Pliant Therapeuticsの空売り状況は、投資家がPliant Therapeuticsの株価下落に賭けている度合いを知ることができます。空売りデータは2週間ごとに更新されます。

Pliant Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PLRX) 株価情報, 空売り情報

PLIANT THERAPEUTICS INC

Pliant Therapeutics

Pliant Therapeutics Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapies for the treatment of fibrosis and related diseases. Its primary product candidate is bexotegrast (PLN-74809), an oral, small molecule, that the company is developing for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Pliant Therapeutics Inc

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted limited approval to Novavax Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVAX#NASDAQ">NVAX</a>) COVID-19 vaccine, restricting its use to people 65 and older and those 12 and up with underlying health conditions that increase the risk of severe illness.
What Happened: The decision follows a six-week delay during which regulators sought additional data about the protein-based vaccine, which differs from the mRNA technology used by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) and BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNTX#NASDAQ">BNTX</a>), <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/17/health/novavax-covid-vaccine-approval">reported</a> CNN.
&#8220;This significant milestone demonstrates our commitment to these populations and is a significant step towards availability of our protein-based vaccine option,&#8221; Novavax President and CEO John Jacobs said in a statement Saturday.
The FDA is requiring Novavax to conduct postmarketing studies examining the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis—heart inflammation conditions rarely reported after COVID-19 vaccination. While a handful of cases were reported in trials, the CDC maintains that vaccination benefits outweigh these rare risks.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/emerging-markets/25/05/45487876/america-must-shift-roles-from-world-police-to-world-gun-store-says-palmer-luckey">America Must Shift Roles From &#8216;World Police&#8217; To &#8216;World Gun Store,&#8217; Says Palmer Luckey</a>
Why It Matters: The approval comes amid shifting political winds at the FDA, where Commissioner Marty Makary previously characterized <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/45059756/trump-era-fda-appointees-request-new-trials-for-novavax-covid-vaccine-reportedly-delaying-approval-timeline?utm_source=chatgpt.com">updated COVID vaccines as &#8220;new products&#8221;</a> requiring fresh clinical trials. In April, Makary tweeted: &#8220;Under this administration, we are prioritizing the Gold Standard of Science—not what saves pharma.&#8221;
President Donald Trump administration appointees had directed a pause on Novavax&#8217;s application despite it being on track for approval by April 1, according to the Associated Press.
Earlier studies showed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44824383/novavax-covid-vaccine-shows-milder-side-effects-than-pfizer-biontechs-shot-study?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Novavax&#8217;s 2024-2025 formula </a>targeting the JN.1 strain produced fewer and less severe side effects compared to mRNA alternatives. In the SHIELD-Utah study, Novavax recipients experienced 1.7 symptoms on average versus 2.8 symptoms for Pfizer-BioNTech recipients.
The CDC&#8217;s vaccine advisers are currently considering changes to guidance for annual COVID-19 shots, potentially focusing recommendations on older adults, immunocompromised individuals, and those with higher exposure risks, the report noted.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Regulations

Health Care

Markets

BNTX

NVAX

Novavax Wins Limited FDA Nod For COVID Shot—Cleared Only For Seniors, High-Risk Groups Amid Safety Scrutiny

General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) wants to overturn California's EV policy, which aims to phase out ICE vehicles by 2035.
What Happened: The mandate has already been adopted by 11 other states in the U.S. as the Detroit-based automaker cites slower-than-expected growth in the EV sector, the Wall Street Journal reported <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/california-ev-mandate-auto-industry-64708033">on</a> Sunday.
The report suggests the company sent an email to employees, reiterating the automaker's stance on the mandate. "Emissions standards that are not aligned with market realities pose a serious threat to our business by undermining consumer choice and vehicle affordability," GM said in the email.
EV sales in the U.S. have declined by over 5% in April as zero-emission vehicles make up over 20% of California's total sales, data cited in the report says. GM has also scaled back its EV production goals as demand declines, the report outlines.
Why It Matters: The news comes in as GM CEO Mary Barra had shared that the company expects a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45159130/general-motors-ceo-mary-barra-says-prices-will-remain-the-same-amid-donald-trumps-tariffs-that-could-cost-company-5-billion-dollars">$5 billion hit </a>in costs due to U.S. President Donald Trump's auto tariffs.
The company had also pulled its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/guidance/25/05/45133096/this-is-how-much-it-will-cost-general-motors-from-trumps-tariff-policy">earnings guidance for 2025</a>, outlining the uncertainty currently faced by the automotive industry. The company recently criticized the Trump administration's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45314561/trumps-uk-trade-deal-draws-criticism-from-ford-gm-stellantis-this-hurts-american-automakers-suppliers-and-auto-workers">trade deal with the UK</a>.
"This hurts American automakers, suppliers, and auto workers," representatives of the company said in a statement.&nbsp;
Elsewhere, House GOP Representatives want to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45277309/house-gop-representatives-want-to-axe-federal-ev-credit-amid-trumps-tax-cuts-report">axe the Federal EV credit </a>currently offered as an incentive to drive up EV adoption, casting more uncertainty over the sector.
Price Action: GM Stock gained 0.52% at close and currently trades for $50.37, according to<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"> Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com

Tech

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General Motors Wants To Overturn California's EV Mandate As Demand Slows In The US: Report

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• Global Ship Lease (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GSL#NYSE">GSL</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $2.33 per share on revenue of $172.23 million. 
• Niu Techs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIU#NASDAQ">NIU</a>) is expected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• ICL Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICL#NYSE">ICL</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.08 per share on revenue of $1.77 billion. 
• Sohu.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOHU#NASDAQ">SOHU</a>) is projected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• Gilat Satellite Networks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILT#NASDAQ">GILT</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.07 per share on revenue of $100.20 million. 
• ZIM Integrated Shipping (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZIM#NYSE">ZIM</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.96 per share on revenue of $1.84 billion. 
• Target Hospitality (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TH#NASDAQ">TH</a>) is expected to report quarterly loss at $0.02 per share on revenue of $65.37 million. 
• Interactive Strength (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRNR#NASDAQ">TRNR</a>) is estimated to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• CBAK Energy Tech (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CBAT#NASDAQ">CBAT</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.00 per share on revenue of $52.16 million. 
• Oxford Lane Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXLC#NASDAQ">OXLC</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.28 per share on revenue of $115.00 million. 
• Compugen (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CGEN#NASDAQ">CGEN</a>) is likely to report quarterly loss at $0.05 per share on revenue of $3.70 million. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
• Yalla Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YALA#NYSE">YALA</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.00 per share on revenue of $81.80 million. 
• Safe Bulkers (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SB#NYSE">SB</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.03 per share on revenue of $57.92 million. 
• 8x8 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EGHT#NASDAQ">EGHT</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.08 per share on revenue of $177.98 million. 
• TAT Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TATT#NASDAQ">TATT</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.31 per share on revenue of $42.59 million. 
• Zepp Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZEPP#NYSE">ZEPP</a>) is expected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• Qifu Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QFIN#NASDAQ">QFIN</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.72 per share on revenue of $615.60 million. 
• Transcat (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRNS#NASDAQ">TRNS</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.62 per share on revenue of $76.40 million. 
• Trip.com Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCOM#NASDAQ">TCOM</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.86 per share on revenue of $1.91 billion. 
• Agilysys (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGYS#NASDAQ">AGYS</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.29 per share on revenue of $71.42 million. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings

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Earnings Scheduled For May 19, 2025

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Former Vice President&nbsp;Mike Pence&nbsp;has lauded&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#8216;s Middle East visit for its beneficial effects on the U.S. economy, despite his criticism of the diplomatic aspects of the trip. 
What Happened:&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite a public fallout with Trump over the&nbsp;2020 presidential election certification and the ensuing Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Pence spoke positively of Trump&#8217;s Middle East trip&#8217;s impact on the American economy during an NBC&#8217;s &#8220;Meet the Press&#8221; interview on Sunday. 
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Exclusive Interview: Mike Pence says he privately warned Trump against tariffs in his first term" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LzCiUDJyYAw?start=524&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Pence described the journey as &#8220;very successful&#8221; for the U.S. economy. &#8220;The&nbsp;president secured financial commitments in&nbsp;all three countries, including a&nbsp;historic contract for purchasing Boeing&nbsp;aircraft that&#8217;ll really support American jobs,&#8221; Pence said.
These comments from the former Indiana governor are noteworthy, given his recent strained relationship with Trump and recent criticisms of the President&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45214328/mike-pence-warns-trumps-indiscriminate-tariffs-could-trigger-price-shock-and-potential-shortages-keeping-our-kids-toys-affordable-is-part-of-the-american-dream">sweeping tariffs</a>.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45486452/jim-cramer-recalls-2011s-6-7-market-decline-after-us-debt-downgrade-says-it-ultimately-meant-not" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jim Cramer Recalls 2011&#8217;s 6.7% Market Decline After US Debt Downgrade, Says It &#8216;Ultimately Meant Nothing:&#8217; Dan Niles Sees Limited Downside Amid Tariff Rollbacks, FOMO</a>
Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s Middle East visit, which Pence praises, saw the signing of deals worth <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45462404/trump-unveils-over-200-billion-worth-of-deals-with-uae-including-major-etihad-airways-commitment">over $200 billion </a>between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A significant part of these deals involved a $14.5 billion commitment from&nbsp;Boeing (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>),&nbsp;GE Aerospace (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>), and Etihad Airways. 
Additionally, Trump secured a $1.2 trillion economic agreement with Qatar, including a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45446924/trump-secures-12-trillion-qatar-deal-as-boeing-ge-land-record-orders">record-breaking</a> $96 billion order from Qatar Airways for Boeing and GE Aerospace.
According to CNN, several Democrats, usually critical of President Trump, praised his decision to lift longstanding sanctions on Syria and engage with its new leader. They saw it as a potential economic boost for Syria and a way to reshape the region. Support came from figures like Leon Panetta, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), with Himes reluctantly admitting Trump managed much of the Middle East trip effectively. Murphy, however, criticized Trump for accepting the luxury Qatari jet.
On the other hand, economist Peter Schiff warned that Qatar&#8217;s $200 billion deal with Boeing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/05/45427289/peter-schiff-warns-qatars-200-billion-boeing-deal-could-spike-us-inflation-interest-rates-says-treasury-sell-off-may-follow">could lead </a>to a surge in U.S. inflation and interest rates. He states that to help finance the purchase, "Qatar will likely sell a lot of Treasuries and other U.S. assets," which would further strain the U.S. bond market, already under pressure.
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<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45485055/elon-musks-ex-girlfriend-grimes-questions-mark-zuckerbergs-aptitude-for-metaverse-leadership-says-zuckerberg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk&#8217;s Ex-Girlfriend Grimes Questions Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Aptitude For Metaverse Leadership, Says Zuckerberg Is &#8216;Wildly Under Qualified&#8217;</a></li>
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Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Trump's Middle East Trip Draws Rare Praise From Mike Pence As 'Very Successful' For US Economy Amid 'Historic' Boeing Deal: 'That'll Really Support American Jobs'

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Lockheed Martin (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) Skunk Works and the Danish Ministry of Defence (MOD) completed a successful live <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4429984-1&amp;h=3420190264&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lockheedmartin.com%2Fen-us%2Fproducts%2Ff-35%2Ff-35-about.html&amp;a=F-35">F-35</a> interoperability demonstration. This is another success in a series of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) demonstrations proving the F-35's ability to serve as a powerful force multiplier, enabling allied forces to rapidly deploy ready-now capabilities to connect systems across the battlespace.
&nbsp;
Danish F-35s flying out of Fort Worth, Texas, shared classified data via DAGGR-2, a Skunk Works' Open Systems Gateway (OSG) developed under a partnership with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), through commercial satellite communications and displayed at Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.

Lockheed's F-35 Shares Classified Data Across Continents in New Allied Demo With Denmark

<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=95ttCcrFviRqrRp3UsJTOWq67jNPTSKrVo1T8y4V65E_XLeHk__aAnyrGHzuO5kcM2MndMWx2QPViGsNwnaqvpO9LgQHVoNIPZSjyk3BOYY=">Royal Philips</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHG#NYSE">PHG</a>, AEX: PHIA))), a global leader in health technology, today announced the introduction of its VeriSight Pro 3D Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE) catheter in Europe. Building on its success in the United States, VeriSight Pro brings real-time 3D imaging directly inside the heart, helping physicians perform procedures with greater clarity — without the need for general anesthesia. Designed for procedures such as transcatheter valve repair and left atrial appendage closure, VeriSight Pro offers high-resolution 2D and 3D visualization directly within the heart chambers. This enables confident clinical decision-making in structural heart and electrophysiology interventions, while removing the need for general anesthesia and associated risks.

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Niu Technologies Q1 Adj. EPADS $(0.05) Up From $(0.10) YoY, Sales $93.98M Up From $69.91M YoY

Willy Woo, a widely followed Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) influencer and analyst, revealed the series of events Sunday that caused them to close a business that was making him &#8220;millions per year.&#8221;
What Happened:&nbsp;In an X thread, Woo shared the journey about The Bitcoin Forecast, a subscription-based content offering on Substack that analyzed BTC&#8217;s on-chain signals and predicted the future course of the market.
The Bitcoin Forecast, which started in October 2020, quickly gained traction, according to Woo, prompting them to get BTC payments integrated for subscriptions.
&#8220;By 6 months I had almost 10,000 paid subs. I&#8217;m pretty sure even today it&#8217;s the most successful BTC investment letter to date,&#8221; Woo said. 
Benzinga couldn&#8217;t independently verify these claims. Substack didn&#8217;t immediately return a request for comment.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Exactly 3 years ago I shut down a business making me millions per year. Here&#39;s a &#x1f9f5;on how it started, why I shut it down and why I&#39;m helping to build something better for this industry.
&mdash; Willy Woo (@woonomic) <a href="https://twitter.com/woonomic/status/1924227623074554195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45427302/anthony-scaramucci-forecasts-bitcoin-will-be-deemed-asset-class-akin-to-gold-when-it-reaches-500000">Anthony Scaramucci Says Once Bitcoin Hits $500,000 It Will Be Considered An Asset Class Just Like Gold</a> 
However, things started to change after BTC surpassed the $60,000 mark. Woo noticed a shift in the market, with the market beginning to heavily rely on derivatives, which were not being adequately represented by on-chain signaling.
The result-the letter which launched with a reliability of 83%, saw its reliability dip below 60%.
&#8220;When reliability dropped below 60%,&nbsp;I felt it was doing&nbsp;more harm than good, so&nbsp;I killer the letter. It&nbsp;was no longer suitable for&nbsp;its mission,&#8221; Woo said. &#8220;It was encouraging&nbsp;retail to play timing games&nbsp;and without disciplined risk management&nbsp;plebs were effectively gambling.&#8221;
Woo&#8217;s decision underscores the volatility and unpredictability of the Bitcoin market. 
Benzinga&#8217;s Take: While on-chain fundamentals often focus on measuring the intrinsic value of a cryptocurrency using data derived directly from the blockchain, derivatives could help traders hedge against price movements, protecting positions while boosting stability and liquidity. A comprehensive analysis should involve informed understanding of both these sets of metrics.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>
Photo Courtesy: Wirestock Creators on Shutterstock

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Cryptocurrency

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Top Bitcoin Analyst Reveals Why They Shut Down Their Business That Was Making 'Millions Per Year'

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Palmer Luckey says the arms race is no longer about bigger missiles but autonomous weapons that operate using artificial intelligence and he wants the United States to be "the world gun store" that supplies them.
What Happened: The Anduril founder <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/palmer-luckey-ai-powered-autonomous-weapons-future-of-warfare-60-minutes-transcript/">told</a> CBS' 60 Minutes that commercial tech has surpassed the Pentagon, arguing that a Tesla has better AI than any U.S. aircraft and a Roomba has better autonomy than most Pentagon weapons systems.
"Right now, there are so many weapon systems that require manning… If I can have one guy command and controlling 100 aircraft, that's a lot easier," Luckey said.
Though he conceded the idea of autonomous weapons "is a scary idea," he insisted, "that's the world we live in." He added, "There's no moral high ground to making a land mine that can't tell the difference between a school bus full of children and Russian armor."
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45487522/tesla-is-accepting-trade-ins-for-2024-cybertruck-amid-plummeting-sales-figures-report">Tesla Is Accepting Trade-Ins For 2024 Cybertruck Amid Plummeting Sales: Report</a>
Luckey says the Costa Mesa, California, company will top $6 billion in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40280155/lockheed-martin-boeing-and-northrop-grumman-rival-anduril-led-by-peter-thiels-venture-capital-raises">defense contracts</a> by year-end after beating legacy primes for Air Force and Special Operations deals. "We're gonna be making large numbers of cruise missiles, large numbers of fighter jets… day 100," he told CBS.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has labeled fully autonomous lethal weapons "politically unacceptable and morally repugnant" and <a href="https://press.un.org/en/2025/sgsm22643.doc.htm">wants a treaty</a> banning them by 2026. Luckey counters: "It's not a question between smart weapons and no weapons. It's a question between smart weapons and dumb weapons."
The 32-year-old sold Oculus to Facebook for $2 billion in 2014 and was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41269578/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-and-oculus-founder-palmer-luckey-mend-fences-the-people-responsible-arent-even">fired two years later</a> after a $9,000 political donation sparked controversy — an ouster that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38246351/meta-cto-gets-called-out-by-founder-of-company-building-electronic-border-wall-you-arent-credible">Facebook denies</a>.
Photo Courtesy: Anggalih Prasetya On Shutterstock.com
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After Donald Trump signed an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45384935/trump-again-promises-lower-drug-prices-by-cutting-out-middlemen-like-unitedhealth-cvs-will-it-work-this-time">executive order</a> slashing drug prices last week, experts have highlighted how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) could be hit the hardest despite pharmaceutical companies facing the potential of compressed margins amid poor pricing power.
What Happened: According to Thomas Shipp, the head of equity research at LPL Financial, the pressure that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45389750/trump-claims-drug-price-crackdown-could-slash-your-prescription-costs-by-59-but-will-big-pharma-fight-it-again">pharmaceutical manufacturers</a> are facing to lower prices domestically, &#8220;has the potential to compress margins by eroding pricing power and would provide a significant headwind to drug manufacturer share prices.&#8221;
However, he explains that the &#8220;middlemen&#8221; or PBMs that facilitate drug distribution and negotiate with pharmaceutical drug manufacturers to lower prescription costs have come under scrutiny for opaque pricing practices, like retaining rebates from drug manufacturers and "spread pricing."
&#8220;PBMs pay pharmacies less than what they charge health plan participants for drugs,&#8221; he said.
Another April 15 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44866755/mark-cuban-says-this-trump-healthcare-order-could-save-hundreds-of-billions">executive order</a> signed by Trump called for increased transparency into PBM fees and requested that the role of these middlemen be reevaluated.
CVS Caremark, owned by CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Express Scripts, owned by Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and OptumRx, owned by UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), are the biggest PBM companies.
Shipp also underscored that PBM savings are expected, but direct price controls pose a longer-term risk for U.S.-heavy drugmakers. Transparency will reveal if PBM margin erosion can prevent deeper manufacturer cuts, he highlights.
&#8220;While many questions remain about how these executive orders will be implemented, after the initial news flow is digested, the net effect appears less detrimental to pharmaceutical drug manufacturers than to PBMs,&#8221; said Shipp.
&#8220;That said, reworking the way Americans buy their medicine is going to take a long time. Along the way, efforts to support direct-to-consumer sales will support both the manufacturers leading the charge and those they partner with for distribution,&#8221; he added.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45465955/ark-invest-takes-swipe-at-mstr-mara-says-bitcoin-treasury-companies-dont-make-sense-fundin">Ark Invest Expert Takes Swipe At MSTR, MARA, Says &#8216;Bitcoin Treasury Companies Don&#8217;t Make Sense:&#8217; &#8216;Funding Purchases With Debt&#8230;Seems Like A Recipe For Disaster&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Meanwhile, the billionaire investor and Shark Tank fame, Mark Cuban, called PBMs a &#8220;racket&#8221; in an X post by explaining that they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44674382/mark-cuban-says-big-insurance-companies-and-pbms-control-healthcare-costs-everyone-has-to-kiss-their-a-and-accept-the-complications">negotiate rebates and not prices</a>.
&#8220;They negotiate rebates. Not prices. In fact, the big PBMs control more than 95pct of the rebate negotiations. Big brand Pharma companies can&#8217;t negotiate with anyone else. IMO, it&#8217;s a racket,&#8221; he said.
While the April 15 order calls for transparency in pricing, Cuban highlights that 30% of the $4.9 trillion in healthcare spending is attributed to the overhead insurance companies and pricing distortions big PBMs create.
<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">One of the great lies the big PBM industry tells us is that they are needed to negotiate lower prices. It&#39;s a lie. They negotiate rebates. Not prices. In fact, the big PBMs control more than 95pct of the rebate negotiations. Big brand Pharma companies can&#39;t negotiate with…
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1923880717420986860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Here are the aforementioned PBMs operating companies that have performed in 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One-Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>)</td>
<td>41.41%</td>
<td>8.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cigna Group. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>)</td>
<td>16.92%</td>
<td>-3.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)</td>
<td>-42.14%</td>
<td>-43.56%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Here are a few pharma-linked ETFs for investors to consider.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td>
<td>-0.28%</td>
<td>-4.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td>-1.20%</td>
<td>-2.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td>
<td>-3.45%</td>
<td>-0.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td>
<td>-4.83%</td>
<td>-1.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td>
<td>11.10%</td>
<td>1.65%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td>
<td>-6.51%</td>
<td>-6.89%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td>
<td>-23.63%</td>
<td>-24.07%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, ended higher on Friday. The SPY was up 0.63% to $594.20, while the QQQ advanced 0.44% to $521.51, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
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Photo courtesy: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

FTXH

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

KURE

PILL

Merrill Lynch Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust

Trump's Drug Price Order Hits PBMs Hardest: CVS, Cigna, UNH In Focus As Experts Highlight 'Racket,' Pricing Distortion

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