Warner Bros. Discovery 株価情報 (NASDAQ: WBD)

最新ニュース Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) 株価情報

Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery was formed in 2022 through the combination of WarnerMedia and Discovery Communications. It operates in three global business segments: studios, networks, and direct-to-consumer. Warner Bros. Pictures is the crown jewel of the studios business, producing, distributing, and licensing movies and television shows. The networks business consists of basic cable networks, such as CNN, TNT, TBS, Discovery, HGTV, and the Food Network. Direct-to-consumer includes HBO and the firm's streaming platforms, which have now been consolidated to Max and Discovery+. Much of the DTC content is created within the firm's other two business segments. Each segment operates with a global reach, with Max available in over 60 countries.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Inc（NASDAQ：WBD）のWarner Bros.ゲームは、待望のタイトル『Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions』の予告編「Welcome Students」を公開した。

ハリーポッターシリーズに新作ゲーム　クディッチチャンピオン

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今年の株式市場は、インフレーション圧力の緩和、企業の強い利益、およびAI（人工知能）技術の潜在的な利益に対する楽観的な期待を受けて、連邦準備制度が9月に金利を引き下げるとの期待が高まっています。

S&amp;P500上半期終了も史上最高値を更新せず

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今週初め、かつてバンしたかったソーシャルメディアプラットフォームTikTokに登録した元大統領のドナルド・トランプが、ユーザー数500万人以上を誇ることで、ジョー・バイデン大統領の選挙キャンペーンアカウントを上回っているという報告がありました。

米スタートアップ、中国からの出資を敬遠

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. - Series A Common Stock

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc

WeBuild SpA

A simple pizza delivery turned into an incredible story of generosity after a 20-year-old driver braved a snowstorm to deliver an order—only to get a measly $2.15 tip from a customer in an affluent neighborhood.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The $2 Tip That Started It All</h2>
On Jan. 11, Lt. Richard Craig—known as Officer Craig on TikTok—was on duty in Brownsburg, Indiana, when he spotted Connor Stephanoff trekking through the snow in sneakers and sweatpants, carrying a pizza. Curious about his situation, Craig asked how much he got tipped.
"Two dollars," Stephanoff answered. Craig was floored. "Man, cold-blooded! Two dollars!" he exclaimed in disbelief.
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Realizing the harsh conditions Stephanoff was working in, Craig gave him $15 of his own money and posted the encounter on TikTok. The <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@officercraig/video/7458528700187839775">video</a>, showing Stephanoff trudging through deep snow after parking his car nearly half a mile away, quickly went viral, racking up thousands of views and comments from outraged viewers.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Turning Frustration Into Action</h2>
Craig couldn't shake the unfairness of the situation, so he launched a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-rockstar-pizza-drivers-dedication">GoFundMe campaign</a> on Jan. 12 titled "Support Rockstar Pizza Driver's Dedication." He initially hoped to raise just $500 to reward Stephanoff's dedication.
"I would LOVE to raise at least $500 for this guy!" Craig wrote in the fundraiser description, praising Stephanoff's work ethic and commitment despite the harsh conditions.
But the internet had bigger plans.
Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Over $45K Raised in Weeks</h2>
In just over a month, donations exploded past $45,000, with more than 2,100 people chipping in. The highest donation—$1,500 from an anonymous donor—was just one example of how much support Stephanoff received from strangers who were touched by his story.
Comments flooded in, with one donor writing: "This story made my day! Keep working hard, pizza delivery guy! You're the kind of person that makes this world go ‘round." Others shared their own experiences as former delivery drivers, emphasizing how rare such dedication is these days. &#8220;I'm gonna do what that pizza customer should have done that day. Props to you for keeping cool regardless of their horrible treatment. Never stop being the amazing person that you are. I see you.&#8221;
See Also: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Life-Changing Outcome</h2>
Stephanoff, who borrows his grandmother's car to make deliveries, <a href="http://today.com/">told Today.com</a> that he now plans to use the funds to buy his own car, help his grandmother with bills, and, if there's anything left, pursue a college degree in history or business.
Reflecting on the unexpected generosity, he said, "Oh, this is real!" when he saw the donations rolling in. Meanwhile, Craig summed up the entire experience with a simple truth: "Good things come to good people who do the right thing."
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'Man, Cold-Blooded! Two Dollars!' — Officer Steps Up And Crowdfunds $45K For Pizza Driver Who Got A Shockingly Low Tip In Snowstorm

Gerber Kawasaki Wealth &amp; Investment Management CEO Ross Gerber, a Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shareholder, anticipates a 50% plummet in the stock&#8217;s price this year.
What Happened: Gerber had earlier offloaded approximately $60 million worth of Tesla shares, citing concerns over the company&#8217;s dwindling popularity. 
Despite a brief spike following the 2024 election, Tesla&#8217;s shares have witnessed a 16% decline this year and have fallen 4% since Gerber&#8217;s remarks in December.
In his conversation <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-stock-price-2025-outlook-crash-elon-musks-gerber-tsla-2025-2">with</a> Insider, Gerber detailed four reasons behind his pessimistic forecast for Tesla. He expressed skepticism over Elon Musk&#8216;s ambitious goal of rolling out an autonomous taxi network in Austin, Texas, by June.
&#8220;All of this stuff is going to come to roost this year because he put this deadline on full self driving working in a couple months. It almost seems impossible for that to happen,&#8221; Gerber told the outlet. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43770024/from-tech-to-politics-how-elon-musk-is-empowering-far-right-across-the-globe">From Tech to Politics: How Elon Musk Is Empowering Far Right Across the Globe</a>
He also voiced concerns about Tesla&#8217;s self-driving platform, which depends on cameras rather than LIDAR sensors.
Gerber also indicated that Musk&#8217;s emphasis on AI could prove harmful to Tesla. He suggested that Tesla&#8217;s primary business of car sales is slowing down due to rising competition from BYD, the world&#8217;s largest EV manufacturer based in China. 
&#8220;His 100% focus is on AI, and that&#8217;s really a detriment to Tesla more than it&#8217;s a plus for xAI and all the other businesses because he doesn&#8217;t work at Tesla anymore,&#8221; Gerber said. &#8220;If he were putting all of his time into full self-driving, I&#8217;d feel a lot more confident about Tesla.&#8221;
He also underscored the potential backlash Tesla may face owing to Musk&#8217;s close ties with President Donald Trump.
&#8220;What this does is it creates this anger. I&#8217;ve never seen this anger towards Tesla, but it&#8217;s not toward Tesla as the company, it&#8217;s because of Elon, this is the only way people can take it out,&#8221; Gerber added.
Gerber&#8217;s bearish perspective is echoed by several prominent Wall Street firms, including JPMorgan, which has set&nbsp;a $135 price target for&nbsp;Tesla stock, indicating a potential 60% downside from its current levels.
Why It Matters: Gerber&#8217;s prediction comes at a time when Tesla&#8217;s stock performance has been under scrutiny. The company&#8217;s shares have been on a downward trajectory this year, and Gerber&#8217;s comments add to the growing concerns about Tesla&#8217;s future prospects. 
His concerns about Tesla&#8217;s autonomous driving platform and the potential backlash due to Musk&#8217;s association with President Trump underscore the challenges that Tesla may face in the coming years.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43219136/cuban-on-musk-i-have-no-problem-throwing-elon-under-the-bus-but-ill-save-it-for-when-its-truly-deserved">Cuban on Musk: &#8216;I Have No Problem Throwing Elon Under the Bus, but I&#8217;ll Save It for When It&#8217;s Truly Deserved&#8217;</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Former Tesla Booster Now Warns Stock Faces Major Pain in 2025

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has reportedly withdrawn its most secure cloud storage service, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), from the UK after the British government <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43554574/apple-faces-mounting-pressure-from-uk-government-to-grant-spying-access-to-encrypted-data-of-users-worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">demanded secret access to user data</a>.
The decision follows an order under the UK&#8217;s Investigatory Powers Act, which would have required Apple to provide a &#8220;backdoor&#8221; to iPhone backups and cloud data, enabling law enforcement to access information otherwise protected by encryption, The Financial Times reports.
The company stated that it could no longer offer ADP to new UK users, and current users would eventually be forced to disable the feature, the report further noted, citing a statement from Apple.
Since the service was introduced in December 2022, British Apple users had to opt in to benefit from the advanced security.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="http://benzinga.com/25/02/43900955/berkshire-hathaways-q4-profits-soar-71-warren-buffett-says-his-firm-has-paid-more-taxes-than-tech-titans-in-trillions" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than &#8216;Tech Titans&#8217; With Market Value in &#8216;Trillions&#8217;</a>
As of February 2025, attempts to activate ADP in the UK have now resulted in an error message.
The British government&#8217;s request to access encrypted data through a &#8220;backdoor&#8221; has drawn criticism, with experts warning it would undermine online privacy and security for UK users, BBC reports.
Prof Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity expert, called the move an &#8220;act of self-harm,&#8221; as BBC dds, while online privacy advocate Caro Robson labeled it as an unprecedented step for a company to pull a product rather than comply with a government directive.
This development highlights the tension between national security demands and digital privacy rights, raising concerns over the global impact of such policies on technology companies.
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Image: Fredex

Apple Bows Out of UK's Cloud Encryption Amid Government's 'Backdoor' Demands

Singer-songwriter John Legend famously sang, &#8220;We&#8217;re just ordinary people,&#8221; but he and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, have far-from-ordinary bank accounts.
It&#8217;s just as well because after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/43300232/rebuilding-la-could-take-up-to-a-decade-according-to-experts-heres-what-a-new-la-could-look-like">L.A. wildfires</a>, the soulful crooner, 46, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/john-legend-my-favorite-dream-7b77f0af?mod=real-estate_lead_pos1">told The Wall Street Journal</a>, the family is considering saying goodbye to the West Coast and returning to New York.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Collective Trauma</h2>
&#8220;Watching TV in the family room, our fears grew. When the Sunset fire began to expand on Jan. 9, the danger felt too close for comfort,&#8221; he told The Journal. &#8220;That night, my wife and I gathered our four kids, four dogs, and bearded dragon and drove south to a hotel in Carlsbad. We didn&#8217;t return until the following week,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Our home was safe, but many weren&#8217;t so fortunate, and the threat still looms. The fires were a collective trauma that shook everyone, including our kids.&#8221;
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Legend added, &#8220;Chrissy and I have always considered returning to New York, where we once lived. We probably will, once our youngest ones grow up a bit.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">$100 Million Couple</h2>
The Ivy League-educated singer, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and his wife are estimated to have a net worth that hovers around $100 million, according to multiple websites, the accuracy of which cannot be verified. The following calculations help shed light on this lofty number.
<ul>
<li>Seven seasons as a judge on "The Voice," earning about<a href="https://stylecaster.com/lists/the-voice-judges-salaries/john-legend-voice-salary/"> $60 million in total</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>They have an expansive real estate portfolio, including a $5.1 million West Hollywood home and a $17.5 million <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/01/43345883/drake-seeking-high-rolling-tenant-at-250k-monthly-for-beverly-hills-mansion">Beverly Hills</a> mansion. They sold their two New York City penthouses for <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/realestate/john-legend-chrissy-teigen-nolita-penthouses.html#:~:text=Big%20Ticket-,John%20Legend%20and%20Chrissy%20Teigen%20Sell%20a%20Pair%20of%20Penthouses,sold%20for%20around%20%2456%20million.">$16.8 Million</a> in June 2022.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Another source of income not usually mentioned in net worth round-ups is Legend&#8217;s music publishing. In 2022,<a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-01-06/john-legend-sells-music-catalog-joining-dylan-and-springsteen#:~:text=KKR%20has%20spent%20heavily%20since,music%20being%20performed%20via%20streaming.%E2%80%9D"> he sold the rights to his music</a> to an alliance of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/news/25/02/43626316/comparing-kkr-with-industry-competitors-in-capital-markets-industry">KKR</a> &amp; Co. and BMG. The financial terms were not disclosed.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In 2020,<a href="https://variety.com/2020/music/news/john-legend-bigger-love-music-mogul-1234731024/"> Variety</a> estimated that Legend&#8217;s disparate income streams, including LVE, his Napa Valley wine brand, see he &#8220;earns between $50 million and $100 million per year from his various projects.&#8221; </li>
</ul>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">One Of The World's Highest Paid Models</h2>
In 2017, Forbes estimated that Teigen was one of the highest-paid models in the world, earning<a href="https://www.forbes.com/pictures/59f65cc231358e542c04644e/3-chrissy-teigen-1/"> $13.5 million</a>. The following year, she made<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2018/12/13/highest-paid-models-2018-kendall-jenner-leads-with-22-5-million/"> $11.5 million</a>—largely from endorsements, TV hosting, social media, and cookbooks. Based on her yearly revenue, her contribution to the family coffers is not insubstantial, which puts these ordinary people into a very extraordinary wealth bracket.
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Real Estate

John Legend & Chrissy Teigen Plan To Quit LA For New York After Wildfires. They Can Take Their Pick With $100 Million Fortune

The Supreme Court has rejected a plea by President Donald Trump for an immediate dismissal of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43758634/mary-trump-warns-dni-gabbard-could-lead-to-catastrophic-outcome-a-known-russian-asset-defender-of-murderous-dictator-assad">Office of Special Counsel chief Hampton Dellinger</a>.
What Happened: The Supreme Court has denied Trump&#8217;s appeal to immediately fire Dellinger, who is responsible for protecting government whistleblowers. This decision allows Dellinger to maintain his position for a few more days.
A report <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/news/denied-trump-emergency-appeal-to-fire-watchdog-immediately-rejected-in-unsigned-supreme-court-order/">by</a> Mediaite says Trump had dismissed Dellinger via a direct email two weeks ago. However, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson quickly ordered his reinstatement following a lawsuit filed by Dellinger.
Last Friday, the Supreme Court upheld Judge Jackson&#8217;s Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Trump&#8217;s motion to vacate the order. The unsigned order was based on the fact that the TRO is due to expire in a few days.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43768173/trump-appeals-to-supreme-court-for-permission-to-dismiss-head-of-whistleblower-agency">Trump Appeals To Supreme Court for Permission To Dismiss Head of Whistleblower Agency</a>
The order also pointed out that while the&nbsp;Court typically does not have&nbsp;appellate jurisdiction over TROs, the&nbsp;Government urged it to interpret&nbsp;the TRO as a preliminary&nbsp;injunction or to exercise jurisdiction&nbsp;under the All Writs Act&nbsp;due to the restrained core executive power.
Justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented.
Why It Matters: This decision is significant as it highlights the ongoing legal battles involving the former president. The Supreme Court&#8217;s decision to uphold the TRO against Trump&#8217;s motion to vacate the order underscores the judiciary&#8217;s role in checking executive power. 
The case also brings to light the importance of the Office of Special Counsel in safeguarding government whistleblowers, a role that has been under scrutiny during Trump&#8217;s presidency. 
The decision to allow Dellinger to retain his position, albeit temporarily, is a testament to the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. legal system.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43756824/market-instability-looms-in-trumps-second-term-warns-paul-tudor-jones-theres-no-room-for-mistakes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Market Instability Looms in Trump's Second Term, Warns Paul Tudor Jones: ‘There's No Room for Mistakes'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Trump's Bid To Remove Watchdog Denied By Supreme Court — What's Behind His Urgency?

President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in his ability to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to release thousands of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped amid the ongoing conflict.
What Happened: Trump voiced his belief during a conversation with&nbsp;Fox News <a href="https://radio.foxnews.com/2025/02/21/president-donald-trump-on-his-frustration-with-zelenskyy/">Radio</a>. He said, &#8220;I&nbsp;believe I could, yes. I&nbsp;didn't know too much about&nbsp;it. I&nbsp;was hearing about it yesterday.&nbsp;It's pretty tough stuff, but&nbsp;I believe I could do&nbsp;that.&#8221;
The pro-Kyiv non-profit&nbsp;Razom for Ukraine&nbsp;has reported that Russian forces have kidnapped&nbsp;19,546 Ukrainian children since 2022.&nbsp;The United Nations Commission of&nbsp;Inquiry on Ukraine stated in 2023 that the majority of these children were taken from Russian-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine and moved further into Russia.
Some of these children were granted Russian citizenship and put into foster care, while others have&nbsp;lost all contact with their&nbsp;biological families. Parents have reported to&nbsp;the UN commission that their&nbsp;children are being subjected to mistreatment, including physical abuse and being forced to wear unclean clothes.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43900927/mary-trump-slams-uncle-trump-and-his-corrupt-fascist-regime-are-aligned-with-the-agenda-of-vladimir-putin-and-moscow">Mary Trump Slams Uncle: &#8216;Trump and His Corrupt Fascist Regime Are Aligned With the Agenda of Vladimir Putin and Moscow&#8217;</a>
According to the report <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/02/21/us-news/trump-i-believe-i-could-convince-putin-to-free-thousands-of-kidnapped-ukrainian-kids/">by </a>New York Post, the commission has termed Russia&#8217;s child deportation practices as a &#8220;war crime&#8221; and a breach of international humanitarian law, calling on&nbsp;Moscow to release all Ukrainian&nbsp;deportees and detainees.
While some children have been returned to Ukraine through successful charity operations, thousands still remain in enemy territory.&nbsp;Mykola Murskyj, advocacy director of&nbsp;Razom for Ukraine, underscored the seriousness of the situation, stating, &#8220;Trafficking&nbsp;children goes against everything we&nbsp;stand for as America. We&nbsp;cannot and must not falter&nbsp;in our fight against evil.&#8221;
Why It Matters: This development comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in Europe. The kidnapping and mistreatment of Ukrainian children by Russian forces has been a significant point of contention, with international bodies and non-profits alike condemning the actions as war crimes. 
Trump&#8217;s assertion that he could influence Putin to release these children, if true, could potentially lead to a significant breakthrough in this humanitarian crisis. 
However, the actual feasibility and potential implications of such an intervention remain to be seen.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43769730/ukraine-raises-alarm-over-us-russia-talks-on-war-without-kyivs-involvement">Ukraine Raises Alarm Over US-Russia Talks on War Without Kyiv&#8217;s Involvement</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Global

Trump Says He Could Influence Putin To Free Kidnapped Ukrainian Children: 'It's Pretty Tough Stuff, But I Believe I Could Do That'

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban is raising the alarm about a brewing battle that he believes will reshape the future of power in the U.S. In a series of recent Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mcuban.bsky.social/post/3liaw4s65c22z">posts</a>, Cuban predicted that the biggest showdown yet will be between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, with AI at the center of the fight.
According to Cuban, AI is quickly becoming the most powerful tool in the world, rivaling even military strength. He believes that the next U.S. president must be technologically competent to keep the country competitive, especially as AI continues to evolve.
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Cuban envisions Musk pushing AI-driven automation in ways that directly conflict with Trump's desire to control certain aspects of governance. "Elon will try to implement AI in a manner that automates much of what Trump is now trying to control. Trump will have no understanding of what is going on and will have to turn to the AI oligarchs to support him in this battle," Cuban <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mcuban.bsky.social/post/3liay2ghdec2o">warned</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Battle of Business and Politics</h2>
Cuban doesn't just see this as a political fight—he believes it will be the greatest business battle in history. If Musk ever attempts to integrate AI into federal processes, a war between AI companies will erupt over which firms secure government contracts. "The battle will be fought over which company's AI will be used by the feds. This is a zero-sum battle that will create more chaos than this country has ever seen," he said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
Apparently, trillions of dollars are at stake. Cuban <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mcuban.bsky.social/post/3liaw4s6e4s2z">noted</a> that major tech companies—Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Google (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), OpenAI, Anthropic, and Musk's ventures—are all vying for control. "This is a zero-sum game and the exact reason <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43056464/giving-millions-and-kissing-the-ring-when-trillions-are-at-stake-is-nothing-says-mark-cuban-explaining-why-big-tech-supports-trump">every tech bro has kissed the ring</a>. We are talking tens of TRILLIONS IN MARKET CAP."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI's Unpredictable Future</h2>
Cuban has long expressed concerns about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/42235738/in-just-16-months-elon-musk-achieved-with-xai-what-took-openai-nearly-nine-years-to-accomplish">AI's rapid development</a>, saying that unlike past technological revolutions, it's nearly impossible to predict where AI will take us. "I've <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/10/41234173/how-mark-cuban-turned-broadcast-com-into-5-7b-sale-we-were-the-youtube-of-our-day">been in technology for a long time</a>, and you can always look at a new tech, PCs, networks, the internet, streaming, whatever, and say, ‘OK, in five years, this is what's going to happen, right,' and have a good sense. With AI, you can't do that," <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/08/40431659/mark-cuban-says-everybodys-chasing-power-and-nothing-will-give-you-more-power-than-military-and-ai">he explained</a>.
Despite the uncertainty, Cuban is certain that the U.S. is the leader in AI development and must hold onto that advantage. Countries are now competing not just for better technology but for control over algorithms, which shape public opinion and decision-making. "If you want to influence somebody, just manipulate the algorithm, and you'll get their attention," he said.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a></li>
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AMZN

GOOG

MSFT

'Biggest Cage Match Ever'—Mark Cuban Warns Of A Coming Clash, Says Musk's AI Implementation Will Directly Challenge Trump's Grip On Control

Americans&#8217; confidence in the economy remains in solidly negative territory as Gallup&#8217;s Economic Confidence Index (ECI) holds <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/657044/economic-confidence-index-steady-february.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">steady </a>at -19 <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827291/exclusive-will-trumps-tariffs-hurt-or-help-stock-market-59-say-this" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for February, the same as January</a>.
This index measures both public evaluations of current economic conditions and their outlook on the economy&#8217;s future.
The February survey reveals a shift in how Americans view the current state of the economy.
While 20% still consider it &#8220;excellent&#8221; or &#8220;good,&#8221; this is down from 26% in January.
On the flip side, the number of people labeling the economy as &#8220;poor&#8221; dropped from 40% to 33%, with a notable increase in those describing conditions as &#8220;only fair,&#8221; which now stands at 45%, up from 33% last month.
Meanwhile, according to the University of Michigan&#8217;s monthly consumer <a href="http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/">survey</a>, consumer confidence took a significant dip in February, marking a nearly 10% decline from January.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43901149/buffett-reflects-on-60-years-at-berkshire-helm-cardinal-sin-is-delaying-the-correction-of-mistakes" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buffett Reflects on 60 Years at Berkshire Helm: &#8216;Cardinal Sin Is Delaying the Correction of Mistakes&#8217;</a>
The Consumer Sentiment Index fell from 71.7 in January to 64.7 in February.
This sharp decrease is largely attributed to consumer concerns over tariff hikes and their potential impact on inflation, The Hill <a target="_blank" href="https://thehill.com/business/5157665-consumer-confidence-dips-in-trumps-first-month-as-tariff-threats-drive-inflation-fears/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
In early February, President Donald Trump approved a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, which were eventually delayed after both countries took steps to curb the flow of drugs at their borders.
Additionally, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, raised aluminum tariffs to 25%, and reinstated the full power of steel tariffs. These actions sparked worries about rising inflation, with inflation expectations for the next year jumping from 3.3% to 4.3%, while long-term inflation expectations increased from 3.2% to 3.5%.
Alongside the rise in inflation expectations, the consumer price index also showed an uptick, rising 3% year-over-year in January, up from 2.9% in December.
This marked the fourth consecutive month of inflation growth, The Hill adds.
The survey also revealed a partisan split in consumer sentiment. Both Democrats and independents saw a decline in sentiment, while Republicans&#8217; views remained largely unchanged.
Similarly, inflation expectations rose among Democrats and independents but fell slightly for Republicans.
In a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/february-2025-national-poll-trump-presidential-approval-at-48-musk-doge-job-approval-at-41/" rel="noreferrer noopener">poll </a>by Emerson College, Trump&#8217;s approval rating stood at 48%, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43847433/trump-approval-rating-declines-in-february-unpopular-domestic-and-foreign-policy-ideas" rel="noreferrer noopener">42% disapproving of his performance</a>.
Despite strong approval for his election win in January, his recent tariff decisions and exploration of territorial expansion have seen a decrease in support, particularly concerning their potential impact on the stock market.
This shift in consumer sentiment highlights growing concerns over economic policies and inflation.
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Image: Shutterstock

Is Trump Tariff Chaos Worrying Americans? Consumer Confidence Dips Amid Rising Inflation

North Korea&#8217;s infamous Lazarus Group is suspected to be the mastermind behind the $1.4 billion Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) hack on cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, as per findings from blockchain data platform Arkham Intelligence.
What Happened:&nbsp;According to the report, Lazarus Group, a state-sponsored hacking organization from North Korea, is believed to have pilfered&nbsp;over $1.4 billion worth of&nbsp;Ethereum and related tokens from Bybit last Friday. 
This suspicion was drawn from on-chain data analysis that linked the activity to previous attacks associated with the Lazarus Group.
The link was established by an anonymous on-chain investigator known as ZachXBT, who has a history of solving numerous crypto hacks. His report included a detailed analysis of test transactions, connected wallets used before the exploit, and several forensic graphs and timing analyses, reports <a href="https://decrypt.co/307304/north-korea-lazarus-group-bybit-hack-arkham">reports</a> Decrypt.
Arkham Intelligence&nbsp;had previously announced a bounty of nearly $30,000 in ARKM tokens for information leading to the identification of the hackers behind the massive Bybit hack. The hack not only impacted Bybit but also sent shockwaves through the crypto markets.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">BREAKING: BYBIT $1 BILLION HACK BOUNTY SOLVED BY ZACHXBT At 19:09 UTC today, <a href="https://twitter.com/zachxbt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@zachxbt</a> submitted definitive proof that this attack on Bybit was performed by the LAZARUS GROUP. His submission included a detailed analysis of test transactions and connected wallets used ahead of… <a href="https://t.co/O43qD2CM2U">https://t.co/O43qD2CM2U</a> <a href="https://t.co/jtQPtXl0C5">pic.twitter.com/jtQPtXl0C5</a>
&mdash; Arkham (@arkham) <a href="https://twitter.com/arkham/status/1893033424224411885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Lazarus Group, a collective of&nbsp;North Korean state-sponsored crypto hackers,&nbsp;is considered one&nbsp;of the most sophisticated on-chain&nbsp;operators globally. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43890188/bybit-founder-says-14b-eth-hack-may-stem-from-safe-wallet-compromise">Bybit Founder Says $1.4B ETH Hack May Stem From Safe Wallet Compromise</a>
Last year, they reportedly stole&nbsp;over $1.3 billion from various&nbsp;projects, accounting for 61% of all illicitly obtained crypto&nbsp;in 2024, according to Chainalysis.
Currently, the specifics of the recent hack, the&nbsp;largest in crypto history based&nbsp;on asset prices at the&nbsp;time of the incident, remain unclear. 
Bybit claimed that the exploit involved a &#8220;sophisticated attack&#8221;&nbsp;that masked the signing interface&nbsp;of a multi-signature transaction, making&nbsp;a hacker-controlled wallet appear as&nbsp;the intended recipient address.
Why It Matters: The magnitude of this hack underscores the growing threat of state-sponsored cybercrime in the crypto space. The Lazarus Group&#8217;s suspected involvement highlights the sophistication and scale of such operations. 
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the security vulnerabilities inherent in the crypto market and the need for robust security measures to protect against such sophisticated attacks.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43883117/coinbase-ceo-brian-armstrong-says-sec-has-agreed-to-end-bogus-enforcement-case-without-penalties" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Says SEC Has Agreed To End ‘Bogus' Enforcement Case Without Penalties</a>
Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

$ETH

North Korea's Lazarus Group Suspected in $1.4 Billion Bybit Crypto Hack

Buyer's remorse frequently accompanies large purchases, particularly if you don't have the financial means to make that purchase. Personal finance expert <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43086362/retiring-with-zero-money-and-a-nice-paid-for-house-is-not-a-plan-dave-ramsey-tells-59-year-old-with-no-retirement-savings">Dave Ramsey</a> stands by a simple rule to determine whether an abnormal purchase or charitable donation is too much.&nbsp;
"We use the burn the money in the middle of the floor thing," Ramsey said on The Ramsey Show. "If I took this much money and set fire to it, does my life change? If the answer is yes, then it&#8217;s too expensive."
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<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
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It's no secret that Ramsey is a fan of budgeting. He consistently emphasizes the importance of this exercise, especially when it comes to making large purchases. In a recent <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1005173921662454">Facebook post</a>, he wrote, &#8220;There&#8217;s nothing wrong with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43443687/dave-ramsey-says-if-you-want-to-waste-5000-a-year-spend-13-70-a-day-on-things-you-dont-need">spending money</a> on things you enjoy &#8211; just make sure you&#8217;ve planned for it! That plan is called a budget.&#8221;&nbsp;
By mapping out expenses ahead of time, individuals can ensure they are spending within their means and not jeopardizing their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43499935/worldwide-57-expect-the-next-generation-to-be-worse-off-financially-what-drives-this-economic-pessimism">financial stability</a>.
Many Americans struggle with buyer's remorse, often due to impulse purchases or unnecessary spending. A <a href="https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/many-americans-have-experienced-buyers-remorse">2023 Google/Ipsos poll</a> found that:
<ul>
<li>Roughly two in five Americans (42%) have bought something on sale only to later regret it.</li>
<li>The primary reason for regretting a purchase is realizing they didn't need the item (62%).</li>
<li>Impulse purchasing (42%) and already owning too many things (34%) are also common causes of regret.</li>
</ul>
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a>
In the poll, respondents were asked about tips to avoid buyer's remorse. Over half of Americans (53%) believe that one way to combat regret is by price comparing across retailers. Comparatively, 47% agree that adequate research for products can help alleviate buyer's remorse.&nbsp;
Ramsey's approach aligns with this mindset—by evaluating the true impact of a purchase or donation, individuals can avoid spending decisions they may later regret.
While Ramsey advocates for financial discipline, he also acknowledges the importance of allowing some discretionary spending. In <a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/fun-money-in-budget">an article</a> on Ramsey Solutions, they explained that budgeting for &#8220;fun money&#8221; ensures people can enjoy occasional indulgences without derailing their financial goals.&nbsp;
"We talk a lot about goals and how they need to be the perfect balance of empowering and realistic," Ramsey Solutions wrote. "Fun money helps you with the realistic side because it lets you stick to your goals and have a treat every now and then. Fun money also helps you remember a budget isn't all about restrictions."
See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
The key is to set a fixed amount and stick to it—once the fun money is spent, it's gone. This helps maintain financial balance while still allowing for small luxuries.
Charitable giving is also an important value for many, including Ramsey, but he advises people to ensure their generosity aligns with their financial situation. If giving away a certain amount would create financial strain, it may be too much. Instead, he recommends planning for generosity within a budget, just as one would for other expenses.
Ramsey's approach to evaluating major purchases and donations is rooted in financial responsibility and intentionality. By using a budget, planning ahead, and considering the impact of an expense, individuals can make confident financial choices without experiencing regret. For those looking to apply Ramsey's principles, his straightforward test serves as a practical guide: if losing the money would negatively impact your <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/02/36960367/average-person-believes-financial-happiness-comes-with-a-1-2-million-price-tag-revealing-money-c">financial well-being</a>, it's likely too much to spend.
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Personal Finance

How Does Dave Ramsey Determine If An Abnormal Purchase Or Charitable Donation Is Too Much?

Investor and author Robert Kiyosaki, has predicted a &#8220;giant crash&#8221; in the market. Despite this, he is confident that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43423389/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-gold-silver-bitcoin-crash-over-trumps-tariffs-says-its-a-buying-moment">will be the first to recover</a>.
What Happened: In a post on X on Friday, Kiyosaki anticipates a significant market crash that will impact all major assets, including&nbsp;stocks, bonds, real estate, gold,&nbsp;silver, and Bitcoin. However, he strongly believes in Bitcoin&#8217;s resilience, asserting that it&nbsp;will be the fastest to&nbsp;recover and hit new highs.
In the post Kiyosaki revealed his post-crash strategy on buying more Bitcoin. He said, despite the impending crash, he has no plans to sell his &#8220;digital gold.&#8221; Instead, he intends to &#8220;back up the truck and&nbsp;buy more&#8221; if Bitcoin&#8217;s price plummets.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">GIANT CRASH???? If there is a giant crash…. Of the often times called "the EVERYTHING BUBBLE," stocks and bonds, real estate, gold and silver and Bitcoin will crash with it. Q: If it crashes will I sell my Bitcoin? A: NO If the price of Bitcoin crashes I will back up the…
&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1892686186495524973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Kiyosaki&#8217;s confidence in Bitcoin is apparent in his social media posts. Earlier this month, he encouraged his followers to start accumulating gold, silver, and Bitcoin, while criticizing the U.S. dollar as &#8220;fake.&#8221; 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43759418/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-wall-street-crash-and-layoffs-prepare-for-market-crash-depression-and-war">Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Wall Street Crash and Layoffs: &#8216;Prepare for Market Crash, Depression and War&#8217;</a>
He argues that owning gold and Bitcoin is a smarter and safer strategy than saving dollars.
As of the time of writing, Bitcoin has rebounded by 1.65% in the past 24 hours, moving from $96,870 to $98,540.
Why It Matters: Kiyosaki&#8217;s prediction comes at a time when Bitcoin&#8217;s volatility has been a cause for concern among investors. 
His faith in Bitcoin&#8217;s resilience and potential for recovery, however, could bolster confidence among other investors. His strategy of buying more Bitcoin in the event of a crash could also influence others to consider similar strategies. 
Despite the potential risks, Kiyosaki&#8217;s stance underscores the growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a viable investment asset.
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<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42804530/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-massive-market-crash-save-gold-silver-bitcoin-crash-is-here" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Massive Market Crash: ‘Save Gold, Silver, &amp; Bitcoin, Crash Is Here'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

$BTC

Robert Kiyosaki Says 'Everything Bubble' Will Cause Historic Market Crash, Bitcoin Will Be Fastest To Recover

Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has a warning for workers across America: If Elon Musk can fire hundreds of thousands of federal employees without cause, private sector workers could be next.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Billionaire Power and Its Consequences</h2>
In a recent <a href="https://x.com/BernieSanders/status/1890894754423910412">post on X</a>, Sanders put it bluntly: &#8220;Today, it's federal workers. Tomorrow, it's &#x2A;your&#x2A; job. That's what oligarchy is about.&#8221;
Sanders has long criticized the growing influence of billionaires in politics and the economy, but he says Musk has made it clearer than ever. In an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txe2Zu3QbNU">interview</a> with Brian Tyler Cohen, Sanders argued that Musk's power goes beyond business—he's now shaping government itself.
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&#8220;Everybody has got to understand this is the wealthiest guy in the world right now, worth over $400 billion,&#8221; Sanders said. &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43582376/not-a-bad-return-on-his-investment-bernie-sanders-says-elon-musk-spent-277-million-to-elect-trump-and-made-154-billion-since-election-day">Musk put over $270 million</a> into Trump&#8217;s campaign and guess what? He's now the most important person in government. What does that sound like to you? Does that sound like a democracy&#8230; or is it really an oligarchy doing the bidding of the very richest people?&#8221;
Sanders pointed to Trump's budget priorities, which include massive tax cuts for the wealthy while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43718712/floridas-medicaid-disaster-1-3-million-cut-from-coverage-one-of-the-highest-disenrollment-rates-in-the-u-s">slashing programs like Medicaid</a>, student aid, and other critical support for working families. He sees it as part of a larger strategy where billionaires get richer while everyday Americans struggle.
&#8220;The end goal of oligarchy is to make the richest people who are already phenomenally rich even richer,&#8221; Sanders explained. &#8220;How do you do that? You give them <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43774882/donald-trumps-tax-cut-could-add-46-trillion-to-deficit-says-robert-reich-emphasizing-48-billion-relief-for-top-100-us-firms-via-corporate-tax-cuts">massive tax breaks</a>. And where do you get the money? You cut programs that working people need.&#8221;
Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
Musk's influence extends far beyond government decisions. Sanders argues that billionaires like Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43072236/biden-warns-of-musk-bezos-zuckerberg-oligarchy-but-is-he-to-blame-mark-cuban-says-president-pushed-t">control not just politics</a> but also the media landscape. &#8220;They will use their enormous media operations they own to deflect attention away from the impact of their policies while they entertain us to death,&#8221; Sanders said in a <a href="https://x.com/BernieSanders/status/1889341118556274924">video</a> posted on X.
And for those who think these billionaires care about workers? Sanders doesn't buy it. &#8220;Do you think for one second that the oligarchs give a damn about working people? Trust me, they don't.&#8221;
He pointed to Musk's role in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43781034/bill-gates-hopes-elon-musk-will-rethink-slashing-usaid-their-work-is-something-every-taxpayer-would-be-proud-of">dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development</a>, a move that he says will leave thousands of people around the world without food and healthcare. &#8220;They will sacrifice, without hesitation, the well-being of working people to protect their interests.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
So what's the solution? Sanders calls for unity among workers of all backgrounds—Black, white, Latino, urban, rural, young, old—to fight back against billionaire control. &#8220;The oligarchs' nightmare is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided up&#8230; and that we'll together have the courage to take them on.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mass Firings Shake Federal Workforce</h2>
Sanders' warning comes as the Trump administration, with Musk's influence, has begun a sweeping purge of federal employees. More than 9,500 workers across departments like Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Health and Human Services, and Energy have been fired. Another <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43801494/fork-in-the-road-75000-federal-workers-took-musks-offer-but-was-it-enough">75,000 have taken a buyout</a>, representing 3% of the 2.3 million civilian workforce. Many of the job cuts have targeted probationary employees with fewer protections.
The Trump administration claims these cuts are necessary to curb government waste, but Democrats argue they overstep Congress's authority on federal spending.
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Bernie Sanders Warns: If Elon Musk Can Fire Hundreds Of Thousands Of Federal Employees, Imagine What He'll Do To Private Sector Workers

In his latest annual letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett celebrated 60 years of steering the ship at Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>). He also expressed confidence in the company&#8217;s future under the leadership of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43769996/what-does-warren-buffett-know-that-we-dont-investors-are-paying-attention">chosen successor Greg Abel</a>.
What Happened: Buffett&#8217;s <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">letter</a>, which was released on Saturday, chronicled the journey of Berkshire Hathaway from a floundering textile company to a powerful conglomerate. While he admitted to past errors, he assured shareholders that his choice of Abel as his successor was not one of them.
&#8220;Sometimes I've made mistakes in assessing the future economics of a business I've purchased for Berkshire – each a case of capital allocation gone wrong. That happens with both judgments about marketable equities – we view these as partial ownership of businesses – and the 100% acquisitions of companies. At other times, I've made mistakes when assessing the abilities or fidelity of the managers Berkshire is hiring. The fidelity disappointments can hurt beyond their financial impact, a pain that can approach that of a failed marriage,&#8221; Buffett wrote. 
&#8220;A decent batting average in personnel decisions is all that can be hoped for. The cardinal sin is delaying the correction of mistakes or what Charlie Munger called &#8216;thumb-sucking.&#8217; Problems, he would tell me, cannot be wished away. They require action, however uncomfortable that may be,&#8221; Buffett mentioned in the letter.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900955/berkshire-hathaways-q4-profits-soar-71-warren-buffett-says-his-firm-has-paid-more-taxes-than-tech-titans-in-trillions">Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than &#8216;Tech Titans&#8217; With Market Value in &#8216;Trillions&#8217;</a>
Buffett praised Abel for his knack for identifying significant investment opportunities. He also pointed out that Berkshire Hathaway now boasts a cash reserve of $334.201 billion, nearly twice the $167.6 billion it had a year ago. 
&#8220;At 94, it won't be long before Greg Abel replaces me as CEO and will be writing the annual letters. Greg shares the Berkshire creed that a "report" is what a Berkshire CEO annually owes to owners. And he also understands that if you start fooling your shareholders, you will soon believe your own baloney and be fooling yourself as well,&#8221; he wrote in the letter. 
"We are impartial in our choice of equity vehicles, investing in either variety based upon where we can best deploy your (and my family's) savings. Often, nothing looks compelling; very infrequently we find ourselves knee-deep in opportunities. Greg has vividly shown his ability to act at such times," Buffett added.
Despite recent challenges in finding major acquisitions, Buffett confirmed that he has no intention of offering a dividend. He also revealed that this year&#8217;s shareholder meeting in May will be shorter than usual, with Buffett and Berkshire&#8217;s two vice chairmen fielding&nbsp;questions from 8 a.m. until&nbsp;1 p.m.
Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s 60-year tenure at Berkshire Hathaway has seen the company transform into a global powerhouse. His endorsement of Abel as his successor is a testament to Abel&#8217;s capabilities and the company&#8217;s robust succession plan. 
The significant cash reserves and strategic investments underscore Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s financial strength and its ability to seize investment opportunities. Despite the challenges in finding major acquisitions, Buffett&#8217;s decision not to offer a dividend reflects his confidence in the company&#8217;s growth prospects. 
The upcoming shareholder meeting will provide further insights into the company&#8217;s future direction under Abel&#8217;s leadership.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43766008/berkshire-hathaways-13f-filing-suggests-a-buffett-style-bash-pizza-beer-and-fine-wine">Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s 13F Filing Suggests a Buffett-Style Bash — Pizza, Beer and Fine Wine</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Earnings

Success Stories

Buffett Reflects on 60 Years at Berkshire Helm: 'Cardinal Sin Is Delaying the Correction of Mistakes'

Big changes could be coming for government benefits. House Republicans just unveiled a budget plan that includes massive spending cuts—<a href="https://docs.house.gov/meetings/BU/BU00/20250213/117894/BILLS-119NAih.pdf">$880 billion</a> from Medicaid over the next decade.
Social Security? Safe. Medicare? Also safe. But Medicaid? Not so much.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Draws The Line</h2>
President Donald Trump has been clear: No cuts to Social Security or Medicare. They're not touching it. But Medicaid? That's another story.
The House Budget Committee is looking to slash spending by $2 trillion. That includes deep Medicaid cuts, with some proposals pushing for over $2 trillion in reductions. The idea is to balance those cuts with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.
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For millions of Americans, this could mean losing healthcare coverage. <a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/program-information/medicaid-and-chip-enrollment-data/report-highlights/index.html">Over 72 million people</a> rely on Medicaid, including 7.25 million children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program. In some states, <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/10-things-to-know-about-medicaid/">over 30% of the population</a> depends on Medicaid for healthcare.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Would These Cuts Look Like?</h2>
The budget draft calls for changes in how Medicaid is funded. Some Republicans want to lower Federal Medical Assistance Percentages—the amount the federal government pays to states for Medicaid. Others want per-capita spending caps, which could cut up to $900 billion in funding.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a>
What does that mean? States would either have to cut Medicaid services or find another way to make up the shortfall. For many, that could mean fewer benefits, tougher eligibility requirements, or higher costs.
Critics argue that Medicaid isn't efficient. Some believe many recipients could get healthcare through work or other means. But research has shown that Medicaid expansions <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w26081">reduce rates of mortality,</a> <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/report/the-effects-of-medicaid-expansion-under-the-aca-updated-findings-from-a-literature-review/#:~:text=Access%20to%20care%20and%20related%20measures%3A">improve access to care</a>, and even boost local economies.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Next?</h2>
The budget fight is just getting started. Senate Republicans, led by Lindsey Graham (R-SC), are working on <a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/chairmans_mark_-_fy25_budget_resolution.pdf">their own budget plan</a>. That one focuses more on border security and defense spending.
See Also: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning they could push through a budget with a simple majority vote. The House has a much tighter margin—218-215—so every vote will count.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), is already throwing cold water on Graham's plan, telling reporters it was a "nonstarter," <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/medicaid-trump-republicans-house-budget-social-security-medicare-musk-doge-2025-2">Business Insider reported</a>. But the House and Senate need to agree on something if they want Trump to sign off.
For now, Social Security stays untouched. But Medicaid? It's on the chopping block, and millions of Americans could feel the impact soon.
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<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
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</ul>

Medicaid Faces $880 Billion Cuts — But Trump Says Social Security Is Safe

In a recent interview, billionaire investor Ray Dalio offered fresh insights on successful investing, emphasizing the importance of diversification and patience in investment strategies.
What Happened:&nbsp;Dalio, who boasts five decades of market experience, urged investors to diversify their portfolios&nbsp;by investing in 10 to&nbsp;15 "good, uncorrelated return streams&nbsp;that are risk balanced." 
He labeled this strategy as&nbsp;his "holy grail and mantra in investing," and assured that adhering to this mantra could result in substantial wealth.
Speaking <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ray-dalios-debt-warnings-big-economic-insights-for/id1749109417?i=1000685223078">with</a> Yahoo Finance, Dalio underscored the significance of patience in investment strategies, warning that the nature of loss necessitates investors to earn double the lost amount to recover.
"Everybody's thinking about what is the best debt. They don't realize that with diversification, the first three diversified, relatively uncorrelated assets will reduce the risk almost in half. That means you double your return-to-risk ratio," Dalio said. 
Dalio further advised investors to differentiate&nbsp;between an investment that has&nbsp;increased in value and one that has performed well, cautioning against the assumption that recent good returns indicate a better investment.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43756938/ray-dalio-warns-of-looming-us-debt-crisis-says-america-faces-economic-heart-attack-without-fiscal-cuts">Ray Dalio Warns of Looming US Debt Crisis, Says America Faces &#8216;Economic Heart Attack&#8217; Without Fiscal Cuts</a>
"The game is played on not getting out. The nature of loss [is], you lose 50%, you have to make 100% to get it back," he further added. 
"Get away from the notion that investments which have done well recently are better investments, rather than more expensive. You have to know the difference between an investment that has gone up a lot and done well. Don't assume that because it felt good recently and gave you good returns, it's a better investment," he said. 
Why It Matters: Dalio&#8217;s advice comes at a time when investors are seeking guidance in an increasingly volatile market. 
His emphasis on diversification and patience reflects his long-standing investment philosophy, which has guided Bridgewater Associates to become one of the world&#8217;s largest hedge funds. 
Dalio&#8217;s&nbsp;latest book, &#8220;How Countries Go&nbsp;Broke: Principles for Navigating the&nbsp;Big Debt Cycle, Where We&nbsp;Are Headed, and What We&nbsp;Should Do,&#8221; scheduled for release in September, is expected to provide further insights into his unique investment principles.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42805138/ray-dalios-timeless-advice-if-you-dont-own-gold-you-know-neither-history-nor-economics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ray Dalio's Timeless Advice: ‘If You Don't Own Gold, You Know Neither History Nor Economics'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Ray Dalio's 'Holy Grail' Investment Strategy: Why 10-15 Diversified Investments Could Make You a Fortune

In the aftermath of a $1.4 billion Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) heist, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has launched a recovery bounty program, offering a reward of up to 10% of the recovered funds to ethical cyber and network security experts who actively contribute to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43890188/bybit-founder-says-14b-eth-hack-may-stem-from-safe-wallet-compromise">retrieving the stolen assets</a>.
This translates to a potential bounty of up to $140 million, making it one of the largest crypto recovery efforts in history.
"Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry, and we do not take it for granted. We have shared in a dark moment of crypto history, and we've proven we are better than the malicious actors," said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.
The security breach, confirmed by Zhou on Friday evening, resulted in 401,347 ETH ($1.12 billion), 90,376 stETH ($253 million), 15,000 cmETH ($44 million), and 8,000 mETH ($23 million) being stolen from Bybit's Ethereum cold wallet. 
The attack was initially suspected to have exploited Safe's multisig wallet infrastructure, misleading Bybit's team into signing a transaction that granted the attacker control over the cold wallet's smart contract logic.
&#8220;It was a normal URL. I double-checked. It was the Safe URL from the official Safe website,&#8221; Zhou explained in a live stream following the incident. 
&#8220;The hacker changed that transaction into upgrading or changing the Safe smart contract logic so that he gained control over the entire Ethereum cold wallet.&#8221;
Bybit has already received assistance from major exchanges including Binance and MEXC, which are helping monitor and prevent the stolen funds from being laundered. 
Zhou expressed gratitude for the industry&#8217;s response, saying, &#8220;Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry.&#8221;
Individuals or groups with expertise in blockchain forensics, security analysis, and fund recovery can participate in the bounty program by contacting Bybit via <a>bounty_program@bybit.com</a>.
Despite the scale of the attack, Bybit continues processing withdrawals, securing liquidity through a bridge loan covering 80% of the stolen Ethereum to ensure customers&#8217; funds remain safe. 
The company has also emphasized its commitment to improving security infrastructure and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Bybit's full forensic investigation is ongoing, working closely with law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and Safe's development team to determine whether the attack stemmed from a Safe multisig vulnerability or a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43886224/bybit-founder-confirms-1-4-billion-ethereum-hack-blames-masked-transaction">broader infrastructure breach</a>.
Image: Shutterstock

Bybit Offers $140M Bounty In Wake of $1.4B ETH Hack, Investigation Focuses On Safe

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.
This week, Wall Street retreated from record highs, influenced by Walmart's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) cautious profit outlook and the Federal Reserve's emphasis on persistent inflation risks. Walmart's stock declined by 6.5% after its profit forecast fell short of analysts&#8217; expectations, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/02/43895372/walmarts-warning-fed-highlights-inflation-risks-chinese-stocks-surge-this-week-in-markets">raising concerns about consumer spending</a> amid ongoing inflation and trade uncertainties.
The Federal Reserve, in its latest meeting minutes, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43829352/fomc-minutes">highlighted the need for more evidence of cooling inflation</a> before considering rate cuts. Officials also pointed to potential inflationary pressures from possible shifts in trade and immigration policies, as well as supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions.
In contrast, Chinese technology stocks experienced a surge, with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) rising 8.1% following strong earnings and optimistic guidance. This rally was bolstered by speculation of potential monetary policy easing by China&#8217;s central bank and anticipated fiscal stimulus measures from policymakers.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
The Bulls
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43812953/super-micro-computer-stock-continues-to-climb-whats-going-on">"Super Micro Computer Stock Continues To Climb: What's Going On?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) shares surged 16.5% after the company announced strong preliminary first-quarter results and reassured investors by confirming it will file delayed financial reports by the Feb. 25 deadline, addressing governance concerns.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43787535/archer-aviation-stock-is-rising-tuesday-whats-going-on">"Archer Aviation Stock Is Rising Tuesday: What's Going On?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>) shares climbed 8.16% after the company secured FAA certification to launch its pilot training academy, a key milestone in its goal to begin electric air taxi operations in 2025, with only one more regulatory approval remaining.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43819990/jetai-targets-ai-infrastructure-growth-with-new-data-center-in-nevada-stock-skyrockets">"Jet.AI Targets AI Infrastructure Growth With New Data Center In Nevada, Stock Skyrockets"</a>, by Shivani Kumaresan, reports that Jet.AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JTAI#NASDAQ">JTAI</a>) shares soared 69% after the company unveiled plans for a 50-megawatt AI data center in Nevada, aiming for a full gigawatt capacity, as it seeks to capitalize on the surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43825695/xrp-rallies-5-on-etf-news-what-is-going-on">XRP Rallies 5% On ETF News: What Is Going On?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43855319/apple-stock-set-for-streaming-lift-severance-breaks-record-after-x-ads-tim-cook-promo">Apple Stock Set For Streaming Lift? ‘Severance' Breaks Record After X Ads, Tim Cook Promo</a>
<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>
The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43857040/palantir-stock-tanks-10-as-ceo-sell-plan-defense-budget-cuts-spark-sell-off">"Palantir Stock Tanks 10% As CEO Sell Plan, Defense Budget Cuts Spark Sell-Off"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) shares plunged 10% after CEO Alex Karp announced plans to sell nearly 10 million shares, raising investor concerns, while potential U.S. defense budget cuts threaten the company's lucrative government contracts, intensifying the sell-off.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43799173/occidental-petroleum-q4">"Occidental Petroleum Shares Slide After Mixed Q4 Results: EPS Beat, Revenues Miss"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>) posted fourth-quarter earnings of 80 cents per share, surpassing analyst expectations of 70 cents, while revenue fell to $6.83 billion, missing the projected $7.05 billion.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43868719/dropbox-stock-falls-after-q4-report-arr-slips-paying-users-decrease">"Dropbox Stock Falls After Q4 Report: ARR Slips, Paying Users Decrease"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Dropbox Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DBX#NASDAQ">DBX</a>) shares fell 8.6% after the company announced a slight decrease in annual recurring revenue and a reduction of 15,000 paying users in the fourth quarter, despite exceeding earnings and revenue expectations.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43884153/us-services-drop-sharply-darkening-picture-of-high-prices-uncertainty-economist-says">US Services Drop Sharply: ‘Darkening Picture' Of High Prices, Uncertainty, Economist Says</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43795095/viking-bails-on-apple-tesla-and-trims-nvidia-is-this-a-big-tech-rethink">Viking Bails On Apple, Tesla And Trims Nvidia: Is This A Big Tech Rethink?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43869433/walmart-expects-slower-growth-in-an-uncertain-time-cfo-says-on-earnings-call">Walmart Expects Slower Growth In ‘An Uncertain Time,' CFO Says On Earnings Call</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Market Summary

Federal Reserve

ACHR

JTAI

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: SMCI, Jet.AI, Palantir, OXY And Wall Street Retreats From Record Highs

The annual report of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) was released on Saturday morning, shedding light on the company&#8217;s robust performance in the insurance sector with a whopping 71% increase in operating earnings for the fourth quarter.
What Happened: According to Berkshire&#8217;s report, the Nebraska-based conglomerate, under the leadership of Warren Buffett, attributed this surge to the rise in interest rates that amplified its investment income and an uplift in its insurance business. The company&#8217;s operating earnings for the quarter were recorded at $14.5 billion.
A significant portion of the earnings increase was due to a 48% increase in insurance investment income, which amounted to $4.1 billion. The firm&#8217;s insurance underwriting business also experienced a strong recovery, with operating earnings multiplying fourfold to $3.4 billion.
GEICO, a major contributor to Berkshire&#8217;s insurance results, more than doubled its pretax underwriting earnings&nbsp;to $7.8 billion in 2024.&nbsp;This was achieved by reversing a years-long downward trend and adding new clients in the latter half of the year.
However, despite these positive results, Berkshire&nbsp;expects pretax losses of approximately&nbsp;$1.3 billion due to the wildfires that ravaged&nbsp;parts of Los Angeles last&nbsp;month. Furthermore, Buffett&#8217;s cash reserves increased&nbsp;to a record $334.2 billion&nbsp;at the end of 2024,&nbsp;marking the 10th consecutive quarter of growth.
In his <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">letter</a> to shareholders, Warren Buffett revealed the company&#8217;s performance exceeded his expectations. He also noted that the company paid more taxes than tech giants with trillion-dollar valuations.
&#8220;Berkshire Hathaway – paid far more in corporate income tax than the U.S. government had ever received from any company – even the American tech titans that commanded market values in the trillions. To be precise, Berkshire last year made four payments to the IRS that totaled $26.8 billion. That's about 5% of what all of corporate America paid. In addition, we paid sizable amounts for income taxes to foreign governments and to 44 states,&#8221; he mentioned in the letter. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43874883/warren-buffets-berkshire-hathaway-further-trims-its-stake-in-davita-by-2-sells-additional-shares-worth-116-million">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Hathaway Sells $116M Shares Of Dialysis Giant DaVita, Cuts Stake By 2%</a>
Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s property-casualty (P/C) insurance remains its core business. The company distinguishes itself&nbsp;in the insurance industry by&nbsp;taking on risks that other private insurers shy away from, while maintaining a disciplined approach to avoid underpriced policies.
Why It Matters: The substantial increase in Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s Q4 operating profits signifies a strong recovery and growth in its insurance and investment sectors. The rise in interest rates played a crucial role in boosting the company&#8217;s investment income, contributing to the overall surge in earnings.
The robust recovery of the firm&#8217;s insurance underwriting business and the significant contribution from GEICO also played a pivotal role in the earnings increase. 
The growth of P/C insurance is directly linked to increasing economic risks.&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway believes one-year risk&nbsp;assumptions are generally manageable but&nbsp;remains flexible to adapt policies&nbsp;as needed. This strategic approach has allowed the company to stay ahead in the industry and ensure its continued growth.
Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s investment strategy is also noteworthy. The company&nbsp;remains committed to investing the&nbsp;majority of shareholder funds in&nbsp;equities, primarily American companies with&nbsp;significant international operations. 
This strategy of prioritizing&nbsp;ownership in strong businesses over&nbsp;holding cash-equivalent assets ensures&nbsp;long-term growth and value for&nbsp;its investors.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43769996/what-does-warren-buffett-know-that-we-dont-investors-are-paying-attention">What Does Warren Buffett Know That We Don&#8217;t? Investors Are Paying Attention</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Earnings Misses

Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than 'Tech Titans' With Market Value in 'Trillions'

The U.S. government has reportedly issued a diplomatic questionnaire to European leaders. The questionnaire seeks to understand their position on Ukraine&#8217;s security and their readiness to defend <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935659/mary-trump-blasts-uncle-over-wildfire-comments-if-donald-trump-can-profit-from-your-death-he-will-facilitate-it">Ukraine without U.S. leadership</a>.
What Happened: The questionnaire is seen as a measure of European leaders&#8217; determination amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict. It included questions like, &#8220;Are&nbsp;there any countries you believe&nbsp;would be indispensable, like maybe&nbsp;the United States of America?&#8221; and &#8220;Specifically,&nbsp;what short-term and long-term resources&nbsp;do you think will be&nbsp;required from the United States?&#8221;
According to Mary Trump, President Donald Trump's estranged niece, some have found these questions offensive, suggesting that the US is reconsidering its role in the conflict. This change in stance is believed to be due to&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and his administration aligning with&nbsp;Vladimir Putin&#8216;s Moscow agenda.
&#8220;Why suddenly is the United States riddled with such uncertainty about its role in the conflict? That's simple: it's because Donald Trump and his corrupt fascist regime are aligned with the agenda of Vladimir Putin and Moscow. This is a travesty. And it's a travesty that the people in charge, including those at the State Department, care nothing and know nothing about diplomacy and statecraft,&#8221; Mary Trump wrote in her latest blog <a href="https://www.marytrump.org/p/at-the-fulcrum-of-history">post</a>. 
In response, European leaders are escalating their efforts to counteract US foreign policy. An emergency summit was convened in Paris last week, attended by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, along with top EU and NATO officials, to devise a response to these developments.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43581792/mary-trump-slams-uncle-says-president-isnt-just-destroying-democracy-hes-handing-unchecked-power-to-people-like-elon-musk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Trump Slams Uncle, Says President ‘Isn't Just Destroying Democracy, He's Handing Unchecked Power to People Like Elon Musk'</a>
The U.S. seems to be shifting its responsibilities onto its allies, waiting to see who will stand for it. This change in U.S. policy has created increasing&nbsp;uncertainty about its role in&nbsp;the conflict, leaving&nbsp;European leaders scrambling to respond.
&#8220;Donald's increasingly hostile stance towards Ukraine and continuing appeasement of Putin has European leaders scrambling to respond to yet another reckless move by the United States,&#8221; she added in the post. 
Mary Trump mentioned that President Volodomyr Zelensky has remained clear himself as to&nbsp;Ukraine&#8217;s&nbsp;position on what the future of Ukraine looks like.
&#8220;Donald is calling this the grotesque display that occurred in Saudi Arabia a "peace negotiation," but Zelensky very properly is calling bullshit. He originally had scheduled a visit Saudi Arabia but canceled it when he realized that the United States and Russia planned to meet without giving Ukraine, the aggrieved party, a seat at the negotiating table,&#8221; she said. 
Why It Matters: The US&#8217;s shift in stance towards the Ukraine conflict is a significant development. The questionnaire, seen as a test of European resolve, has implications for the global balance of power and the future of international diplomacy. 
The response of European leaders to this questionnaire and the subsequent actions will be crucial in shaping the course of the Ukraine conflict and the role of the US in global conflicts.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock

Mary Trump Slams Uncle: 'Trump and His Corrupt Fascist Regime Are Aligned With the Agenda of Vladimir Putin and Moscow'

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/42802731/exclusive-top-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-2024-where-do-tesla-nvidia-gamestop-trump-media-stocks-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Top 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro In 2024 — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, GameStop, Trump Media Stocks Rank?</a>
Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending Feb. 21:
 Sempra (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SRE#NYSE">SRE</a>): The utility company saw an increase of interest from Benzinga readers during the week. The company will report fourth-quarter financial results next week. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.60, up from $1.13 in last year's fourth quarter according to data <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">from Benzinga Pro. </a>The company has missed analyst estimates for earnings per share in two straight quarters, while beating in eight of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts expect the company to report fourth-quarter revenue of $4.36 billion. The company has missed analyst estimates in six straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Sempra's report could be followed closer than normal given the company's presence in the California market where<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42899953/five-dead-in-los-angeles-wildfires-utilities-face-scrutiny"> wildfires took place.</a>
The stock was up around 3% for the week, as seen in the <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro chart </a>below. Shares are up 21% over the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="464" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793864" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334-300x139.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171734/Screenshot-334-768x356.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>
Vistra Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>): Investors paid close attention to the energy company this week, which has been a top performing stock over the last year. With ties to the nuclear energy business, the stock has soared and is up over 200% in the last year. JPMorgan <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43039348/are-utilities-the-new-tech-why-entergy-nisource-vistra-are-jpmorgans-top-picks-for-2025">named the stock</a> one of the top utility stocks for 2025 earlier this year. The company is scheduled to report fourth-quarter financial results Thursday Feb. 27. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings of $1.14 per share. The company has beat analyst estimates in two straight quarter and four of the last 10 quarters. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $3.89 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates in two of the last three quarters, but missed estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters. Several analyst <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VST/analyst-ratings">reiterated bullish ratings </a>on the stock in recent weeks with BMO maintaining an Outperform and raising the price target from $151 to $191.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="504" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793865" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171749/Screenshot-335-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>
Alibaba Group Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>): The large Chinese e-commerce stock saw strong interest over the week thanks to earnings results and increased investments in the artificial intelligence sector. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43846533/alibaba-q3-earnings-revenue-and-eps-beat-eyes-global-e-commerce-profitability-in-fy25-increase-investments-in-ai">beat third-quarter </a>revenue and earnings per share estimates. The company has now beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in nine of the last 10 quarters, while missing revenue estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters. In the quarterly results, Alibaba saw revenue grow across many segments on a year-over-year basis. Alibaba said it expects its international e-commerce unit to be profitable in the next quarter. The company also said it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43874037/alibaba-sees-ai-gold-rush-in-cloud-computing-not-open-and-closed-source-modelshints-monetization-lies-in-powering-ai-not-selling-it">expects to invest</a> more in Cloud and AI in the next three years than in the last decade. Alibaba is focusing on cloud computing as the primary monetization effort for its AI efforts instead of AI models.
Multiple Alibaba analysts<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BABA/analyst-ratings"> raised their price targets </a>on the stock after the quarterly results, including Benchmark's Fawne Jiang who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/02/43888574/alibabas-ai-expansion-e-commerce-growth-reinforce-bullish-analyst-outlook">maintained a Buy rating</a> and raised the target from $118 to $190. Jiang said the company's e-commerce business is rebounding along with the investments in cloud and AI.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="506" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793866" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171806/Screenshot-336-768x391.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
AptarGroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATR#NYSE">ATR</a>): The dispensing systems company saw strong interest from Benzinga readers during the week. The company recently reported fourth-quarter financial results with earnings per share beating analyst estimates and revenue missing analyst estimates. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ATR/analyst-ratings">saw several analysts </a>recently maintain bullish ratings, while lowering their price targets. Given the rising interest in the stock and the $10 billion market capitalization, AptarGroup could be a stock to watch for investors. The stock was up around 2% in the last week and shares are up 5% over the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="505" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793868" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171821/Screenshot-337-768x390.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>): The aerospace company recently reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43697801/howmet-aerospace-q4-revenue-up-92-beats-estimatesprovides-2025-outlook-amid-boeing-and-airbus-uncertainty">fourth-quarter financial results </a>with earnings per share and revenue topping estimates. The company has now beat analyst estimates for earnings per share in eight straight quarters and for revenue in nine of the last 10 quarters. In the quarter, the company saw double-digit growth across many of the reporting segments on a year-over-year basis. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HWM/analyst-ratings">raised their price targets </a>on the stock after the financial results. Howmet executives said they expect aftermarket growth for spares of 20% to 25% year-over-year in 2025. Executives also cautioned on renegotiations of long-term contracts and the potential tariff impact.
The stock was up slightly during the week and shares are up over 100% in the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338.png" alt="" class="wp-image-793869" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21171835/Screenshot-338-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent022125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>
Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43066466/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 17</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/43201590/benzinga-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 24</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43419547/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-52" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 31</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43578212/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-53">February 7</a></li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43041374/exclusive-how-high-will-sp-500-go-under-donald-trump-in-2025-readers-are-optimistic-26-say-this" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: How High Will S&amp;P 500 Go Under Donald Trump In 2025? Readers Are Optimistic, 26% Say This…</a></li>
</ul>

Exclusives

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Legal

Press Releases

WBD DEADLINE NOTICE: ROSEN, RECOGNIZED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important January 24 Deadline in Securities Class Action – WBD

Levi & Korsinsky Reminds Shareholders of a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of January 24, 2025 in Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Lawsuit - WBD

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC. (NASDAQ: WBD) DEADLINE ALERT: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reminds Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Investors of Upcoming Deadline

Shareholders that lost money on Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.(WBD) should contact The Gross Law Firm about pending Class Action - WBD

SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Reminds Shareholders with Losses on their Investment in Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. of Class Action Lawsuit and Upcoming Deadlines - WBD

Class Action Filed Against Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) Seeking Recovery for Investors – Contact Levi & Korsinsky

The Gross Law Firm Reminds Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Investors of the Pending Class Action Lawsuit with a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of January 24, 2025 - WBD

WBD DEADLINE NOTICE: ROSEN, LEADING INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important January 24 Deadline in Securities Class Action – WBD

Levi & Korsinsky Reminds Shareholders of a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of January 24, 2025 in Warner Bros. Discovery Lawsuit - WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery and Cutting Edge Group form JV to own and manage WBD's iconic music rights portfolio

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Class A Common Stock

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Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. - Series A Common Stock

Atlanta Braves Holdings

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Cinemark Holdings Inc Cinemark Holdings, Inc. Common Stock

Cinemark Holdings

Walt Disney

Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. Class A Common Stock

Endeavor Gr Hldgs

Liberty Media Corporation - Series A Liberty Formula One Common Stock

Liberty Formula One Gr

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Ordinary Shares (New Liberty Formula One) Series C

iQIYI

Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation Class A Voting Shares

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Lionsgate Studios

Liberty Media Corporation - Series A Liberty Live Common Stock

Liberty Live

Ordinary Shares (New Liberty Live) Series A

Liberty Media Corporation - Series C Liberty Live Common Stock

Ordinary Shares (New Liberty Live) Series C

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. Common Stock

Live Nation Entertainment

Manchester United Ltd. Class A Ordinary Shares

Manchester United

Marcus

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Class A Common Stock

Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Class A Common Stock (New)

Netflix

Roku

Sphere Entertainment Co. Class A Common Stock

Sphere Entertainment

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. Class A Common Stock

TKO Group Holdings

Tencent Music Entertainment Group American Depositary Shares, each representing two Class A Ordinary Shares

Tencent Music Enter Gr

Warner Music Group Corp. - Class A Common Stock

Warner Music Gr

JP Morgan

Goldman Sachs

Barrington Research

Rosenblatt

B of A Securities

Screenshot 2024-06-10 at 5.33.14 PM

Emerging Markets

Movers & Shakers

IZEA

How IZEA Worldwide (NASDAQ: IZEA) Is Leading The World Into The Creator Economy Era

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>）のWarner Bros.ゲームは、待望のタイトル『Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions』の予告編「Welcome Students」を公開した。
このゲームは、Unbroken Studiosによって開発され、人気シリーズ作品『ハリー・ポッター』の中で刮目されている空中バスケットボールのようなスポーツ「クィディッチ」でファンを熱狂させることを約束している。
関連記事：<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/05/38665181/magical-escapes-5-harry-potter-theme-parks-thatll-transport-you-to-hogwarts-and-beyond">魔法の国への脱出：あなたをホグワーツ城とその先へ運んでくれる5つのハリーポッターテーマパーク</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">ゲームプレイとモード</h1>
予告編では、このゲームの2つのモードについて、一部がわかるシーンが見られる。それは、シングルプレイヤー向けのキャリアモードと、オンライン対戦モードだ。 プレイヤーは、4つのクィディッチポジション（ビーター、チェイサー、キーパー、シーカー）の1つとしてアリーナを飛び回ることができる。
ファンにとってはおなじみのキャラクターが登場し、ハリー・ポッターやロン・ウィーズリー、ドラコ・マルフォイなどの顔ぶれや、クィディッチのワールドカップスタジアム、そして魔法の世界の様々なシーンが映し出される。
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">リリース戦略</h1>
『Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions』は2024年9月3日に、複数のプラットフォームでデジタル版が発売される予定だ。 このゲームはXboxシリーズXとS、Xbox One、PlayStation 4、PlayStation 5、SteamおよびEpic Games Storeを通じてPC用にリリースされる。
一方、物理デラックス版は2024年11月8日に、PS5、PS4、Xbox One、Xbox Series X用にリリースされる予定である。 ニンテンドースイッチ向けのバージョンも、今年のホリデーシーズンにリリースされる見込み。
Sony Group Corp（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>）は、プレイステーションユーザー向けに独占的にこのゲームを提供する特典を獲得し、『Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions』は9月3日から30日までの期間、PlayStation Plusゲームとして提供される。
この期間中、ゲームをダウンロードしたサブスクライバーは、引き換え可能なパックとしてFirebolt Supreme Broom Skinを受け取ることができる。 この窓口でゲームをダウンロードしたPlayStation Plusメンバーは、購読を維持している限りアクセスが可能となる。
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">価格設定とエディション</h1>
このゲームのデジタル標準版の価格は29.99ドルで、デジタルおよび物理デラックス版は39.99ドルで提供される。 デラックス版にはベースゲーム、スリザリン、ハッフルパフ、レイブンクロー、グリフィンドール向けのHouse Packと、2000ゲーム内ゴールドが含まれている。
Warner Bros. Gamesは、『Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions』でマイクロトランザクションを採用しないと発表した。 会社によると、「ゴールドはゲームプレイの進行中のみ獲得されます」。

今年の株式市場は、インフレーション圧力の緩和、企業の強い利益、およびAI（人工知能）技術の潜在的な利益に対する楽観的な期待を受けて、<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/06/39546658/federal-reserve-to-follow-european-banks-footsteps-likely-to-cut-rates-in-septemb">連邦準備制度が9月に金利を引き下げるとの期待</a>が高まっています。
利益の根拠 今年の上半期、より広範な市場パフォーマンスを示すものとして利用されるS&amp;P500指数は、これまでで約14.48％もの利益を上げており、第2四半期には約3.92％増となっています。この指数は6月18日に最後の収盤高値（5,487.03）を記録し、6月20日には一時的に5,500を超えました。以降、この指数は市場全体の利益が推移しているように動いています。
SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF トラスト（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>）は、S&amp;P 500指数のパフォーマンスを追跡する上場投資信託（ETF）で、金曜日の取引日のセッションで株価は0.39％低い544.22ドルで終了しました。これはBenzinga Proのデータによるものです。
アナリストたちは、上半期の後半でもさらなる利益の増加について楽観的です。S&amp;P 500指数の記録的な利益を受け、多くのアナリストは年末の目標を引き上げています。Evercore ISIのデータによると、同社は6,000でこの指数が年を終えると予測しています。
トップヘビーが心配？ 堅調に推移している一方で、選ばれた数銘柄に利益が集中する構図について、投資家とアナリストの両者から懸念の声が上がっています。これは、指数構成銘柄の重量付けを均等に行っているS&amp;P EQUAL WEIGHT INDEXが、市場時価総額に基づくS&amp;P 500指数に対して相対的に低いパフォーマンスを示していることから明らかです。
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="459" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30131559/image-65-1024x459.png" alt="" class="wp-image-412596" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30131559/image-65-1024x459.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30131559/image-65-300x135.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30131559/image-65-768x345.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30131559/image-65-1536x689.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30131559/image-65.png 1665w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
出典:Yahoo Finance
S＆P 500の上位10銘柄の市場全体の時価総額に占める割合は38％まで高騰し、チャールズ・シュワブ（<a href="https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/hard-to-concentrate-top-heavy-market">同社が</a>最近発表した報告書によると）となっています。Ark InvestのCathie Wood氏は最近のウェビナーの中で、株式市場の集中度が1932年の大恐慌時代以上に高まっていると述べています。
関連記事： <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-value-stocks">ベストバリューストック</a>
これまでの半年でS&amp;P500指数を牽引した銘柄と、その後退した銘柄について見てみましょう。
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes">
<table style="overflow:auto; height: 90px; display: block;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">牽引銘柄</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">1.</td>
<td>Super Micro Computer Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>）</td>
<td>+188.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">2.</td>
<td>Nvidia Corp.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>）</td>
<td>+149.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">3.</td>
<td>Vistra Corp.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>）</td>
<td>+123.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">4.</td>
<td>Constellation Energy Corporation（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NYSE">CEG</a>）</td>
<td>+71.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">5.</td>
<td>General Electric Company（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>）</td>
<td>+56.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">後退銘柄</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">1.</td>
<td>Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NYSE">WBA</a>）</td>
<td>-53.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">2.</td>
<td>Lululemon Athletica Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>）</td>
<td>-41.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">3.</td>
<td>Intel Corporation（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>）</td>
<td>-38.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">4.</td>
<td>EPAM Systems, Inc.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPAM#NYSE">EPAM</a>）</td>
<td>-36.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-right" data-align="right">5.</td>
<td>Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>）</td>
<td>-34.46%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
2四半期には、NVIDIAとテキサス州に本社を置くユーティリティーカンパニーであるVistraも上位5銘柄のうちに入っています。リストの中で他にも、First Solar, Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>）、GE Vernova Inc.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>）（GEから分離されたユーティリティーカンパニー）、半導体テスト企業Teradyne, Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TER#NASDAQ">TER</a>）も含まれています。
2四半期の銘柄の下落率トップ5には、今年の累計での株価の下落率がトップ5に入っている銘柄がリストアップされています。その他の3銘柄は、Estée Lauder Companies Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EL#NASDAQ">EL</a>）および建設機器メーカーのBuilders FirstSource, Inc.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLDR#NYSE">BLDR</a>）です。
上位5銘柄のうち、9割がテックとユーティリティーセクターに属していたのに対し、下位5銘柄のうち8割が消費関連銘柄でした。
今後の見通し モルガン・スタンレーのアナリストたちは、今年の下半期に向けて大部分が楽観的な見通しを示しています。同社のアナリストが述べるところによると、9月に実現する金融政策金利の引き下げを前提として、米国株式市場には大きな利益の機会が訪れるとのことです。 先物市場では、9月の金利引き下げの確率は64％と評価されています。
JPMorganのアナリストたちも、引き続き市場の好調な動きを見込んでいます。
同社のアナリストは声明の中で、「金融引き締めの終わりと強い名目GDP成長が、今年の残りの期間にわたって米国株式市場にとって好機を提供する」と述べています。
金融政策の引き下げは、株式市場の利益の拡大の前触れとして幅広く受け取られています。今年の前半でパフォーマンスが低迷していた銘柄は、インフレがさらに緩和された場合、22年来の最高値から金利を下げることができるようになると、大幅な利益を生む可能性があります。
Ark InvestのWood氏は、同社の強いリバウンドの余地を見ています。 大恐慌の時期には集中度がピークに達しましたが、その後市場は3～4年で62％上昇しました。 この利益は、メガキャップの大企業よりも、中小キャップの銘柄を不釣り合いに支持したものであったと、Wood氏は述べています。
利益が期待される銘柄 マクロ経済指標と地政学的環境が緩和されると、楽観的なリスク選好が再び市場に戻る可能性があります。スクリーニングのために使用された基準はSMIDキャップ銘柄、平均出来高が50,000以上、平均アナリストの株価予想が「Buy」以上、平均アナリストの株価予想が現在の価格より20％高い、および相対的な強度指数が40未満であることです。それらの銘柄の1つには以下が含まれます。
<ul>
<li>Bath &amp; Body Works, Inc.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBWI#NYSE">BBWI</a>）</li>
<li>American Airlines Group Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAL#NASDAQ">AAL</a>）</li>
<li>Dayforce Inc（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAY#NYSE">DAY</a>）</li>
<li>BorgWarner Inc.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BWA#NYSE">BWA</a>）</li>
<li>Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIO#NYSE">BIO</a>）</li>
</ul>
次の記事を読む：Prominent Economist Paul Krugman Says ‘Inflation Beaten,&#8217; Underlines This As Reason For Sticky Pricing Pressure</a>
写真：Shutterstock

S&P500上半期終了も史上最高値を更新せず

今週初め、かつてバンしたかったソーシャルメディアプラットフォームTikTokに登録した元大統領のドナルド・トランプが、ユーザー数500万人以上を誇る<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39198236/donald-trumps-debut-has-outshined-biden-harris-campaign-account-on-tiktok-this-is-a-vital-space-for" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ことで、</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39198236/donald-trumps-debut-has-outshined-biden-harris-campaign-account-on-tiktok-this-is-a-vital-space-for" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ジョー・バイデン</a>大統領の選挙キャンペーンアカウントを上回っているという報告がありました。
リスク資本の投資構図が大きく転換する中、米国のスタートアップ企業は中国の投資家との関係を次第に遠ざけようとしています。この動きは、企業が米国当局による外国<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/06/39225851/american-vcs-want-us-startups-to-sever-ties-with-chinese-investors-amid-anticipated-regulatory-clamp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">所有規制の強化</a>を見越して行われています。
アラブ首長国連邦（UAE）は、石油化学の豊かさを活用して世界的なAIパワーハウスとして浮上することを目指し、人工知能（AI）分野で米国との戦略的なパートナーシップを追求しています。
ゲーム
Adjustの2024年版の2024年版「モバイルアプリのトレンド」報告書によると、2023年における全体のゲーム市場の収益のうち、49％が合計904億ドルを占める「モバイルゲーム」が拡大しました。 2022年1月から2024年1月までのデータを分析したこの調査では、ゲームアプリのインアプリ収益について、前年比6％の<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/06/39192130/mobile-games-captured-90-4b-49-of-global-market-in-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">増加が記録されました</a>。
2023年には、中東および北アフリカ（MENA）およびアジアのゲーム市場は、前年比4.6％増の855億ドルに達し、2028年までに971億ドルに<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/06/39213251/asia-mena-gaming-markets-reach-85-5b-in-2023-see-future-projections" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">増加する見通し</a>です。
Intercept GamesとRoll7の閉鎖が報じられた「Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. （NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTWO#NASDAQ">TTWO</a>）は、<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39145469/private-division-faces-closure-take-two-to-sell-or-shutter-studios-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Private Divisionの閉鎖または売却計画</a>の一環として、Intercept GamesとRoll7が閉鎖の憂き目に遭うことはないと発表しました。
Take-Two InteractiveのRockstar Gamesは、6月にリリースされるGrand Theft Auto Onlineの大規模なアップデートに向けて準備を進めています。 6月のアップデートには、バウンティハンティングと警察ミッションに加えて、GTAオンラインの<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39194557/what-to-expect-for-gta-onlines-june-update" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">新しいコンテンツ作成者の機能</a>も追加されます。
読了:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39173595/summer-game-fest-2024-big-reveals-key-updates-and-whats-off-the-table" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Summer Game Fest 2024：ビッグな発表、重要なアップデート、そして何が話題にならないのか</a>
Sony Group Corp. （NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>）のノーティ・ドッグは、同社が開発したゲーム「The Last of Us」と「Uncharted」のフランチャイズで知られる開発者が、<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39143354/naughty-dog-will-not-be-the-last-of-us-studio-forever-neil-druckmann-announces-multiple-single-pla" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">「複数のシングルプレイヤープロジェクト」で作業を行っている</a> と発表しました。
8月7日に予定されているSonyの<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39168685/sonys-next-frontier-pc-adapter-unveiled-connecting-playstation-gamers-to-steam-vr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PlayStation VR 2（PSVR 2）ヘッドセットのためのPCアダプターの発売が発表されました。</a>
SonyのPS5ボックスには、ハイレゾハイプからの脱却を示す8Kタグが削除されています。 Digital FoundryのJohn Linnemanが指摘するように、新しいパッケージは「<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39213768/ps5-drops-8k-tag-is-8k-gaming-a-fading-dream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4K/120fpsとHDR</a>」といった機能のみを表示するようになりました。
読了: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39218265/guess-how-much-this-counter-strike-skin-just-sold-for" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">このカウンターストライクのスキンがついに売れた金額は？</a>
OculusとAnduril Industriesの創業者であるPalmer Luckeyは、199ドルで販売されている<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/06/39152573/oculus-founder-palmer-luckey-launches-199-modern-handheld-console-that-pays-homage-to-game-boy-don" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ピクセル完璧で超明るいマグネシウム製のゲーム機</a>を新たに発表し、ゲーム業界にカムバックしました。
読了: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/05/39120277/paving-the-way-for-microtransactions-the-sims-4-introduces-controversial-battle-pass-style-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">マイクロトランザクションの先駆けに？ 『The Sims 4』がバトルパススタイルのイベントを導入</a>
ストリーミングプラットフォーム、ソーシャルメディア、その他
Netflix Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>）は、利用者のプラットフォームでの使用を最大化しようとしている一環として、新しいTVユーザー用のホーム画面の導入を発表しました。
米国政府との<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39150865/tiktok-parent-bytedance-appoints-former-warner-bros-lawyer-as-general-counsel-amid-ongoing-legal-bat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ByteDance Ltd.（TikTokの親会社）は、</a>元映画製作会社ワーナー・ブラザース・ディスカバリー社（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>）のトップ弁護士である<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39150865/tiktok-parent-bytedance-appoints-former-warner-bros-lawyer-as-general-counsel-amid-ongoing-legal-bat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ジョン・ロゴヴィン氏を新たなグローバル法律顧問に任命しました。</a>
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>）は、米国および欧州の中小企業向けの新しいサービスを立ち上げ、より信頼性の高い配送日、安全な支払い、<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39221079/alibabas-new-strategy-targeting-small-businesses-in-the-us-and-europe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">スムーズな紛争解決</a>を提供する「Alibaba Guaranteed」サービスが発表されました。
EBay Inc. （NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>）は、同社が<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>から請求された「非常に高い料金」を理由に、同社のプラットフォームでのAmerican Express Co.（NYSE：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>）のカードの受け入れを停止する計画を立てました。
エアバスは、タイペイで開催されたコンピューテックス技術見本市で、有人戦闘機を高リスクなミッションでサポートするために設計された新しいドローンコンセプトである「Wingman」を公開しました。
スマートフォン
Apple Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>）の新しいiPhone 16 Proでは、現行記録保持者であるSamsung Galaxy S24を上回る、世界で最も薄いベゼルを搭載することで、期待を裏切る可能性があります。
Appleは最終的に、英国の「商品セキュリティと通信インフラ（PSTI）規制」に準拠して、同社のiPhoneにセキュリティのアップデートを提供する最短期間を明らかにしました。
Appleは、標準保証の下でiPhoneとApple Watchのディスプレイに生じた髪の毛のような細いクラックの対応を停止しました。 これにより、修理に関しては、製品を購入した顧客が費用を負担する必要があるようになります。<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39223488/apple-no-longer-covers-hairline-cracks-on-iphones-and-watches-under-warranty-how-much-youll-need-to" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">先週までの政策とは大きく異なる方針になります。</a>
Appleの次期ソフトウェアアップデートである「iOS 18」は、同社の歴史の中で「&#8230;最も大規模なiOSアップデートの一つ」になることが期待されています。
Appleは、中国で唯一の米国製ストリーミングサービスとなることを望んでいます。 同社は、中国の通信事業者である中国移動との取引について議論しており、<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/06/39164337/apples-streaming-ambitions-in-china-continue-despite-geopolitical-tensions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">後者の2億人以上の加入者基盤を活用することができるかもしれません。</a>
Tech
Qualcomm Inc.（NASDAQ：<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>）は、同社の新しいチップによって、顧客がバッテリー寿命を気にせずにノートパソコンを広範囲に使用できることを保証しています。
Taipei（台北）で開催されたComputex（コンピューテック

選挙の投票所が開かれてから5カ月以内で、2024年の大統領選挙で最終的には大統領であるべきはずのボードンとトランプの間で、有権者が選択を迫られることになる。
選挙の投票の現場では、二人の主要候補者の間に激しい争いが続いている。
出来事：トランプ前大統領は、偽造されたビジネス記録の不正裁判で有罪判決を受けたが、これは大統領選挙における<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/24/05/39123057/exclusive-trumps-guilty-verdict-sparks-brief-overreaction-in-2024-election-betting-odds-bu">2024年の選挙の賭け率に対して</a> は影響を与えておらず、有権者の新しい調査結果も同様の結果を示している。
新たに投票者登録を行った全国民の中で行われたモーニングコンサルトの<a href="https://pro.morningconsult.com/trackers/2024-presidential-election-polling">調査</a>では、バイデン対トランプの一騎打ちで以下のような結果が示された（5月28日の調査結果がカッコの中に記されています）。
ジョー・バイデン：43％（42％）
ドナルド・トランプ：44％（44％）
その他：8％（9％）
不明：5％（5％）
民主党の投票者の中で、バイデンを第一選択肢に挙げた者は88％で、前回の調査より4ポイント上昇しました。一方で、トランプを第一選択肢とした共和党の投票者の間では、前回の調査と同様に88％の支持を得ています。
選挙の結果に影響を与える可能性がある無党派の有権者は、次のように2024年の大統領選挙で投票することを決めたのです（5月28日の調査結果がカッコの中に記されています）。
ジョー・バイデン：34％（33％）
ドナルド・トランプ：35％（37％）
その他：21％（18％）
不明：11％（12％）
なぜ重要なのか：最新の調査は5月31日から6月2日にかけて実施され、トランプが口封じ裁判で全34件の起訴で有罪判決を受けた後に行われました。
選挙の投票では、トランプが3月と4月にバイデンをリードしていたが、このところの数カ月間で二人の勢力が拮抗しており、差は1ポイントに縮まっている。
バイデンは、最近の調査で、トランプに1ポイント差でリードを取り、同率に追いつく、またはリードを取るようになった。
最新の調査では、トランプが全有権者の中で1ポイント、無党派の有権者の中で1ポイントリードしていることが分かった。トランプは、最近の調査で無党派の有権者からの支持を失っており、このため裁判の結果が今回の調査結果に影響を与えたと考えられる。
新たなモーニングコンサルトの調査に回答した人のうち、56％がトランプに対する有罪判決について多くの報道を見たり聞いたりしたと回答し、調査にとって2024年における最も影響力のあるニュースストーリーであることが明らかになった。
また、最新の調査でトランプのネットバズランキングは、ファーストネームのカウントが行われた2023年8月以来の最も低い値となった。 その時には、トランプ前大統領がフルトン郡に予約をしてマグカップで撮影されたときに話題になっていた。
バイデンのネット好感度ランキングは、トランプに対して5週連続でリードを取り、2023年4月以来の大統領の最長記録を樹立した。
最近のモーニングコンサルト/ブルームバーグによる<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/05/38976120/trump-vs-biden-one-candidate-gains-in-2024-election-poll-of-swing-state-voters-who-is-hurt-the-m" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">投票</a>では、トランプは7つの内、5つの州（アリゾナ、ジョージア、ノースカロライナ、ペンシルベニア、ウィスコンシン）でリードを取った。一方でバイデンはミシガンでリードし、ネバダ州では二人の候補者が同率となった。
トランプの口封じ裁判の結果が2024年の大統領選挙での次の大きなイベントまで7月11日まで決まっておらず、その間に投票所が開かれた際には、調査の結果はわずかに変動する可能性がある。
両候補者は6月27日に2024年の大統領選の最初の討論会で対決する予定です。 この討論会は、ワーナー・ブラザース・ディスカバリー (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>) の一環としてCNNで放映されます。 トランプをフィーチャーした討論会は、視聴者が多く集まることが多く、今回の接戦と再戦の性格を考えると、今回の討論会にも多くの関心が寄せられることになるでしょう。
討論会後の調査の結果は、2024年の選挙の投票が、どういった結果になるかについての投票者の心情を反映するものとなるだろう。

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