Amazon.com Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $315 Calls Sweep (6) near the midpoint: 575 vs 1258 OI

Amazon.com Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $315 Calls Sweep (6) near the midpoint: 575 @ $16.315 vs 1258 OI; Ref=$222.235

Amazon.com Option Alert: Dec, 2026 $190 Calls at the Bid: 130 vs 1108 OI

Amazon.com Option Alert: Dec, 2026 $190 Calls at the Bid: 130 @ $66.25 vs 1108 OI; Ref=$224.78

Amazon.com Option Alert: Mar 21 $235 Puts Sweep (12) near the Bid: 640 vs 17129 OI

Amazon.com Option Alert: Mar 21 $235 Puts Sweep (12) near the Bid: 640 @ $9.8 vs 17129 OI; Ref=$228.97

Amazon.com Option Alert: Mar 21 $210 Calls Sweep (18) near the Ask: 872 vs 15705 OI

Amazon.com Option Alert: Mar 21 $210 Calls Sweep (18) near the Ask: 872 @ $22.4 vs 15705 OI; Ref=$230.07

Amazon.com Option Alert: Mar 21 $250 Puts Sweep (20) near the Bid: 808 vs 1039 OI

Amazon.com Option Alert: Mar 21 $250 Puts Sweep (20) near the Bid: 808 @ $20.601 vs 1039 OI; Ref=$230.11

Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) Stock

Amazon.com

Amazon is the leading online retailer and marketplace for third party sellers. Retail related revenue represents approximately 75% of total, followed by Amazon Web Services' cloud computing, storage, database, and other offerings (15%), advertising services (5% to 10%), and other the remainder. International segments constitute 25% to 30% of Amazon's non-AWS sales, led by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Trump's Federal Workforce Downsizing Plan Gets Green Light From Judge, Appeal By Unions Dismissed

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Trump Moves To Impose Tariffs On Countries With Digital Taxes, Defending Apple, Amazon, Meta, Google And Other US Tech Giants

Vienna,,Austria,-,Oct,4,,2017:,Agent,007,James,Bond

General

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) has secured creative control over the James Bond series through a new partnership with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. 

James Bond&#39;s New Era: Amazon MGM Studios Takes Creative Reins of Franchise

Market Manipulation and Rising Costs

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Government

Hedge Funds

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Analyst Ratings

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Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

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Institutional investors were bullish on technology and financials during the fourth quarter and sold the most from health care sector.

Institutional Investors Load Up On Technology And Financial Stocks In Q4 While Reducing Positions In Healthcare Sector Amid Political Uncertainty

Amazon.com Inc

President Donald Trump ordered his trade chief to reopen investigations into<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41147159/netflix-disney-amazon-hit-by-philippines-new-12-tax-on-digital-providers"> digital service taxes</a> imposed on U.S. tech firms, a move that could result in new tariffs on affected countries. 
What Happened: Trump&#8217;s order, issued on Friday, is aimed at countering the DSTs,&nbsp;fines, practices, and policies that&nbsp;foreign governments impose on American companies. 
The directive calls on the U.S. Trade Representative&#8217;s office to reopen past digital service tax investigations from Trump's first term and examine any new cases where digital taxes may unfairly target U.S. companies.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43806703/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-platforms-dips-below-short-term-average-as-it-snaps-20-day-winning-run" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta Stock Dips Below Short-Term Average As Mark Zuckerberg-Led Tech Giant Snaps 20-Day Winning Streak</a>
Digital service taxes, aimed at major U.S. tech firms like Google (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), and Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), have been a persistent trade issue for multiple U.S. administrations.
Countries including Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, India, Austria, and Canada have implemented these taxes on the local sales revenue of these and other digital service providers.
During Trump's first term, the U.S. Trade Representative's office launched Section 301 investigations into these policies, resulting in retaliatory tariffs on select imports.
Why It Matters: This move by Trump comes in the wake of his recent announcement to impose a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">25% tariff on auto imports, chips, and pharmaceuticals</a>, causing a stir in international trade. The tariffs are expected to take effect as early as April 2, following a report from his cabinet members outlining options for import duties.
Amid escalating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43876173/apple-ceo-tim-cook-reportedly-meets-trump-as-tariff-impact-looms-on-iphone-sales-and-companys-china-strategy">trade tensions between the U.S.</a> and China, Apple&#8217;s CEO Tim Cook is said to have met President Trump. According to Trump, Cook discussed investing &#8220;hundreds of billions of dollars&#8221; in the U.S. amid tariff threat.
Trump&#8217;s memo instructs his administration to assess whether any European Union or British policies encourage U.S. companies to adopt practices that restrict free speech or promote censorship. According to a White House fact sheet, special attention will be given to how U.S. firms are impacted by the EU&#8217;s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act.
This comes amid ongoing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/09/40915828/google-wins-1-7b-eu-antitrust-fine-appeal-over-5-year-old-online-search-advertising-case">tension between tech giants and the EU. </a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43810048/mark-zuckerberg-offloads-meta-shares-worth-14-4-million-in-february" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg Offloads Meta Shares Worth $14.4 Million In February</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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Live On CNBC, Jim Lebenthal Announces Trimmed Amazon & Alphabet Positon; Bought More Adobe; Bought More Applied Materials

In today's rapidly changing and fiercely competitive business landscape, it is vital for investors and industry enthusiasts to carefully evaluate companies. In this article, we will perform a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Amazon.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) against its key competitors in the Broadline Retail industry. By analyzing important financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim to provide valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Amazon.com Background</h3>
Amazon is the leading online retailer and marketplace for third party sellers. Retail related revenue represents approximately 75% of total, followed by Amazon Web Services' cloud computing, storage, database, and other offerings (15%), advertising services (5% to 10%), and other the remainder. International segments constitute 25% to 30% of Amazon's non-AWS sales, led by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Amazon.com Inc</td>
<td>40.30</td>
<td>8.26</td>
<td>3.75</td>
<td>7.34%</td>
<td>$38.55</td>
<td>$37.37</td>
<td>10.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alibaba Group Holding Ltd</td>
<td>19.87</td>
<td>2.35</td>
<td>2.46</td>
<td>4.64%</td>
<td>$54.02</td>
<td>$92.47</td>
<td>5.21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDD Holdings Inc</td>
<td>12.32</td>
<td>4.52</td>
<td>3.58</td>
<td>9.38%</td>
<td>$29.18</td>
<td>$59.65</td>
<td>44.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MercadoLibre Inc</td>
<td>74.87</td>
<td>26.74</td>
<td>5.85</td>
<td>10.37%</td>
<td>$0.72</td>
<td>$2.44</td>
<td>35.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JD.com Inc</td>
<td>13.32</td>
<td>1.90</td>
<td>0.42</td>
<td>5.22%</td>
<td>$15.92</td>
<td>$45.04</td>
<td>5.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Coupang Inc</td>
<td>44.17</td>
<td>10.79</td>
<td>1.56</td>
<td>1.74%</td>
<td>$0.28</td>
<td>$2.27</td>
<td>27.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>eBay Inc</td>
<td>17.50</td>
<td>6.14</td>
<td>3.45</td>
<td>11.59%</td>
<td>$0.95</td>
<td>$1.85</td>
<td>3.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dillard's Inc</td>
<td>12.99</td>
<td>4.08</td>
<td>1.22</td>
<td>6.37%</td>
<td>$0.21</td>
<td>$0.63</td>
<td>-3.53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vipshop Holdings Ltd</td>
<td>6.96</td>
<td>1.44</td>
<td>0.52</td>
<td>2.76%</td>
<td>$1.47</td>
<td>$4.96</td>
<td>-9.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MINISO Group Holding Ltd</td>
<td>22.96</td>
<td>5.42</td>
<td>3.75</td>
<td>6.68%</td>
<td>$0.88</td>
<td>$2.03</td>
<td>19.29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc</td>
<td>30.51</td>
<td>3.88</td>
<td>2.81</td>
<td>2.24%</td>
<td>$0.06</td>
<td>$0.21</td>
<td>7.79%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Macy's Inc</td>
<td>25.87</td>
<td>1.06</td>
<td>0.19</td>
<td>0.66%</td>
<td>$0.29</td>
<td>$2.04</td>
<td>-2.68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nordstrom Inc</td>
<td>15.41</td>
<td>4.07</td>
<td>0.27</td>
<td>4.75%</td>
<td>$0.3</td>
<td>$1.31</td>
<td>4.34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Savers Value Village Inc</td>
<td>24.48</td>
<td>4.16</td>
<td>1.24</td>
<td>5.09%</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>$0.22</td>
<td>0.53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kohl's Corp</td>
<td>5.41</td>
<td>0.35</td>
<td>0.08</td>
<td>0.58%</td>
<td>$0.28</td>
<td>$1.57</td>
<td>-8.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Groupon Inc</td>
<td>18.81</td>
<td>12.91</td>
<td>0.97</td>
<td>34.72%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.1</td>
<td>-9.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hour Loop Inc</td>
<td>38.20</td>
<td>10.04</td>
<td>0.47</td>
<td>7.3%</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>$0.02</td>
<td>6.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>23.98</td>
<td>6.24</td>
<td>1.8</td>
<td>7.13%</td>
<td>$6.54</td>
<td>$13.55</td>
<td>7.83%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<style>
 table {
 width: 100%;
 border-collapse: collapse;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 font-size: 14px;
 }

 th, td {
 padding: 8px;
 text-align: left;
 }

 th {
 background-color: #293a5a;
 color: #fff;
 text-align: left;
 }

 tr:nth-child(even) {
 background-color: #f2f4f8;
 }

 tr:hover {
 background-color: #e1e4ea;
 }

 td:nth-child(3), td:nth-child(5) {
 text-align: left;
 }

 .dividend-amount {
 font-weight: bold;
 color: #0d6efd;
 }

 .dividend-frequency {
 font-size: 12px;
 color: #6c757d;
 }
 </style>By conducting a comprehensive analysis of Amazon.com, the following trends become evident: 
<ul>
<li>
At 40.3, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio significantly exceeds the industry average by 1.68x, suggesting a premium valuation relative to industry peers.
</li>
<li>
With a Price to Book ratio of 8.26, which is 1.32x the industry average, Amazon.com might be considered overvalued in terms of its book value, as it is trading at a higher multiple compared to its industry peers.
</li>
<li>
The Price to Sales ratio of 3.75, which is 2.08x the industry average, suggests the stock could potentially be overvalued in relation to its sales performance compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
The company has a higher Return on Equity (ROE) of 7.34%, which is 0.21% above the industry average. This suggests efficient use of equity to generate profits and demonstrates profitability and growth potential.
</li>
<li>
The company has higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $38.55 Billion, which is 5.89x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
The gross profit of $37.37 Billion is 2.76x above that of its industry, highlighting stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
With a revenue growth of 10.49%, which surpasses the industry average of 7.83%, the company is demonstrating robust sales expansion and gaining market share.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740150044_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is a key indicator of a company's financial health and its reliance on debt financing.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
In terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, Amazon.com stands in comparison with its top 4 peers, leading to the following comparisons:
<ul>
<li>
Compared to its top 4 peers, Amazon.com has a stronger financial position indicated by its lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.
</li>
<li>
This suggests that the company relies less on debt financing and has a more favorable balance between debt and equity, which can be seen as a positive attribute by investors.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Amazon.com, the PE, PB, and PS ratios are all high compared to its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that the stock may be overvalued based on these metrics. On the other hand, Amazon.com's high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth suggest strong operational performance and growth potential relative to industry competitors.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Inquiry Into Amazon.com's Competitor Dynamics In Broadline Retail Industry

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) owned MGM Studios has entered into a new partnership with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli to oversee the rights to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazon-mgm-studios-james-bond" rel="noreferrer noopener">legendary James Bond series</a>.
The deal, which comes after Amazon's purchase of MGM in 2022, grants Amazon MGM Studios creative control over upcoming Bond films. Despite this, Wilson and Broccoli will continue as co-owners of the franchise. This represents a pivotal shift for the 007 series, which has remained a significant cultural icon for more than 60 years.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43846469/walmart-q4-earnings-shine-but-soft-fy26-outlook-disappoints-street" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walmart Q4 Earnings Shine, But Soft FY26 Outlook Disappoints Street</a>
"We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide," said head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins.
"We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world."
Michael G. Wilson said, "With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects", adding that it was time for Amazon MGM Studios to lead the franchise into the future.
The agreement finalized on Thursday will grant Amazon a more active role in the series as fans eagerly anticipate the 26th Bond film and the unveiling of the actor who will step into the iconic tuxedo following Daniel Craig's departure in 2021, reported Reuters.
The Bond franchise's latest release was No Time to Die in 2021 which earned close to $800 million globally.
Amazon's 2022 acquisition of MGM enabled the streaming service provider to access an extensive library of over 4,000 films and 17,000 television shows.
Price Action: At the last check on Friday, AMZN shares were trading higher by 0.28% at $223.51 in the premarket.
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</ul>
Photo by Anton_Ivanov via Shutterstock

James Bond's New Era: Amazon MGM Studios Takes Creative Reins of Franchise

Institutional investors were bullish on technology and financials during the fourth quarter of 2024 as these sectors saw major inflows, according to 13F filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors were seen pulling back from the healthcare sector.
What Happened: 13F filings are mandatory reports filed by the managers overseeing at least $100 million in assets filed with the SEC. Adam Turnquist, the chief technical strategist at LPL Financial analyses the big rotation in the holdings of such funds for the fourth quarter.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tech&#8217;s Resurgence and Financial Gains</h3>
The results of the U.S. presidential elections, hopes for deregulation, and the possibility of increased lending activity in the wake of Fed rate cuts led the investors to bump their stakes in technology and financials in the fourth quarter according to Turnquist.
After a slight dip in the third quarter, tech holdings surged by 0.7%, reflecting confidence in the sector&#8217;s growth potential. Rotation into financials increased by 0.6%.
&#8220;Communication services and consumer discretionary allocations both increased 0.5% from the third quarter, while allocations toward exchange-traded funds rose 0.4%,&#8221; according to LPL Financial&#8217;s note.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Healthcare Under Pressure</h3>
On the other hand, healthcare experienced a sharp decline, with allocations dropping by 1.4%.
This retreat followed a period of stagnation and was likely influenced by political factors. Turnquist said that &#8220;The nomination of the so-called anti-vaccine Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the potential for reduced Affordable Care Act subsidies,&#8221; was also a potential trigger.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sectors</td>
<td>Changes In Q4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Technology</td>
<td>0.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Financials</td>
<td>0.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Communications</td>
<td>0.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td>0.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Other</td>
<td>0.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Energy</td>
<td>-0.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Industrials</td>
<td>-0.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Utilities</td>
<td>-0.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Consumer Staples</td>
<td>-0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Materials</td>
<td>-0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Real Estate</td>
<td>-0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Health Care</td>
<td>-1.40%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43876325/quantum-computing-top-holders-in-q4-blackrock-vanguard-ubs-state-street-pour-money-in-rigetti-d-wave-ionq-qubt">Top Holders Of Quantum Computing Stocks In Q4: BlackRock, Vanguard, UBS, State Street Pour Money In Rigetti, D-Wave, IonQ, QUBT</a>
Why It Matters: These filings provide a window into the strategies of major players like hedge funds, pension funds, and endowments.
LPL Research&#8217;s Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee remains neutral on equities but favors large-cap growth and domestic companies. They also maintain a neutral stance on fixed income, recommending an &#8220;up-in-quality&#8221; approach and cautioning against adding duration due to expected interest rate volatility.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hedge Funds Latgely Follow The Trend</h3>
Hedge funds largely mirrored the broader trend, increasing their tech holdings while reducing exposure to healthcare, according to the note.
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) were among the top picks, with significant increases in market value. However, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) saw a net selling of 2.1 million shares, and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) and PDD Holdings Inc. ADR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) also faced substantial reductions.
While the overall trend was consistent, individual hedge fund strategies varied. While Warren Buffett&#8216;s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) increased its tech exposure and added Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>) while reducing its stake in Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>).
Conversely, Scion Asset Management, led by Michael Burry, favored healthcare and consumer staples, exiting positions in financials and consumer discretionary.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bond Market Bets And ETF Insights</h3>
Beyond individual stocks, 13F filings revealed that four of the top ten purchased bond ETFs tracked the U.S. bond market. Large-cap growth ETFs also saw significant inflows, indicating a preference for these high-growth stocks, highlighted the note.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43875557/donald-trump-airs-fort-knox-inspection-as-gold-edges-closer-to-3000-it-is-an-essential-component-of-portfolio-says-expert">Gold Is An &#8216;Essential Component&#8217; Of Portfolio, Says Expert As It Nears $3000 While Trump, Musk Suggest Fort Knox Inspection Amid The Surge</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

ValueAct Holdings, L.P. has initiated a significant position in Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), purchasing 536,900 shares worth approximately $119 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Feb. 14.
What Happened: The investment comes as Amazon continues to demonstrate strong market performance and strategic expansion. The e-commerce giant reported fourth-quarter net sales of $187.8 billion, representing a 10% year-over-year increase and exceeding analyst <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43545590/amazoncom-q4-earnings-highlights-revenue-beat-eps-beat-most-successful-holiday-shopping-season-in-company-history">expectations of $187.3 billion</a>. 
The company&#8217;s AWS cloud division showed particularly robust growth, with revenues climbing 19% to $28.8 billion.
JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth recently named Amazon his &#8220;Best Idea&#8221; for 2025, projecting continued e-commerce acceleration. Despite a slight market share dip to 46.1% in the fourth quarter, Amazon maintains its dominant position in U.S. e-commerce, having delivered over 9 billion items within a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43847764/amazon-tightens-grip-e-commerce-accelerates-jpmorgans-best-idea-2025">single day in 2024</a>.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43872745/bitcoin-breaches-98k-ethereum-dogecoin-flat-as-sec-relaxes-crypto-enforcement-top-analysts-are-focused-on-this-level-for-a-potential-btc-upside">Bitcoin Breaches $98K, Ethereum, Dogecoin Flat As SEC Relaxes Crypto Enforcement: Top Analysts Are Focused On This Level For A Potential BTC Upside</a>
Why It Matters: The company is also making strategic moves in entertainment, with Amazon MGM Studios recently gaining creative control over the James Bond franchise through a new joint venture with longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. This development prompted Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to engage with fans about potential casting choices for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43873122/james-bonds-future-now-in-amazons-handsand-jeff-bezos-wants-to-know-who-youd-pick-as-the-next-007">the next 007</a>.
ValueAct&#8217;s investment aligns with the firm&#8217;s history of backing <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43518855/jeff-ubbens-valueact-bet-on-meta-visa-and-exited-spotify-in-q3-was-it-a-clever-move">technology and growth sectors</a>. Founded by Jeff Ubben in 2000, the San Francisco-based activist hedge fund has evolved beyond its founder&#8217;s influence since his departure, as noted in a 2020 Financial Times interview.
Wall Street maintains a bullish outlook on Amazon, with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> of $264.05 based on 43 analyst ratings. Recent price targets from Loop Capital, Citigroup, and Maxim Group average $279.33, indicating a potential 25.12% upside from the current price of $222.88.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21005225/Screenshot-2025-02-21-at-11.21.39%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-792352" style="width:607px;height:auto" /></figure>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><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">Alibaba Says If Artificial Intelligence Is Like Electricity, Then Its Cloud Computing Network Is The Power Grid: The Money Is In Powering AI, Not Selling It</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Amazon Attracts $119 Million Investment From Activist Hedge Fund ValueAct: Analysts See 25% Upside — What Catalysts Drive Jeff Bezos' E-Commerce Giant?

Amazon.com Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) MGM Studios, which the e-commerce giant <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/21/05/21297885/amazon-buys-mgm-studios-for-8-45b-what-you-need-to-know">acquired for $8.5 billion</a>, has taken over the creative direction of the legendary James Bond series.&nbsp;
What Happened: On Thursday, Amazon MGM Studios announced it had reached a deal with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, forming a joint venture that grants Amazon creative control over the iconic James Bond franchise.
The longtime producers, who have overseen 007's cinematic legacy for decades, will remain co-owners but will no longer lead the creative direction of the series.
Following the announcement, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos took to X, formerly Twitter, and stirred speculation by asking fans: &#8220;Who'd you pick as the next Bond?&#8221; Some names that were coined by users were: Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Michael B Jordan, and Tom Hiddleston.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43805683/amazon-is-killing-a-key-kindle-feature-that-let-you-back-up-your-ebooks-heres-what-will-change-for-you">Amazon Is Killing A Key Kindle Feature That Let You Back Up Your Ebooks: Here&#8217;s What Will Change For You</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Who'd you pick as the next Bond? <a href="https://t.co/u7nBaRROlf">pic.twitter.com/u7nBaRROlf</a>
&mdash; Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/1892590064766484622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Last year in December, Bezos said he now spends 95% of his time on artificial intelligence projects despite stepping down as CEO in 2021.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The James Bond franchise has been a cinematic staple since 1963&#8217;s &#8220;Dr. No,&#8221; captivating audiences worldwide with its thrilling spy missions.
The series has consistently delivered impressive box office performances, with the latest installment, &#8220;No Time To Die,&#8221; marking the 25th film in the franchise.
Released in 2021, it debuted overseas <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/10/23240421/can-no-time-to-die-set-a-james-bond-box-office-record-heres-how-the-previous-24-bond-movies-performe">with a $119 million opening</a>. Daniel Craig's fifth and final outing as 007 grossed a total of $775 million, <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/global/james-bond-amazon-mgm-gain-creative-control-1236313930/">noted</a> Variety.
Amazon reported <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43545590/amazoncom-q4-earnings-highlights-revenue-beat-eps-beat-most-successful-holiday-shopping-season-in-company-history">fourth-quarter net sales</a> of $187.8 billion, a 10% increase year-over-year. The figure surpassed the Street consensus estimate of $187.3 billion.
Price Action: Amazon's stock climbed 0.17% to $223.25 in after-hours trading, recovering slightly from a 1.65% drop to $222.88 at Thursday's close, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Consumer Tech by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43550696/amazon-to-pour-nearly-100-billion-into-ai-in-2025-surpassing-microsoft-and-alphabet-andy-jassy-says-cost-of-inference-will-meaningfully-come-down-amid-deepseek-worries">Amazon To Pour Nearly $100 Billion Into AI In 2025, Surpassing Microsoft And Alphabet—Andy Jassy Says &#8216;Cost Of Inference Will Meaningfully Come Down&#8217; Amid DeepSeek Worries</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Entertainment

Jeff Bezos Wants To Know Who You'd Pick As The Next 007 As James Bond's Future Now In Amazon's Hands

Zoom Communications, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>) will report fourth-quarter and fiscal 2025 results on February 24, after the market close.
Oppenheimer analyst Timothy Horan maintained a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perform rating on</a> Zoom.
Horan expects solid fourth-quarter 2025 results as Zoom builds momentum through its new AI platform strategy, which is enabling some price increases.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43851464/unity-software-q4-earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unity Software Q4 Earnings: EPS And Sales Beat, Weak Guidance, Game Development Revenue Declines</a>
The focus will likely be on 2026 guidance and the impact of new go-to-market movements and pricing on top-line growth.
Investors will also examine margins, which could be under pressure as it invests in AI and increases the adoption and usage of its AI Companion.
The analyst also hopes to gain more insight into CCaaS seat growth and cross-sell trends, though it is still in the early days.
He noted Zoom could beat Street&#8217;s expectation of 3% growth next year, but it could be above 4%.
Positively, the company cited strong AI uptake and is seeing solid momentum in Contact Center, Workvivo, and UCaaS. Overall, Horan liked Zoom&#8217;s product and its AI, while bundling puts it on par with Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) Teams&#8217; pricing.
Separately, Amazon.Com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) announced it is shutting down support for Chime, its UCaaS service, and will no longer take new customers. Chime will be completely shut down in February 2026.
Zoom has historically maintained stable prices but increased monthly rates by 5-10% for SMB plans in the mid-fourth quarter. Though this will likely take 2-3 years to flow through fully, it could add 2% to annual revenue growth.
However, larger enterprises (~59% of revenue) resist paying more for services they do not necessarily want and typically receive a discount off listed prices.
Although a return to meaningful enterprise subscriber growth is unlikely, the company has significantly reduced churn in the past year and stabilized enterprise customers.
Positively, channel checks indicate that a large cohort of customers that signed deals in 2021/22 are coming due for renewal, so the analyst expects a solid first-quarter and fiscal 2025 guide in combination with the price increases.
Horan&#8217;s 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates are 50 and 110bps above the Street, respectively. The analyst expects Zoom to guide revenue above the Street, given the improving churn/quality and go-to-market.
His operating margin estimates could be too conservative, as he expects the company to reinvest for growth/ AI to achieve 5% revenue growth.
Horan projected fourth-quarter revenue of $1.2 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.29. He expects fiscal 2025 revenue of $4.7 billion and adjusted EPS of $5.42.
Price Action: ZM stock is down 2.05% at $83.42 at last check Thursday.
Also Read:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43850567/user-engagement-and-high-margin-businesses-fuel-bilibili-q4-growth-ceo-highlights-ai-potential" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">User Engagement And High-Margin Businesses Fuel Bilibili Q4 Growth, CEO Highlights AI Potential</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Previews

Reiteration

What To Expect From Zoom Q4 Earnings?

Target Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) shares are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers" rel="noreferrer noopener">trading lower on Thursday.</a>
In fact, many retail and discount store shares are trading lower after Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43846469/walmart-q4-earnings-shine-but-soft-fy26-outlook-disappoints-street" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issued soft first-quarter guidance.</a>
Walmart issued guidance for the 2026 fiscal year first quarter, expecting adjusted earnings per share between 57 cents and 58 cents, versus analysts' estimate of 64 cents. The company also anticipates a net sales increase of 3% to 4%.
Additionally, Walmart expects a 0.5% to 2.0% increase in adjusted operating income. The company said its guidance for net sales and adjusted operating income reflects factors like its acquisition of VIZIO and the challenge of lapping a leap year.
Stock markets dropped in morning trading, with all major US indices falling, The Guardian <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/20/walmart-forecast-shares-spending" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
The report notes that Walmart&#8217;s lackluster forecast signals that US consumer spending is slowing down. It cites Brian Mulberry from Zacks Investment Management, a Walmart investor, who pointed this out as a warning.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43855318/whats-going-on-with-costco-shares-thursday" rel="noreferrer noopener">What&#8217;s Going On With Costco Shares Thursday?</a>
For the past two years, high interest rates and ongoing inflation have slowed U.S. consumer spending, per a report by Reuters. Additionally, President Donald Trump&#8217;s new tariff on Chinese goods, along with potential tariffs on products from India, Mexico, and Canada, has added uncertainty to the economy.
Thus, Target&#8217;s share price could be impacted by Walmart&#8217;s soft guidance, which signals slowing consumer spending and weaker retail performance.
Other competitors of Walmart, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>) stock is trading lower by 2.17%, Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) shares are down 1.60%, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) stock is trading lower by 1.78%, and Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) is down over 5%.
As Walmart sets the tone for the sector, its outlook may cause investors to reassess the sector&#8217;s overall growth prospects.
Price Action: TGT shares are trading lower by 1.52% to $128.77 at last check Thursday.
Read Next:
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</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Movers

COST

DLTR

What's Going On With Target Corporation Stock Today?

Taking a look at insider buying this week, we see that insiders are just as cautious and uncertain as the rest of us. The insider buy-sell ratio has moved to levels that are typically bearish, meaning that many more insiders are selling than buying.
&nbsp;Now, that is not necessarily a disaster. Insiders sell stock for all sorts of reasons—estate planning, buying a house, funding a dream wedding or an Ivy League education, or, in some cases, a dream divorce.
But there is only one reason an insider buys: they think their stock is going to move a lot higher.
Right now, the lack of insider buying suggests they are not feeling overly confident about the market's long-term upside. And let's be honest, the broader market indicators aren't giving us any warm fuzzies either. Market cap to GDP, the Buffett Indicator, is sitting at historic highs. The overall allocation to equities among pensions, individuals, and institutions is near peak levels, a setup that historically leads to anemic returns over the next decade.
The excess CAPE yield, which compares corporate cash flows to Treasury yields, is flashing warning signs with a spread that screams, &#8220;proceed with caution.&#8221;
A lost decade is not out of the question. That does not mean an outright crash, though. It could take many forms: a brutal meltdown and a slow recovery, a melt-up followed by a grinding pullback, or just a long, ugly period of sideways action. The market has been running hot since 2009, and it has weathered a few hiccups—2018 and COVID—but each time, the Fed stepped in and bailed everyone out. That kind of intervention cannot last forever.
Then there is the extreme market concentration. Most of the recent gains are coming from a small handful of stocks. The last time the market was this narrow? 1998-1999. Before that? The Nifty Fifty era of the 1970s. Neither ended well. Do the math.
So, where is the smart money going during these turbulent times?
That brings us to Tom Gayner at Markel (Ticker: MKL).
Markel is not your typical insurance company.
&nbsp;It's a specialty insurer, covering everything from marine and aviation to professional liability and even horse insurance,. It seems in addition to specialty property and liability coverages they also insure racehorses, show horses, and livestock. &nbsp;That even includes major medical insurance for horses
The business is well-run and highly profitable. Gayner, who took the reins in 1990, has transformed it from a $40 million outfit into an $18 billion powerhouse.
His investment track record is nothing short of spectacular, crushing the S&amp;P 500 over multiple decades. Recently, he made two separate six-figure stock purchases—one in November, another in early February. That kind of move from a guy with his track record should make you sit up and take notice.
Markel is not just about insurance. It also runs an investment portfolio that mirrors the Berkshire Hathaway model, with a strong emphasis on long-term, value-driven stock picks. The firm's portfolio includes major stakes in companies like Berkshire Hathaway (Ticker: BRK-A), Google (Ticker: GOOGL), Brookfield (Ticker: BN), Amazon (Ticker: AMZN), John Deere (Ticker: DE), Home Depot (Ticker: HD), Visa (Ticker: V), Apple(Ticker: AAPL), and Watsco (Ticker: WSC),a top-tier HVAC distributor generating impressive cash flow.
More recently, they have been buying Franco-Nevada, a gold royalty company, and Hagerty Insurance, which specializes in classic car coverage. They have also added Airbnb, Dollar General, and Insperity, a staffing solutions provider. The investment strategy is built on high-quality businesses with strong cash flow, and Markel's ability to generate returns has been exceptional over time.
Another name that caught my eye? Amcor PLC (Ticker: AMCR). It is a UK-based packaging and container company specializing in medical and consumer goods packaging. They are in the process of acquiring Berry Global, which will significantly boost their market position.
The stock is cheap, trading at just $10 per share with a solid 5% dividend yield. The CEO just snapped up another $1 million worth of stock, increasing his stake by over 30%. When the guy running the show puts that kind of money on the table, you should pay attention.
And for those of you still swiping left and right, Match Group (Ticker: MTCH) insiders are making a move. Match owns all the big names in online dating—Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, and even some niche brands. The CEO just bought $2 million worth of stock, and a director stepped up with a six-figure buy.
This business has high gross margins, strong cash flow, and solid projected earnings growth for 2025. Wall Street loves it, and now the people at the top are backing it with their own cash.
So what is the takeaway? The overall market looks sketchy. Insiders are not exactly lining up to buy, which is a big red flag. But when the few who are buying happen to be seasoned, successful executives with a history of making smart bets, it is worth following their lead. Keep your eyes on Markel, Amcor, and Match Group.
These insiders are not waiting for permission. They are backing their convictions with real money. That is the kind of move you want to watch in times like these.

Opinion

AMCR

MTCH

Alpha Buying: Insider Activity Dwindles Despite Notable Buys from Top Execs

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Consumer Discretionary sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>BABA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/28/25</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$25.9K</td>
<td>170</td>
<td>12.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
<td>$354.0K</td>
<td>11.6K</td>
<td>5.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>M</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$15.50</td>
<td>$26.2K</td>
<td>3.1K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
<td>$43.7K</td>
<td>7.5K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SWBI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$11.00</td>
<td>$44.5K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td>601</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/28/25</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$37.8K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>502</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$1.5 million</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
<td>304</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ANF</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/07/25</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$93.7K</td>
<td>107</td>
<td>177</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MELI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2100.00</td>
<td>$49.0K</td>
<td>235</td>
<td>167</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DASH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$33.1K</td>
<td>160</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding BABA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 8 day(s) on February 28, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $130.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.9K, with a price of $259.0 per contract. There were 170 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 12649 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GT#NASDAQ">GT</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 330 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 5900 contract(s) at a $8.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $354.0K, with a price of $60.0 per contract. There were 11630 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5901 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding M (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/M#NYSE">M</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 1456 contract(s) at a $15.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 33 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.2K, with a price of $18.0 per contract. There were 3126 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4011 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 55 contract(s) at a $215.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $43.7K, with a price of $795.0 per contract. There were 7579 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1975 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SWBI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWBI#NASDAQ">SWBI</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 29 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 594 contract(s) at a $11.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $44.5K, with a price of $75.0 per contract. There were 2060 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 601 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PDD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 36 day(s) on March 28, 2025. This event was a transfer of 25 contract(s) at a $135.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 25 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $37.8K, with a price of $1515.0 per contract. There were 0 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 502 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 483 day(s) on June 18, 2026. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $240.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $1.5 million, with a price of $15445.0 per contract. There were 3264 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 304 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ANF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANF#NYSE">ANF</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 15 day(s) on March 7, 2025. This event was a transfer of 150 contract(s) at a $100.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $93.7K, with a price of $625.0 per contract. There were 107 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 177 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MELI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 29 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 5 contract(s) at a $2100.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $49.0K, with a price of $9800.0 per contract. There were 235 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 167 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For DASH (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DASH#NASDAQ">DASH</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 120 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 31 contract(s) at a $190.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.1K, with a price of $1070.0 per contract. There were 160 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 34 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

BABA

DASH

MELI

SWBI

10 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Legal

U.S. FTC Says It Launches Inquiry On Tech Censorship

In today's fast-paced and highly competitive business world, it is crucial for investors and industry followers to conduct comprehensive company evaluations. In this article, we will delve into an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Amazon.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) in relation to its major competitors in the Broadline Retail industry. By closely examining key financial metrics, market standing, and growth prospects, our objective is to provide valuable insights and highlight company's performance in the industry.
<h3>Amazon.com Background</h3>
Amazon is the leading online retailer and marketplace for third party sellers. Retail related revenue represents approximately 75% of total, followed by Amazon Web Services' cloud computing, storage, database, and other offerings (15%), advertising services (5% to 10%), and other the remainder. International segments constitute 25% to 30% of Amazon's non-AWS sales, led by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Amazon.com Inc</td>
<td>40.98</td>
<td>8.40</td>
<td>3.81</td>
<td>7.34%</td>
<td>$38.55</td>
<td>$37.37</td>
<td>10.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alibaba Group Holding Ltd</td>
<td>25.93</td>
<td>2.27</td>
<td>2.35</td>
<td>4.64%</td>
<td>$54.02</td>
<td>$92.47</td>
<td>5.21%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDD Holdings Inc</td>
<td>12.28</td>
<td>4.50</td>
<td>3.57</td>
<td>9.38%</td>
<td>$29.18</td>
<td>$59.65</td>
<td>44.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MercadoLibre Inc</td>
<td>73.64</td>
<td>26.30</td>
<td>5.76</td>
<td>10.37%</td>
<td>$0.72</td>
<td>$2.44</td>
<td>35.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JD.com Inc</td>
<td>12.63</td>
<td>1.80</td>
<td>0.40</td>
<td>5.22%</td>
<td>$15.92</td>
<td>$45.04</td>
<td>5.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Coupang Inc</td>
<td>44.86</td>
<td>10.96</td>
<td>1.59</td>
<td>1.74%</td>
<td>$0.28</td>
<td>$2.27</td>
<td>27.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>eBay Inc</td>
<td>17.46</td>
<td>6.13</td>
<td>3.45</td>
<td>11.59%</td>
<td>$0.95</td>
<td>$1.85</td>
<td>3.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dillard's Inc</td>
<td>13.12</td>
<td>4.12</td>
<td>1.23</td>
<td>6.37%</td>
<td>$0.21</td>
<td>$0.63</td>
<td>-3.53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vipshop Holdings Ltd</td>
<td>6.96</td>
<td>1.44</td>
<td>0.52</td>
<td>2.76%</td>
<td>$1.47</td>
<td>$4.96</td>
<td>-9.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MINISO Group Holding Ltd</td>
<td>22.22</td>
<td>5.25</td>
<td>3.62</td>
<td>6.68%</td>
<td>$0.88</td>
<td>$2.03</td>
<td>19.29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc</td>
<td>31.66</td>
<td>4.03</td>
<td>2.92</td>
<td>2.24%</td>
<td>$0.06</td>
<td>$0.21</td>
<td>7.79%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Macy's Inc</td>
<td>25.13</td>
<td>1.03</td>
<td>0.18</td>
<td>0.66%</td>
<td>$0.29</td>
<td>$2.04</td>
<td>-2.68%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nordstrom Inc</td>
<td>15.39</td>
<td>4.07</td>
<td>0.27</td>
<td>4.75%</td>
<td>$0.3</td>
<td>$1.31</td>
<td>4.34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Savers Value Village Inc</td>
<td>24.35</td>
<td>4.14</td>
<td>1.23</td>
<td>5.09%</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>$0.22</td>
<td>0.53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kohl's Corp</td>
<td>5.26</td>
<td>0.34</td>
<td>0.08</td>
<td>0.58%</td>
<td>$0.28</td>
<td>$1.57</td>
<td>-8.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Groupon Inc</td>
<td>19.71</td>
<td>13.52</td>
<td>1.01</td>
<td>34.72%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.1</td>
<td>-9.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hour Loop Inc</td>
<td>38.60</td>
<td>10.14</td>
<td>0.47</td>
<td>7.3%</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>$0.02</td>
<td>6.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>24.32</td>
<td>6.25</td>
<td>1.79</td>
<td>7.13%</td>
<td>$6.54</td>
<td>$13.55</td>
<td>7.83%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<style>
 table {
 width: 100%;
 border-collapse: collapse;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 font-size: 14px;
 }

 th, td {
 padding: 8px;
 text-align: left;
 }

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 background-color: #293a5a;
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 text-align: left;
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 </style>When conducting a detailed analysis of Amazon.com, the following trends become clear: 
<ul>
<li>
At 40.98, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio significantly exceeds the industry average by 1.69x, suggesting a premium valuation relative to industry peers.
</li>
<li>
It could be trading at a premium in relation to its book value, as indicated by its Price to Book ratio of 8.4 which exceeds the industry average by 1.34x.
</li>
<li>
The stock's relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 3.81, surpassing the industry average by 2.13x, may indicate an aspect of overvaluation in terms of sales performance.
</li>
<li>
With a Return on Equity (ROE) of 7.34% that is 0.21% above the industry average, it appears that the company exhibits efficient use of equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
The Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $38.55 Billion is 5.89x above the industry average, highlighting stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
With higher gross profit of $37.37 Billion, which indicates 2.76x above the industry average, the company demonstrates stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
The company's revenue growth of 10.49% is notably higher compared to the industry average of 7.83%, showcasing exceptional sales performance and strong demand for its products or services.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740063680_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is a key indicator of a company's financial health and its reliance on debt financing.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
In terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, Amazon.com stands in comparison with its top 4 peers, leading to the following comparisons:
<ul>
<li>
In terms of the debt-to-equity ratio, Amazon.com has a lower level of debt compared to its top 4 peers, indicating a stronger financial position.
</li>
<li>
This implies that the company relies less on debt financing and has a more favorable balance between debt and equity with a lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Amazon.com, the PE, PB, and PS ratios are all high compared to its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that the stock may be overvalued. On the other hand, Amazon.com's high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth suggest strong operational performance and growth potential relative to industry competitors.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

The U.S. e-commerce engine is shifting into higher gear, and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) remains firmly in the driver's seat. 
JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth updated his U.S. e-commerce model, projecting an acceleration in growth through 2025, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN/news">with Amazon standing</a> out as his "Best Idea."
Fourth-quarter U.S. e-commerce sales grew 9.3% year-over-year, easily surpassing JPMorgan's 7.5% estimate. This upside came despite a shorter holiday shopping season and cautious consumer spending on discretionary items. 
E-commerce penetration continued its upward march, rising for the eighth straight quarter to 24.4% of adjusted retail sales. Anmuth expects this trend to persist, with penetration hitting 23.7% by 2025 and the long-term potential to soar past 40%.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43805683/amazon-is-killing-a-key-kindle-feature-that-let-you-back-up-your-ebooks-heres-what-will-change-for-you">Amazon Is Killing A Key Kindle Feature That Let You Back Up Your Ebooks: Here&#8217;s What Will Change For You</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Share Dips Slightly, But Leadership Holds</h3>
Amazon's retail business matched the market's pace, with first-party sales growing 8% and third-party sales climbing 9% year-over-year. The real story, however, lies in the company's logistics muscle. 
In 2024 alone, Amazon delivered over 9 billion items within a single day, setting a new benchmark for speed. Coupled with the expanding Prime ecosystem and competitive pricing, Amazon's dominance remains unshaken.
While Amazon's U.S. e-commerce market share slipped by 58 basis points to 46.1% in the fourth quarter, Anmuth sees this as a minor blip rather than a trend reversal. He forecasts Amazon's U.S. gross merchandise value (GMV) to grow 8.2% year-over-year in 2025, maintaining a commanding 44.7% market share.
In Anmuth's view, Amazon's blend of fast delivery, vast selection, and Prime-powered loyalty keeps it leagues ahead, reinforcing its crown as the top e-commerce player heading into 2025.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43791751/february-28-economic-boycott-what-a-one-day-spending-freeze-means-for-retailers">February 28 Economic Boycott: What A One-Day Spending Freeze Means For Retailers</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Long Ideas

Amazon Tightens Grip As E-Commerce Accelerates: JPMorgan's 'Best Idea' For 2025

The ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott&#8216;s unrestricted gifts totaling over $19 billion have significantly transformed more than 2,000 nonprofit organizations over the past five years, according to recent research.
What Happened: Scott, who amassed her wealth from her divorce settlement with&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) founder Jeff Bezos, has been generously donating to nonprofits since 2019, revealed a <a href="https://cep.org/report-backpacks/breaking-the-mold-the-transformative-effect-of-mackenzie-scotts-big-gifts/?section=intro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>&nbsp;from the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). The recipients of these no-strings-attached gifts, which average around $5 million, have been permitted to utilize the funds as they deem fit.
The report, based on a three-year study, surveyed around 800 organizations that received donations from Scott, highlighting the significant impact these contributions have had on their initiatives.
The beneficiaries were chosen through a discreet vetting process, known as &#8220;quiet research,&#8221; with Scott refraining from accepting donation solicitations. These organizations have strategically managed the large gifts, impacting thousands of lives, according to Elisha Smith Arrillaga,&nbsp;Vice President of Research at CEP. 
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43739013/trump-pulls-the-plug-on-5-billion-ev-charger-plan-even-teslas-31-million-is-on-hold">Trump Pulls the Plug on $5 Billion EV Charger Plan – Even Tesla&#8217;s $31 Million is on Hold</a>
Why It Matters: With a net worth of $32.2 Billion and a 4% stake in Amazon, MacKenzie Scott conducts her philanthropic activities <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42568686/mackenzie-scotts-mission-driven-investing-pushes-back-against-wealth-concentration-amazon-stock-rich-philanthropist-pledges-2-billion-in-donations">through her organization, Yield Giving. </a>Scott&#8217;s unrestricted donations allow organizations to allocate funds where they see fit, providing them with greater flexibility and autonomy. While most have appreciated MacKenzie Scott for her exemplary charitable initiatives, on a past occasion, Tesla Co-founder, Elon Musk, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42677188/elon-musk-calls-jeff-bezos-ex-wife-mackenzie-scotts-19-billion-charitable-donations-concerning">had called Scott&#8217;s donations</a> &#8216;Concerning&#8217;. Scott, one of America's biggest philanthropists, has donated to racial equity, social justice, and LGBTQ+ causes. Her giving strategy contrasts sharply with other tech billionaires, including Musk, who has focused his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42640044/trump-fires-back-at-critics-and-denies-ceding-presidency-to-elon-musk-and-im-safe-he-wasnt-born-in-this-country" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent attention on political causes</a>, including substantial support for President Donald Trump‘s election campaign.
Just like Scott, Bezos has also been involved in a lot of philanthropic activities. Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, made significant contributions, such as awarding $50 million each to actress Eva Longoria, also retired Navy admiral and Bill McRaven, a veteran and former chancellor of the University of Texas System, for charity purposes. In 2021, Bezos also introduced the Courage and Civility Award to support philanthropists.
Bezos has also been associated with a lot of projects dedicated to climate change initiatives. However, this month, his $10 billion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43519586/jeff-bezos-10b-earth-fund-pulls-support-from-key-climate-initiative-what-happened">Earth Fund withdrew support </a>from a key climate initiative, which could be a move to avoid conflicts with President Donald Trump.
READ MORE:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42801788/jeff-bezos-says-good-old-days-are-such-an-illusion-as-far-as-planet-earth-is-concerned-but-theres-one-exception"> Jeff Bezos Says &#8216;Good Old Days&#8217; Are &#8216;Such An Illusion&#8217; As Far As Planet Earth Is Concerned, But There&#8217;s One Exception</a>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Jeff Bezos' Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott's $19B Donations Are Transforming 2,000+ Nonprofits: Report

NVIDIA&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)&nbsp;has&nbsp;introduced Evo 2, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system aimed at transforming the field of biological research.
What Happened: Nvidia announced on Wednesday, that Evo 2, its new AI model, is set to fast-track advancements in genetics and medicine by rapidly analyzing and generating genetic code from a wide range of organisms. According to Nvidia, this project &#8216;provides insights into DNA, RNA and proteins across diverse species.&#8217; The system is being recognized as the most comprehensive AI system to date for biological research.
This project has been undertaken on the NVIDIA DGX Cloud platform in association with Stanford University and Arc Institute, a nonprofit&nbsp;research center,&nbsp;with an outlay of $650 million.
Evo 2 is designed to significantly speed up research processes that traditionally require extensive manual data analysis. The system has been trained on nearly 9 trillion nucleotides&nbsp;or genetic data points from more than 128,000 diverse organisms, including bacteria, plants, and humans.
In early trials, Evo 2 accurately detected 90% of potentially harmful mutations in BRCA1, a gene associated with breast cancer. The model was built using 2,000 Nvidia H100 processors on Amazon&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) cloud infrastructure, Amazon Web Services. 
According to Nvidia, Evo 2 could also help in&nbsp;healthcare and drug discovery through gene variant analysis. Additionally, its&nbsp;insights into plant biology could empower scientists to design varieties of climate-resistant crops and address global food shortages.
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43811296/walmart-set-for-record-sales-amid-tariff-concerns-one-of-the-better-positioned-retailers-to-mitigate-or-manage-through-tariffs-says-analyst">Walmart Set For Record Sales Amid Tariff Concerns: &#8216;One Of The Better-Positioned Retailers To Mitigate Or Manage Through Tariffs&#8217;, Says Analyst</a>
Why It Matters: The release of EVO 2 reinforces Nvidia&#8217;s AI goals in exploring healthcare and biomedical fields as a means to diversify its revenue verticals. 
In March, the company revealed partnerships with Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) to utilize generative AI in surgery and with GE Healthcare, an arm of the General Electric Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>) to enhance medical imaging. In the past, the chipmaker also launched nearly&nbsp;two dozen AI-powered tools focussed on healthcare besides investing $50 million in 2023 into a biotech firm, Recursion, for AI-powered drug discovery. 
Meanwhile, top Wedbush analyst Dan Ives predicted that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43837526/top-analyst-predicts-apple-will-hit-4-trillion-first-followed-by-nvidia-says-ai-demand-is-exploding-despite-tariffs-and-deepseek-fears-the-bears-cant-see-ai-in-the-spreadsheets">NVIDIA would follow</a> Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) in reaching a $4 trillion market cap, despite concerns over tariffs and rising competition from China&#8217;s DeepSeek. The analyst remained bullish on AI stocks, emphasizing the inability of &#8220;bears&#8221; to see the potential of AI in the spreadsheets. The launch of Evo 2 underscores this potential and NVIDIA&#8217;s leading role in the AI revolution.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43829643/stroke-device-maker-penumbra-stock-surges-on-earnings-beat-upbeat-2025-outlook-analysts-boost-price-forecasts">Stroke Device Maker Penumbra Stock Surges On Earnings Beat, Analysts Boost Price Forecasts After Upbeat 2025 Outlook</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

NVIDIA's New AI System Aims To Transform Genetic Research With Unmatched Speed And Precision

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives remains bullish on AI stocks, predicting Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) will be the first to reach a $4 trillion market cap, followed by Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), despite concerns over tariffs and <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43685601/after-deepseek-shook-wall-street-chinas-baidu-gears-up-for-ai-battle-with-next-gen-ernie-5-0-launch-in-late-2025">rising competition</a> from China's DeepSeek.
What Happened: On Wednesday, Ives took to X, formerly Twitter, and reiterated his bullish stance on AI stocks and shared a link to his appearance on CNBC's Squawk Street.
&#8220;The bears can't see AI in the spreadsheets while in their hibernation caves… we focus on $325 billion of Big Tech Capex fueling this AI Revolution as the tech leaders of the future like Nvidia and Palantir lead tech higher in 2025,&#8221; he posted.
On CNBC's Squawk Street, Ives reiterated his confidence in Nvidia, calling it "a table pounder" and predicting it will reach a $5 trillion market cap in the future.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43685791/taiwan-semiconductor-could-be-the-lifeline-intel-needs-as-rumors-swirl-of-a-us-backed-joint-venture">Taiwan Semiconductor Could Be The Lifeline Intel Needs As Rumors Swirl Of A US-Backed Joint Venture</a>
Ives noted a significant 12% to 15% increase in semiconductor demand since October. &#8220;I think it just shows these enterprise use cases are exploding and that is really accelerating demand because no one wants to sort of lose their spot in line,&#8221; he said.
Despite <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827658/exclusive-apple-nvidia-tesla-or-boeing-which-company-faces-the-biggest-risk-from-trumps-china-tariffs-35-say-this-stock">concerns over tariffs</a> and valuation worries, Ives remains optimistic about the tech sector&#8217;s growth, predicting a 25% increase in tech stocks this year.
When asked about AI adoption in enterprise software, Ives pointed to Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) as the "golden child" of AI-driven monetization.
Ives also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43350126/dan-ives-says-chinese-startup-deepseeks-6-million-ai-development-assertion-is-likely-a-fictional-sto">dismissed concerns</a> of China's DeepSeek R1 model undercutting U.S. firms. "From a DeepSeek perspective, 45-50 enterprises—not one has changed plans," he noted.
On Apple, Ives said, "The first one to hit $4 trillion will be Apple in our opinion, followed by Nvidia." He attributed this to Apple&#8217;s strategic focus on emerging markets and its partnership with Alibaba in China.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The bears can't see AI in the spreadsheets while in their hibernation caves &#x1f43b;…we focus on $325 billion of Big Tech Capex fueling this AI Revolution as the tech leaders of the future like Nvidia and Palantir and Mag 7 lead tech higher in 2025&#x1f525;&#x1f3c6;&#x1f402;&#x1f37f;&#x1f30e; <a href="https://twitter.com/SquawkStreet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SquawkStreet</a> <a href="https://t.co/k3ML6YdTjW">https://t.co/k3ML6YdTjW</a>
&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1892308017875505372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Major tech companies are heavily investing in artificial intelligence. Companies like Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) are expected to <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43564458/big-techs-2025-ai-bill-is-320-billion-and-counting-can-investors-stomach-it">spend a record $320 billion</a> on AI infrastructure by 2025, up from $246 billion in 2024.
Nvidia is expected to report its fiscal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43655881/nvidia-a-strong-buy-with-42-upside-says-analyst-predicting-positive-report-and-outlook-ahead-of-earnings">fourth-quarter earnings</a> on Thursday, Feb. 26 following the market close.
Price Action: Nvidia's stock declined 0.17% in after-hours trading to $139, following a 0.12% drop earlier on Wednesday, closing at $139.23, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>. Apple's stock dipped 0.029% after hours to $244.80, after gaining 0.16% during regular trading, closing at $244.87.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/43373775/tim-cook-praises-chinas-deepseek-for-driving-efficiency-stresses-apples-prudent-and-deliberate-approach-toward-capital-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tim Cook Praises China&#8217;s DeepSeek For Driving Efficiency, Stresses Apple&#8217;s ‘Prudent And Deliberate&#8217; Approach Toward Capital Expenditure</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Top Analyst Predicts Apple Will Hit $4 Trillion First Followed By Nvidia — Says AI Demand Is 'Exploding' Despite Tariffs And DeepSeek Fears: 'The Bears Can't See AI In The Spreadsheets...'

Retailer Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) looks to maintain its title of "World's largest retailer" when the company reports fourth-quarter financial results before the market opens on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings">Thursday, Feb. 20.</a>
Here's a look at the analyst estimates for the quarters, what experts are saying and key items to watch.
Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect Walmart to report fourth-quarter revenue of $180.25 billion, up from $173.39 billion in last year's fourth quarter, according to data<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent021925&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> from Benzinga Pro.</a>
The retailer has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in more than 10 straight quarters.
Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of 64 cents, up from 60 cents per share in last year's fourth quarter.
The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in four straight quarters and nine of the last 10 quarters overall. The lone quarter without a beat in that stretch saw the company meet estimates.
Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) recently reported<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43545590/amazoncom-q4-earnings-highlights-revenue-beat-eps-beat-most-successful-holiday-shopping-season-in-company-history"> fourth-quarter revenue </a>of $187.79 billion. Analysts expect Walmart to come in shy of that total, which could see the company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43567475/amazon-vs-walmart-did-amazons-q4-revenue-beat-the-worlds-largest-retailer">lose its crown</a> as the top revenue earner on a yearly basis and the top retailer soon if trends continue.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43515894/walmart-stock-hits-new-all-time-highs-company-goes-shopping-for-malls">Walmart Stock Hits New All-Time Highs, Company Goes Shopping For &#8230; Malls?</a>
What Experts Are Saying: Walmart's quarterly earnings report will likely be one of the biggest of the week, according to Freedom Capital Markets Chief Global Strategist Jay Woods.
"Walmart will be in focus as investors are eager to see if they can keep their remarkable run going," Woods said in a weekly <a href="https://jaywoods.substack.com/">newsletter</a>. "They have traded higher after the last four quarterly reports and after 8 of the last 10."
The market strategist said Walmart is "the bellwether when it comes to discount retail."
"Any shift from them could speak volumes to the impact of inflation."
Woods said Walmart shares are in a technical uptrend with the stock traded at or above its 50-day moving average for more than a year.
"So for it to jump higher may take one heck of a beat."
Woods said long-term holders of the stock should "hold on and enjoy the ride," while short-term traders might see it tough to chase the stock.
Data from Placer.ai <a href="https://www.placer.ai/blog/visitation-trends-and-shopping-behaviors-at-walmart-target">shows </a>Walmart had 1.1% visitor growth in 2024 on a year-over-year basis. The company is also starting 2025 with strength with visits up 3.0% year-over-year for the month of January.
Walmart sees a larger portion of shoppers with lower household incomes than rival Target, according to Placer.ai. The retailer also sees a higher rate of repeat monthly visitors than Target, which could be thanks to more grocery options.
Analysts have been bullish on Walmart stock ahead of the quarterly earnings with raised price targets.
Here are recent<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMT/analyst-ratings"> analyst ratings on Walmart</a> and their price targets:
<ul>
<li>Piper Sandler: Maintained Overweight rating, raised price target from $93 to $118</li>
<li>Baird: Maintained Outperform rating, raised price target from $100 to $115</li>
<li>Barclays: Maintained Overweight rating, raised price target from $98 to $108</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley: Reiterated Overweight rating, raised price target from $106 to $115</li>
<li>Telsey: Maintained Outperform rating, raised price target from $105 to $115</li>
<li>Truist: Maintained Buy rating, raised price target from $98 to $111</li>
</ul>
Key Items to Watch: Walmart raised its full-year guidance after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42060801/walmart-tops-q3-estimates-ecommerce-growth-shines-with-27-lifts-full-year-forecast">third-quarter results </a>and investors will be closely monitoring to see if those figures are missed, met or beat.
Analysts and investors will also be looking for guidance for the next fiscal year. This could determine how Walmart stock trades after the financial results.
Ecommerce sales is another area investors will look at. Third-quarter ecommerce sales are up 27% year-over-year as the company sees growth for its store-fulfilled pickup, delivery and marketplace growth.
The company's Sam's Club brand is also seeing strong growth in recent quarters. Third-quarter same store sales are up 7.0% year-over-year. Placer.ai data showed Sam's Club having 4.8% visitor growth year-over-year for the 2024 year.
In February, Walmart announced some<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43501464/walmart-reshapes-workforce-shuts-offices-as-it-consolidates-operations"> employee consolidation</a> with the cut of corporate jobs and relocations to other states. The company's headcount and any comments on future job cuts is another area to watch.
WMT Price Action: Walmart stock trades at $103.85 Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $57.60 to $105.30. Walmart stock is up 15.4% year-to-date in 2025 and up 77% over the last year.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43811563/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-walmart-stock-ahead-of-q4-earnings">How To Earn $500 A Month From Walmart Stock Ahead Of Q4 Earnings</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Walmart Q4 Earnings Preview: Revenue Beat Streak On The Line, Expert Advises Long-Term Holders To 'Enjoy The Ride'

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Consumer Discretionary sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$370.00</td>
<td>$80.6K</td>
<td>23.7K</td>
<td>103.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
<td>3.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/28/25</td>
<td>$222.50</td>
<td>$239.5K</td>
<td>694</td>
<td>2.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RIVN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$13.00</td>
<td>$33.4K</td>
<td>14.2K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SBUX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$294.3K</td>
<td>7.6K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BABA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$45.5K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HAS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$37.5K</td>
<td>468</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TXRH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
<td>$57.6K</td>
<td>613</td>
<td>530</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$45.9K</td>
<td>661</td>
<td>364</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/07/25</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$45.9K</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>251</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• For TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 2 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 221 contract(s) at a $370.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $80.6K, with a price of $365.0 per contract. There were 23758 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 103841 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CVNA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 2 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 37 contract(s) at a $260.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.0K, with a price of $810.0 per contract. There were 2158 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3829 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 9 day(s) on February 28, 2025. This event was a transfer of 479 contract(s) at a $222.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 33 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $239.5K, with a price of $500.0 per contract. There were 694 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2184 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding RIVN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $13.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.4K, with a price of $167.0 per contract. There were 14278 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1633 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SBUX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 30 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 1450 contract(s) at a $115.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $294.3K, with a price of $203.0 per contract. There were 7689 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1528 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BABA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 149 day(s) on July 18, 2025. Parties traded 66 contract(s) at a $150.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.5K, with a price of $690.0 per contract. There were 4005 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1486 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HAS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAS#NASDAQ">HAS</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 500 contract(s) at a $65.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 31 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $37.5K, with a price of $75.0 per contract. There were 468 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1067 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding TXRH (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 2 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 96 contract(s) at a $175.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 27 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $57.6K, with a price of $600.0 per contract. There were 613 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 530 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For BIRK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIRK#NYSE">BIRK</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be neutral, expiring in 2 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $55.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.9K, with a price of $230.0 per contract. There were 661 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 364 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding GAP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GAP#NYSE">GAP</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 16 day(s) on March 7, 2025. Parties traded 251 contract(s) at a $22.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.9K, with a price of $183.0 per contract. There were 17 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 251 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

BIRK

CVNA

RIVN

SBUX

TXRH

10 Consumer Discretionary Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Streaming giant Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) could have its eyes on more National Football League games after the successful debut of the company's Christmas Day games that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42711504/lebron-james-vs-nfl-nba-star-says-christmas-is-our-day-2024-ratings-paint-a-different-picture">broke streaming records.</a>
What Happened: For years, Netflix has resisted calls to push further into sports rights, opting instead to do one-off live events or what it called<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/07/33308114/netflix-doesnt-want-to-live-sports-and-chill-were-happy-with-sports-adjacent-programming-ce"> "sports adjacent" content.</a>
The company's sports documentaries and reality series like "Drive to Survive" have helped leagues and athletes get more attention with a surge in viewership and increased fans for Liberty Formula One (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FWONA#NASDAQ">FWONA</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FWONK#NASDAQ">FWONK</a>) owned Formula 1 racing league often <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/09/23071390/could-a-netflix-formula-one-streaming-partnership-reach-the-finish-line">credited to Netflix.</a>
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria was asked about the pursuit of more NFL games during an appearance on "The Town" podcast.
"I definitely want the Sunday (afternoon) games," Bajaria said, as reported by <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/netflix-shifts-strategy-pursuing-nfl-sunday-rights/">FrontOfficeSports</a>.
The answer came when asked which NFL media rights Netflix would be interested in. Netflix later acknowledged that the comments were informal ones made by Bajaria and not a new content strategy shift.
As reported by FrontOfficeSports, the current Sunday afternoon NFL games are part of media rights packages with CBS, which is owned by Paramount Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NASDAQ">PARA</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARAA#NASDAQ">PARAA</a>) and Fox, which is owned by Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FOX#NASDAQ">FOX</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FOXA#NASDAQ">FOXA</a>).
Those deals are set to expire after the 2033 NFL season, but the NFL has an opt-out clause that could see it end the deals early after the 2029 season. A deal with The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) for "Monday Night Football" ends after the 2030 season.
Given strong viewership and demand from media companies to land NFL content, the league could choose to end the deals early.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43700767/netflix-stock-attractive-at-all-time-highs-for-analyst-virtuous-circle-of-strong-subscriber-growth-more-revenue-and-growing-profit">Netflix Stock Attractive At All-Time Highs For Analyst: &#8216;Virtuous Circle Of Strong Subscriber Growth, More Revenue, And Growing Profit&#8217;</a>
Why It's Important: While Bajaria's comments were in passing and not an official announcement, they signal interest in adding more NFL content.
Netflix is currently on a three-year deal with the NFL that gets the streaming company at least one game every Christmas Day.
In 2024, Netflix <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42711504/lebron-james-vs-nfl-nba-star-says-christmas-is-our-day-2024-ratings-paint-a-different-picture">streamed two games</a> on Christmas with the games having averages of 24.3 million viewers (Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans) and 24.1 million viewers (Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers).
Those games set new NFL streaming records for the regular season, surpassing even the 23.0 million viewers of Peacock's exclusive streaming game during the 2023 NFL playoffs.
Prime Video, which is the streaming platform owned by Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), partnered with the NFL for the rights to "Thursday Night Football." Amazon's weekly broadcast has helped boost the company's streaming subscribers and advertising revenue.
"Thursday Night Football" games averaged 13.2 million viewers during the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/01/43013529/amazon-scores-record-with-steelers-ravens-nfl-playoffs-stream-how-game-stacks-up-with-other-media-streamers"> 2024 NFL season</a>, up 11% year-over-year.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has often shied away from saying the company wants full sports seasons. In January, he told investors that the economics didn't work and the "live events business" was where the company wanted to be.
Previously, Sarandos said the company wasn't "anti-sports," but rather "pro-profit."
The Netflix Christmas Day games saw huge advertising demand and likely broke even on revenue for the company, not counting the additional subscribers the company gained along the way.
Over the past year, Netflix has launched a live boxing event headlined by Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, had two NFL games on Christmas and launched its new partnership with WWE, which is a unit of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TKO#NYSE">TKO</a>).
Netflix <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42628116/netflix-adds-womens-world-cup-media-rights-from-football-to-futbol-streamer-all-in-on-live-sports">landed the U.S. rights </a>to the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031. The company is also said<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43570574/netflix-eyes-formula-one-us-broadcast-rights-starting-in-2026-report"> to be exploring</a> a bid for the U.S. rights to Formula 1. ESPN has had the rights to Formula 1 since 2018 and its deal expires after the 2025 season.
While Netflix previously avoided live sports and full seasons, its new strategy seems focused on acquiring as much sports content as possible to drive advertising and subscriber revenue.
Netflix ended<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/43114866/netflix-q4-earnings-record-subscribers-nfl-squid-game-push-past-highest-expectations"> the fourth quarter</a> with 301.63 million global paid subscribers, adding a record 18.91 million in the quarter. The company will no longer break out subscriber figures, which means more attention will be placed on revenue and the company's content.
NFLX Price Action: Netflix stock was down 0.1% to $1,033.66 on Wednesday, compared to a 52-week trading range of $542.01 to $1,064.50. However, Netflix stock has increased 79% over the last year.
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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
11:42 AMFeb 20, 2025	CALL	$315.00	Jan 15, 2027	691	102	575	8	1258	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
12:59 PMFeb 18, 2025	CALL	$190.00	Dec 18, 2026	663	156	130	14	1108	TRADE	BEARISH
02:20 PMFeb 14, 2025	PUT	$235.00	Mar 21, 2025	26	814	640	5	17129	SWEEP	BULLISH
10:39 AMFeb 13, 2025	CALL	$210.00	Mar 21, 2025	26	881	872	6	15705	SWEEP	BULLISH
10:39 AMFeb 13, 2025	PUT	$250.00	Mar 21, 2025	26	13	808	1	1039	SWEEP	BULLISH