iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ: TLT)

最新ニュース iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:TLT)

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

The fund generally invests at least 90% of its assets in the bonds of the underlying index and at least 95% of its assets in U.S. government bonds. The underlying index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity greater than or equal to twenty years.

Analyst Color

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

Cryptocurrency

Equities

Macro Economic Events

Macro Notification

Bonds

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Commodities

Forex

Treasuries

Econ #s

Economics

Federal Reserve

ETFs

$BTC

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

2020年6月以来、消費者物価指数（CPI）報告が連邦公開市場委員会（FOMC）の会合と同日に発表されるのは初めてのことだ。このことは、金融市場にとって潜在的にボラティルな水曜日を予示している。

消費者物価指数がFOMCで異例の報告

FlexShares Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

THERALASE TECHS INC by Theralase Technologies Inc.

Theralase Technologies Inc

NEOS ETF Trust NEOS Enhanced Income 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

Tradr 2X Long TLT Monthly ETF

Amplify Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 12% Premium Income ETF

Tradr 1.75X Long TLT Quarterly ETF

iShares Trust iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF

Tele2 AB

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/george-soros">Billionaire investor George Soros</a> made some bold portfolio adjustments in the fourth quarter, signaling a shift toward growth while easing off defensive bets. 
Soros Fund Management's latest 13F filing shows fresh bets on Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) and small-cap stocks, alongside a significant reduction in its SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) put position.
Meanwhile, the fund trimmed its stake in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABAF#NYSE">BABAF</a>) and fully exited Oracle Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), reflecting a shifting stance on Chinese tech.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Doubling Down On Alphabet, Small Caps</h2>
Alphabet emerged as one of Soros' biggest buys, with the fund increasing its stake by 2.55%. 
The firm also ramped up its exposure to the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>), a play on smaller, high-growth companies. 
This move suggests Soros is betting on a continued rebound in both mega-cap tech and smaller, more volatile stocks.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43816112/hedge-fund-shake-up-tiger-appaloosa-soros-outperform-buffett-icahn-ackman">Hedge Fund Shake-Up: Tiger, Appaloosa, Soros Outperform Buffett, Icahn, Ackman</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cutting Market Hedges, Adding Fixed Income</h2>
Soros Fund slashed its SPY put position by nearly 15%, signaling reduced bearish sentiment on the broader market. &#8216;
The fund also trimmed holdings in The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>) and iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>), while increasing exposure to Ford Motor Co&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) debt and the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) calls — moves that hint at an evolving fixed-income strategy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">China Exposure Shrinks As BABA Gets Trimmed</h2>
Alibaba stock took a hit in the fourth quarter as Soros scaled back his position, joining other investors in reassessing Chinese tech. 
Meanwhile, Smurfit WestRock PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SW#NYSE">SW</a>) remained the fund's top holding at 5.71% of the portfolio, with Alphabet and AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) rounding out the top three.
Soros' latest moves suggest a more optimistic take on U.S. growth stocks while pulling back on market hedges and Chinese tech bets.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43811538/5-top-tech-stocks-hedge-funds-have-been-bullish-on-in-q4-hint-its-not-nvidia">5 Top Tech Stocks Hedge Funds Have Been Bullish On In Q4 (Hint: It&#8217;s Not Nvidia)</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Hedge Funds

Trading Ideas

BABA

ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD by Alibaba Group Holding Limited

BABAF

GOOGL

ORCL

George Soros Makes Fresh Bets On Alphabet, Small Caps: What About SPY Puts And Alibaba?

All three major U.S. indices are red in Wednesday's midday trading as investors weighed President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on auto imports, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. An official announcement is<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43807804/us-stocks-likely-to-open-lower-following-fresh-records-from-previous-session-expert-says-dont-be-scared-of-new-highs"> expected as soon as April 2.&nbsp;</a>
Markets are anticipating the release of the most recent FOMC minutes later in the trading day which will give further insight into the Federal Reserve's policy outlook. The Fed held interest rates steady at its last meeting and has signaled it is in no hurry to lower rates.&nbsp;
Natural gas futures were up 5%, closing in on a two-year high, as extreme <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/02/43814828/life-threatening-cold-air-snow-brings-travel-delays-higher-heating-costs">cold temperatures</a> across the U.S. drove higher heating demand and froze oil and gas wells, disrupting production. Adding to the pressure on prices are record-level gas flows to LNG export plants. The United States Natural Gas Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNG#NYSE">UNG</a>) ETF was up more than 5% midday Wednesday.&nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/02/43814828/life-threatening-cold-air-snow-brings-travel-delays-higher-heating-costs">&#8216;Life-Threatening&#8217; Cold Air, Snow Brings Travel Delays, Higher Heating Costs</a>
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note held above 4.5% on Wednesday after Trump issued new tariff threats which fueled inflation concerns. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) rose 0.03% to $88.13.&nbsp;
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rose to above the $96,000 level as crypto markets recovered some of Tuesday's losses.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1 day % chg.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>20,037.70</td>
<td>-0.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,132.74</td>
<td>0.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,465.91</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,284.05</td>
<td>0.28%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
According to Benzinga Pro data:
<ul>
<li>The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) inched up 0.05% to $611.78</li>
<li>The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) was down 0.17% at $445.16. </li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) was flat at $539.41. </li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 0.4% to $226.31.</li>
<li>The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) dipped 0.38% to $225.52. </li>
<li>The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) rose 1.36% to $92.54. </li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday's Stock Movers:&nbsp;</h2>
Shares of EV truck maker Nikola Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKLA#NASDAQ">NKLA</a>) plummeted after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/asset-sales/25/02/43811409/nikola-files-for-bankruptcy-seeks-auction-for-sale-of-its-assets">company filed</a> for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking to auction its assets while continuing limited operations through March 2025. Another small EV company, Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MULN#NASDAQ">MULN</a>), shares are down after the company reported significant losses in its fourth-quarter earnings release before the opening bell.&nbsp;
Stocks reacting to company earnings reports included:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Bumble, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMBL#NASDAQ">BMBL</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FOUR#NYSE">FOUR</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDNS#NASDAQ">CDNS</a>)</li>
<li>Medifast, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MED#NYSE">MED</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Appian Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APPN#NASDAQ">APPN</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Arista Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANET#NASDAQ">ANET</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SEDG#NASDAQ">SEDG</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Global-E Online Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLBE#NASDAQ">GLBE</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Garmin Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRMN#NYSE">GRMN</a>)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Companies reporting after Wednesday's closing bell include:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Toast, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TOST#NYSE">TOST</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>The Cheesecake Factory Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAKE#NASDAQ">CAKE</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Alamos Gold Inc. &nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGI#NYSE">AGI</a>)</li>
<li>Borr Drilling Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BORR#NYSE">BORR</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Taseko Mines, Ltd. (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGB#AMEX">TGB</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Equinox Gold Corp.&nbsp; (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQX#AMEX">EQX</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>B2Gold Corp. (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BTG#AMEX">BTG</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Vale S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VALE#NYSE">VALE</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Exact Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXAS#NASDAQ">EXAS</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRAB#NASDAQ">GRAB</a>)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43787369/us-russian-officials-begin-ukraine-peace-talks-defense-sector-stocks-rise"> US, Russian Officials Begin Ukraine Peace Talks: Defense Sector Stocks Rise</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: gary yim/Shutterstock.com

Market Summary

News

Sector ETFs

Markets

Movers

Tech

General

ANET

APPN

BMBL

BORR

CAKE

CDNS

CVNA

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

EXAS

FOUR

GLBE

GRAB

GRMN

MULN

NKLA

SEDG

TOST

VALE

Select Sector SPDR-Consumer Discretionary

Trump Calls For More Tariffs, Federal Reserve Minutes On Deck: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

Major U.S. indices are little-changed in Tuesday's midday trading as investors monitor recent geopolitical developments and anticipate the release of the latest FOMC<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43784079/us-stocks-mixed-ny-state-business-activity-rises-in-february"> minutes on Wednesday.</a>
U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia Tuesday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43787369/us-russian-officials-begin-ukraine-peace-talks-defense-sector-stocks-rise">to begin</a> peace negotiations, marking their first high-level talks on the war in Ukraine since Russia&#8217;s invasion in 2022. The initial talks were intended as "trust-building" and could lay the groundwork for a future meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian and other European officials were notably absent from Tuesday's discussions. 
WTI crude oil futures held steady as diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia raised hopes for reduced geopolitical risks. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43703014/robert-f-kennedy-confirmed-as-trump-secretary-of-health">Robert F. Kennedy, Vaccine Skeptic, Confirmed As Trump&#8217;s Secretary Of Health: Health Care Stocks To Watch</a>
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note rose 0.04%, back above the 4.5% threshold as investors digested recent comments from Fed officials, including Christopher Waller, Michelle Bowman and Patrick Harker, which reinforced expectations that interest rates will remain on hold in the near term.  
All eyes will be on Wednesday's release of the latest FOMC's minutes set for 2 p.m. ET. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) fell 0.57% to $88.64.&nbsp;
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was down 1.16% to $94,672 as crypto markets fell broadly Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday's Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1 day % chg.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>20,000.73</td>
<td>-0.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,115.46</td>
<td>0.01%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,454.56</td>
<td>-0.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,288.09</td>
<td>0.36%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
According to Benzinga Pro data:
<ul>
<li>The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) inched up 0.1% to $610.31.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) was down 0.17% at $445.03.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose 0.04% to $538.36.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) eased 0.44% to $226.97.</li>
<li>The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) dipped 0.53% to $225.81.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) rose 0.95% to $90.93.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday's Stock Movers:&nbsp;</h2>
Shares of Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) surged following reports suggesting Broadcom, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43775200/intel-jumps-over-5-in-tuesday-pre-market-as-deal-talks-with-broadcom-and-tsmc-surface">considering bids</a> for portions of the company.
Stocks reacting to company earnings reports included:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Constellation Energy Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FELE#NASDAQ">FELE</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Watsco, Inc.&nbsp; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WSO#NYSE">WSO</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXSM#NASDAQ">AXSM</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFIN#NYSE">DFIN</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Fluor Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLR#NYSE">FLR</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Medtronic Plc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDT#NYSE">MDT</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>GeneDx Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WGS#NASDAQ">WGS</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Entergy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETR#NYSE">ETR</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>iQIYI, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IQ#NASDAQ">IQ</a>)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Companies reporting after Tuesday's closing bell include:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Matador Resources Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTDR#NYSE">MTDR</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Bumble, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMBL#NASDAQ">BMBL</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Sonoco Products Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SON#NYSE">SON</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TOL#NYSE">TOL</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBLK#NASDAQ">SBLK</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FOUR#NYSE">FOUR</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Matador Resources Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTDR#NYSE">MTDR</a>)</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43732115/explosion-rocks-chernobyl-nuclear-site-as-zelenskyy-signals-readiness-for-peace-talks">Explosion Rocks Chernobyl Nuclear Site As Zelenskyy Signals Readiness For Peace Talks</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock.

Large Cap

Global

AVGO

AXSM

BIDU

DFIN

FELE

INTC

MTDR

SBLK

US, Russia Begin Ukrainian Peace Talks, Intel Shares Surge: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?

Stocks are headed for weekly gains, with the Dow Jones dipping slightly and the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq trading just above the flatline Friday. Traders are digesting weaker-than-expected retail sales and the potential for peace talks<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43732115/explosion-rocks-chernobyl-nuclear-site-as-zelenskyy-signals-readiness-for-peace-talks"> between Russia and Ukraine.&nbsp;</a>
Retail sales in the U.S. fell 0.9% month-over-month in January, significantly worse than the anticipated 0.1% drop. However, markets are largely shrugging off the weaker-than-expected retail sales figures which were likely affected by January's cold weather and California wildfires, as well as the upward revision of December results.
Geopolitical tensions eased slightly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43732115/explosion-rocks-chernobyl-nuclear-site-as-zelenskyy-signals-readiness-for-peace-talks"> told reporters</a> at the Munich Security Conference on Friday that he is willing to participate in Trump&#8217;s peace initiative and eventual talks with Russia.
The price of Crude Oil slid another 0.52% Friday and is down 9.9% over the past month as the market reacted to President Donald Trump&#8216;s plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on trade partners and news of potential peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell to below the 4.5% threshold on Friday, extending its pullback after January's retail sales data may have indicated some weakness in the U.S. consumer. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) rose 0.7%. 
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rose above the $98,000 level on a midday rally Friday and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) climbed more than 7%. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices </td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1 day % chg.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100 </td>
<td>19,988.34</td>
<td>0.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,116.90</td>
<td>0.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones </td>
<td>44,602.67</td>
<td>-0.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,278.93</td>
<td>-0.14%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
According to Benzinga Pro data:
<ul>
<li>The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) inched up 0.3% to $609.92</li>
<li>The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) was down 0.23% at $446.24</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose 0.27% to $537.34.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) eased 0.14% to $225.82.</li>
<li>The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) dipped 0.14% to $226.78</li>
<li>The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) rose 0.72% to $90.36.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday's Stock Movers:&nbsp;</h2>
Shares of Serve Robotics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SERV#NASDAQ">SERV</a>) and SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>) tanked after NVIDIA Corp.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) latest 13F filing revealed it had dissolved its stakes in both companies.&nbsp;
Stocks reacting to company earnings reports included:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>DraftKings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKNG#NASDAQ">DKNG</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>American Axle &amp; Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXL#NYSE">AXL</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>JFrog, Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FROG#NASDAQ">FROG</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Wynn Resorts Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WYNN#NASDAQ">WYNN</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>)</li>
<li>DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXCM#NASDAQ">DXCM</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Procore Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PCOR#NYSE">PCOR</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UDMY#NASDAQ">UDMY</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NUS#NYSE">NUS</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIO#NYSE">BIO</a>)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43703014/robert-f-kennedy-confirmed-as-trump-secretary-of-health">Robert F. Kennedy, Vaccine Skeptic, Confirmed As Trump&#8217;s Secretary Of Health: Health Care Stocks To Watch</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$XRP

COIN

DKNG

DXCM

FROG

MRNA

NVDA

PANW

PCOR

ROKU

SERV

SOUN

UDMY

WYNN

Stocks Head For Weekly Gains, US Treasury Yields Fall Below 4.5%: What's Driving Markets Friday?

As investors process shifting trade policies, inflation and geopolitical tensions, First Trust Advisors launches three new Target Income <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs aimed at boosting income</a> potential while maintaining fixed-income exposure. These actively managed funds each carry a net expense ratio of 0.65% and utilize option strategies to strengthen returns.
Also See: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/43692114/3-dividend-etfs-to-maximize-passive-income">3 Dividend ETFs to Maximize Passive Income</a>
The three newly launched funds, FT Vest Investment Grade &amp; Target Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LQTI#NYSE">LQTI</a>), FT Vest High Yield &amp; Target Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HYTI#NYSE">HYTI</a>), and FT Vest 20+ Year Treasury &amp; Target Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LTTI#NYSE">LTTI</a>), offer a combination of U.S. Treasury securities with options-driven exposure to specific fixed-income sectors.
LQTI provides investment-grade corporate bond exposure through its underlying ETF, the iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LQD#NYSE">LQD</a>). HYTI targets high-yield corporate bonds via the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HYG#NYSE">HYG</a>). LTTI focuses on long-term U.S. Treasury exposure, tied to the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>).
Each fund utilizes FLEX options, which are customizable exchange-traded options designed to optimize risk and return. This is in effort to distribute income at an annual rate 5% higher than their underlying ETFs.
With over 160 ETFs listed in the U.S., First Trust continues to expand its roots in the income-focused investing space. One of its flagship funds, the First Trust Preferred Securities &amp; Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FPE#NYSE">FPE</a>), has more than $5 billion in assets under management.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43710243/5-high-yield-dividend-etfs-by-yieldmax-that-investors-are-talking-about">5 High-Yield Dividend ETFs By YieldMax That Investors Are Talking About</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

New ETFs

HYTI

LQTI

LTTI

3 New Fixed-Income ETFs Use Options To Target Higher Income

A hotter-than-expected inflation report initially rattled markets on Wednesday morning, but investors found confidence to buy the dip, helping major indexes recover most losses by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43656846/inflation-rises-more-than-expected-in-january-chills-interest-rate-cut-hopes">midday trading in New York.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 was down 0.2%, while the Nasdaq 100 was flat, both rebounding from sharp declines following the January Consumer Price Index report. Small-cap stocks underperformed, with the Russell 2000 slipping 0.8%.
The headline CPI rose 3% year over year in January, surpassing both December's 2.9% reading and economist forecasts of 2.9%. On a monthly basis, inflation increased 0.5%, outpacing expectations of 0.3% and accelerating from December's 0.4% gain. This marked the fastest monthly inflation rate since August 2023.
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, climbed to 3.3% year over year from 3.2% in December. On a monthly basis, core CPI increased 0.4%, exceeding estimates of 0.3% and doubling December's 0.2% rise.
Treasuries and interest rate markets reacted sharply to the inflation data. Traders scaled back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts, now projecting only one reduction by December 2025.
Treasury yields surged, reflecting heightened investor uncertainty. The 10-year Treasury yield jumped 10 basis points to 4.64%. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) fell 1%.
Despite rising Treasury yields and a stronger dollar, gold edged up 0.2% to $2,910 per ounce. Oil prices dropped 2% after reports that Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, fueling speculation about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) also rebounded from earlier session losses.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,688.40</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,056.85</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,411.00</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,257.59</td>
<td>-0.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:45 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020325&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;inched 0.2% down to $603.77.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) was 0.4% down to $444.41.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;flattened at $528.09.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) eased 0.8% to $224.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) outperformed, up 0.4%; the&nbsp;Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 1.2%.</li>
</ul>
Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) jumped more than 4% after the electric vehicle maker tumbled 6.3% on Tuesday, reaching oversold levels and extending its losing streak to five consecutive sessions.</li>
</ul>
Stocks reacting to company earnings reports included: 
<ul>
<li>CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>): up 15.7%</li>
<li>Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>): up 4.5%</li>
<li>Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EW#NYSE">EW</a>): up 5.6%</li>
<li>América Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMX#NYSE">AMX</a>): down 1.4%</li>
<li>American International Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIG#NYSE">AIG</a>): up 0.2%</li>
<li>Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ET#NYSE">ET</a>): up 0.3%</li>
<li>Southern Copper Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCCO#NYSE">SCCO</a>): up 2.9%</li>
<li>Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>): up 6.8%</li>
<li>Zillow Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/Z#NASDAQ">Z</a>): down 10.2%</li>
<li>CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CME#NASDAQ">CME</a>): up 2.2%</li>
<li>Chimera Investment Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIM#NYSE">CIM</a>): down 8.9%</li>
<li>Ryder System Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/R#NYSE">R</a>): up 4.0%</li>
<li>Smurfit WestRock Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SW#NYSE">SW</a>): down 5.8%</li>
<li>Sonic Automotive Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAH#NYSE">SAH</a>): down 2.4%</li>
<li>Alkermes Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALKS#NASDAQ">ALKS</a>): up 4.1%</li>
<li>Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVXL#NASDAQ">AVXL</a>): up 1.0%</li>
<li>Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIIB#NASDAQ">BIIB</a>): down 4.6%</li>
<li>Blackstone Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BXMT#NYSE">BXMT</a>): up 2.8%</li>
<li>Camtek Ltd/Israel (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAMT#NASDAQ">CAMT</a>): up 1.5%</li>
<li>Chefs' Warehouse Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHEF#NASDAQ">CHEF</a>): up 13.0%</li>
<li>Diebold Nixdorf Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DBD#NYSE">DBD</a>): down 3.2%</li>
<li>Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/D#NYSE">D</a>): up 0.6%</li>
<li>Exelon Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXC#NASDAQ">EXC</a>): up 0.4%</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43663963/record-high-egg-prices-drive-inflation-higher-in-january">Record-High Egg Prices Drive Inflation Higher In January</a></li>
</ul>
Illustration created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

ALKS

AVXL

BIIB

BXMT

CAMT

CHEF

GILD

SCCO

SMCI

TSLA

Stocks Trim Losses After Hot Inflation, Bonds Remain Pressured, Tesla Rebounds: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

A hotter-than-expected January inflation report triggered sharp market reactions in early trading Wednesday, as investors dialed back their expectations for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43656846/inflation-rises-more-than-expected-in-january-chills-interest-rate-cut-hopes">Federal Reserve rate cuts. </a>
Traders pushed the first anticipated Fed rate cut to December 2025, while the second cut is now priced in no earlier than September 2026, as per CME FedWatch. 
A single rate cut in 2025 is also emerging as the most likely scenario according to betting odds as tracked by the CFTC-regulated Kalshi platform. 
<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://kalshi.com/external-widgets/events/KXRATECUTCOUNT-25DEC31?color_scheme=light&#038;widget_size=large&#038;utm_campaign=benzingawidget" width="552px" height="400px" style="border:0"></iframe>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Hot Inflation Reading Derails Fed Rate Cut Hopes</h3>
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.0% year-over-year, slightly above both the prior reading and expectations of 2.9%. This marks the fourth consecutive increase in annual inflation. 
The monthly reading was even more alarming as CPI surged 0.5%, the largest increase since August 2023, and the third straight month of accelerating price pressures. 
Among major CPI components, fuel oil saw the biggest jump, rising 6.2% month-over-month.
&#8220;The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 1.9 percent over the month, as the index for eggs increased 15.2 percent. This was the largest increase in the eggs index since June 2015 and it accounted for about two thirds of the total monthly food at home increase,&#8221; the Bureau of Labor Statistics said. 
Yet, the rise in inflation was not solely driven by energy and food costs. 
When excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 3.3% year-over-year, up from the previous 3.2% and exceeding forecasts of 3.1%. On a monthly basis, core CPI climbed 0.4%, its highest reading since March 2024, and above consensus estimates of 0.3%.
&#8220;If the Fed were truly committed to its 2% inflation target, market participants would be discussing a potential rate hike and not just a longer pause in the cutting cycle,&#8221; commented economist Mohamed El Erian. 
Peter Schiff took a more extreme stance: &#8220;The Fed is way too loose. At a minimum, the Fed needs to do an inter-meeting 200 basis point rate hike today.&#8221;
In contrast, Robin Brooks, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, highlighted that January inflation readings have tended to be strong post-COVID, attributing the uptick to &#8220;noise and residual seasonality.&#8221;
&#8220;My best proxy for underlying inflation is &#8220;core&#8221; services and that looks well-behaved,&#8221; Brooks said. 
Before the CPI report, President Donald Trump called for lower interest rates in a Truth Social post, indicating that such a move would go &#8220;hand-in-hand&#8221; with tariffs.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Markets React: Stocks Fall, Dollar And Yields Surge</h3>
The U.S. dollar index, tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>), was the major standout winner amid the higher-than-expected inflation reading, with the greenback gauge rallying 0.5%, eyeing the strongest session since early January. 
Treasury yields soared by 10 basis points on the 10-year maturity amid expectations of tighter Fed policies. The popular iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) tumbled by 1.5% in the premarket, potentially heading towards the worst day since late 2024. 
Higher yields sent stocks lower across the board. Contracts on the S&amp;P 500 fell 1%, while tech stocks in the Nasdaq 100 tumbled 1.1%. Small caps underperformed, with the Russell 2000 down 1.5%. 
Sector-wise, the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>), was down by 1.5%. Shares of Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) fell over 2%. 
Gold dipped by 0.3%, while oil prices fell 1.2%.Sentiment in cryptocurrency market weakened with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) weakening by over 1% below $95,000. 
Read now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43649613/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-platforms-sees-meteoric-surge-over-17-amid-historic-18-day-winning-streak-heres-what-technical-analysis-indicate-amid-overbought-conditions">Meta Stock Surges 17.47% In 17 Days, Marking One Of Its Longest Winning Streaks—Analysts Say There&#8217;s Still Room For Double-Digit Growth For Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Company</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Inflation Spike Sparks Dollar Rally: Yields Jump, Bitcoin And Stocks Slide As Interest Rate Cut Doubts Grow

Wall Street slumped into negative territory late in the week as renewed fears over inflation and trade <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">tariffs eroded risk appetite. </a>
The first warning sign came from the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey, which revealed an "unusually large" spike in inflation expectations. The one-year inflation outlook surged by a full percentage point to 4.3%, marking its highest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43564020/consumer-sentiment-sinks-economist-flags-unusually-large-rise-in-inflation-perception">level since November 2023. </a>
Investor uncertainty grew following President Donald Trump's announcement that &#8216;reciprocal tariffs&#8217; would take effect next week. Trump is expected to sign new executive orders at 2:00 p.m. Friday.
On the macro front, February&#8217;s jobs report revealed a mixed outcome, with employment growth slowing down more than expected, yet unemployment fell more than expected, and wages surged more than expected.
Market reaction was swift. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.6%, erasing its weekly gains, while the Nasdaq 100 dropped 0.9% by 1:00 p.m. trading in New York. 
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped into negative territory for the week, putting its three-week winning streak at risk. Small-cap stocks underperformed, with the Russell 2000 sinking 1.3%. 
Stock-wise, Uber Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NASDAQ">UBER</a>) skyrocketed by 9.5%, extending its 8.6% rally from the previous session, after hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman revealed a stake of 30.3 million shares in the ride-hailing giant.
In currency and bond markets, the U.S. dollar index – tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) – rallied following the tariff headlines, while Treasury yields climbed higher. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) dropped 0.8%, reflecting renewed pressure on long-duration bonds. 
Gold took a breather, retreating under pressure from a stronger dollar. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) erased early session gains, slipping from an intraday high of $100,000 to $97,500.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,047.11</td>
<td>-0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,452.38</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,576.82</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,279.74</td>
<td>-1.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020325&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.6% to $602.79.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) fell 0.7% to $444.45.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;dropped 0.8% up to $528.47.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) flattened at $229.55.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) outperformed, up 0.7%; the&nbsp;Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) lagged, down 1.2%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
Stocks reacting to earnings reports included:
<ul>
<li>Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>): down 3.78%</li>
<li>Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>): down 8.29%</li>
<li>Fortinet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTNT#NASDAQ">FTNT</a>): up 2.86%</li>
<li>Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPE#NASDAQ">EXPE</a>): up 15.22%</li>
<li>Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTWO#NASDAQ">TTWO</a>): up 14.92%</li>
<li>Monolithic Power Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPWR#NASDAQ">MPWR</a>): up 7.06%</li>
<li>Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PINS#NYSE">PINS</a>): up 17.09%</li>
<li>SS&amp;C Technologies Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNC#NASDAQ">SSNC</a>): up 5.44%</li>
<li>Principal Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFG#NASDAQ">PFG</a>): up 1.55%</li>
<li>Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTD#NYSE">MTD</a>): up 2.12%</li>
<li>AptarGroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATR#NYSE">ATR</a>): down 7.08%</li>
<li>Post Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POST#NYSE">POST</a>): up 5.96%</li>
<li>Mohawk Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MHK#NYSE">MHK</a>): down 1.53%</li>
<li>Boyd Gaming Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYD#NYSE">BYD</a>): down 0.76%</li>
<li>Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EHC#NYSE">EHC</a>): up 1.53%</li>
<li>VeriSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>): down 0.32%</li>
<li>Cloudflare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NET#NYSE">NET</a>): up 18.39%</li>
<li>Skechers USA Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKX#NYSE">SKX</a>): down 12.68%</li>
<li>Affirm Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>): up 23.22%</li>
<li>e.l.f. Beauty Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>): down 21.12%</li>
<li>Fortive Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTV#NYSE">FTV</a>): down 1.64%</li>
<li>Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KIM#NYSE">KIM</a>): up 0.20%</li>
<li>Avantor Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVTR#NYSE">AVTR</a>): down 9.52%</li>
<li>Plains All American Pipeline LP (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PAA#NASDAQ">PAA</a>): down 2.65%</li>
<li>Cboe Global Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CBOE#NASDAQ">CBOE</a>): up 1.03%</li>
<li>Construction Partners Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROAD#NASDAQ">ROAD</a>): up 6.75%</li>
<li>Plains GP Holdings LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PAGP#NYSE">PAGP</a>): down 1.56%</li>
<li>Flowers Foods Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLO#NYSE">FLO</a>): up 0.31%</li>
<li>Newell Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NWL#NASDAQ">NWL</a>): down 28.38%</li>
<li>Perella Weinberg Partners (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PWP#NASDAQ">PWP</a>): down 6.50%</li>
<li>Frontier Group Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULCC#NASDAQ">ULCC</a>): up 16.75%</li>
<li>Proto Labs Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRLB#NYSE">PRLB</a>): down 1.89%</li>
<li>Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPRE#NASDAQ">GPRE</a>): down 19.06%</li>
<li>Graham Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GHM#NYSE">GHM</a>): down 17.34%</li>
<li>GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EAF#NYSE">EAF</a>): down 4.70%</li>
<li>Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CGC#NASDAQ">CGC</a>): down 25.18%</li>
<li>Iterum Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITRM#NASDAQ">ITRM</a>): down 5.03%</li>
</ul>
Read now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43567475/amazon-vs-walmart-did-amazons-q4-revenue-beat-the-worlds-largest-retailer">Amazon Vs. Walmart: Did Amazon&#8217;s Q4 Revenue Beat &#8216;The World&#8217;s Largest Retailer&#8217;?</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Government

Regulations

AFRM

AMZN

AVTR

CBOE

EXPE

FTNT

GPRE

ILMN

ITRM

MPWR

PAGP

PINS

POST

PRLB

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Trust Dynamic Mid Cap Value Portfolio

ROAD

SSNC

TTWO

UBER

ULCC

VRSN

XLRE

Wall Street Drops On Tariffs Threat, Dollar Rises, Uber Rockets On Ackman's Tweet: What's Driving Markets Friday?

Consumer confidence in the U.S. took a bigger-than-expected hit in February as worries over rising inflation weigh on sentiment, posing fresh challenges for the Federal Reserve&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">interest rate outlook. </a>
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index dipped to 67.8 in February, according to preliminary estimates released Friday, down by 4.6 percentage points from January and missing economist forecasts of 71.1 as tracked by TradingEconomics.
The latest consumer survey shows a broad-based drop in morale, marking the second consecutive monthly decline and the first such back-to-back drop since June 2024. Both current conditions and future expectations deteriorated.
&#8220;The decrease was pervasive, with Republicans, Independents, and Democrats all posting sentiment declines from January, along with consumers across age and wealth groups,&#8221; wrote Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.
The subindex tracking consumer expectations for the economic outlook fell to 67.3, down from 69.3, missing forecasts of a rebound to 70 and reaching its lowest level since December 2023. 
Current conditions plunged from 74 to 68.7, a sharp 7.2% decline, far below the expected 73.
All five components of the index declined, with the steepest drop seen in buying conditions for durable goods, which plummeted 12%. 
This was partly attributed to consumer concerns that it may already be too late to avoid the negative impact of potential tariff policies.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Inflation Concerns Take Center Stage</h3>
A major red flag emerged from inflation expectations, which surged unexpectedly. 
The one-year inflation outlook jumped to 4.3%, up one full percentage point from last month and the highest reading since November 2023.
Long-term inflation expectations edged up to 3.3%, well above the pre-pandemic range, adding to concerns that inflationary pressures may persist longer than previously anticipated.
&#8220;Many consumers appear worried that high inflation will return within the next year,&#8221; the University of Michigan said in its report.
According to Hsu, the year-ahead inflation expectation gauge recorded another &#8220;unusually large&#8221; increase, after the one that had already occurred in January.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reaction: Stocks Drop, Yields Surge, Gold Hits Record</h3>
The market response was swift, with stocks tumbling, Treasury yields surging and gold hitting fresh record highs as investors reassessed inflation risks and flocked to safe havens.
The S&amp;P 500 – as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) – fell 0.5% by 10:20 a.m. in New York, with tech stocks underperforming, down 0.6%.
Gold prices, tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), climbed 0.9% to $2,880 per ounce, setting a new all-time high.
Treasury yields surged, reflecting rising nervousness among bond investors. Longer-term maturities rose by as much as 7 basis points. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) slid 0.8%.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43559446/us-economy-adds-fewer-than-expected-jobs-in-january-unemployment-slows-wage-growth-spikes">US Economy Adds Fewer Than Expected Jobs In January, Unemployment Rate Slows, Wage Growth Spikes (UPDATED)</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Consumer Sentiment Sinks In February: Economist Flags 'Unusually Large' Rise In Inflation Perception

Editor&#8217;s note: This story has been updated with additional details.
U.S. employment growth lost steam in January, with job growth coming in well below expectations and marking a significant slowdown <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">from the previous month. </a>
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 143,000 in January 2025, marking a sharp slowdown from the upwardly revised 307,000 in December and missing economist expectations of 170,000, as tracked by TradingEconomics.
The softer-than-expected data hints at a gradual cooling in hiring momentum. The official jobs report also reveals a weaker-than-expected unemployment rate and hotter-than-expected wage growth, indicating mixed signals about the health of the U.S. labor market.
&#8220;In January, job gains occurred in health care, retail trade, and social assistance. Employment declined in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry,&#8221; the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated.
November&#8217;s total nonfarm payroll employment was revised higher by 49,000, increasing from 212,000 to 261,000, while December&#8217;s figure rose by 51,000, from 256,000 to 307,000.
Despite the weaker hiring pace, the unemployment rate surprisingly inched down from 4.1% to 4% in January, beating expectations of a stable reading.
Average hourly earnings, a key measure of wage inflation, spiked 0.5% month-over-month, topping expectations of 0.3% and marking the highest increase since January 2024. On an annual basis, wages increased 4.1%, up from 3.9% previously, and beating estimates of 3.8%. 
Beyond the headline numbers, Friday&#8217;s job market report also included the annual benchmark revision to the establishment survey and updated population controls in the household survey. 
The total nonfarm employment gain for the year ending March 2024 was revised down from 2,900,000 to 2,346,000.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reaction</h3>
Financial markets showed little reactions to the jobs report, with U.S. equity futures holding flat as investors reassessed the Fed's policy outlook. 
The U.S. dollar index, tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>), inched up by 0.2%, driven by rising Treasury yields.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was up by 5 basis points to 4.49% by 9 a.m. ET Friday. Yields on both longer- and shorter-dated maturities rose in a similar fashion. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) was 0.6% lower in premarket trading.
Gold, which is tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), held steady at $2,865 per ounce, hovering at record highs. 
Sector-wise, communication services outperformed, up 0.5%, while consumer discretionary stocks lagged, down 0.6%.
On Thursday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) closed 0.4% higher.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43544975/banks-win-first-regulatory-relief-as-fed-softens-stress-test-rules-scraps-climate-risks-financial-stocks-hit-record-highs">Fed Eases Bank Stress Tests, Drops Climate Risks: Financial Stocks Hit Record Highs</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Currency ETFs

US Economy Adds Fewer Than Expected Jobs In January, Unemployment Rate Slows, Wage Growth Spikes (UPDATED)

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://thearorareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-06_07h50_21.png" alt="" /></figure>
To gain an edge, this is what you need to know today.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">10 Year In Focus</h4>
Please <a href="https://thearorareport.com/chart-analysis-stock-market-trump-focused-on-10-year-tlt-mc-02062025">click here</a> for an enlarged chart of iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>).
Note the following:
<ul>
<li>The chart shows TLT had previously touched the top band of the support zone.</li>
<li>The chart shows yesterday TLT broke out above the top band of the support zone.  TLT took a leg up for two main reasons:
<ul>
<li>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Trump wants to focus on the 10-year yield to reduce borrowing costs instead of the Fed's short term benchmark.</li>
<li>The details of the Treasury funding.  Yesterday, we wrote:</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">In an important development, the Treasury announced&nbsp; $125B of securities, from 3 year to 30 year, to refund approximately $106B Treasuries maturing on February 15.&nbsp; So far, the stock market likes this development, and there is aggressive buying on this news.
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Rallying bonds means lower yields.  Rallying bonds are also a positive for the stock market.</li>
<li>Initial jobless claims came at 219K vs. 213K consensus.  This data adds to the murky jobs picture.  The official jobs report will be released tomorrow at 8:30am ET.  The official jobs report may bring clarity to the murky jobs picture and the data may be market moving.</li>
<li>Arm Holdings American Depositary Shares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) is a British company.  Its processor design is used in over 90% of smartphones, including iPhones.  In The Arora Report analysis, ARM stock is one of the bigger beneficiaries of the future AI move to the edge.  Arm is guiding $0.48 &#8211; $0.56 vs. $0.52 consensus, but whisper numbers have been much higher.  ARM stock is falling on guidance below whisper numbers. In The Arora Report analysis, Arm guidance is raising a concern that the growth of AI to the edge may be slower than the market currently expects.  However, Wall Street firms are coming to Arm's defense and raising targets on ARM stock.</li>
<li>Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) earnings and guidance are better than the consensus and whisper numbers.  However, the stock is under pressure on slowing smartphone growth. As full disclosure, QCOM is in The Arora Report&#8217;s ZYX Buy Core Model Portfolio.  As the stock market is focused on slowing smartphone growth, in The Arora Report analysis, investors should look forward as Qualcomm will be a major beneficiary of AI's move to the edge.</li>
<li>The reaction to earnings from Arm and Qualcomm demonstrates crosscurrents.  As a reader of The Arora Report, you have an advantage as The Arora Report is one of the rare resources that has a long track record of helping investors successfully navigate crosscurrents.</li>
<li>Dependence on Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has its perils.  Skyworks Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWKS#NASDAQ">SWKS</a>) has been a main supplier of RF components to Apple.  SWKS stock is falling 28% on the news that Apple is going to shift some of its business to another vendor.  In The Arora Report analysis, the other vendor is likely Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>).  As full disclosure, there is a sympathy short trade on this news in Qorvo Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QRVO#NASDAQ">QRVO</a>).  It is too late to short SWKS.  </li>
<li>Several food stocks have been under pressure, especially hard hit have been those impacted by rising prices of cocoa.  This morning, sentiment is lifting on these stocks as chocolate maker Hershey Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) beat earnings.</li>
<li>Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) has been the best performing pharmaceutical stock due to the popularity of its weight loss drugs.  LLY beat the consensus and whisper numbers and provided a very positive update on the pipeline.   In the early trade, LLY stock is volatile in the premarket, having traded at low as $812.18 and as high as $875.  Prudent investors need to note that the wide range in a very short time seen in LLY stock this morning is becoming typical in many many stocks.  As a practical tip, in this market it is imperative to scale in and scale out.  As full disclosure, LLY is in the ZYX Buy Core Model Portfolio.  </li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Magnificent Seven Money Flows</h4>
In the early trade, money flows are positive in Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are neutral in Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are negative in AAPL, Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>), and Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>).
In the early trade, money flows are mixed in 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 Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>).
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Momo Crowd And Smart Money In Stocks</h4>
Investors can gain an edge by knowing money flows in SPY and QQQ.&nbsp; Investors can get a bigger edge by knowing when smart money is buying stocks, gold, and oil.&nbsp; The most popular ETF for gold is SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>).&nbsp; The most popular ETF for silver is iShares Silver Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLV#NYSE">SLV</a>).&nbsp; The most popular ETF for oil is United States Oil ETF (ASCA:USO).
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin</h4>
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is range bound.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Protection Band And What To Do Now</h4>
It is important for investors to look ahead and not in the rearview mirror.&nbsp; The proprietary protection band from The Arora Report is very popular.&nbsp; The protection band puts all of the data, all of the indicators, all of the news, all of the crosscurrents, all of the models, and all of the analysis in an analytical framework that is easily actionable by investors.
Consider continuing to hold good, very long term, existing positions. Based on individual risk preference, consider a protection band consisting of cash or Treasury bills or short-term tactical trades as well as short to medium term hedges and short term hedges. This is a good way to protect yourself and participate in the upside at the same time.
You can determine your protection bands by adding cash to hedges.&nbsp; The high band of the protection is appropriate for those who are older or conservative. The low band of the protection is appropriate for those who are younger or aggressive.&nbsp; If you do not hedge, the total cash level should be more than stated above but significantly less than cash plus hedges.
A protection band of 0% would be very bullish and would indicate full investment with 0% in cash.&nbsp; A protection band of 100% would be very bearish and would indicate a need for aggressive protection with cash and hedges or aggressive short selling.
It is worth reminding that you cannot take advantage of new upcoming opportunities if you are not holding enough cash.&nbsp; When adjusting hedge levels, consider adjusting partial stop quantities for stock positions (non ETF); consider using wider stops on remaining quantities and also allowing more room for high beta stocks.&nbsp; High beta stocks are the ones that move more than the market.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Traditional 60/40 Portfolio</h4>
Probability based risk reward adjusted for inflation does not favor long duration strategic bond allocation at this time.
Those who want to stick to traditional 60% allocation to stocks and 40% to bonds may consider focusing on only high quality bonds and bonds of five year duration or less.  Those willing to bring sophistication to their investing may consider using bond ETFs as tactical positions and not strategic positions at this time.
The Arora Report is known for its accurate calls. The Arora Report correctly called the big artificial intelligence rally before anyone else, the new bull market of 2023, the bear market of 2022, new stock market highs right after the virus low in 2020, the virus drop in 2020, the DJIA rally to 30,000 when it was trading at 16,000, the start of a mega bull market in 2009, and the financial crash of 2008. Please click here to sign up for a free forever <a href="https://thearorareport.com/generate-wealth-newsletter-benzinga">Generate Wealth Newsletter</a>.

AAPL

GOOG

MSFT

QCOM

QRVO

SWKS

Trump Focused On 10-Year Yield And Not On The Fed, Slower AI Growth Fears Weigh On Arm Stock

Wall Street rose on Wednesday, with all major equity indices advancing as investors assessed the latest batch of corporate earnings and drew optimism from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43494246/private-employment-rises-by-183000-beats-estimates-in-january-consumer-facing-industries-drove-hiring">positive labor market data.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 gained 0.3% to 6,045 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6%, now trading less than 1% below its all-time high.
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) missed quarterly earnings expectations on its cloud business, triggering a 7% drop, its worst single-day decline in a year. On the upside, Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) surged 6% after beating estimates, fueling a rally in chip stocks. Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) also gained 3.4%.
The Russell 2000 outperformed with a 0.9% gain, reflecting strength in smaller-cap stocks.
Fresh labor market data signaled resilience. Private sector employment rose by 183,000 in January according to the ADP report, surpassing expectations of 150,000. The services sector continued expanding,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43499292/us-services-growth-slows-in-january-as-tariff-concerns-mount"> as per ISM survey</a>, though at a slightly slower-than-anticipated pace.
Investors piled into Treasuries, sending yields tumbling across the curve. The 30-year yield fell to its lowest level since Dec. 18, 2024, while the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) rallied 1.9%.
Gold extended its bull run, surging over 1% to a record $2,870 per ounce, driven by continued central bank buying. Copper jumped 2%. 
In crypto markets, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) edged down 1.2% to $97,000. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,310.94</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,801.97</td>
<td>0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,054.99</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>• Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,621.68</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 2:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020325&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.3% to $602.97.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) rose 0.5% to $447.60.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;inched 0.2% up to $525.63.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rallied 1% to $229.09.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) outperformed, up 1.6%; the&nbsp;Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) lagged, down 1.2%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
Stocks reacting on earnings reports included: 
<ul>
<li>Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>): up 5.9%</li>
<li>Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>): down 2.4%</li>
<li>Mondelez International Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>): up 0.62%</li>
<li>Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPG#NYSE">SPG</a>): 3.55%</li>
<li>Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EA#NASDAQ">EA</a>): up 5.7%</li>
<li>Snap Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NASDAQ">SNAP</a>): down 6.55%</li>
<li>IDEX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEX#NYSE">IEX</a>): down 9.61%</li>
<li>Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>): down 1.77%</li>
<li>Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>): down 7.31%</li>
<li>Fiserv Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FI#NYSE">FI</a>): up 7.48%</li>
<li>Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BSX#NYSE">BSX</a>): up 1.87%</li>
<li>Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITW#NYSE">ITW</a>): down 0.62%</li>
<li>Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EMR#NYSE">EMR</a>): down 2.61%</li>
<li>T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TROW#NASDAQ">TROW</a>): down 3.91%</li>
<li>Cencora Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COR#NYSE">COR</a>): up 0.83%</li>
<li>CDW Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDW#NASDAQ">CDW</a>): up 4.54%</li>
<li>Ares Management Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARES#NYSE">ARES</a>): down 2.51%</li>
<li>Bunge Global SA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BG#NYSE">BG</a>): down 5.05%</li>
<li>Johnson Controls International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JCI#NYSE">JCI</a>): up 12.49%</li>
<li>Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ODFL#NASDAQ">ODFL</a>): up 5.60%</li>
<li>Stanley Black &amp; Decker Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWK#NYSE">SWK</a>): down 1.43%</li>
<li>Ares Capital Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>): down 3.26%</li>
<li>Criteo SA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRTO#NASDAQ">CRTO</a>): up 17.73%</li>
<li>Timken Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TKR#NYSE">TKR</a>): up 2.86%</li>
<li>Performance Food Group Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFGC#NYSE">PFGC</a>): down 1.91%</li>
<li>New York Times Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NYT#NYSE">NYT</a>): down 11.56%</li>
<li>Griffon Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GFF#NYSE">GFF</a>): up 9.00%</li>
<li>Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOG#NYSE">HOG</a>): down 0.63%</li>
<li>Capri Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPRI#NYSE">CPRI</a>): down 13.94%</li>
<li>Azenta Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZTA#NASDAQ">AZTA</a>): up 1.04%</li>
<li>Vishay Intertechnology Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VSH#NYSE">VSH</a>): up 8.65%</li>
<li>Spire Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SR#NYSE">SR</a>): up 0.82%</li>
</ul>
Large-cap stocks slated to report earnings after the close are Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), McKesson Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCK#NYSE">MCK</a>) Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOH#NYSE">MOH</a>), O&#8217;Reilly Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORLY#NASDAQ">ORLY</a>), MetLife Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MET#NYSE">MET</a>), Cognizant Technology Solutions (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTSH#NASDAQ">CTSH</a>), Corteva Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTVA#NYSE">CTVA</a>), Allstate Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALL#NYSE">ALL</a>), Skyworks Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWKS#NASDAQ">SWKS</a>), Aflac Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>), Align Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALGN#NASDAQ">ALGN</a>). 
Read now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43503385/trumps-gaza-plan-for-seaside-resort-faces-global-pushback">Trump&#8217;s Plan To Turn Gaza Into Seaside Resort, Remove 2 Million Palestinians Roundly Rejected By World Leaders</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

ALGN

AMGN

ARCC

ARES

AZTA

CMRE

CPRI

CRTO

CTSH

CTVA

MDLZ

ODFL

ORLY

PFGC

REYN

RSVR

SNAP

TECH

TROW

Stocks Rebound, Google Eyes Worst Drop In A Year, Gold Shatters Fresh Records: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

Editor&#8217;s note: This story has been updated to correct Donald Trump&#8217;s title to current, not former, president. 
With President Donald Trump threatening 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada (though implementation of the tariffs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43443587/stocks-trim-losses-on-mexico-tariff-delay-gold-extends-records-tesla-sinks-6-whats-driving-markets-monday">has now been delayed</a>), and the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady, investors in Treasury ETFs are bracing for market shifts.
These developments could drive significant movements in bond yields, affecting ETFs that track long-term U.S. government bonds. More on that further on. First, here are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">three Treasury ETFs</a> to keep an eye on:
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43447999/vanguard-slashes-investing-fees-saving-investors-millions-the-larger-we-become-the-lower-it-goes">Vanguard Slashes Investing Fees, Saving Investors Millions: &#8216;The Larger We Become, The Lower It Goes&#8217;</a>
<ul>
<li>iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>): This is one of the most widely traded Treasury ETFs, tracking U.S. government bonds with maturities of 20 years or more. Because of its long duration, the ETF is highly sensitive to interest rate changes. Over the past 5 years, the price has fallen 6% to $87.39 as of writing.&nbsp; The expense ratio is 0.15%.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGLT#NASDAQ">VGLT</a>): VGLT provides exposure to U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities greater than 10 years. It tracks the the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Long Treasury Bond Index and offers a slightly broader range of long-term bonds than TLT, bringing in more stable government-backed returns. The expense ratio is also lower at 0.04% compared to TLT.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>SPDR Portfolio Long-Term Treasury ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPTL#NYSE">SPTL</a>): SPTL offers a cost-effective way to gain exposure to long-duration Treasuries, tracking the performance of long-term U.S. government bonds. Its low expense ratio makes it attractive for long-term investors. The expense ratio is even lower at 0.03%.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43442219/why-beer-tequila-avocados-cars-iphone-prices-could-rise-trumps-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-china-to-hurt-several-sectors">Why Beer, Tequila, Avocados, Cars, iPhone Prices Could Rise: Trump&#8217;s Tariffs On Canada, Mexico, China To Hurt Several Sectors</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Affect These ETFs</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada</a> could lead to higher import costs, potentially driving up inflation. 
If inflation expectations rise, bond yields will likely increase as investors demand higher returns. Higher yields push down the prices of existing long-term Treasuries, causing Treasury ETFs like TLT, VGLT, and EDV to decline.
On the other hand, tariffs could weaken trade, disrupt supply chains, and slow economic growth. If investors anticipate a downturn, they may flock to safe-haven assets like U.S. Treasuries, pushing bond prices up and yields down. This might benefit long-term Treasury ETFs.
Adding to the layers of complexity is the Federal Reserve&#8217;s hawkish decision to keep interest rates unchanged, as inflation still remains a concern. The bond market, according to ING THINK, is also expecting inflation to stay around 3%. Because of this, the Fed isn&#8217;t likely to cut interest rates back to a &#8220;neutral&#8221; level of 3%, and long-term Treasury bond yields (like the 10-year Treasury) remain above 4.5%.
The combination of Trump's tariffs and the Fed's policy stance creates both risks and opportunities for Treasury ETF investors. If inflation rises and yields increase, long-term bond ETFs may struggle. However, if tariffs slow the economy and push investors into safe-haven assets, these ETFs could benefit.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/02/43459251/simplify-launches-foxy-etf-to-navigate-fx-volatility-tariff-uncertainty">Simplify Launches FOXY ETF To Navigate FX Volatility, Tariff Uncertainty</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

SPTL

VGLT

Treasury ETFs In Focus As Trump's Tariffs, Fed's Rate Decision Shake Bond Markets (CORRECTED)

The U.S. services sector continued to grow in January 2025, though at a slower pace than expected, highlighting uncertainty as businesses brace <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">for potential tariff impacts.</a>
The latest survey from the Institute for Supply Management revealed that the Services PMI fell to 52.8% in January, down from 54% in December, and below the 54.3% forecast by economists, as per TradingEconomics. While expansion persists, the slowdown suggests businesses are feeling pressure from rising costs and trade policy uncertainties.
Despite the overall softness, January marked the second consecutive month in which all four key subindexes—Business Activity, New Orders, Employment, and Supplier Deliveries—remained in expansion territory. 
Yet, concerns over tariffs weighed on sentiment.
"Many panelists also mentioned preparations or concerns related to potential U.S. government tariff actions," said Steve Miller, chair of ISM's survey committee. 
Industry respondents echoed these worries, with contacts in professional, scientific and technical Services indicating that the threat of tariffs is leading to higher price pressures. Respondents in real estate, rental, and leasing flagged concerns about the cost of materials and project work going forward.
Weather-related disruptions also emerged as a possible factor affecting business activity and production levels, according to the survey.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key ISM Services PMI Data – January 2025</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Index Series</th>
<th>Jan 2025</th>
<th>Dec 2024</th>
<th>Change</th>
<th>Direction</th>
<th>Rate of Change</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Services PMI</td>
<td>52.8</td>
<td>54.0</td>
<td>-1.2</td>
<td>Growing</td>
<td>Slower</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Business Activity/Production</td>
<td>54.5</td>
<td>58.0</td>
<td>-3.5</td>
<td>Growing</td>
<td>Slower</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New Orders</td>
<td>51.3</td>
<td>54.4</td>
<td>-3.1</td>
<td>Growing</td>
<td>Slower</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Employment</td>
<td>52.3</td>
<td>51.3</td>
<td>+1.0</td>
<td>Growing</td>
<td>Faster</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Supplier Deliveries</td>
<td>53.0</td>
<td>52.5</td>
<td>+0.5</td>
<td>Slowing</td>
<td>Faster</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inventories</td>
<td>47.5</td>
<td>49.4</td>
<td>-1.9</td>
<td>Contracting</td>
<td>Faster</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Prices</td>
<td>60.4</td>
<td>64.4</td>
<td>-4.0</td>
<td>Increasing</td>
<td>Slower</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Backlog of Orders</td>
<td>44.8</td>
<td>44.3</td>
<td>+0.5</td>
<td>Contracting</td>
<td>Slower</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New Export Orders</td>
<td>52.0</td>
<td>50.1</td>
<td>+1.9</td>
<td>Growing</td>
<td>Faster</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Labor Market Remains Strong In Services Sector</h3>
The job market in service-related industries remained resilient, with private employers adding 190,000 jobs in January, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43494246/private-employment-rises-by-183000-beats-estimates-in-january-consumer-facing-industries-drove-hiring">the ADP National Employment Report.</a> 
In contrast, goods-producing industries shed 6,000 jobs, signaling a stark divide between the two sectors.
Within services, trade, transportation, and utilities led hiring with 56,000 new jobs, while leisure and hospitality closely followed, adding 54,000 positions. 
This data underscores the continued strength of consumer-driven industries, even amid broader economic uncertainty.
&#8220;Consumer-facing industries drove hiring, while job growth was weaker in business services and production,&#8221; said ADP chief economist Nela Richardson. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions: Stocks Fall, Gold Shatters Records</h3>
Stocks negatively reacted following the publications of the ISM Services PMI report, with the S&amp;P 500 index – tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) – further sliding into negative territory, down 0.5% by 10:20 a.m. ET. 
Tech stocks – tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) – were 0.6% lower, as Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) fell 8.4%, and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) was down 10%, weighing on tech-heavy indices.
Outside of Wall Street, gold continued to shine, further extending its all-time highs to $2,875 per ounce. The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) has now rallied 8.7% year-to-date, with the bullion marking the strongest start to the year since 1980. 
Treasury yields fell, particularly on longer-dated maturities, with yields on the 30-year Treasury down 8 basis points to 4.72%. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) rallied 1.4%, eyeing its third straight session of gains. 
Other than weaker investor sentiment on risky assets, Treasuries benefited from safe-haven demand after President Donald Trump escalated tariff disputes with China and proposed a U.S.-led redevelopment plan for Gaza.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was flat at $98,400. 
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/25/02/43496870/janus-henderson-is-a-turnaround-story-with-growing-suite-of-fixed-income-etfs-analyst">Janus Henderson Is A &#8216;Turnaround Story&#8217; With Growing Suite Of Fixed Income ETFs: Analyst</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

US Services Growth Slows In January As Tariff Concerns Mount

The U.S. manufacturing sector surprisingly returned to expansion in January, signaling renewed business optimism, though mounting input costs pose a growing inflation risk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">for the months ahead.</a>
Two key indicators tracking U.S. factory activity that were released Monday showed stronger-than-expected growth last month.
The S&amp;P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI was upwardly revised to 51.2, exceeding the preliminary estimate of 50.1 and improving from 49.4 in December. 
The ISM Manufacturing PMI rose to 50.9 from a downwardly revised 49.2 in December, beating market forecasts of 49.8, according to TradingEconomics. This marked the first expansion in the ISM index after 26 consecutive months of contraction.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Manufacturing Activity Surges In January</h3>
"The start of the new year saw a renewed expansion in the U.S. manufacturing sector amid a surge in confidence," S&amp;P Global wrote in its report. 
The firm attributed part of the optimism to expectations that business conditions would improve under President Donald Trump&#8216;s administration.
"Business confidence about prospects for the year ahead has leaped to the highest level in nearly three years after one of the largest monthly gains yet recorded by the survey," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence.
While manufacturing activity rebounded, rising input costs threaten to push consumer price inflation higher in the months ahead. Costs continued to increase sharply, driving the pace of output price inflation to its highest level since May 2024.
"A rise in the rate of increase of both input costs and selling prices could become a concern if this intensification of inflationary pressures is sustained in the coming months," Williamson stated. 
"Especially as the combination of higher price pressures alongside accelerating economic growth and rising employment is not typically conducive to cutting interest rates," he added.
A separate ISM survey reinforced these concerns, with its Prices Paid Index climbing 2.4 points from December to 54.9, the highest since May 2024, exceeding market expectations of 52.6. 
Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, highlighted that price pressures would be a significant challenge throughout 2025.
"As predicted, maintaining a slower rate of price increases as demand returns will be a major challenge for 2025," Fiore said.
The ISM report also highlighted that companies in the Food, Beverage &amp; Tobacco Products industry are actively assessing supply chain adjustments in response to potential tariff-driven cost increases.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions: Stocks Drop, Bonds And Gold Rally</h2>
Markets reacted negatively to the confirmation of new tariffs on Canada and Mexico at 25% and China at 10% announced by Trump over the weekend.
By 10:30 a.m. ET, the S&amp;P 500 — tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) — was down 1.2%.
Treasury yields declined, signaling demand for safe-haven assets. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond dropped 5 basis points to 4.75%, pushing the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) up 0.7%.
Gold prices surged to fresh all-time highs, with spot gold reaching $2,800 per ounce, while the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) rose 0.7%, reflecting heightened investor concerns over inflation and economic uncertainty.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43430801/exclusive-anthony-scaramucci-warns-donald-trumps-crypto-promises-may-be-a-mirage">EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Scaramucci Warns Donald Trump&#8217;s Crypto Promises May Be A &#8216;Mirage&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

US Manufacturing Confidence Tops Forecasts, Yet Price Pressures Intensify, 'Could Become A Concern,' Economist Says

Editor&#8217;s Note: This article has been updated to correctly attribute the tariff announcement to the Trump administration.
U.S. equity indices reversed earlier gains and fell into negative territory during Friday afternoon trading in New York after the White House confirmed that new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China would take effect on Saturday, escalating trade tensions with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43401971/white-house-confirms-tariffs-on-key-us-trade-partners-this-weekend">country's three largest suppliers.</a>
The S&amp;P 500—tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)—fell 1%, sliding from 6,120 points at midday to 6,045 points by 2:45 p.m. ET.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.8% to 44,530 points, while the Nasdaq 100—tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)—fell 1.5%, reversing an earlier 1.3% gain.
Sector-wise, the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) deepened its losses, sliding 2.9%. Meanwhile, the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) was the only sector still in positive territory, up 0.3%, though it had pared earlier gains.
The Trump administration is imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% duty on Chinese imports. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the measure responds to these nations&#8217; alleged role in allowing illegal fentanyl to enter the U.S.
A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43398182/trumps-25-tariffs-could-slaughter-canada-mexico-economies-hit-us-auto-industry-analysts-warn">Goldman Sachs research note</a> published Friday estimated that GDP in Canada and Mexico could decline by 1% to 4%, with consumer prices rising up to 2% due to increased import costs.
For the U.S., the new tariffs would raise the overall tariff rate by 7.3 percentage points, resulting in a 0.7% increase in core personal consumption expenditures prices, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, and a 0.4% drag on U.S. GDP growth.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dollar Reigns Supreme, Canadian Dollar Nears 9-Year Lows</h3>
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened against all major counterparts, particularly against those most affected by the tariff announcement.
The greenback surged past 1.4520 against the Canadian dollar, on track to close the session at its highest level since January 2016.
The dollar erased earlier losses against the Mexican peso and gained 0.3% against the Chinese yuan.
A broader measure of dollar strength, as broadly followed by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>), was up 0.3%.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bond Yields Surge, Gold Retreats, Bitcoin Slumps</h3>
Treasury yields spiked, reflecting investor concerns over the inflationary impact of tariffs. Both 10-year Treasury yields and 30-year yields were up 5 basis points to 4.57% and 4.81%, respectively. 
As a reaction, the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) fell 0.7%
Gold pared earlier gains amid a stronger dollar and rising yields.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) bore the brunt of the risk-off move, tumbling over 3% from $105,000 to $102,000.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43399315/apples-better-than-feared-guidance-calms-iphone-ai-china-concerns-7-analyst-reactions">Apple&#8217;s &#8216;Better Than Feared&#8217; Guidance Calms iPhone, AI, China Concerns: 7 Analyst Reactions</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Wall Street Sinks On Trump's Tariff Announcement, Bitcoin Drops 3%, Dollar Soars (CORRECTED)

The U.S. economy continued to grow in the final quarter of 2024, but at a slower-than-expected pace as a decline in investments <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s">offset strong consumer spending.</a>
Gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 2.3% in the fourth quarter compared to the previous three months, according to preliminary official data released Thursday. 
This outcome marks a deceleration from the 3.1% growth recorded earlier, missing economist forecasts of a 2.6% expansion, as tracked by TradingEconomics.
The backbone of growth remained strong real consumer spending, which increased at an annualized pace of 4.3% in the fourth quarter, accelerating from the previous quarter's 3.7% gain. This marks the strongest consumer spending expansion since the first quarter of 2023.
&#8220;The increase in real GDP in the fourth quarter primarily reflected increases in consumer spending and government spending that were partly offset by a decrease in investment,&#8221; the Bureau of Economic Analysis wrote in its report.
Personal Consumption Expenditures prices also picked up, rising from 1.5% to an annualized 2.3% in the fourth quarter. Excluding food and energy, core PCE prices increased at an annualized rate of 2.5%, up from the previous 2.2%, but in line with estimates.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor reported on Thursday that weekly jobless claims fell to 207,000 for the week ending Jan. 25, below the previous week&#8217;s 223,000 and expectations of 220,000.
Continuing claims for the week ending Jan. 18 eased to 1.858 million, down from the previous 1.9 million and below forecasts of 1.89 million. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>
Futures on major U.S. indices were mixed, with contracts on the S&amp;P 500 rising 0.3% by 8:35 a.m. ET, while Nasdaq 100 futures were down 0.4%. 
Major tech companies witnessed mixed performances following earnings reports. Shares of Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) were down 4.5% in the premarket, while Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) rose 1.9% and 4%, respectively. 
On Wednesday, the S&amp;P 500 index, replicated by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), closed 0.5% lower in reaction to the Fed meeting and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43318325/a-different-powell-emerges-fed-chair-softens-hawkish-tone-on-interest-rates-bitcoin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chair Jerome Powell&#8216;s remarks.</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43318325/a-different-powell-emerges-fed-chair-softens-hawkish-tone-on-interest-rates-bitcoin"> </a>
Treasury yields held steady,&nbsp;with the 10-year yield hovering at 4.50% and the two-year yield at 4.20%.&nbsp;The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NYSE">TLT</a>) was up 0.6%&nbsp;during the premarket.&nbsp;
The U.S. dollar index (DXY), tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>), remained flat.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43330328/us-stocks-set-for-gains-ahead-of-q1-gdp-apple-earnings">US Stocks Set For Gains Ahead Of Q1 GDP, Apple Earnings: Expert Says &#8216;Higher January&#8217; Bodes Well For The Rest Of The Year</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: janews/Shutterstock.com

US Economic Growth Falls Short Of Q4 Estimates, Consumer Spending Hits 7-Quarter High

Speculation over the Federal Reserve&#8217;s next interest-rate decisions is heating up, with retail traders betting millions ahead of the central bank&#8217;s<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s"> first meeting of 2025</a>.
Wagers on interest rates have soared in popularity on Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated betting platform, highlighting the growing mainstream appeal of macroeconomic events beyond Wall Street's traditional circles.
Three rate-related markets currently rank among the platform's top 20 most-traded events, underscoring heightened apprehension over what Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues will decide next.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">January Fed Decision A Done Deal: What About March?</h3>
The outcome of Wednesday's Federal Open Market Committee meeting is widely considered a foregone conclusion. 
Futures markets have nearly fully priced in that the Fed will hold rates steady in the current range of 4.25%-4.50%. Betting markets tell the same story, as no analyst within the Street predicts a different move.
According to betting-implied odds, there is a mere 2% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut on Wednesday, meaning a $1 wager would yield $46.
&#8220;The January FOMC meeting is mostly a placeholder that should see the Fed stay on hold. Markets expect little from the meeting,&#8221; said Bank of America economist Aditya Bhave in a Tuesday note.
Looking ahead to March, uncertainty grows. 
Nearly $25 million has been wagered on where the federal funds rate will stand at the next Fed meeting, with this event ranking as the sixth largest in terms of betting volume on Kalshi.
Betting odds tell there is a 73% chance the Fed will hold rates steady at the 4.25%-4.50% range also in March. In contrast, there is a nearly one-third probability of a cut, offering a $3 payout per dollar wagered.
<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://kalshi.com/external-widgets/events/FED-25MAR?color_scheme=light&#038;widget_size=large&#038;utm_campaign=benzingawidget" width="552px" height="400px" style="border:0" > </iframe>
These bets suggest that policymakers might resist rate cuts through the first quarter of the year, aligning with Powell's previous hawkish stance. 
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42563299/feds-powell-shocks-markets-its-a-new-phase-were-significantly-closer-to-neutral">In December, Powell highlighted</a> that interest rates are &#8220;significantly closer to neutral&#8221;, indicating the Fed's careful approach to future cuts. His remarks delivered a sharp recalibration in market expectations, triggering a shift in 2025 rate cut forecasts.
Long-dated Treasury yields witnessed a sharp rise between Dec. 18 and mid-January, triggering a nearly 7% drop in the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) before a rebound in recent days on hopes of a softer trade tariff stance from President Donald Trump. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How Many Cuts In 2025? Traders Weigh In</h3>
The CME FedWatch Tool, which tracks rate expectations according to fed funds futures, currently prices in just two rate cuts in 2025, aligning with the Fed's December projections. 
The number of total rate cuts in 2025 has become the 18th most-traded event on Kalshi. As of Jan. 29, the betting market currently predicts:
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Scenario</th>
<th>Probability</th>
<th>Payout per $10 Wagered</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Two rate cuts (Base case)</td>
<td>27%</td>
<td>$35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>One rate cut (More hawkish)</td>
<td>20%</td>
<td>$45</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>No rate cuts (Fed fights inflation)</td>
<td>14%</td>
<td>$67</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Three rate cuts (Dovish turn)</td>
<td>18%</td>
<td>$52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Four rate cuts (Aggressive easing)</td>
<td>12%</td>
<td>$72</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://kalshi.com/external-widgets/events/KXRATECUTCOUNT-25DEC31?color_scheme=light&#038;widget_size=large&#038;utm_campaign=benzingawidget" width="552px" height="400px" style="border:0" > </iframe>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43303682/bitcoin-ahead-of-the-fomc-meeting-how-the-feds-decision-will-impact-crypto-markets">Bitcoin Ahead Of The FOMC Meeting: How The Fed&#8217;s Decision Will Impact Crypto Markets</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Specialty ETFs

Interest Rate Speculation Heats Up Before Fed Meeting: What Betting Markets Signal

The week has been a rollercoaster ride in the world of economics and finance. From the U.S. dollar&#8217;s status as the world&#8217;s reserve currency to the surge in oil prices, there&#8217;s a lot to catch up on. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories that made headlines.
Scott Bessent: Dollar Must Remain &#8216;World&#8217;s Reserve Currency&#8217;
President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s Treasury pick,&nbsp;Scott Bessent, has pledged to uphold the U.S. dollar&#8217;s status as the world&#8217;s reserve currency. During his prepared testimony, Bessent emphasized the importance of productive investment over wasteful spending and the need to secure supply chains. He also highlighted the careful use of sanctions to meet national security needs.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43021014/trumps-treasury-pick-scott-bessent-urges-dollar-must-remain-worlds-reserve-currency-as-president-elect-reportedly-pushes-for-strategic-bitcoin-reserve">Read the full article here.</a>
5% Yields Fuel Demand For Long-Dated Treasury ETFs
Despite persistent bond market losses and rising macro uncertainties, the allure of 5% yields is driving investor inflows into long-dated Treasury ETFs. Last week, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) saw a staggering $1.5 billion in inflows.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42990155/5-yields-fuel-demand-treasury-etfs-despite-bond-market-pain-relief-rally">Read the full article here.</a>
Oil Prices Break $80, Reach 6-Month Highs
Oil prices surged this week, with West Texas Intermediate light crude rising about 4% to above $80 per barrel for the first time since mid-July 2024. This rally comes despite the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza after a devastating 15-month war.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43017610/oil-prices-break-80-reach-6-month-highs-despite-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal-why-is-crude-rallying">Read the full article here.</a>
China&#8217;s Economy Poised To Overtake US By 2035
Chinese economist Justin Lin Yifu reaffirmed his 31-year-old prediction that China's economy will surpass that of the U.S. within the next five to 10 years. He believes that U.S. economic growth has decelerated along with the sluggish growth in China&#8217;s annual gross domestic product.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42973023/chinas-economy-poised-to-overtake-us-by-2035-says-top-chinese-economist-who-made-the-bold-prediction-1994">Read the full article here.</a>
Ray Dalio Warns US Could &#8216;Go Broke&#8217; As Debt Soars
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warned that the United States could "go broke" due to mounting government debt problems. The U.S. currently accounts for 34.6% of global debt, which stands at $102 trillion. Dalio&#8217;s warning comes as U.S. debt has surged past $36 trillion, with interest payments exceeding $892 billion in fiscal year 2024.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42965859/ray-dalio-warns-us-could-go-broke-as-debt-soars-urges-action-to-avert-crisis">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073132/cathie-wood-is-betting-big-on-this-ai-darling-and-no-its-not-nvidia">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It&#8217;s Not Nvidia</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

US Dollar, Treasury ETFs, Oil Prices, China's Economy, And Ray Dalio's US Debt Warning: This Week In Economics

Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, on Friday cautioned&nbsp;that the government will reach&nbsp;its borrowing limit on Tuesday, necessitating the use of &#8220;extraordinary measures&#8221; to prevent a potential default.
What Happened: Yellen revealed that the Treasury will commence the use of extraordinary measures starting January 21. The duration of these measures is uncertain, and Yellen has&nbsp;urged Congress to raise or&nbsp;suspend the debt limit to safeguard the nation&#8217;s credit, Reuters reported. 
&#8220;The period of time that extraordinary measures may last is subject to considerable uncertainty, including the challenges of forecasting the payments and receipts of the U.S. Government months into the future.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43072685/tim-cook-reveals-apple-watch-saved-his-fathers-life-by-alerting-emergency-services-but-his-father-more-upset-because-of-this">Tim Cook Reveals Apple Watch Saved His Father&#8217;s Life By Alerting Emergency Services, But His Father &#8216;More Upset&#8217; Because Of This</a>
Yellen announced the suspension of investments in two government employee benefit funds until March 14, aiming to restore borrowing capacity under the $36.1 trillion debt ceiling. As of last Thursday, the Treasury's borrowings had reached $36.08 trillion.
This suspension will affect new investments that are not immediately required to pay benefits from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. Once the debt ceiling is either raised or suspended, these funds will need to be replenished.
Yellen has urged Congress to raise or suspend the debt limit to maintain the full faith and credit of the U.S. This issue with the debt ceiling presents an early challenge for Yellen&#8217;s anticipated successor, Scott Bessent, who is nominated by Trump for the Treasury position.
The Treasury has a range of extraordinary balance sheet measures available to prevent default, which could last for several months depending on tax revenues. However, failing to raise, suspend, or eliminate the debt limit could prevent the Treasury from meeting all its obligations, leading to potentially severe economic consequences.
Why It Matters: This announcement comes at a time when Yellen&#8217;s tenure has been marked by significant challenges. Earlier this month, it was reported that Yellen&#8217;s computer was hacked by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43048422/janet-yellens-computer-hacked-by-chinese-hackers-attackers-obtain-law-enforcement-sensitive-data-by-targeting-us-treasury-department">Chinese state-sponsored hackers</a>, who accessed &#8220;Law Enforcement Sensitive&#8221; data by targeting the U.S. Treasury Department.
Yellen&#8217;s short-term debt strategy has also been a topic of concern, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42808340/janet-yellens-short-term-debt-strategy-sparks-warnings-for-trump-administration-your-costs-explode-and-buyers-could-balk-says-expert">with experts warning </a>that it could lead to significant market turbulence as President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;prepares to take office. This strategy, which involves rolling over short-term debt instead of issuing longer-dated bonds, has been criticized for potentially setting up a crisis for the incoming administration.
Meanwhile, in December, the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) experienced record outflows of $5.5 billion, as 30-year Treasury yields climbed 40 basis points to 4.855%, marking their highest level in more than a year.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43072303/mark-zuckerberg-stands-to-gain-from-tiktoks-us-ban-analysis-shows-meta-could-reap-billions-in-ad-revenue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg Stands To Gain The Most From TikTok's US Ban: Meta Could Reap Billions In Ad Revenue</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by Dustin Blitchok

Janet Yellen Warns US Could Hit Debt Ceiling On Tuesday, Suspends Investments In 2 Government Employee Benefit Funds

Comments

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

ニュース

最新ニュース iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:TLT)

水曜日, 6 12, 2024

ニュース

パートナーシップ

ベンジンガ・グローバル