オプションチェーンは、Latham Groupの株式オプションの主要データを様々な行使価格と満期日で表示します。トレーダーはこの情報を使用して、潜在的な取引を分析し、Latham Groupの市場センチメントを評価します。.

Latham Group (NASDAQ:SWIM) 株価情報, オプションチェーン

Latham Group

Latham Group Inc is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools, liners, and covers in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It derives a majority of its revenue from the United States.

Latham Group Inc

Rosenblatt analyst Barton Crockett maintains Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $205 to $189.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

GOOG

GOOGL

Rosenblatt Maintains Neutral on Alphabet, Lowers Price Target to $189

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="600" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25064300/XiaoNoodlesJ-900x600-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-11556" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25064300/XiaoNoodlesJ-900x600-1.png 900w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25064300/XiaoNoodlesJ-900x600-1-300x200.png 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25064300/XiaoNoodlesJ-900x600-1-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>
The restaurant company wants to keep expanding its network of spicy Chongqing noodle shops, but price cuts may be eating into profits
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Takeaways:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The noodle chain more than doubled its revenue from 418 million yuan in 2022 to 1.15 billion yuan last year</li>
<li>But the operator's same-store sales slipped from 740 million yuan in 2023 to 709 million yuan last year</li>
</ul>
Noodle dishes from Chongqing, famous for their spicy flavors in a fiery soup, are about to go on the menu for equity investors.
A fast-growing noodle shop chain that specializes in hot signature dishes from southwest China has filed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/app/sehk/2025/107294/documents/sehk25041500046.pdf">list</a>&nbsp;its shares on the Hong Kong stock market, aiming to fund an expansion across more parts of the mainland and into overseas markets.
Guangzhou Xiao Noodles Catering Management Co. Ltd.&nbsp;started out as a local food outlet serving up bowls of noodles spiced with chili oil and Sichuan seasonings. It is now aiming to become the first chain of Chinese-style noodle shops to trade as a public company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The company bases its brand name on the Chongqing dish popularly known as "xiao mian", or little noodles. The dining chain ranked as China's biggest operator of Sichuan-Chongqing noodle restaurants by sales value last year and placed fourth in the general category of noodle shops, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan data cited in the IPO application.
The company also claimed the top spot for offline sales of Chongqing noodles, noodles with peas and meat sauce and hot and sour sweet potato noodles for three consecutive years from 2022, according to the research report.
Although it owes its success to Chongqing's tasty cuisine, the firm originated far away in Guangzhou, a southern city associated with milder flavors. Founder Song Qi was born in Heilongjiang province in northeastern China but left his hometown to study science in Guangzhou before obtaining a master's degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Later he became a trainee manager at a Hong Kong branch of the fast food chain McDonald's.
Song once revealed in a media interview that from his very first McDonald's meal he dreamed about one day starting his own brand and even challenging the supremacy of the U.S. burger giant.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Food science</h4>
He opened the first Xiao Noodles restaurant in 2014 with two other graduates from Guangzhou's South China University.
A scientific mindset turned out to be an asset, helping the business to resolve a standardization challenge that had plagued chains selling Chinese-style noodles. Song studied the traditional craft of noodle making in Chongqing but was troubled by some of the approximate amounts and imprecise instructions. Instead, he set about quantifying ingredients and documenting steps in order to preserve the original taste while producing noodle dishes at scale.
Just three months after the first outlet opened, the business got an infusion of 2 million yuan ($274,132) in angel capital to fund upgraded operations. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the company set out to instill an appetite for its noodle dishes across the nation and around the clock, for breakfast, lunch or as a late-night snack, with some restaurants staying open 24 hours a day.
It built a presence in airports, railway stations, residential areas, shopping malls, college campuses and offices to cater to a range of diners.
By 2021, the company was valued at nearly 3 billion yuan after investments from&nbsp;Jiumaojiu&nbsp;(9922.HK), Best Food Holding under Lenovo's Hony Capital, Country Garden and the dumpling chain XiJiaDe.
Even with its ample resources, the company did not reach the milestone of 100 stores until its seventh year of business. The brand branched out into a franchise model in 2019, adding another 100 stores in just two years between 2021 and 2023. By April this year, the chain comprised 374 restaurants across 22 cities on the Chinese mainland and six outlets in Hong Kong.
Revenue soared on the back of the rapid growth, going from 418 million yuan in 2022 to 1.15 billion yuan last year with a compound annual growth rate of around 66%, outpacing other Chinese-style noodle businesses in the past three years. It went from posting a loss of 35.97 million yuan in 2022 to reporting a 45.91 million yuan profit a year later, rising to 60.70 million yuan in 2024.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Price trade-off</h4>
At the end of last year, the chain was operating 360 outlets, 80% of them in first-tier cities. Breaking that down by business model, 279 were owned by the company and 81 were franchises. The shops owned by the chain remained the main revenue driver, accounting for 86.7% of turnover in 2024.
While earnings and profits have been growing, the risk of expanding too quickly remains real, amid an uncertain outlook for the Chinese economy and fragile consumer confidence. The company's accounts were in the black for the past two years but profit per store dropped from 182,000 yuan to 169,000 yuan. Xiao Noodles earned 60.70 million yuan in profit last year on 42.09 million orders, equivalent to just 1.4 yuan per order.
Same-store sales also dropped from 740 million yuan in 2023 to 709 million yuan last year, falling 4.2% nationwide and 5.14% in first-tier cities.
Other metrics are also flashing danger signs. Average spending per order dropped from 36.1 yuan in 2022 to 32 yuan in 2024 after the company cut its prices to lure in more customers.
Rapid expansion has strained the corporate finances, with net current liabilities surging from 148 million yuan in 2022 to 242 million yuan, and just 42.19 million yuan of cash left on hand.
In response, Xiao Noodles has decided to expand its reach, venturing into lower-tier Chinese cities and targeting international markets such as Singapore, as well as scaling up its franchise network. As it prepares to face the scrutiny of Hong Kong investors, the company has changed its advertising slogan from "sharing the delight of Xiao Noodles outside Chongqing" to "sharing the delight of Chongqing noodles across the globe".
The staple bowl of steaming noodles is a cutthroat business in China, with stiff competition from the likes of Hefu Noodles, Wuyebanmian and Mr. Lee California Beef Noodle.
To succeed in its expansion strategy, Xiao Noodles will need to keep satisfying a widening base of customers with its selection of spicy dishes.

Asia

Equities

IPOs

Xiao Noodles Serves Up IPO Plan To Take Its Tangy Taste Global

Guidance

IRWD

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Raises 2025 Adj. EBITDA Guidance To Over $105M

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has announced a range of promotions for customers in the U.S. on all of its models in a bid to increase declining sales figures.
What Happened: The EV giant's promotions include FSD transfers on all new Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and the Cybertruck orders free of charge. 
&#8220;FSD (Supervised) cannot be transferred from a Foundation Series Cybertruck, Model Y Launch Series or a vehicle under an active lease. Used vehicle, business and commercial orders are not eligible,&#8221; Tesla said on its website.
<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">Here are all the promotions <a href="https://twitter.com/Tesla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tesla</a> announced today in the US: • Free FSD transfer for new Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X and Cybertruck orders in North America (excluding Foundation Series &amp; Launch Series). • 0% APR financing for new Model 3 orders. Applies to new orders… <a href="https://t.co/wyv0djtVvW">pic.twitter.com/wyv0djtVvW</a>
&mdash; Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1915586753077129426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Other offers include 0% APR financing on new Model 3 orders. There's also a $2,000 discount on the purchase price of the new Model Y available to owners of the original Model Y.
Why It Matters: The discounts come at a time when Tesla is experiencing a decline in sales in the U.S. A recent report released by the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) showcases a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44857987/tesla-experiences-151-decline-in-new-vehicle-registrations-in-california-report">15% decline in new registrations </a>for Tesla vehicles in the state.
The company has also experienced a 71% plunge in YoY profits in Q1 2025, and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44975755/tesla-sales-decline-28-in-europe-as-ev-car-market-experiences-growth-report">28% decline in European sales</a>, even as the EV market share grew in the region.
Tesla recently released a cheaper trim of the Cybertruck, with fewer features and a more accessible price point. Interestingly, Elon Musk's company also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44919745/cybertruck-gets-a-down-to-earth-redesign-as-tesla-shifts-to-traditional-pickup-marketing-amid-poor-sales">pivoted its marketing strategy </a>for the Cybertruck, in a bid to enhance its appeal among traditional pickup truck buyers.
It's worth noting that Tesla announced at the Tuesday evening earnings call that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44942792/tesla-q1-earnings-call-company-says-more-affordable-models-launching-this-year">more affordable models </a>are on their way, and they will be based on the current Tesla line-up.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44971783/piper-sandler-puts-400-price-target-on-tesla-it-appears-our-best-case-scenario-has-materialized">Piper Sandler Puts $400 Price Target On Tesla: &#8216;It Appears Our Best-Case Scenario Has Materialized&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

Tech

General

TSLA

Tesla Rolls Out Free FSD Transfers On All US Models, Including Cybertruck Amid Poor Sales

GOOG: 6% &#x7C; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45003886">Alphabet shares are trading higher following better-than-expected Q1 financial results.</a>
&nbsp;
INTC: -7% &#x7C; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45003864">Intel shares are trading lower after the company issued Q2 guidance below estimates.</a>
&nbsp;
TMUS: -6% &#x7C; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44995935">T-Mobile Shares Drop Despite Better-Than-Expected Q1 Report</a>

Movers

Trading Ideas

INTC

TMUS

Market-Moving News for April 25th

Rosenblatt analyst Kevin Cassidy maintains Intel (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) with a Sell and lowers the price target from $18 to $14.

Rosenblatt Maintains Sell on Intel, Lowers Price Target to $14

BRKR

Bruker Says It Will Showcase Major Spatial Biology And Multiomics Innovations At AACR 2025, Highlighting CosMx WTX And 1,200-Plex Protein Panel

Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.90) per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.72) by 25 percent. This is a 147.37 percent decrease over earnings of $1.90 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $31.73 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $31.33 billion by 1.26 percent. This is a 12.93 percent decrease over sales of $36.44 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

Earnings Misses

Phillips 66 Q1 Adj. EPS $(0.90) Misses $(0.72) Estimate, Sales $31.73B Beat $31.33B Estimate

D. Boral Capital analyst Jason Kolbert maintains CERo Therapeutics Hldgs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CERO#NASDAQ">CERO</a>) with a Buy and maintains $11 price target.

CERO

D. Boral Capital Maintains Buy on CERo Therapeutics Hldgs, Maintains $11 Price Target

DuPont Files Form 10 For Electronics Business Spin-Off, Targets November 1 Completion

LKFN

Lakeland Financial Q1 2025 Adj. EPS $0.78 Misses $0.89 Estimate, Sales $63.80M Beat $63.71M Estimate

VCYT

Veracyte Launches Decipher Prostate Metastatic Test, First Medicare-Covered Genomic Classifier For Advanced Prostate Cancer

STEL

Stellar Bancorp Q1 EPS $0.46 Beats $0.44 Estimate, Sales $104.76M Miss $105.66M Estimate

Charter Communications (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHTR#NASDAQ">CHTR</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $8.42 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $8.67 by 2.88 percent. This is a 11.52 percent increase over earnings of $7.55 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $13.73 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $13.68 billion by 0.39 percent. This is a 0.41 percent increase over sales of $13.68 billion the same period last year.

CHTR

Charter Communications Q1 EPS $8.42 Misses $8.67 Estimate, Sales $13.73B Beat $13.68B Estimate

Virtus Inv (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRTS#NASDAQ">VRTS</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $5.73 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $5.41 by 5.91 percent. This is a 5.91 percent increase over earnings of $5.41 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $217.93 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $201.41 million by 8.20 percent. This is a 1.85 percent decrease over sales of $222.04 million the same period last year.

VRTS

Virtus Inv Q1 Adj. EPS $5.73 Beats $5.41 Estimate, Sales $217.93M Beat $201.41M Estimate

Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) has laid off an undisclosed number of employees from its Reality Labs division, which focuses on developing virtual and augmented reality technologies.
What Happened:&nbsp;The layoffs primarily affected the Oculus Studios unit of the Reality Labs division, which is in charge of developing&nbsp;VR and AR games and&nbsp;content for Meta&#8217;s Quest VR&nbsp;headsets. 
Employees working on the Supernatural VR workout app were among those impacted by the layoffs. The company shared its regret over the cuts in a post on the official Supernatural Facebook group, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/24/meta-lays-off-employees-working-on-vr-in-reality-labs-division.html">reported</a> CNBC on Thursday.
A company spokesperson stated, &#8220;Some teams within Oculus Studios are undergoing shifts in structure and roles that have impacted team size.&#8221; The restructuring is intended to enhance efficiency in developing future mixed reality experiences for a growing audience, as per Meta.
Meta did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment. 
This development follows Meta's February decision to cut 5% of its total workforce, targeting what it deemed its lowest performers. In January, the company revealed that its Reality Labs division posted an operating loss of $4.97 billion in Q4, despite generating $1.1 billion in sales. 
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/events/25/04/44971154/trump-fails-to-impress-americas-young-shows-poll-as-they-still-favor-biden-only-15-think-us-on-right-track" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Fails To Impress America&#8217;s Young, Shows Poll As They Still Favor Biden — Only 15% Think US On Right Track &#8211; Benzinga</a>
Why It Matters: The layoffs come amidst concerns about Meta&#8217;s fundamentals. Earlier this week, Needham analyst Laura Martin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/reiteration/25/04/44965222/metas-fundamentals-look-fragile-heading-into-q1-report-analyst-warns">reiterated </a>an Underperform rating for Meta Platforms, warning that the company&#8217;s fundamentals looked fragile heading into the Q1 report.
Despite the reported losses, Meta has been investing heavily&nbsp;in its Reality Labs division as CEO Mark Zuckerberg continues to express confidence in Meta's long-term investment in augmented and virtual reality technologies. A report in March suggested that the company has been offering<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/25/03/40399305/dont-forget-about-the-metaverse-average-meta-vr-developer-salary-is-more-than-typical-american-makes-in-10-years-its-not-an-exaggeration"> above-market-rate</a> salaries to attract VR developers ranging from&nbsp;$600,000 to&nbsp;nearly&nbsp;$1 million annually, despite the mounting losses in its metaverse ventures.
The momentum rating of META is 45.84% while its growth rating is 75.05%, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga's Proprietary Edge Rankings</a>. The Benzinga Growth metric evaluates a stock&#8217;s historical earnings and revenue expansion across multiple timeframes, prioritizing both long-term trends and recent performance. For an in-depth report on more stocks and insights into growth opportunities,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/screener/top-momentum-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/screener/top-momentum-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">up for Benzinga Edge.</a>
Meta stock climbed 2.48% to close at $533.15 on Thursday, as per&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BenzingaPro</a>.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44961386/pepe-surges-23-in-7-days-can-it-flip-shiba-inu-dogecoin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pepe Surges 23% In 7 Days: Can It Flip Shiba Inu, Dogecoin? &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Markets

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Lays Off Unspecified Number Of Employees At Its Reality Labs Division: Report

AutoNation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AN#NYSE">AN</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $4.68 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $4.42 by 5.88 percent. This is a 4.23 percent increase over earnings of $4.49 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $6.69 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $6.62 billion by 1.02 percent. This is a 3.15 percent increase over sales of $6.49 billion the same period last year.

AutoNation Q1 Adj. EPS $4.68 Beats $4.42 Estimate, Sales $6.69B Beat $6.62B Estimate

UBS analyst Faham Baig upgrades Philip Morris Intl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>) from Sell to Neutral and raises the price target from $130 to $170.

Upgrades

UBS Upgrades Philip Morris Intl to Neutral, Raises Price Target to $170

NFLX climbs over 20 points after the alert in the morning
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24203355/Screenshot-2025-04-24-at-4.33.24%E2%80%AFPM-1024x1010.png" alt="" class="wp-image-11550" style="width:920px;height:auto" /></figure>
Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) today experienced a Power Inflow, a significant event for those who follow where smart money goes and value order flow analytics in their trading decisions. 
Today, at 10:18 AM on April 24th, a significant trading signal occurred for Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) as it demonstrated a Power Inflow at a price of $1076.27. This indicator is crucial for traders who want to know directionally where institutions and so-called "smart money" moves in the market. They see the value of utilizing order flow analytics to guide their trading decisions. The Power Inflow points to a possible uptrend in Netflix&#8217;s stock, marking a potential entry point for traders looking to capitalize on the expected upward movement. Traders with this signal closely watch for sustained momentum in Netflix&#8217;s stock price, interpreting this event as a bullish sign.
Signal description
Order flow analytics, aka transaction or market flow analysis, separate and study both the retail and institutional volume rate of orders (flow). It involves analyzing the flow of buy and sell orders, along with size, timing, and other associated characteristics and patterns, to gain insights and make more informed trading decisions. This particular indicator is interpreted as a bullish signal by active traders.&nbsp;
The Power Inflow occurs within the first two hours of the market open and generally signals the trend that helps gauge the stock&#8217;s overall direction, powered by institutional activity in the stock, for the remainder of the day.&nbsp;
By incorporating order flow analytics into their trading strategies, market participants can better interpret market conditions, identify trading opportunities, and potentially improve their trading performance. But let's not forget that while watching smart money flow can provide valuable insights, it is crucial to incorporate effective risk management strategies to protect capital and mitigate potential losses. Employing a consistent and effective risk management plan helps traders navigate the uncertainties of the market in a more controlled and calculated manner, increasing the likelihood of long-term success
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for NFLX, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts. 
<a href="https://benzinga.com/apis?_gl=1&#x2A;1hlgn5i&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTY1NjE2NTYxMi4xNzE0NzQ4MTAy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDc0ODEwMi4xLjEuMTcxNDc0ODQyOC4wLjAuMA..">Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs</a> and include firms, like <a href="https://tradepulse.net/?utm_source=benzinga&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=brand_awareness_apr2025">https://tradepulse.net/?utm_source=benzinga&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=brand_awareness_apr2025</a>, which are responsible for parts of the data within this article. 
&#xA9; 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
After Market Close UPDATE:
The price at the time of the Power Inflow was $1076.27. The returns on the High price ($1100.16) and Close price ($1097.09) after the Power Inflow are respectively 2.2% and 1.9%. The result underlines the importance of a trading plan that includes Profit Targets and Stop Losses that reflect your risk appetite.
Results are not indicative of future results

WIIM

Technicals

Opinion

Signals

NFLX

Netflix Stock Climbs 2.2% After Key Signal

When Dave Ramsey speaks, people listen—and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/04/44894410/dave-ramsey-tells-retirees-dont-count-on-it-or-dont-count-on-all-of-it-why-he-doubts-social-securitys-future">jabs at Social Security </a>draw plenty of attention. Back in February, Ramsey slammed the system, sarcastically praising the government for convincing people to give up part of their paycheck in exchange for what he calls a "-4% return." But one financial adviser wasn't having it—and he offered a sharp rebuttal.
"Only the Government Could Make That Work"
Ramsey called Social Security a "sacred cow" and mocked people for defending a system he says delivers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42726864/dave-ramsey-thinks-social-security-is-a-mathematical-disaster-but-still-says-it-makes-more-sense-to-take-it-at-62-almost-every-time">poor returns</a>.
But Colin Exelby, a Virtual Financial Advisor at Celestial Wealth Management, with almost 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, argued that blanket statements like that can be dangerously misleading. With over 20 years in the field, he stressed that personal finance is personal, and sweeping generalizations rarely help real people.
The Real Issue Got Drowned Out
The heart of the clip featured a 61-year-old caller named Tracy, who asked when he should start collecting Social Security. He didn't need the money right away but wondered if he should claim early and invest it.
Ramsey gave his usual "wait as long as possible" advice—but missed a key point: Tracy is still working. That means claiming early could not only shrink his monthly benefit but also trigger further reductions due to income limits. In 2025, workers aged 62–66 earning over $23,400 risk losing $1 in benefits for every $2 above the limit.
Let's Run the Numbers
Exelby offered a scenario: if Tracy earns $80,000 and is eligible for $2,500 a month at 62, his actual benefit could drop to just $1,700 a year after reductions—barely 10% of the original amount. Filing early to invest under those conditions? Probably not a smart move.
He also reminded viewers that withheld benefits are credited back at full retirement age. So early filing while working often backfires.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44969001/65-year-old-with-110k-saved-asks-if-he-can-retire-in-7-years-dave-ramsey-says-you-have-no-money-and-tells-him-to-stop-401k-contributions">65-Year-Old With $110K Saved Asks If He Can Retire in 7 Years — Dave Ramsey Says &#8216;You Have No Money&#8217; and Tells Him to Stop 401(k) Contributions</a>
Ramsey's 12% Argument? Too Optimistic
Ramsey claimed that investing early Social Security checks could grow into a hefty nest egg—assuming a 12% annual return. Exelby ran the numbers: yes, Tracy could end up with $720,000 by age 84.
But drop that return to a more realistic 5%, and the money runs out by age 83—right around average life expectancy. And that's assuming no market hiccups. A few rough years early on could derail the whole plan.
Don't Forget Taxes
Ramsey also skipped over a key issue: taxes. Up to 85% of Social Security income can be taxed, depending on total earnings. Investment gains aren't tax-free either. That cuts deeply into potential returns—and changes the math dramatically.
Two Big Assumptions
For Ramsey's plan to work, you'd need to:
<ol start="1">
<li>Invest every penny of your benefit without spending any of it.</li>
<li>Assume zero taxes on your income and investment gains.</li>
</ol>
Not exactly realistic for most people.
Bottom Line
Exelby's message? Ramsey isn't entirely wrong—but his advice isn't right for everyone either. Social Security decisions depend on income, taxes, timing, and market conditions. There's no one-size-fits-all solution—context matters.
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Read Next: 
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Latham Group, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides 2025 Guidance

Latham Group, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call Date

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