Erosion Of AI Stocks</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

COIN

JPMorgan, BofA, Equifax, And Others May Get Relief After CFPB Dissolution: Maryland Senator Says He Will Ensure It Continues To 'Fight For Consumers'

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-07/bank-of-america-to-buy-9-billion-jumbo-mortgage-book-from-td?utm_medium=social&amp;cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amp;utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amp;utm_content=business&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;sref=ZoyErlU1" title="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-07/bank-of-america-to-buy-9-billion-jumbo-mortgage-book-from-td?utm_medium=social&amp;cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amp;utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amp;utm_content=business&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;sref=ZoyErlU1">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-07/bank-of-america-to-buy-9-billion-jumbo-mortgage-book-from-td?utm_medium=social&amp;cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amp;utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amp;utm_content=business&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;sref=ZoyErlU1</a>

'Bank Of America To Buy $9B Jumbo Mortgage Portfolio From TD' - Bloomberg News

It's a mixed session on Wall Street, with major indices struggling for direction as investors hold their breath ahead of a key jobs report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">set for Friday morning.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 edged up 0.3%, while the Dow Jones slipped 0.1% and small caps held steady.
Among the leading sectors, financial stocks outperformed after the Fed released the framework for 2025 bank stress test. The big six banks — JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), and Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) — all climbed more than 1%, with Citigroup surging 2.9%.
Eli Lilly Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) jumped 3.2% after topping earnings estimates, while Tapestry Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPR#NYSE">TPR</a>) surged 12% and Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>) skyrocketed nearly 10% on strong revenue figures. In contrast, Qualcomm (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) slid 4.3% on concerns over slowing smartphone demand.
Shares of Palantir Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) surged 6.5%, extending its weekly gains to 30.8%, the stock's best weekly rally since early November.
Oil prices had a volatile session. Crude initially dipped as speculation mounted over a potential Trump-Putin meeting as early as this month or next, raising hopes for possible peace talks in Ukraine. Prices rebounded after the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Iran's oil network.
Gold softened, dropping 0.6% from record highs and snapping a five-session winning streak.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) remained stable, hovering just below $97,000.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,742.18</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,082.15</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,316.14</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,811.50</td>
<td>-0.1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020325&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.3% to $605.83.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) eased 0.2% to $447.73.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;inched 0.3% up to $528.47.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) flattened at $229.55.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) outperformed, up 1.6%; the&nbsp;Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 1.7%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
Stocks reacting to corporate earnings, ordered by market capitalization, are:
<ul>
<li>Eli Lilly &amp; Co.: up 3.11%</li>
<li>Linde Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIN#NYSE">LIN</a>): up 0.34%</li>
<li>Philip Morris International Inc.: up 9.97%</li>
<li>Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HON#NASDAQ">HON</a>): down 5.33%</li>
<li>ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>): down 0.71%</li>
<li>Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HLT#NYSE">HLT</a>): up 4.65%</li>
<li>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>): down 2.04%</li>
<li>Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICE#NYSE">ICE</a>): up 4.95%</li>
<li>IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IQV#NYSE">IQV</a>): up 2.95%</li>
<li>Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUM#NYSE">YUM</a>): up 8.49%</li>
<li>Hershey Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>): up 5.16%</li>
<li>McKesson Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCK#NYSE">MCK</a>): down 2.56%</li>
<li>Qualcomm Inc.: down 4.41%</li>
<li>Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOH#NYSE">MOH</a>): down 8.68%</li>
<li>O&#8217;Reilly Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORLY#NASDAQ">ORLY</a>): down 1.87%</li>
<li>MetLife Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MET#NYSE">MET</a>): down 1.39%</li>
<li>Cognizant Technology Solutions (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTSH#NASDAQ">CTSH</a>): up 3.64%</li>
<li>Corteva Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTVA#NYSE">CTVA</a>): down 3.92%</li>
<li>Allstate Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALL#NYSE">ALL</a>): down 0.07%</li>
<li>Skyworks Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWKS#NASDAQ">SWKS</a>): down 23.74%</li>
<li>Aflac Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>): down 3.64%</li>
<li>Align Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALGN#NASDAQ">ALGN</a>): down 0.66%</li>
<li>Equifax Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFX#NYSE">EFX</a>): down 6.24%</li>
<li>Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZBH#NYSE">ZBH</a>): down 3.02%</li>
<li>Aptiv Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APTV#NYSE">APTV</a>): up 4.18%</li>
<li>Air Products &amp; Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APD#NYSE">APD</a>): down 1.75%</li>
<li>Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>): up 0.12%</li>
<li>Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>): down 6.74%</li>
</ul>
Stocks reporting after the close include: 
<ul>
<li>Amazon.com Inc. </li>
<li>Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>)</li>
<li>Fortinet Inc.</li>
<li>Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPE#NASDAQ">EXPE</a>)</li>
<li>Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTWO#NASDAQ">TTWO</a>)</li>
<li>Monolithic Power Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPWR#NASDAQ">MPWR</a>)</li>
<li>Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PINS#NYSE">PINS</a>)</li>
<li>SS&amp;C Technologies Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNC#NASDAQ">SSNC</a>)</li>
<li>Principal Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFG#NASDAQ">PFG</a>)</li>
<li>Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTD#NYSE">MTD</a>)</li>
<li>AptarGroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATR#NYSE">ATR</a>)</li>
<li>Post Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POST#NYSE">POST</a>)</li>
<li>Mohawk Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MHK#NYSE">MHK</a>)</li>
<li>Boyd Gaming Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYD#NYSE">BYD</a>)</li>
<li>Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EHC#NYSE">EHC</a>)</li>
<li>VeriSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>)</li>
<li>Cloudflare Inc. </li>
<li>Skechers USA Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKX#NYSE">SKX</a>)</li>
<li>Affirm Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>)</li>
<li>Elf Beauty Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>)</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43534297/january-jobs-report-preview-speculators-bet-on-strong-payroll-surge-yet-economists-predict-a-different-picture">January Jobs Report Preview: Speculators Bet On Strong Payroll Surge, Yet Economists Predict A Different Picture</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

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

Cryptocurrency

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$BTC

AFRM

ALGN

APTV

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EXPE

ILMN

MPWR

ORLY

PINS

POST

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SSNC

SWKS

TTWO

VRSN

XLRE

Stocks Edge Higher, Bank Giants Rally, Palantir Skyrockets: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/fed-tells-banks-they-won-t-need-to-do-climate-stress-tests?srnd=phx-fixed-income" title="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/fed-tells-banks-they-won-t-need-to-do-climate-stress-tests?srnd=phx-fixed-income">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/fed-tells-banks-they-won-t-need-to-do-climate-stress-tests?srnd=phx-fixed-income</a>

Macro Economic Events

Federal Reserve

"Fed Tells Banks They Won't Need to Do Climate Stress Tests; US central bank initiated the pilot program two years ago; Decision impacts lenders, including JPMorgan and Citigroup" - Bloomberg News

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Financials sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ITUB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$6.00</td>
<td>$60.7K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/07/25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$99.5K</td>
<td>7.1K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SOFI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$38.2K</td>
<td>10.3K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$234.5K</td>
<td>387</td>
<td>713</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FLG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$15.00</td>
<td>$72.9K</td>
<td>7.4K</td>
<td>576</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TFC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$52.50</td>
<td>$34.5K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>191</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COIN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$53.1K</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>133</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$42.7K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
<td>132</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/14/25</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$102.7K</td>
<td>145</td>
<td>130</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
<td>$27.4K</td>
<td>370</td>
<td>118</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding ITUB (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITUB#NYSE">ITUB</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 43 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 4053 contract(s) at a $6.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $60.7K, with a price of $15.0 per contract. There were 2359 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4768 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding C (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on February 7, 2025. Parties traded 550 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $99.5K, with a price of $181.0 per contract. There were 7122 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1827 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SOFI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 497 day(s) on June 18, 2026. This event was a transfer of 128 contract(s) at a $20.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.2K, with a price of $299.0 per contract. There were 10327 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1565 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For BAC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 708 day(s) on January 15, 2027. This event was a transfer of 262 contract(s) at a $45.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 16 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $234.5K, with a price of $895.0 per contract. There were 387 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 713 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For FLG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLG#NYSE">FLG</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 344 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 540 contract(s) at a $15.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 17 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $72.9K, with a price of $135.0 per contract. There were 7487 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 576 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding TFC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 225 day(s) on September 19, 2025. Parties traded 191 contract(s) at a $52.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 25 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.5K, with a price of $181.0 per contract. There were 2648 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 191 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For COIN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 134 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 2 contract(s) at a $10.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $53.1K, with a price of $26574.0 per contract. There were 21 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 133 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BX (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 43 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 90 contract(s) at a $180.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $42.7K, with a price of $476.0 per contract. There were 3276 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 132 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UPST (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPST#NASDAQ">UPST</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on February 14, 2025. Parties traded 106 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 22 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $102.7K, with a price of $970.0 per contract. There were 145 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 130 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For WU (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WU#NYSE">WU</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 15 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 117 contract(s) at a $9.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.4K, with a price of $235.0 per contract. There were 370 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 118 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

ITUB

SOFI

UPST

10 Financials Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Banks have successfully sold $5.5 billion in loans tied to X Corp., the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, amid <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43373012/elon-musk-bringing-advertisers-back-to-x-amazon-boosts-spending-apple-considers-return">surging investor demand</a>. 
What Happened: The sale, which was initially planned at $3 billion, was expanded due to heightened interest, with investors including Pimco and Citadel purchasing the loans at 97 cents on the dollar, people familiar with the matter <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/banks-sell-5-5-billion-of-x-loans-after-investor-interest-surges-4b84f89c?st=GYpPqP&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink">told</a> The Wall Street Journal. 
The floating-rate debts carry an interest rate of approximately 11%—a premium even compared to some of Wall Street's riskiest loans.
The transaction underscores the renewed investor enthusiasm surrounding X Corp. following Musk's growing influence in Washington and the return of key advertisers, such as Amazon.com Inc. The platform faced significant turmoil after Musk's $44 billion acquisition in 2022, as advertisers pulled back due to concerns over content moderation. While X is still grappling with financial challenges, recent signs of stability have drawn fresh interest from investors.
At a recent investor meeting led by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) bankers and X CEO Linda Yaccarino, financial documents revealed that Musk's artificial intelligence startup, xAI, has injected hundreds of millions of dollars into X. The two entities share executives and business ties, and X now holds a 10% stake in xAI, valued at approximately $5 billion, according to the WSJ report.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43513408/arm-holdings-stock-slides-on-q3-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-revised-guidance-and-more">Arm Holdings Stock Slides On Q3 Earnings: Revenue Beat, EPS Beat, Revised Guidance And More</a>
Why It Matters: The loan sale is a significant win for the banks, including Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and Barclays (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BCS#NYSE">BCS</a>), which originally extended financing for Musk's 2022 buyout. The sluggish performance of X and high interest rates had forced them to hold onto the debt far longer than expected.
Despite the successful sale, the banks still retain around $6 billion in X-related debt, some of which is considered riskier. X remains under financial pressure, with annual interest payments exceeding $1 billion. 
With major advertisers like Amazon ramping up spending and Apple Inc. reportedly considering reintroducing ads. 
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43511849/strategy-q4-earnings-bitcoin-treasury-company-spends-205b-on-btc-shares-inch-higher-despite-revenue-miss">Strategy Q4 Earnings: Bitcoin Treasury Company Spends $20.5B On BTC, Shares Inch Higher Despite Revenue Miss</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.

Social Media

Elon Musk's Lenders Cash In $5.5 Billion Thanks To Investor Demand For X Loans: Report

Bank Of America Remains Bullish On Silver

Dividends

Press Releases

Bank of America Declares Preferred Stock Dividends for First Quarter 2025

Bank of America Announces Redemption of $1,500,000,000 Floating Rate Senior Notes, Due February 2026

Record $36 Million Raised for Charity at the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Bank of America Announces Redemption of $1,500,000,000 2.015% Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Notes, Due February 2026

Bank of America Declares First Quarter 2025 Stock Dividends

Bank of America Names Maria Martinez to Board of Directors

Bank of America Announces Full Redemption of Its Series AA Preferred Stock and Related Depositary Shares

Fintech

BofA Receives Top Rankings in Digital, Corporate Banking and Cash Management from Crisil Coalition Greenwich

Bank of America Announces Redemption of CAD550,000,000 3.515% Fixed/Floating Rate Senior Notes, Due March 2026

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares

Bank Bradesco

Banco Bradesco Sa American Depositary Shares (each representing one Common Share)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Common Stock

BBVA

Barclays

Banco Santander Brasil SA American Depositary Shares, each representing one unit

Banco Santander

Citigroup

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

First Citizens BancShares

Fifth Third Bancorp

HDFC Bank

HSBC Holdings

ICICI Bank

ING Groep

Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA American Depositary Shares (Each repstg 500 Preferred shares)

Itau Unibanco Holding

JPMorgan Chase

KB Financial Group

Lloyds Banking Group Plc American Depositary Shares

Lloyds Banking Group

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. Sponosred ADR (Japan)

Mizuho Financial Gr

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Common Stock

Mitsubishi UFJ Finl Gr

Nu Holdings

NatWest Group plc American Depositary Shares, (each representing two (2) Ordinary Shares)

NatWest Group

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) Common Stock

PNC Finl Servs Gr

Banco Santander, S.A. Sponsored ADR (Spain)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc Unsponsored American Depositary Shares (Japan)

Comments

Bank of America

Unusual Options Activity for

ニュース

パートナーシップ

ベンジンガ・グローバル

Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
01:37 PMFeb 19, 2025	PUT	$45.00	Jan 16, 2026	327	4770	4500	22	21289	TRADE	BEARISH
11:04 AMFeb 19, 2025	CALL	$55.00	Jan 15, 2027	691	2072	2050	32	6577	TRADE	NEUTRAL
12:09 PMFeb 14, 2025	PUT	$35.00	Jan 15, 2027	691	5000	5000	447	1119	TRADE	BULLISH
03:39 PMFeb 13, 2025	CALL	$47.00	Sep 19, 2025	208	3511	1500	47	7509	TRADE	BEARISH
10:19 AMFeb 13, 2025	CALL	$45.00	Mar 21, 2025	26	2517	2500	14	18172	TRADE	BULLISH