Hewlett Packard Option Alert: Jan 16 $20 Calls Sweep (16) near the midpoint: 1427 vs 11671 OI; Earnings 3/6 After Close 

Hewlett Packard Option Alert: Jan 16 $20 Calls Sweep (16) near the midpoint: 1427 @ $3.9 vs 11671 OI; Earnings 3/6 After Close Ref=$21.41

Hewlett Packard Option Alert: Jan 16 $20 Calls at the Ask: 1501 vs 11671 OI; Earnings 3/6 After Close 

Hewlett Packard Option Alert: Jan 16 $20 Calls at the Ask: 1501 @ $3.9 vs 11671 OI; Earnings 3/6 After Close Ref=$21.425

Hewlett Packard Option Alert: Mar, 2026 $18 Puts at the Ask: 4000 vs 0 OI; Earnings 3/6 After Close 

Hewlett Packard Option Alert: Mar, 2026 $18 Puts at the Ask: 4000 @ $1.64 vs 0 OI; Earnings 3/6 After Close Ref=$21.145

Hewlett Packard (NYSE:HPE) 株価情報

Hewlett Packard

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is an information technology vendor that provides hardware and software to enterprises. Its primary product lines are compute servers, storage arrays, and networking equipment; it also has a high-performance computing business. HPE's stated goal is to be a complete edge-to-cloud company. Its portfolio enables hybrid clouds and hyperconverged infrastructure. It uses a primarily outsourced manufacturing model and employs 60,000 people worldwide.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Common Stock

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company 7.625% Series C Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

WIIM

Floor & Decor shares are trading higher after Stifel upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy and raised its price target from $100 to $110.

Conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway (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>) shares hit all-time highs Monday on the heels of the company's<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900955/berkshire-hathaways-q4-profits-soar-71-warren-buffett-says-his-firm-has-paid-more-taxes-than-tech-titans-in-trillions"> annual shareholder letter</a> from CEO Warren Buffett.
An analyst sees more upside ahead after the report.
The Berkshire Hathaway Analyst: Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Meyer Shields maintains a Market Perform rating and raised the price target on Class A shares (BRK-A) from $750,000 to $775,000.
You may not be a billionaire like Warren Buffett, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43900861/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-54">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
The Analyst Takeaways: Berkshire beat Street estimates for operating earnings per share in the fourth quarter, helped by higher-than-expected insurance underwriting and insurance income, Shields said in a new investor note.
The analyst said <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43893285/warren-buffetts-annual-shareholder-letter-arrives-saturday-could-investors-get-updates-on-apple-succession-new-investments">the insurance segment</a>, which included strong results from the company's GEICO division, was enough to offset lower-than-expected results from segments like railroads, utilities and energy.
For the consumer products segment, Jazwares was highlighted by the analyst as having lower revenue that offset gains for the company's apparel, footwear and Duracell brands inside the segment.
Shields raises 2025 earnings per share estimates based on higher insurance income.
"We expect the EPS beat and GEICO's strong underwriting results to boost BRK's shares on Monday," Shields said.
While Shields raised the price target, the market perform rating remains with the analyst saying items like ongoing macro uncertainty and the management succession risks potential negatives for the company.
"We don't recommend Berkshire's stock over broader indices."
The analyst is cautious on Berkshire's non-insurance units, which are more likely to have growth and margin expansion in 2026.
"We think that Berkshire's size and diversification point to broadly in-line performance with the S&amp;P 500."
Shields said Buffett's annual shareholder letter "was fairly short and contained little new information."
BRK-A Price Action: Berkshire stock is up 3.93% to $747,000 on Monday, hitting a new all-time high of $749,611.40 earlier in the trading session. The company is now valued at $1.07 trillion and passed Tesla Monday as the eighth highest-valued public company in the world.
Berkshire stock is up 21% over the last year, outpacing the 18.3% gain for the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust, which tracks the S&amp;P 500.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42832123/warren-buffett-beats-sp-500-in-2024-how-oracle-of-omahas-returns-compare-over-past-20-years">Warren Buffett Beats S&amp;P 500 In 2024, How Oracle Of Omaha&#8217;s Returns Compare Over Past 20 Years</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Stock Hits New All-Time Highs, Passes Tesla: Analyst Sees More Upside Ahead

Transdigm Group shares are trading higher after UBS upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and announced a price target of $1595.

Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Goldfarb maintains Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPP#NYSE">HPP</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $4.5 to $3.5.

News

Piper Sandler Maintains Neutral on Hudson Pacific Properties, Lowers Price Target to $3.5

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/autonomous-vehicles" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese autonomous startup</a> WeRide Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WRD#NASDAQ">WRD</a>) stock surged Monday after the company received approval to deploy its latest Robotaxi, the GXR, for fully <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/g43908633/werides-latest-robotaxi-gxr-to-start-first-fully-unmanned-commercial-operations-in-beijing" rel="noreferrer noopener">driverless ride-hailing services in Beijing.</a>
This milestone marks the company&#8217;s second Robotaxi model to operate without a safety driver in the city and GXR&#8217;s first major commercial rollout in China, following its debut on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42363171/uber-and-weride-come-together-to-launch-robotaxi-service-in-abu-dhabi" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uber&#8217;s platform in Abu Dhabi last December</a>.
The GXR Robotaxi operates in key areas of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Zone, including high-speed railway stations. It is approved for highway routes, such as those to Beijing Daxing International Airport.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43906182/tesla-begins-hiring-for-cybercab-manufacturing-as-elon-musk-led-ev-giant-prepares-for-robotaxi-rollout" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Begins Hiring For Cybercab Manufacturing As Elon Musk-Led EV Giant Prepares For Robotaxi Rollout</a>
WeRide said it is the only autonomous driving technology&nbsp;company with commercial Robotaxi operations in China and abroad. Its services are available in multiple cities, including Beijing, Abu Dhabi, and, soon, Zurich in 2025. Following the GXR&#8217;s commercial launch, WeRide aims to expand its Beijing fleet to several hundred vehicles by 2025.
Two weeks ago, WeRide announced significant developments, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43739878/nvidia-shifts-strategy-boosts-weride-investment-trims-arm-stake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia&#8217;s investment in the company</a>, with the tech giant acquiring 1.74 million shares by the end of December. This follows WeRide&#8217;s partnership with Uber last December to launch a large-scale Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, Uber&#8217;s biggest outside the U.S. and China.
Price Action: WRD shares are trading higher by 2.99% at $25.15 at the last check Monday.
Photo Source: WeRide Inc.

Movers

WeRide's GXR Robotaxi Launches First Fully Driverless Commercial Service In Beijing: Details

Bristol-Myers Squibb shares are trading higher after the company announced its Opdivo-Yervoy combo has received an FDA Priority Review designation for metastatic colorectal cancer

Piper Sandler analyst Arvind Ramnani maintains Block (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $101 to $85.

Piper Sandler Maintains Overweight on Block, Lowers Price Target to $85

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="935" height="557" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153946/image-3.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-6450" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153946/image-3.jpeg 935w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153946/image-3-300x179.jpeg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24153946/image-3-768x458.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 935px) 100vw, 935px" /></figure>
<a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1ecb5cc-5f10-4de6-9e6f-b207e64777f5_2830x1688.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>A cutout of Warren Buffett at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting
Warren Buffett, legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, wants everyone to know that he remains a long-term bull on U.S. stocks.
"Despite what some commentators currently view as an extraordinary cash position at Berkshire, the great majority of your money remains in equities," Buffett said this in his new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders</a>. "That preference won't change."
Buffett appears to be responding to the many news headlines emphasizing Berkshire's growing cash position. Here are a few from the past few weeks:
Why Is Warren Buffett Hoarding So Much Cash? &#8211;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-cash-annual-letter-2c956952">WSJ</a>
As investors await Warren Buffett's annual letter, is Berkshire Hathaway hoarding cash out of fear — or waiting for an opportunity? &#8211;&nbsp;<a href="https://fortune.com/2025/02/21/warren-buffett-annual-letter-berkshire-hathaway-hoarding-cash/">Fortune</a>
Warren Buffett Is Out of Step With Markets. Berkshire Hathaway Keeps Selling Stocks. &#8211;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-stocks-sales-portfolio-holdings-92567500">Barron's</a>
Warren Buffett's growing cash pile and 3 other things to watch for in Berkshire's investor letter &#8211;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/warren-buffetts-growing-cash-pile-and-3-other-things-investors-want-to-hear-about-in-berkshires-investor-letter-b9b4690e">MarketWatch</a>
Berkshire's cash pile grew to&nbsp;<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/warren-buffett-says-berkshire-hathaway-did-better-than-i-expected-last-year-in-latest-letter-to-shareholders-151248284.html">$334 billion in 2024</a>, up from $167.6 billion the year prior.
Buffett acknowledges that the value of&nbsp;marketable&nbsp;equities — companies that continue to trade publicly in the stock market — held by Berkshire declined last year.
But he also takes a more holistic view of Berkshire's portfolio, which includes 189 companies that Berkshire owns. These are companies that don't trade on the stock market like GEICO, Precision Castparts, BNSF, Pilot Travel Centers, Clayton Homes, and Fruit of the Loom.
"While our ownership in marketable equities moved downward last year from $354 billion to $272 billion, the value of our non-quoted controlled equities increased somewhat and remains far greater than the value of the marketable portfolio," he wrote.
Businesses ‘usually find a way' &#x1f4aa;
Commentators can read into Berkshire's quarterly and annual tweaks however they like.
But Buffett's long-term optimism for American business hasn't changed, which is why he'd rather be invested in stocks over bonds or cash.
"Berkshire shareholders can rest assured that we will forever deploy a substantial majority of their money in equities – mostly American equities although many of these will have international operations of significance," Buffett wrote. "Berkshire will never prefer ownership of cash-equivalent assets over the ownership of good businesses, whether controlled or only partially owned."
Buffett's comments come as the U.S. debt and deficit — as well as the Trump administration's effort to address it all —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-21/senate-budget-vote-leaves-hurdles-for-trump-tax-cuts-debt-limit">dominate headlines</a>. Any development in this area has implications for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/us-dollar-strength-headwind-context">the dollar</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/interest-rates-volatility-impact-stock-market">interest rates</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/hot-economic-charts-that-cooled">economic activity broadly</a>.
"Paper money can see its value evaporate if fiscal folly prevails," he added. "In some countries, this reckless practice has become habitual, and, in our country's short history, the U.S. has come close to the edge. Fixed-coupon bonds provide no protection against runaway currency."
Businesses are not totally immune to emerging challenges. But history has shown repeatedly that they are quick to adapt and evolve in their relentless pursuit of growth. (We discussed this in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/investing-risks-ceteris-paribus-all-else-equal">last week's TKer</a>.)
"Businesses, as well as individuals with desired talents, however, will usually find a way to cope with monetary instability as long as their goods or services are desired by the country's citizenry," Buffett said. "I have depended on the success of American businesses and I will continue to do so."
The long game is undefeated &#x1f52d;
None of this is to suggest stocks will only go up from here.
Buffett would be the first to tell you he has "<a href="https://www.tker.co/i/52908689/we-have-not-been-good-at-timing">not been good at timing</a>" the market.
In fact, one of his most bullish essays, a New York Times op-ed titled "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17buffett.html">Buy American. I Am,</a>" came just before the S&amp;P 500 fell another 26% before the market bottomed in March 2009.
But the thesis of his piece ultimately held, and those who bought U.S. equities at the time did extraordinarily well in the years to follow.
The American brand of capitalism Buffett promotes isn't just about how companies are able to come up with great goods and services. Rather, it's about how they are unmatched at overcoming what often appear to be insurmountable challenges.
While investors should always&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/p/stock-market-down-days-drawdowns-down-years-normal">brace for short-term volatility</a>, they should also stay focused on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tker.co/i/42137695/the-long-game-is-undefeated">the long game, which remains undefeated</a>.

Exclusives

Markets

General

Warren Buffett: America's Businesses 'Usually Find A Way'

Li Auto Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) shares are trading lower by 4.75% to $26.16 during Monday&#8217;s session, pulling back following recent strength. The stock has gained some 13% over the trailing month amid a broader rally in Chinese equities. The surge came after Alibaba Group Holding Ltd &#8211; ADR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/02/43888574/alibabas-ai-expansion-e-commerce-growth-reinforce-bullish-analyst-outlook">strong earnings</a> last week, reigniting investor confidence in China's economic recovery and tech sector.
What To Know: As a leading Chinese EV manufacturer specializing in extended-range electric SUVs, Li Auto benefits from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/02/43761193/xi-jinping-and-jack-mas-upcoming-meeting-a-clear-message-of-beijings-support-stock-soars-in-hong-kong-ahead-of-earnings">improving consumer sentiment</a>. Alibaba's earnings highlight a rebound in Chinese spending, particularly among affluent buyers—an encouraging sign for Li Auto's premium EV market.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43906541/alibaba-to-invest-a-massive-53-billion-in-ai-infrastructure-taking-on-trumps-stargate-ai-plan">Alibaba To Invest A Massive $53 Billion In AI Infrastructure, Taking On Trump&#8217;s Stargate AI Plan</a>
Recent investor optimism also stems from increased government support for private firms and AI-driven technologies, easing regulatory concerns for Chinese companies listed in the U.S. Li Auto has expanded its production capacity and invested in AI-powered smart vehicles, aligning with this trend.
Additionally, renewed foreign interest in Chinese growth stocks played a role, as two tech firms raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43884588/alibaba-leads-china-stock-rally-as-deepseeks-ai-breakthrough-and-xis-support-boost-investor-confidence">$500 million</a> through offshore equity sales. While Li Auto is pulling back after recent gains, strong macroeconomic tailwinds and capital inflows into the EV sector could support its long-term growth.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43915797/why-nikola-nkla-stock-is-getting-hammered">Why Nikola Stock Is Getting Hammered</a>
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, LI has a 52-week high of $46.44 and a 52-week low of $17.44.

BABA

Li Auto Stock Is Falling: What's Going On?

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24121709/image-3-10.png" alt="" class="wp-image-6345" style="width:546px;height:auto" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24121709/image-3-10.png 1024w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24121709/image-3-10-300x225.png 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24121709/image-3-10-768x576.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">ESG, SRI and Impact Investing</figcaption></figure>
Environmental, Social, and Governance (<a href="https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary/environmental-social-and-governance-esg-investing">ESG</a>) investments and investing has become a dominant theme in global financial markets, often viewed as a bridge between ethical responsibility and financial performance. While some critics argue that ESG is merely a marketing tool or a form of so called &#8220;greenwashing,&#8221; investors increasingly recognize its role in risk mitigation and long-term value creation. But does ESG investing truly generate returns, or is it simply an ideological movement with limited financial merit?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What ESG Really Means for Investors</h2>
ESG investing is not just about supporting environmentally friendly or socially responsible companies—it's fundamentally about assessing risk. Companies that fail to manage environmental impact, labor relations, or governance structures expose themselves to financial volatility and regulatory challenges. For example, firms with poor sustainability practices may face lawsuits, supply chain disruptions, or reputational damage, all of which can negatively impact stock performance.
Investors, who integrate ESG criteria into their strategies are not necessarily sacrificing returns for principles; rather, they are seeking to minimize downside risks. Data increasingly suggests that companies with strong ESG profiles tend to outperform over the long term, particularly in sectors where regulatory scrutiny and consumer preferences are shifting toward sustainability.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ESG vs. SRI vs. Impact Investing: Understanding the Differences</h2>
A lot of people often confuse these definitions. One common misconception is that ESG, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), and Impact Investing are interchangeable. While they share similarities, their objectives are distinct:
<ul>
<li>ESG Investing is a framework for evaluating risks and opportunities within a company, ensuring long-term sustainability and compliance with evolving regulations.</li>
<li>Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) involves actively excluding companies based on ethical criteria, such as avoiding industries like tobacco, weapons, or fossil fuels.</li>
<li>Impact Investing focuses on generating measurable social or environmental benefits alongside financial returns, often targeting specific projects like renewable energy or social housing.</li>
</ul>
Unlike SRI, ESG does not exclude companies outright but instead ranks them based on risk exposure and management. This makes ESG a more flexible approach, allowing investors to engage with firms and drive positive change rather than simply divesting.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regulatory and Market Trends Shaping ESG Investing</h2>
ESG regulations vary significantly across regions. In Europe, the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) imposes strict requirements on fund managers to classify and report ESG-related risks. The UK has adopted similar policies, while the U.S. approach remains more fragmented, with ongoing debates over corporate disclosure mandates.
As regulatory frameworks tighten, businesses that fail to comply with ESG expectations risk exclusion from major investment portfolios. This is particularly relevant in industries with significant environmental impact, such as energy and manufacturing, where failing to meet sustainability targets can limit access to capital.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Future of ESG Investing: Will It Evolve into SRI?</h2>
A growing discussion in financial circles is whether ESG investing will transition into SRI-style exclusionary practices. As institutional investors face increasing pressure to align with sustainability goals, the temptation to outright divest from companies that fail ESG criteria is rising. However, many argue that engagement, rather than exclusion, is the more effective strategy. By holding shares in companies and leveraging voting power, investors can push for reforms in governance, environmental policies, and labor practices.
The key challenge for ESG investing moving forward will be maintaining credibility. If firms continue to exploit ESG as a branding exercise without measurable progress, regulatory bodies may enforce stricter guidelines, making ESG closer to SRI in practice.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ESG as a Financial Strategy, Not Just an Ethical Choice</h2>
The debate over ESG's profitability continues, but one fact remains clear: ESG is no longer just an ethical preference—it's a financial strategy. Investors who recognize the role of ESG in risk management can gain a competitive edge, navigating regulatory landscapes and capitalizing on shifting market trends. Whether ESG investing will eventually converge with SRI or remain a distinct strategy is yet to be seen, but its influence on capital markets is undeniable. As companies face increasing scrutiny, those with strong ESG foundations are likely to emerge as long-term winners.

Are ESG Investments Actually Profitable?

Piper Sandler analyst Charles Neivert maintains Ecolab (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $270 to $310.

Piper Sandler Maintains Overweight on Ecolab, Raises Price Target to $310

<div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">
The moment you receive a foreclosure notice, your world can feel like it&#8217;s crumbling. After years of building a home and creating memories, facing the loss of your sanctuary is a devastating reality many homeowners never imagined they&#8217;d confront.&nbsp;
The impact of foreclosure extends far beyond the loss of your home. Your credit score can plummet significantly, affecting everything from future housing opportunities to employment prospects. However, there&#8217;s a silver lining: credit rehabilitation is achievable with the right strategy, dedication, and patience.&nbsp;
Understanding that rebuilding takes time, we'll walk you through the foreclosure process and, more importantly, chart your path to recovery. Whether you&#8217;re currently facing foreclosure or dealing with its aftermath, you&#8217;ll discover how to rebuild your credit score and work toward a stronger financial foundation.
</div>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Happens During a Foreclosure?</h2>
A typical foreclosure process goes this way:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>Missed Payments: The process begins when a homeowner falls behind on mortgage payments, usually after 90 days of missed payments.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Notice of Default: The lender issues a formal written notice warning that foreclosure proceedings will begin if the loan isn&#8217;t brought current. It typically arrives after 3-6 months of missed payments and is your last opportunity to arrange a payment plan.</li>
<li>Legal Action: The next steps depend on your state&#8217;s laws. For judicial foreclosure states, lenders must file a lawsuit and go through the court system. On the other hand, non-judicial foreclosure states allow lenders to proceed with foreclosure based on the deed of trust, leading to a quicker process.</li>
<li>Acceleration of the Loan: At this point, the lender may demand full repayment of the entire outstanding loan balance, not just the missed payments.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Lis Pendens (Notice of Pending Legal Action): After that, a public notice will be issued to all prospective buyers and creditors that legal action regarding foreclosure is pending.</li>
<li>Foreclosure Sale (Auction): If the debt remains unpaid, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/buying-a-foreclosed-home">home is auctioned</a> to recover the lender&#8217;s loss. If there are no higher bids, the lender often buys the property to resell later.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Eviction: If the homeowner has not vacated the property after the foreclosure sale, the new owner can initiate legal eviction proceedings to remove any remaining occupants.</li>
</ol>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Judicial and Non-Judical</h3>
While that's the typical foreclosure process, it is essential to note that foreclosures can happen in two ways: judicial and non-judicial. A scenario for you: let&#8217;s say you&#8217;re faced with a lender trying to foreclose your house; the process will go in one of two ways, depending on where you live:&nbsp;
1. Judicial Foreclosure: In states requiring judicial foreclosure, lenders must file a lawsuit and obtain court approval before foreclosing on your property. This process provides important legal protection: you&#8217;ll receive formal notice of the proceedings, have the opportunity to present your case in court, and potentially negotiate alternatives to foreclosure. While this process typically takes several months to a year, it gives you valuable time to explore options like loan modification or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mortgage-refinance-lenders">refinancing</a>.
2. Non-Judicial Foreclosure: States that permit non-judicial foreclosure allow lenders to proceed without court intervention. This streamlined process moves much faster—often completed within a few months. While you&#8217;ll still receive notice of default, the accelerated timeline means you must act quickly to explore alternatives with your lender.
Regardless of which process applies in your state, immediate action is crucial when facing foreclosure.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How to Mitigate Your Losses In a Foreclosure</h3>
If you&#8217;re experiencing difficulty paying the mortgage, contact your lender immediately. Most lenders prefer to work out a solution rather than proceed with foreclosure, offering several loss mitigation options that could help you avoid losing your home. This includes:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>Mortgage Forbearance: This is a temporary solution that allows you to reduce or suspend payments during financial hardship. The missed payments are typically added to the end of your loan term or repaid through a modified payment plan. While this provides immediate relief, carefully consider how you&#8217;ll manage the resumed payments.</li>
<li>Loan Modification: Through modification, your lender may adjust your loan terms to make payments more manageable. This could include extending the loan term or even reducing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-mortgage-interest-rates-work">interest rate</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Short Sale Option: If keeping your home isn&#8217;t feasible, a short sale allows you to sell the property for less than you owe, with lender approval. While this still impacts your credit, it generally causes less damage than a foreclosure and may help you avoid owing a deficiency balance. When weighing a short sale, it's also crucial to review your <a href="https://propertychecker.com/property-tax-calculator">property tax status</a>. Unpaid taxes can add to your overall debt and may affect lender approval.</li>
</ol>
Pro Tip: Remember that foreclosure timelines vary significantly by state, as some processes are complete in just a few months, while others take a year or more. The sooner you act, the more options you&#8217;ll have to avoid foreclosure or minimize its impact on your credit.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Does a Foreclosure Affect Your Credit?</h2>
A foreclosure represents a major default on a financial obligation, sending a strong negative signal to future lenders. When reported to credit bureaus, it triggers consequences that can impact your financial life for years to come. Here's how:&nbsp;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Immediate Impact on Credit Scores</h3>
The most immediate and dramatic effect is a substantial drop in your credit score, making it harder to get approved for new loans or credit. Typically, a foreclosure can slash your score by 100 points or more, with higher starting scores often seeing steeper declines.&nbsp;
For example, someone with an excellent score of 780 might drop to 640-680, while a score of 680 might fall to 575-595. This impact is particularly severe because payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Long-Term Credit Implications&nbsp;</h3>
The foreclosure remains on your credit report for seven years from the date of your first missed payment. During this period, you&#8217;ll likely face difficulty qualifying for new credit cards and loans, significantly higher interest rates on any approved credit, potential challenges with rental applications, and possible impact on employment opportunities in financial sectors
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. The Deficiency Balance Challenge</h3>
<div class="wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
Even after foreclosure, you might face an additional credit hurdle: the deficiency balance. This occurs when the foreclosure sale price doesn&#8217;t cover your remaining mortgage balance. For example, if you owed $300,000 but the property sold for $250,000, you&#8217;d have a $50,000 deficiency balance. This balance can affect your credit in two ways:
<ul>
<li>If unpaid, it appears as additional negative debt</li>
<li>If forgiven, it&#8217;s reported as &#8220;settled for less than owed,&#8221; which still impacts your creditworthiness</li>
</ul>
Overall, while these effects are significant, they&#8217;re not permanent. The impact on your credit score slowly reduces, especially if you maintain positive credit habits. Many former homeowners successfully rebuild their credit profiles and qualify for new mortgages within 3-7 years, though initially at higher interest rates.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Improve Your Credit Scores After a Foreclosure</h2>
Sticking to good money habits can set you on the path to rebuilding your credit score, but it won't happen overnight. The key is to take proactive measures, demonstrating a good money management history. Let's explore some of them below. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Monitor Credit Reports and Scores</h3>
The first step to fixing credit is closely monitoring your credit reports. You are legally entitled to free credit reports from all the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). While reviewing this, focus on:
<ul>
<li>Verifying the foreclosure is accurately reported</li>
<li>Identifying and disputing any errors or inaccuracies</li>
<li>Watching for signs of identity theft</li>
<li>Tracking your progress as you rebuild</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Address the Deficiency Balance</h3>
If your foreclosure results in a deficiency balance, the remaining amount owed after the foreclosure sale would require you to handle repayment strategically. Some lenders may be interested in negotiating a payment plan or settling for a reduced amount. However, be cautious when considering debt settlement, as it may have tax implications or further impact your credit score.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Re-establish Positive Payment History</h3>
Your payment history contributes the largest percentage to your credit score, accounting for 35%. Paying all your bills, including rent, electricity, gas, and another credit account, on time can improve your score and, by extension, lenders&#8217; trust in you. Here are a few strategies you can employ:
<ul>
<li>Secured Credit Cards: A secured credit card requires an upfront security deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. For example, a $500 deposit gives you a $500 credit line. These cards are specifically designed for credit building, making them ideal after foreclosure. Look out for cards that report to the major credit bureaus and charge minimal annual fees.</li>
<li>Credit Builder Loans: Unlike traditional loans, the lender holds your borrowed amount in a secured savings account while you make monthly payments. Each payment is reported to the major credit bureaus, helping establish a positive payment history. After completing the loan term, you receive the full loan amount plus any interest earned.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Authorized User Status: Setting up as an authorized user on a responsible family member&#8217;s or friend&#8217;s credit card can help build a credit history. However, not every lender reports authorized user transactions, so it&#8217;s best to verify before relying on this strategy.</li>
<li>Installment Loans (Auto Loans, Personal Loans): Installment loans can be powerful tools for rebuilding credit, provided you choose them strategically. While approval may be challenging after foreclosure, lenders typically offer options with higher interest rates. As much as possible, focus on loans you can comfortably afford.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
These strategies might prove to be challenging at first, but they are effective in credit score recovery in the long run.&nbsp;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Keep Credit Utilization Low</h3>
Credit utilization is crucial in your credit recovery, accounting for 30% of your FICO score. The key is maintaining a low utilization ratio across all your credit cards. Aim to keep balances below 30% of your credit limits, but for faster credit score improvement, try to stay under 10%. For example, on a $1,000 credit limit, keep your balance below $300 (30% threshold).&nbsp;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. Be Patient and Consistent</h3>
It will take time to rebuild credit after a foreclosure, but consistent, prudent financial habits will pay off. Avoid quick fixes, like credit repair schemes that "guarantee" overnight success. Instead, work on long-term approaches that prove your dependability to lenders. Over time, these habits will qualify you for higher credit opportunities, lower interest rates, and even an eventual mortgage.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bottom Line: Rebuilding Your Credit Takes Time&nbsp;</h2>
<div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex">
Repairing credit after foreclosure may seem daunting, but it is possible with the right approach and determination. You can start rebuilding your financial health by regularly monitoring your credit reports, addressing any deficits, and making regular, on-time payments. Some strategies, such as using secured credit cards, credit builder loans, and credit utilization maintenance, will also significantly strengthen your credit score.
Your credit score won&#8217;t recover overnight, but each positive financial decision builds momentum toward recovery. Many former homeowners see significant improvement after two years of consistent positive credit behavior, with some qualifying for new mortgages within 3-7 years of foreclosure. In addition, you should consider working with a qualified credit counselor for personalized guidance. This will help restore your financial stability and help you work toward new opportunities for homeownership.
</div>
&nbsp;
</div>

Legal

Personal Finance

Real Estate

Rebuilding Your Credit After A Foreclosure

On Monday, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BCRX#NASDAQ">BCRX</a>) released results from an interim analysis of the ongoing APeX-P trial.
The study centered on an oral granule formulation of once-daily Orladeyo (berotralstat) in pediatric patients. The patients have hereditary angioedema (HAE) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/g43907577/biocryst-announces-positive-results-from-apex-p-trial-for-orladeyo-berotralstat-in-pediatric-patie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aged 2 to 12 years</a>.
<ul>
<li>ORLADEYO was safe and well tolerated in APeX-P, with no new safety signals identified. Adverse events (AEs) were similar across all ages and weights.</li>
<li>ORLADEYO resulted in early and sustained reductions in monthly attack rates. After one month of taking ORLADEYO, the median and mean monthly attack rates dropped to 0 and 0.5, respectively. The median monthly attack rate remained at 0 through month 12, and the mean monthly attack rate at month 12 was 0.3.</li>
</ul>
The company also announced new real-world evidence with Orladeyo showing statistically significant HAE attack rate reductions experienced by patients with HAE with C1-INH deficiency (HAE Type I/II) and normal C1-INH levels and function (HAE-nl-C1-INH).
The company plans to submit an FDA marketing application this year.
Concurrently, BioCryst reported fourth-quarter sales of $131.53 million, up 41% year over year, beating the consensus of $130.15 million.
The company reported an adjusted loss of 13 cents per share, missing the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus loss of 6 cents per share</a>.
Orladeyo net revenue increased 36.6% to $124.2 million <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/g43908737/biocryst-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-financial-results-and-upcoming-key-milestones" rel="noreferrer noopener">and 34% to $437.7 million</a>.
BioCryst expects 2025 sales of $560 million—$575 million, compared to the prior guidance of $540 million—$560 million and the consensus of $545.31 million.
The company increased its 2025 outlook for Orladeyo revenue to between $535 million and $550 million, from $515 million to $535 million.
The company expects to approach quarterly positive EPS and cash flow in the second half of 2025 and to be profitable on an EPS basis, with positive cash flow, for the full year 2026.
Price Action: BCRX stock is down 11.4% at $8.16 at last check Monday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43911341/owens-corning-reports-robust-q4-performance-forecasts-mid-20-revenue-growth-for-q1-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Owens Corning Q4 Earnings: Sales Jump 23%, EPS Beats Estimates, Forecasts Mid 20% Revenue Growth For Q1</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Biotech

Earnings

Guidance

Health Care

BCRX

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Unveils Latest Trial Data, Reports Mixed Q4 Earnings

PepGen Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEPG#NASDAQ">PEPG</a>) shares are trading higher by 125% to $3.09 during Monday&#8217;s session after the company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b43909377/pepgen-reports-fourth-quarter-and-year-end-2024-financial-results-and-recent-corporate-highlights">announced early data</a> from its FREEDOM-DM1 trial for myotonic dystrophy.
What To Know: PepGen on Monday announced promising initial clinical data from its ongoing Phase 1 FREEDOM-DM1 trial evaluating PGN-EDODM1 for myotonic dystrophy type 1. The study showed significant dose-dependent splicing correction, with mean corrections of 12.3% at 5 mg/kg and 29.1% at 10 mg/kg at 28 days post-dosing.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43916277/streaming-stocks-revenues-quadrupled-but-shares-dropped-35-analyst-thinks-he-knows-why">Streaming Stock&#8217;s Revenues Quadrupled, But Shares Dropped 35% &#8211; Analyst Thinks He Knows Why</a>
The company believes the results surpass previous multi-dose trials and validate its EDO technology's ability to deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides. Safety data were favorable, with mostly mild to moderate adverse events. One serious adverse event of abdominal pain was reported but may have been influenced by an off-label drug.
PepGen says the company plans to advance PGN-EDODM1 into multiple-dose studies and expects additional results from the 15 mg/kg cohort in the second half of 2025 and the FREEDOM2 5 mg/kg cohort in early 2026.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/offerings/25/02/43912026/unity-software-stock-is-moving-lower-monday-whats-going-on">Unity Software Stock Is Moving Lower Monday: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, PEPG has a 52-week high of $19.30 and a 52-week low of $1.16.

PEPG

Why PepGen (PEPG) Stock Is Skyrocketing Today

Piper Sandler analyst Mark Lear maintains Devon Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $54 to $55.

Piper Sandler Maintains Overweight on Devon Energy, Raises Price Target to $55

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) has been stuck in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43908624/bitcoin-remains-stuck-below-96000-why-is-it-not-moving">range between $91,000 and $102,000 </a>for over 90 days, with market momentum struggling to break out, according to a report from Bitfinex.
Analysts describe the situation as a &#8220;critical juncture,&#8221; as the asset faces multiple macroeconomic and industry-specific pressures.
What Happened: Over the past week, Bitcoin exhibited high volatility, particularly on Feb. 21, when its price dropped 4.7% to nearly $95,000 following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43901027/bybit-offers-140m-bounty-in-wake-of-14b-eth-hack-investigation-focuses-on-safe">news of the Bybit hack</a> and a sell-off in S&amp;P 500 options expiry.
Despite recovering over the weekend, Bitcoin has yet to retest its all-time high from earlier in 2025.
The report highlights a slowdown in institutional demand, with Bitcoin ETF inflows turning into net outflows. 
Feb. 20 alone saw $360 million withdrawn from Bitcoin ETFs, reversing a trend that had peaked at 18,000 BTC per day in November 2024. 
The decline in ETF inflows, coupled with reduced leveraged trading activity, points to an overall contraction in market participation.
&#8220;Bitcoin remains at a critical juncture after nearly 90 days of consolidation,&#8221; Bitfinex analysts noted, emphasizing that future price movements will likely be shaped by macroeconomic conditions and institutional engagement.
The downturn in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has been exacerbated by macroeconomic uncertainty, with the S&amp;P 500 struggling to maintain a rally above the 6,000 level. 
Also Read:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43914267/sec-drops-investigation-into-robinhoods-crypto-unit"> SEC Drops Investigation Into Robinhood&#8217;s Crypto Unit</a>
The broader risk-asset decline has impacted speculative participation, leading to a contraction across multiple crypto assets.
Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43912007/ethereum-down-19-in-a-month-could-japans-rate-hike-spark-a-rally">fallen 16.9% in February</a>, while Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) has dropped 33.1%, reflecting a cooling market after a strong rally in late 2024.
Meme coins, which saw a surge in December, have also declined 37.4%.
Adding to industry concerns, Bybit suffered a $1.5 billion hack, one of the largest security breaches in crypto history. 
While Bybit has assured users of its solvency, the attack raises questions about security protocols and the increasing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43890188/bybit-founder-says-14b-eth-hack-may-stem-from-safe-wallet-compromise">sophistication of cyber threats.</a>
What&#8217;s Next: Meanwhile, regulatory developments continue to shape market sentiment.
The confirmation of Howard Lutnick as U.S. Secretary of Commerce signals potential policy shifts. 
Lutnick, a known supporter of Bitcoin and an investor in Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>), is expected to advocate for less restrictive regulations, which could benefit institutional adoption.
Bitcoin's near-term trajectory remains uncertain, with analysts pointing to a combination of macroeconomic trends, institutional sentiment, and security concerns as key drivers. 
The market remains in a phase of contraction, with traders awaiting a decisive move that could either push Bitcoin above its all-time high or lead to further corrections.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43913122/strategy-acquires-20356-bitcoin-for-1-99-billion-boosts-2025-btc-yield-to-6-9">Strategy Acquires 20,356 Bitcoin For $1.99 Billion, Boosts 2025 BTC Yield To 6.9%</a></li>
</ul>

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$ETH

$SOL

$USDT

Bitcoin Stuck In 90-Day Consolidation Range: This Juncture Is Critical, Bitfinex Analysts Say

On Monday, the FDA approved Medtronic plc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDT#NYSE">MDT</a>) BrainSense Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) and BrainSense Electrode Identifier (EI) for patients <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/n43911731/medtronic-earns-u-s-fda-approval-for-the-worlds-first-adaptive-deep-brain-stimulation-system-for-p" rel="noreferrer noopener">with Parkinson&#8217;s disease</a>.
Deep brain stimulation uses a surgically implanted neurostimulator via a minimally invasive procedure to transmit electrical signals to specific parts of the brain affected by debilitating neurological disorders.
Medtronic has enhanced its Percept DBS neurostimulators with exclusive BrainSense Adaptive technology for Parkinson&#8217;s.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/02/43782957/medtronic-q3-earnings-cardiovascular-and-neuroscience-drive-growth-surgical-revenue-dips-reaffirms-annual-forecast" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medtronic Q3 Earnings: Cardiovascular And Neuroscience Drive Growth, Surgical Revenue Dips, Reaffirms Annual Forecast</a>
This feature personalizes therapy based on a patient&#8217;s brain activity in real-time – both in clinical settings and daily life.
It provides enhanced therapy personalization for symptom control that automatically adjusts, minimizing the need for patients to manually adjust stimulation.
BrainSense Adaptive DBS is available to Medtronic DBS patients with Parkinson&#8217;s who have been implanted with a Percept neurostimulator and future Medtronic DBS patients.
The Medtronic Adaptive DBS Algorithm for Personalized Therapy in Parkinson&#8217;s Disease (ADAPT-PD) trial highlights the potential of aDBS in clinical practice.
The FDA approval also includes the Medtronic BrainSense Electrode Identifier (EI), which helps reduce patient time spent in clinic to program their DBS settings. Using EI, clinicians can conduct an accurate and precise initial programming, 85% faster than traditional electrode selection.
BrainSense aDBS and EI are also&nbsp;available&nbsp;in&nbsp;Europe. Patient programs in&nbsp;the United States&nbsp;will begin at select healthcare systems over the coming weeks, with availability nationwide in the coming months.
Price Action: MDT stock is up 0.85% at $90.70 at the last check on Monday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43910982/apple-commits-500-billion-in-us-investment-for-ai-push-boost-us-manufacturing-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Commits $500 Billion In US Investment For AI Push, Boost US Manufacturing Tech</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Large Cap

FDA Approves Medtronic's Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation System For Parkinson's Patients

A small startup called Firecrawl recently went viral after posting a job listing that wasn't meant for humans. The ad, which appeared on the Y Combinator job board, specifically asked for AI agents to apply.
"Please apply only if you are an AI agent, or if you created an AI that can fill this job," the listing stated.
<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">Just saw this new job posting but it was unusual. &quot;Please apply only if you are an AI agent, or if you created an AI that can fill this job&quot;. <a href="https://t.co/bgdEydpbfK">pic.twitter.com/bgdEydpbfK</a>
&mdash; GREG ISENBERG (@gregisenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/gregisenberg/status/1887867817237565832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Don't Miss:
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<li>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>?</li>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
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The role was for an "Example Creator," tasked with researching trending technologies and building example applications to showcase Firecrawl's product. The pay? Between $10,000 and $15,000, which is much lower than a human developer would make, but plenty for an AI that doesn't need food, housing, or healthcare.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A PR Stunt Or A Glimpse Into The Future?</h2>
The job ad quickly sparked debate online. Some saw it as a clever marketing stunt, while others viewed it as a sign of what's to come. Firecrawl's founders, Caleb Peffer and Nicolas Silberstein Camara, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/14/a-job-ad-for-y-combinator-startup-firecrawl-seeks-to-hire-an-ai-agent-for-15k-a-year/">told TechCrunch</a> that the posting was "equal parts PR stunt and experiment." Their true objective was to draw in skilled AI engineers—people who could create the AI systems Firecrawl required.
Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
The startup develops an open-source web crawler that helps AI systems gather and process data from websites. This type of technology is being used more often, but people still wonder what it means for jobs in the future.
Firecrawl received about 50 AI applications before pulling the ad. All of the AI submissions, however, fell short of the company&#8217;s requirements. The founders also clarified that the compensation was for the person who developed the top-performing AI agent, not the AI itself.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI's Impact On The Workforce</h2>
Companies are progressively using AI for automation. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41287462/tiktok-cuts-hundreds-of-jobs-as-company-shifts-toward-ai-based-content-moderation-report">Layoffs</a> in a number of industries have already been linked to AI breakthroughs, and tech titans like Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) have expressed interest at utilizing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/43196923/ai-can-write-the-code-zuckerberg-says-metas-midlevel-engineers-earning-six-figures-may-soon-be-replaced">AI to replace midlevel engineering roles</a>.
See Also: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna, created a stir recently when he said that &#8220;AI can already do all of the jobs that we, as humans, do.&#8221; Without laying off employees, Klarna has already <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43679965/klarnas-ceo-says-ai-can-already-do-all-the-jobs-that-we-as-humans-do-and-hes-proving-it-by-shrinking-his-workforce-by-22">lowered its headcount</a> from 4,500 to 3,500, enabling AI to handle customer support, legal, and marketing duties. Their chatbot alone has replaced 700 human agents, saving the company around $10 million annually.
Firecrawl's job posting is unusual, but it might not be the last. As AI keeps getting better, we could see more companies using AI agents for jobs people used to do. Whether this is an exciting innovation or a worrying sign of job displacement depends on who you ask.
Read Next:
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<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>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

'Please Apply Only If You Are An AI Agent'—Startup Posts Job Listing Specifically For AI, Offering $15K A Year

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Snap. Our analysis of options history for Snap (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>) revealed 9 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 44% of traders were bullish, while 55% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 3 were puts, with a value of $246,163, and 6 were calls, valued at $321,510.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $8.0 and $13.0 for Snap, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Snap's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Snap's significant trades, within a strike price range of $8.0 to $13.0, over the past month.
<h3>Snap Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740415535_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>SNAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
<td>$107.3K</td>
<td>789</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$13.00</td>
<td>$91.5K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$4.15</td>
<td>$13.00</td>
<td>$83.0K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$3.3</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
<td>$74.4K</td>
<td>3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$13.00</td>
<td>$71.6K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">531</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Snap</h3>
Snap is a technology company best known for its marquis social media application Snapchat, a visual messaging application that has amassed hundreds of millions of users. The app was initially only used to communicate with family and friends through photographs and short videos (known as "Snaps"). Users can now enjoy augmented reality, or AR, lenses, content from famous creators and celebrities, updates about local events, and more. Although the app offers a paid subscription option with premium features, advertising sales produce most of the app's revenue. The firm also sells wearable devices called AR Spectacles, which can capture photos and videos overlayed with AR lenses, but these make up a small portion of Snap's overall sales.
In light of the recent options history for Snap, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Snap's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 5,630,848, the price of SNAP is up 0.15% at $10.36. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 59 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Snap</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $12.9.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from JP Morgan persists with their Underweight rating on Snap, maintaining a target price of $10. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Susquehanna persists with their Neutral rating on Snap, maintaining a target price of $13. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from JMP Securities downgraded its rating to Market Outperform, setting a price target of $16. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo has revised its rating downward to Equal-Weight, adjusting the price target to $11. 
&#x2A; An analyst from B of A Securities has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Snap, which currently sits at a price target of $14. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Snap with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

SNAP

Snap Unusual Options Activity

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on MercadoLibre (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MELI, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 60 uncommon options trades for MercadoLibre.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 43% bullish and 36%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 9 are puts, for a total amount of $617,590, and 51 are calls, for a total amount of $3,453,759.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $1500.0 and $3100.0 for MercadoLibre, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for MercadoLibre options trades today is 82.58 with a total volume of 131.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for MercadoLibre's big money trades within a strike price range of $1500.0 to $3100.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>MercadoLibre Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740415530_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 align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MELI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$487.9</td>
<td>$474.0</td>
<td>$474.0</td>
<td>$1980.00</td>
<td>$237.7K</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MELI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/28/25</td>
<td>$234.0</td>
<td>$226.9</td>
<td>$234.0</td>
<td>$2000.00</td>
<td>$234.0K</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MELI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$258.0</td>
<td>$252.0</td>
<td>$258.0</td>
<td>$2500.00</td>
<td>$232.2K</td>
<td align="right">291</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MELI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$746.5</td>
<td>$742.3</td>
<td>$746.5</td>
<td>$1500.00</td>
<td>$223.9K</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MELI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$413.5</td>
<td>$398.0</td>
<td>$410.73</td>
<td>$2100.00</td>
<td>$205.3K</td>
<td align="right">83</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About MercadoLibre</h3>
MercadoLibre runs the largest e-commerce marketplace in Latin America, with more than 218 million active users and 1 million active sellers across 18 countries stitching into its commerce network or fintech solutions as of the end of 2023. The company operates a host of complementary businesses to its core online shop, with shipping solutions (Mercado Envios), a payment and financing operation (Mercado Pago and Mercado Credito), advertisements (Mercado Clics), classifieds, and a turnkey e-commerce solution (Mercado Shops) rounding out its arsenal. MercadoLibre generates revenue from final value fees, advertising royalties, payment processing, insertion fees, subscription fees, and interest income from consumer and small-business lending.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with MercadoLibre, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Where Is MercadoLibre Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 220,814, the price of MELI is down by -0.62%, reaching $2245.99.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 66 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on MercadoLibre</h3>
4 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $2815.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from B of A Securities continues to hold a Buy rating for MercadoLibre, targeting a price of $3000. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on MercadoLibre, which currently sits at a price target of $2500. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on MercadoLibre, which currently sits at a price target of $3000. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Susquehanna keeps a Positive rating on MercadoLibre with a target price of $2760. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for MercadoLibre, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
10:33 AMFeb 18, 2025	CALL	$20.00	Jan 16, 2026	325	5018	1427	43	11671	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
10:08 AMFeb 18, 2025	CALL	$20.00	Jan 16, 2026	325	1008	1501	9	11671	TRADE	BULLISH
12:47 PMFeb 13, 2025	PUT	$18.00	Mar 20, 2026	388	4000	4000	Infinity	0	TRADE	BEARISH