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American Graphite (OTC:AGIN) Stock, Option Chain

American Graphite Technologies Inc is a mineral exploration and technology development company.

AMERICAN GRAPHITE TECHS by American Graphite Technologies Inc.

American Graphite Technologies Inc

U.S. stocks settled higher on Friday, with the Dow Jones index closed at a fresh record level during the session. Major indices on the Wall Street recorded gains last week, with the Dow gaining around 2% and the S&amp;P 500 adding around 1.7%.
Wall Street analysts make new stock picks on a daily basis. Unfortunately for investors, not all analysts have particularly impressive track records at predicting market movements. Even when it comes to one single stock, analyst ratings and price targets can vary widely, leaving investors confused about which analyst&#8217;s opinion to trust.
Benzinga&#8217;s Analyst Ratings API is a collection of the highest-quality stock ratings curated by the Benzinga news desk via direct partnerships with major sell-side banks. Benzinga displays overnight ratings changes on a daily basis three hours prior to the U.S. equity market opening. Data specialists at investment dashboard provider Toggle.ai recently uncovered that the analyst insights Benzinga Pro subscribers and Benzinga readers regularly receive can successfully be used as trading indicators to outperform the stock market.
Top Analyst Picks: Fortunately, any Benzinga reader can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. One of the ways traders can sort through Benzinga&#8217;s extensive database of analyst ratings is by analyst accuracy. Here&#8217;s a look at the most recent stock picks from each of the five most accurate Wall Street analysts, according to Benzinga <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Analyst Stock</a> Ratings.
Analyst: Trevor Walsh
<ul>
<li>Analyst Firm: JMP Securities</li>
<li>Ratings Accuracy: 89%</li>
<li>Latest Rating: Maintained a Market Outperform rating on Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>) and raised the price target from $380 to $415 on Nov. 21. This analyst sees more than 8% increase in the stock.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Nov. 20, Palo Alto reported first-quarter revenue of $2.14 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $2.12 billion. The cybersecurity company reported quarterly earnings of $1.56 per share, beating analyst estimates of $1.48 per share, according to Benzinga Pro.</li>
</ul>
Analyst: Chris Kotowski
<ul>
<li>Analyst Firm: Oppenheimer</li>
<li>Ratings Accuracy: 86%</li>
<li>Latest Rating: Downgraded rating on JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) from Outperform to Perform on Nov. 20.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Nov. 7, J.P. Morgan Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. disclosed the acquisition of a two-site, three-building logistics and storage portfolio in Tampa and Pinellas Park, Florida, for $25.8 million, excluding closing costs.</li>
</ul>
Analyst: Andrew Kaplowitz
<ul>
<li>Analyst Firm: Citigroup</li>
<li>Ratings Accuracy: 86%</li>
<li>Latest Rating: Maintained a Buy rating on Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/J#NYSE">J</a>) and cut the price target from $166 to $161 on Nov. 20. This analyst sees around 19% upside in the stock.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Nov. 19, the company reported fourth-quarter revenue growth of 4.4% year-over-year to $2.96 billion, beating the consensus of $2.368 billion.</li>
</ul>
Analyst: Zachary Fadem
<ul>
<li>Analyst Firm: Wells Fargo</li>
<li>Ratings Accuracy: 86%</li>
<li>Latest Rating: Maintained an Equal-Weight rating on Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WSM#NYSE">WSM</a>) and increased the price target from $140 to $165 on Nov. 21. This analyst sees around 4% decline in the stock.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Nov. 20, Williams-Sonoma reported better-than-expected third-quarter financial results.</li>
</ul>
Analyst: Aaron Rakers
<ul>
<li>Analyst Firm: Wells Fargo</li>
<li>Ratings Accuracy: 85%</li>
<li>Latest Rating: Maintained an Overweight rating on NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and raised the price target from $165 to $185 on Nov. 21. This analyst sees more than 30% upside in the stock.</li>
<li>Recent News: In a recent interview, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared his thoughts on the company&#8217;s focus on supply as demand remains &#8220;incredible,&#8221; a development that was a big topic in the company&#8217;s recent financial results.</li>
</ul>
Read More: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42137942/jim-cramer-says-this-stock-is-a-bitcoin-play-and-he-prefers-to-own-bitcoin">Jim Cramer Says This Stock Is A Bitcoin Play And He Prefers To Own Bitcoin</a></li>
</ul>

Long Ideas

News

Price Target

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

NVDA

PANW

This Analyst With 85% Accuracy Rate Sees Over 30% Upside In Nvidia - Here Are 5 Stock Picks For Last Week From Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts

JMP Securities analyst Jordan Bender maintains Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDEN#NASDAQ">GDEN</a>) with a Market Outperform and raises the price target from $35 to $36.

GDEN

JMP Securities Maintains Market Outperform on Golden Entertainment, Raises Price Target to $36

UBS analyst Joseph Spak maintains Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) with a Sell and raises the price target from $197 to $226.

TSLA

UBS Maintains Sell on Tesla, Raises Price Target to $226

WIIM

EVTL

Vertical Aerospace shares are trading higher after the company announced it secured an agreement where Mudrick Capital will commit up to $50 million in the next equity round.

Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) is giving traders a rollercoaster they can't resist. The server maker, famous for its AI systems powering Nvidia Corp's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) chips, saw its stock skyrocket 65% in a single week.
The stock opened the trading day of Monday, Nov. 18 at $20.03/share and closed Friday, Nov. 22 at $33.15/share. The stock was seen attempting to claw its way back from a six-month slump that wiped out nearly 60% of its value. 
But the road ahead is anything but smooth.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SMCI&#8217;s Nasdaq Drama: Staying In The Game</h2>
Super Micro recently faced a potential delisting scare after failing to meet Nasdaq's filing requirements. In response, the company hired a new independent auditor and vowed to file its earnings report soon. 
The stakes couldn't be higher; failure to follow through could wreak havoc on the stock, sending it into freefall once again. For now, though, traders appear to be betting on a redemption arc—just in time for the holidays.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42008585/why-super-micros-survival-may-hinge-on-nvidia-earnings-nasdaq-deadline">Why Super Micro&#8217;s Future May Hinge On Nvidia Earnings, Nasdaq Deadline</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SMCI Stock&#8217;s Technical Tug-of-War</h2>
While last week's rally signals hope, SMCI's technical indicators paint a more nuanced picture. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent112524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="628" height="490" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25095056/Screenshot-2024-11-25-at-8.17.52-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-663488" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25095056/Screenshot-2024-11-25-at-8.17.52-PM.png 628w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25095056/Screenshot-2024-11-25-at-8.17.52-PM-300x234.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent112524&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Chart created using Benzinga Pro</a>
SMCI stock, trading at $37.03, sits above its eight-day ($26.51) and 20-day ($27.06) simple moving averages (SMAs) — clear bullish signals. However, the longer-term outlook isn't as rosy. With the 50-day SMA at $38.00 and the 200-day SMA at a lofty $69.70, both point to bearish signals, reflecting the steep declines earlier this year.
Adding to the mixed signals, the moving average convergence/divergence (MACD) indicator stands at -2.63, further suggesting caution, while the relative strength index (RSI) hovers at 57.97, indicating neither overbought nor oversold conditions. 
It's a battleground for bulls and bears, and the options market <a href="https://www.tradingview.com/news/tradingview:82d432982094b:0-smci-super-micro-jumps-65-in-a-week-as-traders-ramp-up-bets-on-roaring-comeback/">implies</a> double-digit percentage swings could persist for weeks.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SMCI Stock From Boom To Bust — &amp; Back?</h2>
Super Micro shares once surged to over $122/share by March, riding the AI wave. But since peaking, the stock has shed 69% of its value as it trades around $38/share &#8211; leaving investors wondering if the magic is gone for good. 
Even after the recent rally, the stock has only managed a modest 33.70% gain year-to-date.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Comeback Question</h3>
With Nasdaq compliance hanging in the balance and volatility dominating its trading patterns, Super Micro has a lot to prove. Can the server manufacturer capitalize on its AI-driven partnerships and rebuild investor trust, or will it face another wipe out?
Traders are watching closely, and the clock is ticking.
For now, Super Micro is a high-stakes bet. The potential rewards are tantalizing, but the risks? They're towering, too.
Read Also: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42160175/us-stocks-likely-to-open-on-a-positive-note-as-trumps-treasury-secretary-pick-uplifts-investor-sentiment-expert-says-bull-market-is-alive-and-well">US Stocks Likely To Open On A Positive Note As Trump&#8217;s Treasury Secretary Pick Uplifts Investor Sentiment: Expert Says &#8216;Bull Market Is Alive And Well&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Technicals

Movers

Tech

SMCI

SMCI Surges 65% In A Week, But Is Volatility The New Normal?

Macy's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42162655/macy-falls-as-preliminary-q3-highlights-mixed-performance-and-154-million-expense-concealment">delayed its Q3 earnings release</a>, revealing an internal investigation into an employee who allegedly hid hundreds of millions of dollars in expenses.
Shares of Macy&#8217;s, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/M#NYSE">M</a>) are trading lower on Monday, and there is a good chance that the downtrend will continue.
This is why it is our Stock of the Day.
A person who was responsible for small package delivery expense accounting made intentional &#8220;erroneous accounting accrual entries.&#8221; As much as $154 million may have been hidden. The activity occurred between Q4 2021 and the current third quarter.
Macy's said there was &#8220;no indication that the accounting error had any impact on the cash management activities or vendor payments.&#8221; It also said the employee is no longer with the company.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42093639/why-macys-stock-is-falling">Why Macy&#8217;s Stock Is Falling</a>
The stock was looking technically vulnerable prior to the news coming out. As you can see on the chart, it had run into resistance again around the $16.40 level. Stocks tend to sell off after they hit resistance. This is what happened with Macy's in mid-October and early November.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="557" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25101907/m-chart-1024x557.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-663574" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25101907/m-chart-1024x557.webp 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25101907/m-chart-300x163.webp 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25101907/m-chart-768x418.webp 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25101907/m-chart.webp 1501w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
When a stock trends higher, there aren't enough sellers to fill all the buy orders. As a result, buyers are forced to bid successively higher prices to attract sellers into the market, forcing the stock into an uptrend.
When resistance is reached, the uptrend ends. There are more than enough sellers to fill all of the buy orders. Buyers can acquire all of the shares they wish to without pushing the price any higher.
Sometimes, some investors and traders who create resistance with their sell orders become concerned. They know the buyers will go to whoever will sell at the lowest price.
They fear that other sellers may lower their asking prices, prompting them to do the same. This behavior often triggers a chain reaction, with more sellers reducing their prices in response.
It results in a snowball effect that can push the price lower.
This is what happened the last two times Macy's reached the $16.40 level, and it may be about to happen again.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42154628/larry-page-google-co-founder-said-hed-leave-his-fortune-to-elon-musk-over-charity-because-of-his-plans-to-go-to-mars-to-back-up-humanity">Larry Page, Google Co-Founder, Said He&#8217;d Leave His Fortune To Elon Musk Over Charity Because Of His Plans &#8216;To Go To Mars To Back Up Humanity&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Stock Of The Day: Macy's Hits Resistance Following Accounting Scandal

BCOV

Brightcove shares are trading higher after the company announced it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Bending Spoons.

SMTK

SmartKem shares are trading higher after the company announced it partnered with AUO to jointly develop a rollable, transparent microLED display.

JMP Securities analyst Jordan Bender maintains Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CZR#NASDAQ">CZR</a>) with a Market Outperform and lowers the price target from $59 to $57.

JMP Securities Maintains Market Outperform on Caesars Entertainment, Lowers Price Target to $57

QMCO

Quantum Corp Shares Resumed Trade

U.S. stocks were higher, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 400 points on Monday.
Shares of BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBIO#NASDAQ">BBIO</a>) rose sharply during Monday's session after the company announced that the FDA approved Attruby to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42163927/fda-approves-bridgebio-pharmas-drug-for-rare-heart-disease-poised-to-challenge-pfizer-in-lucrative-yet-competitive-market">treat adults with ATTR-CM.</a>
On Friday, the FDA approved BridgeBio Pharma's Attruby (acoramidis), an orally-administered near-complete (≥90%) stabilizer of Transthyretin (TTR) for adults with ATTR-CM to reduce cardiovascular death and cardiovascular-related hospitalization. Also, HC Wainwright maintained a Buy rating on the stock and raised its price target from $43 to $49.
BridgeBio Pharma shares jumped 22.3% to $28.64 on Monday.
Here are some other big stocks recording gains in today's session.
<ul>
<li>Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>) shares jumped 69% to $2.9289 after the company completed a $100 million at-the-market equity offering, with plans to use the proceeds for working capital, capital expenditures, and advancements in superconducting quantum computing technology.</li>
<li>Scholar Rock Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SRRK#NASDAQ">SRRK</a>) gained 27.2% to $38.03. Scholar Rock Holding recently reported worse-than-expected third-quarter EPS results.</li>
<li>D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QBTS#NASDAQ">QBTS</a>) surged 26.3% to $3.6800 after AWS announced Quantum Embark program.</li>
<li>Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MFH#NASDAQ">MFH</a>) gained 23.3% to $6.15.</li>
<li>Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>) rose 19% to $7.26 after AWS announced Quantum Embark program.</li>
<li>Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KODK#NYSE">KODK</a>) surged 17.4% to $6.18.</li>
<li>Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) rose 16.6% to $38.36.</li>
<li>Eve Holding, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EVEX#NYSE">EVEX</a>) gained 16.6% to $3.9062.</li>
<li>Bath &amp; Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBWI#NYSE">BBWI</a>) shares climbed 15.5% to $35.49 after the company reported better-than-expected third-quarter EPS and sales and raised its 2024 guidance.</li>
<li>Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>) surged 14.6% to $6.92.</li>
<li>Hims &amp; Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) rose 13.5% to $28.77.</li>
<li>Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IOVA#NASDAQ">IOVA</a>) gained 11.3% to $9.52.</li>
<li>Clarivate Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLVT#NYSE">CLVT</a>) rose 8.7% to $5.70.</li>
<li>Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLG#NYSE">FLG</a>) gained 7.1% to $12.52.</li>
<li>Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIVE#NASDAQ">FIVE</a>) climbed 6.8% to $92.82. Five Below will release its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 after the closing bell on Wednesday, Dec. 4.</li>
<li>Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) climbed 6.3% to $43.74.</li>
<li>Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JLL#NYSE">JLL</a>) gained 6.1% to $279.28. Wolfe Research analyst Andrew Rosivach upgraded Jones Lang LaSalle from Peer Perform to Outperform and announced a $353 price target.</li>
<li>Elastic N.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESTC#NYSE">ESTC</a>) rose 6% to $114.49 after Wedbush upgraded the stock from Neutral to Outperform and announced a $135 price target.</li>
</ul>
Now Read This: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42137942/jim-cramer-says-this-stock-is-a-bitcoin-play-and-he-prefers-to-own-bitcoin">Jim Cramer Says This Stock Is A Bitcoin Play And He Prefers To Own Bitcoin</a></li>
</ul>

Intraday Update

ACHR

BBIO

BBWI

CLVT

ESTC

EVEX

FIVE

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

IOVA

KODK

MRNA

QBTS

QUBT

RGTI

SRRK

BridgeBio Pharma, Rigetti Computing, Bath & Body Works And Other Big Stocks Moving Higher On Monday

Citigroup analyst Keith Horowitz maintains PNC Finl Servs Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNC#NYSE">PNC</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $200 to $235.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on PNC Finl Servs Gr, Raises Price Target to $235

Israel and Lebanon have agreed on the framework for a cease-fire deal to end over a year of violent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a senior U.S. official told Axios on Monday.
While the agreement awaits formal approval from Israel's Security Cabinet on Tuesday, global financial markets are already reacting, with gold and oil prices tumbling as geopolitical risks recede and risky assets soar<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/israel"> amid improving investor optimism. </a>
Both the Dow Jones Index and the S&amp;P 500 indices hit fresh record highs minutes following Monday&#8217;s market open in New York. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Israel-Lebanon Deal: What It Includes</h3>
The cease-fire, if approved, would mark the end of a bloody chapter that has claimed the lives of over 3,500 Lebanese and 140 Israelis while displacing hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border. 
Under the proposed agreement, Israel would initiate a 60-day withdrawal of its military from southern Lebanon, the <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/25/israel-lebanon-near-hezbollah-ceasefire-deal">Axios report said</a>. 
Simultaneously, the Lebanese army would deploy along border areas, and Hezbollah would relocate its heavy weaponry north of the Litani River.
To ensure compliance, a U.S.-led oversight committee would monitor the agreement, while the U.S. has pledged to support Israeli military action against imminent threats if Lebanese forces fail to act.
A senior U.S. official told Axios: "We think we have a deal. We are on the goal line, but we haven't passed it yet."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Oil, Gold Take A Blow</h3>
The news sent shockwaves through the commodities market. 
With the threat of broader regional conflict subsiding, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil – as tracked by the United States Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>) – fell 1.5% on Monday to $70 per barrel, almost fully paring back Friday&#8217;s gains. 
Gold, tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) plunged over 3% to $2,640 an ounce as investors scaled back safe-haven bets. Silver followed suit, dropping 3% to $30.40 an ounce. 
The U.S. dollar also softened, losing 0.7% against a basket of major currencies, reflecting the shift in risk sentiment.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stock Market Soars To New Heights</h3>
The cease-fire optimism spilled into equities. The S&amp;P 500 index – tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) –reached an all-time high of 6,020 points, gaining 0.8% on the day, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average – mimicked by the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) – climbed 1% to a record-breaking 44,738.
Notably, all major S&amp;P sectors except energy posted gains, with the broader index aiming for its sixth straight session of gains.
Israeli stocks – tracked by the VanEck Israel ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ISRA#NYSE">ISRA</a>) – soared 1.9%, also eyeing a six-day winning streak.
S&amp;P 500&#8217;s top gainers during morning trading in New York included: 
<ul>
<li>Bath &amp; Body Works (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBWI#NYSE">BBWI</a>)</li>
<li>Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>)</li>
<li>Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WOLF#NYSE">WOLF</a>)</li>
<li>Clarivate Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLVT#NYSE">CLVT</a>)</li>
<li>Astera Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALAB#NASDAQ">ALAB</a>)</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/42165391/vanguards-sp-500-etf-hits-100-billion-inflows-in-2024-is-spys-crown-at-risk">Vanguard&#8217;s S&amp;P 500 ETF Hits $100 Billion Inflows In 2024: Is SPY&#8217;s Crown At Risk?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

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Emerging Markets

Specialty ETFs

Emerging Market ETFs

Commodities

Politics

Global

Econ #s

ETFs

ALAB

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

ISRA

WOLF

Israel, Lebanon Reach Reported Cease-Fire Deal: Gold, Oil Tumble; S&P 500, Dow Jointly Hit Record Highs

Unsealed court documents highlight how <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41555467/federal-probe-into-tether-examines-potential-sanctions-and-money-laundering-breaches-wsj">drug cartels from Mexico and Colombia </a>are leveraging cryptocurrency, particularly Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>) and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), to launder tens of millions of dollars.
What Happened: The documents shed light on how criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel, have turned to stablecoins and blockchain technology to move wealth across borders, according to a <a href="https://www.404media.co/tether-has-become-a-massive-money-laundering-tool-for-mexican-drug-traffickers-feds-say/">report</a> from 404 Media.
Benzinga has reached out to Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino for comments.
One confidential source disclosed to investigators that cartels purchase USDT in Mexico at below-market rates, given its association with drug proceeds. 
"The current trend was to purchase USDT from Mexico-based groups at a cheaper rate than the market price and then sell the USDT in Colombia," the source said. 
These transactions reportedly take place through currency exchanges, peer-to-peer networks and over-the-counter (OTC) trades.
The court filings <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25379143-tether-document-1?ref=404media.co">revealed</a> substantial cryptocurrency activity linked to these cartels.
A Binance account under investigation processed over $15 million between May 2020 and September 2023, with 452 deposits and 567 withdrawals. 
Transactions often involved transferring funds across blockchain networks and converting them into other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum to obfuscate the origin of the funds.
The documents also connect Grupo Gueratti, an investment management firm based in Guadalajara, Mexico, and its alleged associate L.E.O.T., to money laundering activities. 
Investigators used undercover operatives to pick up cash in the U.S., convert it into cryptocurrency, and transfer it to wallets linked to L.E.O.T. 
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By April 2024, undercover operations had facilitated more than 20 money-laundering transactions involving USDT.
Binance told 404 Media that it works closely with law enforcement to combat criminal activities. 
"We work tirelessly alongside law enforcement to help combat crime&#8230; When we receive law enforcement requests for information or to freeze funds, we take action quickly," the company said. 
Binance also emphasized that blockchain technology provides transparency that aids anti-money laundering efforts.
Tether echoed similar sentiments, highlighting its collaboration with law enforcement to track illicit activity. 
"Every transaction is traceable, every asset can be seized, and every criminal can be caught," Tether's spokesperson said. 
The company claimed to have blocked over $2 billion in USDT linked to criminal activities and assisted law enforcement in 195 cases across 48 countries.
The documents also reveal that drug cartels have been using Bitcoin alongside Tether to facilitate transactions. 
The FBI <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25379142-tether-document-2?ref=404media.co">investigated</a> another money-laundering organization tied to the Sinaloa cartel, which laundered over $52 million in drug proceeds between 2021 and 2023. 
Additionally, Chinese manufacturers of synthetic opioids have reportedly used Bitcoin for payments, enabling drug traffickers to transfer large sums instantly across the globe.
Why It Matters: The investigation comes as Tether's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42157756/firm-led-by-trumps-commerce-secretary-pick-howard-lutnick-reportedly-in-talks-for-a-multi-billion-dollar-bitcoin-lending-project-with-tether">connections to Wall Street deepen</a>.
Cantor Fitzgerald, led by Howard Lutnick, has been a key custodian of Tether's reserves. 
Lutnick is reportedly planning a multi-billion-dollar program involving Tether, offering dollar loans to clients who pledge Bitcoin as collateral. 
While Lutnick has praised Tether's financial transparency, the company has faced allegations of aiding illegal activities, including money laundering—a claim its CEO, Paolo Ardoino, has denied.
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Drug Cartels Use Tether And Bitcoin To Launder Millions, Court Documents Reveal

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The tech job market is in a tough spot right now. People like Jon Bach, a former director at eBay, are feeling the squeeze. Bach worked at eBay for 13 years, but after getting laid off in January, his job search hasn't gone as planned.
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&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s going on,&#8221; Bach said to Business Insider in a recent interview. &#8220;I&#8217;ve been doing this for a minute and I&#8217;ve proven my value. And then you apply to one place, two places, 10 places, 50 places, 135 places. And you go, &#8216;Am I the guy I think I am?'&#8221; Despite applying to 135 jobs, he's received only two callbacks and no offers.
It's not just Bach. Many white-collar professionals are struggling. The broader labor market looks fine on the surface. But for six-figure earners, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40724455/peter-schiff-says-illusion-of-a-strong-labor-market-fading-faster-than-kamala-harris-post-convention">it's a whole different story. </a>Data shows hiring for high-paying jobs has tanked. <a href="https://economicgraph.linkedin.com/workforce-data">New data from LinkedIn</a> highlights just how bad it is. IT hiring is down 27%. Quality assurance roles have dropped 32%. Product management is down 23% and engineering – once considered recession-proof – has fallen 26%.
Even in Bach's field, program and project management, hiring has slumped 25%. These numbers are shocking for a sector like tech. The sector once treated coders and engineers like "rare minerals." In Silicon Valley, cutting back on these roles was almost unthinkable, no matter how the economy was doing.
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What's going on? There are a few reasons for this slowdown. During the pandemic, tech companies went on a hiring spree to keep up with demand. Now, they're cutting back. Some companies turned to mass layoffs, while others opted for hiring freezes and letting natural attrition shrink their teams.
Jenny Diani, a senior recruiter at Autodesk, sees it firsthand. &#8220;Candidates are being much more careful,&#8221; she told BI. Voluntary turnover in tech is way down, so companies don't need to hire as much.
In addition, AI tools like ChatGPT are making workers more efficient. Google has said that AI generates over 25% of its new code. This means companies can slow hiring without feeling the pinch.
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<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/07/39748005/housing-market-eyes-relief-as-weak-job-numbers-and-4-1-unemployment-hint-at-september-rate-cut">The slowdown </a>is frustrating for job seekers. Santiago Rodriguez, a data scientist, has applied to 669 positions. He even built a dashboard to track his applications. &#8220;There's so much angst,&#8221; said Jon Stross, cofounder of Greenhouse, a hiring software company, to BI.
The number of applicants per job is also skyrocketing. Greenhouse reported an average of 222 applications per job opening in early 2024, up from 77 in late 2021. With so many resumes flooding in, hiring managers are overwhelmed.
There's a glimmer of hope, though. Some experts believe the worst of what BI calls the "white-collar recession" might be over. Art Zeile, CEO of Dice, told BI that tech job openings have climbed from 144,000 at the end of last year to 223,000. While it's still below pre-pandemic levels, it's progress.
Bach is optimistic. &#8220;I think a lot of people like me are eager to get back to work,&#8221; he said. &#8220;If you take a risk on me, I'll show you that I'm worth it.&#8221;
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