Option chain shows key data for California BanCorp's stock options at various strike prices and expiration dates. Traders use this information to analyze potential trades and assess market sentiment for California BanCorp.

California BanCorp (NASDAQ:BCAL) Stock, Option Chain

Southern Calif Bancorp

California BanCorp is a registered bank holding company headquartered in San Diego, California. The Bank offers a range of financial products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses through its 14 branch offices and four loan production offices serving Northern and Southern California. The Bank's solutions-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision-makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients.

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Adtalem Global Education Inc. Common Stock

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BIOL

BKPPF

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KALYTERA THERAPEUTICS ORD by Kalytera Therapeutics Inc.

KALTF

KOGMF

KPAY

LAAB

LAIX

LATF

LFCOF

LKCO

LUCKY MINERALS INC ORD by Lucky Minerals, Inc.

LKMNF

LOGX

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MFST

MGLQF

MGTI

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ORVRF

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TETRA BIO-PHARMA INC ORD by Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.

TBPMF

TEDU

TEUM

Stocks That Hit 52-Week Lows On Monday

California BanCorp

<p>HC Wainwright &amp; Co.  analyst Amit Dayal   reiterates REE Automotive (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REE#NASDAQ">REE</a>) with a Buy and maintains $15 price target.</p>


Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

HC Wainwright & Co. Reiterates Buy on REE Automotive, Maintains $15 Price Target

NVNI

Nvni Group Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Down -20.4%

<p>HC Wainwright &amp; Co.  analyst Amit Dayal   reiterates Aemetis (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMTX#NASDAQ">AMTX</a>) with a Buy and maintains $28 price target.</p>


AMTX

HC Wainwright & Co. Reiterates Buy on Aemetis, Maintains $28 Price Target

<p><strong>Lululemon Athletica's</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NYSE">LULU</a>) short percent of float has fallen 14.2% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has <strong>5.50 million shares sold short</strong>, which is 5.56% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, <strong>it would take traders 3.55 days to cover their short positions on average.</strong></p>
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
<p>Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.</p>
<p>Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.</p>
<p><strong>See Also:</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest"><strong>List of the most shorted stocks</strong></a></p>
<h3>Lululemon Athletica Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734973224_0.png" alt="short_fig" /></p>
<p>As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Lululemon Athletica has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.</p>
<h3>Comparing Lululemon Athletica's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
<p>Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Lululemon Athletica's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 9.62%, which means the company has <strong>less</strong> short interest than most of its peers.</p>
<p>Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be <strong>bullish</strong> for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/"><strong>This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


Short Sellers

Short Ideas

LULU

Peering Into Lululemon Athletica's Recent Short Interest

<p><strong>Curtiss-Wright's</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CW#NYSE">CW</a>) short percent of float has risen 36.78% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has <strong>400 thousand shares sold short</strong>, which is 1.19% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, <strong>it would take traders 1.64 days to cover their short positions on average.</strong></p>
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
<p>Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.</p>
<p>Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.</p>
<p><strong>See Also:</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest"><strong>List of the most shorted stocks</strong></a></p>
<h3>Curtiss-Wright Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734973218_0.png" alt="short_fig" /></p>
<p>As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Curtiss-Wright has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.</p>
<h3>Comparing Curtiss-Wright's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
<p>Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Curtiss-Wright's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.99%, which means the company has <strong>less</strong> short interest than most of its peers.</p>
<p>Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be <strong>bullish</strong> for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/"><strong>This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


How Is The Market Feeling About Curtiss-Wright?

<p>For generations, owning a home has been celebrated as a cornerstone of the American dream. If you believe the financial advice echoed by countless experts, it's where you put down roots, raise your family and invest in your biggest asset.</p>
<p>But <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42599186/a-trillion-seconds-was-31688-years-ago-robert-kiyosaki-runs-the-numbers-to-show-magnitude-of-the-nations-massive-mounting-debt">Robert Kiyosaki</a>, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has a blunt message: Your house is not your asset. In fact, you don't even truly own it.</p>
<p>As Kiyosaki said in a 2021 Facebook post:</p>
<p>"Your house is not your asset. You never own your house; the government does. You'll be paying them property tax forever."</p>
<p><strong>Don't Miss:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate —<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=unlockboost-yahoo"><strong> This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</strong></a></strong></li>
<li><strong>This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to <a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=byerscta100"><strong>become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100 for properties like the Byer House from Stranger Things.</strong></a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>It's a provocative claim, but Kiyosaki's reasoning is this: If something consistently costs you rather than putting money in your pocket, it's not an asset.</p>
<p>He points to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/05/38620303/grant-cardone-exposes-housing-cost-surge-under-biden-mortgages-have-doubled-to-the-highest-level-in">ongoing expenses of homeownership – </a>mortgage payments, repairs, maintenance, utilities and, most notably, property taxes. Even when you've paid off your mortgage and hold the title to your home, you're not off the hook. Property taxes don't go away.</p>
<p>Property taxes are levied by local governments and are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/42010931/florida-just-introduced-a-property-tax-cola-for-retirees-how-this-boost-could-ease-housing-costs-for-thousands">calculated based on the assessed value</a> of your home. These taxes fund schools, infrastructure and emergency services but are a perpetual expense. If you fail to pay them, the consequences can be severe. The government can place a lien on your property and in extreme cases, your house could even be seized and sold to recover the debt.</p>
<p><strong>See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl-y2"><strong> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</strong></a></strong></p>
<p>This is where Kiyosaki's argument hits hardest. Even though you may technically own your home, the reality is that the government retains a financial claim on it forever. For many, that's a sobering realization.</p>
<p>To be fair, there are exceptions. Some states offer tax breaks or exemptions for seniors, veterans or disabled homeowners. Others have homestead protections to limit how much property taxes can rise each year. But for most homeowners, these taxes remain a significant, lifelong expense.</p>
<p><strong>Trending: </strong><strong>Wondering if your investments can get you to a $5,000,000 nest egg? Speak to a financial advisor today.<a href="https://smartasset.com/retirement/find-a-financial-planner?utm_source=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=ben&amp;utm_content=y2_5MilNestEgg"><strong> </strong><strong>SmartAsset&#8217;s free tool matches you up with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost</strong></a> to decide which one is right for you.</strong></p>
<p>Kiyosaki doesn't dismiss real estate altogether – far from it. He makes a sharp distinction between primary residences and investment properties. Unlike your home, investment properties can generate income through rent while appreciating, making them true assets in his eyes.</p>
<p>This perspective challenges the traditional narrative that homeownership is the ultimate financial milestone. Many people buy homes believing they're securing their future, but Kiyosaki argues that unless your home actively puts money in your pocket, it's not an investment – it's a liability.</p>
<p>So, what does this mean for the way people see homeownership? Does it change how you view your biggest purchase or reinforce the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/05/38874948/have-american-renters-given-up-on-the-dream-of-homeownership">value of owning a home despite the costs</a>?</p>
<p><strong>Read Next:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=stockmarket-yahoo"><strong> this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</strong></a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=jeffbezos100"><strong> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $100.</strong></a></strong></li>
</ul>


'You'll Never Own Your House. The Government Does' – Robert Kiyosaki Argues Your Home Is Never An Asset Because Property Taxes Are 'Forever'

<p><strong>SLM's</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NYSE">SLM</a>) short percent of float has risen 4.85% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has <strong>8.05 million shares sold short</strong>, which is 4.54% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, <strong>it would take traders 2.56 days to cover their short positions on average.</strong></p>
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
<p>Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.</p>
<p>Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.</p>
<p><strong>See Also:</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest"><strong>List of the most shorted stocks</strong></a></p>
<h3>SLM Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734973213_0.png" alt="short_fig" /></p>
<p>As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for SLM has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.</p>
<h3>Comparing SLM's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
<p>Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, SLM's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.38%, which means the company has <strong>less</strong> short interest than most of its peers.</p>
<p>Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be <strong>bullish</strong> for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/"><strong>This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


Peering Into SLM's Recent Short Interest

<p>HC Wainwright &amp; Co.  analyst Edward White   reiterates 60 Degrees (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SXTP#NASDAQ">SXTP</a>) from Neutral to Neutral.</p>


SXTP

HC Wainwright & Co. Reiterates Neutral on 60 Degreesto Neutral

WIIM

LAES

QBTS

QUBT

Shares of quantum computing companies are trading higher. The sector has recently seen increased interest.

<p>B of A Securities  analyst Justin Post   maintains Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) with a Buy and maintains $210 price target.</p>


GOOGL

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Alphabet, Maintains $210 Price Target

<p>Could 2025 mark a sluggish year for the S&amp;P 500? Historical data suggests that investors may need to tread cautiously, especially given the patterns tied to the first year of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump">a U.S. presidential term.</a> </p>
<p>An analysis of market performance dating back to 1928 shows that the S&amp;P 500's average returns during the inaugural year of a presidency have lagged behind its typical performance—particularly under Republican administrations.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Historical Data Highlights First Year Struggles</h3>
<p>The first year of a U.S. presidential term has historically been marked by volatility in the S&amp;P 500 – as tracked by the <strong>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) – with performance oscillating between striking gains and painful losses. </p>
<p>Data from Seasonax reveals that while the median return for the index in these years stands at 8.44%, the probability of positive performance—captured by a 58.33% winning ratio—barely tips the scales in favor of gains.</p>
<p>For comparison, in an average year since 1928, the S&amp;P 500 has delivered a median return of 11%, with 67.37% of those years ending in positive territory.</p>
<p>&#8220;In year 1 of a US presidential cycle, the average SPX trend has tended to struggle from mid-January through April, rallied into the summer, and declined into year-end,&#8221; wrote Bank of America analyst <strong>Paul Ciana</strong> in a note published Monday.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42647650/palantir-vs-lockheed-a-tech-fueled-showdown-in-the-850-billion-defense-market">Palantir Vs. Lockheed: A Tech-Fueled Showdown In The $850 Billion Defense Market</a></strong></p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Republican And Q1 Effects</h3>
<p>The median return during Republican first years is -10.11%, and the winning ratio drops to 36.36%, highlighting the increased likelihood of losses.</p>
<p>The early months of a presidential year have also been tough for markets. From inauguration in late January to the end of March, the S&amp;P 500&#8217;s median return is -0.09%, with gains recorded only 50% of the time.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Trump 2017: An Exception to the Rule</strong></h3>
<p>President-elect <strong>Donald Trump</strong>'s first year in 2017 bucked these historical trends, delivering exceptional market performance.</p>
<p>From his inauguration to the end of March, the S&amp;P 500 gained 4.2%, outperforming historical averages for both first presidential years and Republican presidencies. By year-end, the index had surged 19.40%, marking a robust first-year performance.</p>
<p><figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><br />
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Metric</strong></th>
<th><strong>Normal Year (1928-2023)</strong></th>
<th><strong>First Presidential Year</strong></th>
<th><strong>First Republican Presidential Year</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trump 2017</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Median Annual Return</strong></td>
<td>+11.00%</td>
<td>+8.44%</td>
<td>-10.11%</td>
<td>+19.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Winning Annual Trades (%)</strong></td>
<td>67.37%</td>
<td>58.33%</td>
<td>36.36%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Max Annual Gain</strong></td>
<td>+48.02%</td>
<td>+48.02%</td>
<td>+30.65%</td>
<td>+19.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Max Annual Loss</strong></td>
<td>-48.77%</td>
<td>-37.68%</td>
<td>-18.09%</td>
<td>0.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Median Return (Inauguration-end Q1)</strong></td>
<td>+1.68%</td>
<td>-4.99%</td>
<td>+0.08%</td>
<td>+4.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Winning trades (Inauguration-end Q1</strong>)</td>
<td>63.54%</td>
<td>50%</td>
<td>54.55%</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Data: Seasonax</em></figcaption></p></figure></p>
<p><strong>Read Next: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42649864/tariffs-or-more-energy-analyst-warns-of-high-costs-limited-capacity-if-europe-bows-to-trumps-lng-push"><strong>Tariffs Or More Energy: Analyst Warns Of High Costs, Limited Capacity If Europe Bows To Trump&#8217;s LNG Push</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><em>Photo: Shutterstock</em></p>


Analyst Color

Equities

Large Cap

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

ETFs

History Suggests S&P 500 Could Struggle In 2025, But There's Reason For Optimism

<p>B of A Securities  analyst Ming Hsun Lee   initiates coverage on Pony AI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PONY#NASDAQ">PONY</a>) with a Buy rating and announces Price Target of $18.</p>


Initiation

PONY

B of A Securities Initiates Coverage On Pony AI with Buy Rating, Announces Price Target of $18

<p>Good Morning Traders! In today&#8217;s Market Clubhouse Morning Memo, we will discuss SPY, QQQ, AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META, and TSLA.</p>
<p>Our proprietary formula, exclusive to Market Clubhouse, dictates these price levels. This dynamic equation takes into account price, volume, and options flow. These levels are updated every day and shared with all Clubhouse Members, prior to the opening of the market.</p>
<p>We recommend closely monitoring these stocks, and be prepared to leverage potential breakouts or reversals. As always, stay alert and ready to adjust your tactics based on the market&#8217;s pulse to optimize your trading gains. Now, let&#8217;s dive into the stock analysis:</p>
<p><strong>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)</strong></p>
<p>SPY is currently trading near 589.71. For the bulls, a move above 592.00 is crucial. Holding above this level may lead to a push toward 593.73, with this area acting as a critical support zone during the session. If buyers maintain momentum above 593.73, further upside to 596.57 is possible, with the ultimate bull target for the day set at 598.04.</p>
<p>Should 589.71 fail to hold as support, bears will aim to test 587.31. A breakdown below this level could lead to further selling pressure toward 585.75. If weakness persists, SPY might drop to 584.68, with the low bear target for today positioned at 583.18.</p>
<p><strong>I</strong><strong>nvesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)</strong></p>
<p>QQQ is hovering around 521.15, a key level for the day. Bulls need to establish support above this point for a move higher. A breakout could bring 522.57 into play as a strong support area. With sustained buying, we could see 523.91 tested, followed by a potential rally toward 525.19. The high bull target for QQQ is set at 527.03.</p>
<p>If 521.15 doesn&#8217;t hold, bears could press lower toward 519.87. Continued selling may lead to a test of 517.97, with 516.58 as the next significant support level. Should the selling persist, the bears might push QQQ down to its low target of 515.00.</p>
<p><strong>Apple Inc. </strong></p>
<p>Apple is trading near 255.16, a pivotal level for the session. Bulls will aim to keep this level intact to drive prices toward 256.09. Sustained buying pressure could bring the price up to 257.32, with further strength likely pushing AAPL to its high bull target of 258.56.</p>
<p>If 255.16 is lost as support, sellers may target 253.90. A deeper sell-off could lead to a move down to 252.13, with continued pressure potentially bringing 250.39 into focus. The low bear target for AAPL today stands at 249.04.</p>
<p><strong>Microsoft Corp. </strong></p>
<p>Microsoft is currently trading around 437.10, a critical level for bulls. Holding above this area could trigger a rally to 438.72, which would need to act as solid support. Sustained bullish action may then push prices toward 441.34, with the high bull target for the day set at 442.95.</p>
<p>If 437.10 cannot hold, bears are likely to test 435.79. A break below this level could lead to further selling toward 434.49, with continued downside pressure potentially targeting 432.49. The low bear target for Microsoft is 431.25.</p>
<p><strong>NVIDIA Corporation <br /></strong>NVIDIA is auctioning near 135.64, a key level for today's session. Bulls need to clear 136.98 and turn it into support to see further upward momentum. A strong buy-side push could lead to a test of 137.94, with potential gains extending to 138.55. The high bull target for NVIDIA is 139.42.</p>
<p>If 135.64 is lost as support, bears could drive prices down to 134.56. A break of this level might lead to additional selling, testing 133.31. Continued bearish pressure could bring NVIDIA to 132.19, with the low target set at 131.42.</p>
<p><strong>Alphabet Inc Class A </strong></p>
<p>Alphabet is trading near 193.14, an important level for the bulls to defend. Holding above this area could see prices push higher toward 194.34. Sustained buying may lead to a move up to the high bull target of 195.41.</p>
<p>If 193.14 fails to hold as support, bears could take control and test 192.19. Selling pressure might bring the price lower to 191.42, with heavy selling likely pushing GOOGL to its low target of 190.41.</p>
<p><strong>Meta Platforms Inc</strong></p>
<p>Meta is trading near 585.73, a key pivot for bulls. If this level is maintained as support, we could see a rally toward 591.29. Continued strength might bring 598.17 into play, with the high bull target at 604.50.</p>
<p>If 585.73 fails to hold, bears will likely push the price lower to 580.17. A break of this level may lead to further declines, testing 573.25. Persistent selling could bring Meta to its low bear target of 565.53.</p>
<p><strong>Tesla Inc. </strong></p>
<p>Tesla is currently near 431.50, a critical area for the bulls to reclaim. A strong move above this level could see prices climbing toward 437.95. Continued momentum could push the price higher to 448.48, with an extended rally targeting the high bull level at 462.12.</p>
<p>If 431.50 does not hold, sellers may test 426.23. Weakness below this level could see further declines to 420.70, with persistent selling likely driving Tesla to its low target of 416.62.</p>
<p>Final Word: Today's trading session begins with critical economic releases, including Canada's October GDP and the Chicago Fed National Activity Index for November, both due at 8:30 AM ET. These reports provide insights into economic trends that could shape early market sentiment. At 10:00 AM ET, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence report for December will be released, a key indicator of consumer spending and economic optimism.</p>
<p>Later, the Treasury will hold a 52-week Bill Auction at 11:30 AM ET, followed by a 2-Year Note Auction at 1:00 PM ET. These auctions may influence bond yields and, subsequently, equity markets. As this is a holiday week, trading volumes are expected to be lighter than usual, which can lead to heightened volatility. Be prepared for sudden price swings and remain disciplined in your trading approach. Stay vigilant, manage your risk carefully, and make informed decisions. Good luck and trade safely!</p>
<p>The Morning Memo is curated by RIPS, a pro trader with years of experience in equities, options, and futures trading. RIPS is at the heart of the exclusive Market Clubhouse community, offering his insights, expertise, and real-time mentorship.</p>
<p>Start your day with a live daily market analysis, a carefully selected watch list, early access to the Morning Memo, and exclusive Market Clubhouse price levels, providing precise support and resistance indicators. When you become a member of Market Clubhouse, you will gain early access to the Morning Memo, just like this one, every single day—hours before it&#8217;s published. You will also have access to a live stream with zero latency and screen sharing, enabling you to witness Rips executing his trades in real-time and sharing his exclusive trading plans, strategies, and live decision-making.</p>
<p>For a limited time during our special promotion, you can join RIPS and get a full access pass to Market Clubhouse for 7 full days for just $7. Check it out at <a href="https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/" title="https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/">https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/</a> where you can trade live with him and tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience. You can also catch Rips on his live day trading streams every Monday-Friday at 8 am EST on the Market Clubhouse YouTube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse" title="https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse">https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse</a>.</p>


Market Clubhouse Morning Memo - December 23rd, 2024 (Trade Strategy For SPY, QQQ, AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META and TSLA)

<p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://thearorareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-23_08h02_56.png" alt="" /></figure></p>
<p><em>To gain an edge, this is what you need to know today.</em></p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Profiting From Stock Market Hopium</strong></h4>
<p>An enlarged chart of <strong>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) which represents the benchmark stock market index S&amp;P 500 (SPX).</p>
<p>Note the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>The chart shows Friday was an outside day.&nbsp; It is a bullish technical signal.</li>
<li>The chart shows that the stock market hit the breakout line before bouncing.</li>
<li>The chart shows that RSI is close to oversold.</li>
<li>The set up shown on the chart is a good setup for a Santa Claus rally.</li>
<li>The chart shows the higher volume on Friday.&nbsp; This indicates conviction.</li>
<li>In the early trade, initially there was strong buying.&nbsp; As of this writing in the premarket, selling is coming in.</li>
<li>Momo gurus have a new narrative – after lower PCE data, the Fed will continue cutting rates.&nbsp; Momo gurus are urging their followers to ignore everything the FOMC said and everything Powell said in his press conference.</li>
<li>In The Arora Report analysis, in spite of bullish technical signals and bullish seasonality, investors should not ignore negative macro signals that arose from the FOMC decision and many investors in the stock market finally coming to the realization that the data does not support aggressive rate cuts.</li>
<li>Right now, the stock market is running up on hopium.&nbsp; Once Trump is inaugurated, the stock market will have to meet reality.</li>
<li>The Arora Report call is to consider taking partial profits on tactical positions between Christmas and New Years.&nbsp; Investors should be prepared to take more profits on tactical positions between New Year and Trump's inauguration.&nbsp; Open new tactical positions on dips and on new signals.</li>
<li>The Arora Report call is to continue to hold good strategic positions.</li>
<li>There is no change in the protection band.&nbsp; Please see details in the "Protection Band And What To Do Now" section below.&nbsp; For investors who are underinvested relative to the protection band and are aggressive, consider scaling in on strategic positions when they fall in the buy zones.</li>
<li>In The Arora Report analysis, the ideal time to buy will be if there is a 6% &#8211; 10% correction.</li>
<li>Since Trump's election, across all services from The Arora Report, there have been 84 profit taking signals.&nbsp; This illustrates the power of combining tactical positions with taking partial profits on some strategic positions. Please see the Trade Management Guidelines for how to properly take partial profits.</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Magnificent Seven Money Flows</strong></h4>
<p>In the early trade, money flows are positive in <strong>Alphabet Inc Class C</strong>, <strong>Meta Platforms Inc</strong>, <strong>NVIDIA Corp</strong>, and <strong>Tesla Inc</strong>.</p>
<p>In the early trade, money flows are neutral in <strong>Amazon.com, Inc.</strong>, <strong>Microsoft Corp</strong> and <strong>Apple Inc</strong>.</p>
<p>In the early trade, money flows are neutral in S&amp;P 500 ETF (SPY) and <strong>Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>).</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Momo Crowd And Smart Money In Stocks</strong></h4>
<p>Investors can gain an edge by knowing money flows in SPY and QQQ.&nbsp; Investors can get a bigger edge by knowing when smart money is buying stocks, gold, and oil.&nbsp; The most popular ETF for gold is <strong>SPDR Gold Trust</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>).&nbsp; The most popular ETF for silver is <strong>iShares Silver Trust </strong>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLV#NYSE">SLV</a>).&nbsp; The most popular ETF for oil is <strong>United States Oil ETF</strong> (ASCA:USO).</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bitcoin</strong></h4>
<p><strong>Bitcoin</strong> is range bound.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Protection Band And What To Do Now</strong></h4>
<p>It is important for investors to look ahead and not in the rearview mirror.&nbsp; The proprietary protection band from The Arora Report is very popular.&nbsp; The protection band puts all of the data, all of the indicators, all of the news, all of the crosscurrents, all of the models, and all of the analysis in an analytical framework that is easily actionable by investors.</p>
<p>Consider continuing to hold good, very long term, existing positions. Based on individual risk preference, consider a protection band consisting of cash or Treasury bills or short-term tactical trades as well as short to medium term hedges and short term hedges. This is a good way to protect yourself and participate in the upside at the same time.</p>
<p>You can determine your protection bands by adding cash to hedges.&nbsp; The high band of the protection is appropriate for those who are older or conservative. The low band of the protection is appropriate for those who are younger or aggressive.&nbsp; If you do not hedge, the total cash level should be more than stated above but significantly less than cash plus hedges.</p>
<p>A protection band of 0% would be very bullish and would indicate full investment with 0% in cash.&nbsp; A protection band of 100% would be very bearish and would indicate a need for aggressive protection with cash and hedges or aggressive short selling.</p>
<p><strong>It is worth reminding that you cannot take advantage of new upcoming opportunities if you are not holding enough cash.&nbsp; </strong>When adjusting hedge levels, consider adjusting partial stop quantities for stock positions (non ETF); consider using wider stops on remaining quantities and also allowing more room for high beta stocks.&nbsp; High beta stocks are the ones that move more than the market.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Traditional 60/40 Portfolio</strong></h4>
<p>Probability based risk reward adjusted for inflation does not favor long duration strategic bond allocation at this time.</p>
<p>Those who want to stick to traditional 60% allocation to stocks and 40% to bonds may consider focusing on only high quality bonds and bonds of five year duration or less.&nbsp; Those willing to bring sophistication to their investing may consider using bond ETFs as tactical positions and not strategic positions at this time.</p>
<p><strong>The Arora Report is known for its accurate calls. The Arora Report correctly called the big artificial intelligence rally before anyone else, the new bull market of 2023, the bear market of 2022, new stock market highs right after the virus low in 2020, the virus drop in 2020, the DJIA rally to 30,000 when it was trading at 16,000, the start of a mega bull market in 2009, and the financial crash of 2008. Please click here to sign up for a free forever </strong><a href="https://thearorareport.com/generate-wealth-newsletter-benzinga"><strong>Generate Wealth Newsletter</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>


Bullish Technical Signal, Santa Claus Rally, Taking Advantage Of Hopium

<p>Baird  analyst Jonathan Komp   maintains Nike (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $110 to $105.</p>


Baird Maintains Outperform on Nike, Lowers Price Target to $105

<p>Embedded finance is reshaping how people interact with financial services, offering solutions integrated into everyday applications. During a panel discussion on embedded finance at the <strong>Benzinga Fintech Deal Day &amp; Awards</strong> event, Rob Nardelli of DailyPay shared an example of how real-time earned wage access redefines financial accessibility.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Challenges with Traditional Banking Systems</strong></h3>
<p>Nardelli explained the concept: "Earned wage access simply means giving workers the ability to access their wages as they earn them in real-time without waiting until their regularly scheduled payday." He highlighted how DailyPay uses tools such as real-time payments and Visa Direct for instant transactions, providing financial flexibility to users.</p>
<p>One illustrative story involved a DailyPay user who needed funds for gas during a first date. He accessed his earned wages instantly through the app with no other options. "There is a happy ending to this story," Nardelli added. "That couple… are now married happily."</p>
<p>Diksha Gera, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, provided a contrasting perspective by recounting her experience with traditional banking. After moving to the U.S., she found opening a bank account cumbersome, especially when faced with unfamiliar systems like paper checks. "Nobody wants to go and make banking another task in the day," she remarked.</p>
<p>This frustration highlights the significance of integrating banking services into non-financial platforms, enabling users to access solutions without the inefficiencies of legacy systems.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Role of Real-Time Payments</strong></h3>
<p>Real-time payments are a critical driver of embedded finance, offering immediate transactions and reducing delays associated with traditional banking. According to Gera, countries like India and Brazil are leading the charge, with widespread adoption of real-time payment systems accelerating financial inclusion.</p>
<p>However, the adoption rate in the U.S. remains slower. Gera pointed out that the country&#8217;s entrenched reliance on credit cards challenges faster integration. Despite these hurdles, advancements such as the FedNow system and private partnerships indicate progress.</p>
<p>Nardelli echoed these sentiments, noting that real-time payments are central to DailyPay's success. He highlighted their role in reducing financial stress for users and emphasized the importance of robust pre-payment due diligence to mitigate risks such as fraud.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FinTech and Banking Partnerships Are Crucial</strong></h3>
<p>Collaboration between fintech firms and traditional banks emerged as another focal point of the discussion. Sarah Biller, co-founder of FinTech Sandbox, described these partnerships as vital for scaling embedded finance solutions. "We have to treat [fintech partners] like a digital branch," she said, underscoring the need for collaboration while adhering to rigorous compliance standards.</p>
<p>The panelists agreed that regulatory clarity and robust infrastructure are essential to fostering effective collaborations. As banks and fintechs continue to align, the evolution of embedded finance is poised to address longstanding gaps in accessibility and convenience.</p>
<p>This growing integration, bolstered by technology and strategic partnerships, is paving the way for a more inclusive and efficient financial future.</p>
<p><em>Photo by Corynn Egreczky</em></p>


Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

Events

Exclusives

Real-Time Payments And Embedded Finance: Bridging Gaps In Modern Banking

<p><strong>Honda Motor Company, Ltd.</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>) and <strong>Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.</strong> (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSANY#OTC">NSANY</a>) confirmed their merger plans at a joint press conference on Monday and said they aim for a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642773/honda-nissan-start-merger-talks">completion date of August 2026</a>. </p>
<p>If successful, the merger would create the world's third-largest automobile group based on global sales volume. </p>
<p><strong>What To Know: </strong>The automakers plan to establish a new holding company, with Honda to appoint most of the board members and president of the new company. </p>
<p>"We have confirmed again that our business integration will bring about synergy in all areas and that the impact of this will be greater than expected," Honda President <strong>Toshihiro Mibe </strong>said, per the <a href="https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/companies/20241223-229370/">Japan News</a>.  "We aim to set a direction by the end of January," he added.  </p>
<p><strong>Read Next: </strong><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42598651/mystery-drone-sightings-all-over-the-country-trump-says-what-to-know-about-investigations-lawmakers-reactions"><strong>&#8216;Mystery Drone&#8217; Sightings Spark Investigations, Politicians Respond: &#8216;Shoot Them Down,&#8217; Trump Says</strong></a></p>
<p>The companies are considering including <strong>Mitsubishi Motors </strong>(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MMTOF#OTC">MMTOF</a>) in the new consolidated company. Nissan is Mitsubishi's largest shareholder with a 24% stake in the company, and its president was present at Monday's joint press conference. </p>
<p><strong>Why It Matters:</strong> Tokyo-based Honda could prove to be a lifeline for Nissan, which has struggled with declining vehicle sales in the U.S. and globally. </p>
<p>The automakers have already developed a partnership developing next-gen electric vehicle platforms. </p>
<p>The merger would also allow both companies to pool resources and reduce development costs in the face of increasing competition from Chinese automakers, including BYD, <strong>NIO, Inc. </strong>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) and <strong>Li Auto, Inc. </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>). </p>
<p>&#8220;Creation of new mobility value by bringing together the resources including knowledge, talents, and technologies that Honda and Nissan have been developing over the long years is essential to overcome challenging environmental shifts that the auto industry is facing," Honda Director and Representative Executive Officer <strong>Toshihiro Mibe</strong> said.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Nissan, based in Yokohama, Japan, has seen it sales in China drop, with 2023 sales reduced to nearly half of its 2019 sales volumes which counted for 1 in 3 of Nissan&#8217;s global sales at the time. </p>
<p>"These Nissan-Honda merger discussions, coupled with the recent challenges at Stellantis and production cutbacks in Europe, all point to a single, stark reality: a new force has emerged in the automotive sector, and legacy automakers need to be acutely aware of the competitive threat," said Moody's <strong>Michael Brisson</strong> said referring to the Chinese <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nissan-honda-merger-talks-not-a-shocker-given-the-stark-reality-of-the-auto-business-172947911.html">automakers</a>, per Yahoo Finance.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Read Next:&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42564443/santa-came-early-with-rate-cut-but-federal-reserve-brings-coal-next-year-experts-weigh-in-on-rate-cut-feds-2025-projections"><strong>&#8216;Santa Came Early&#8217; But Fed Brings &#8216;Coal Next Year&#8217;: Experts Weigh In On Interest Rate Cut, 2025 Projections</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>


Global

MMTOF

NSANY

Honda, Nissan Confirm Merger Plans To Offset Chinese EV Competition: How Mitsubishi Factors In

<p>Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on <strong>UnitedHealth Group</strong>.</p>
<p>Looking at options history for UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) we detected 25 trades.</p>
<p>If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 28% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 36% with bearish.</p>
<p>From the overall spotted trades, 10 are puts, for a total amount of $442,883 and 15, calls, for a total amount of $988,254.</p>
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
<p>After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $320.0 and $620.0 for UnitedHealth Group, spanning the last three months.</p>
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
<p>In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for UnitedHealth Group options trades today is 539.5 with a total volume of 2,779.00.</p>
<p>In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for UnitedHealth Group's big money trades within a strike price range of $320.0 to $620.0 over the last 30 days.</p>
<h3>UnitedHealth Group Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734972331_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th align="right"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$21.45</td>
<td>$16.75</td>
<td>$20.0</td>
<td>$580.00</td>
<td>$276.0K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">138</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$196.2</td>
<td>$189.45</td>
<td>$192.83</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
<td>$96.4K</td>
<td>20</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$580.00</td>
<td>$86.8K</td>
<td>385</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/27/24</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$4.04</td>
<td>$500.00</td>
<td>$80.3K</td>
<td>726</td>
<td align="right">485</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$19.2</td>
<td>$19.05</td>
<td>$19.05</td>
<td>$480.00</td>
<td>$78.1K</td>
<td>527</td>
<td align="right">46</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About UnitedHealth Group</h3>
<p>UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers, providing medical benefits to about 50 million members globally, including 1 million outside the us as June 2024. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in managed care. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's continued investments in its Optum franchises have created a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from medical and pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.</p>
<p>Following our analysis of the options activities associated with UnitedHealth Group, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.</p>
<h3>Current Position of UnitedHealth Group</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 1,337,958, the UNH's price is up by 0.81%, now at $504.17. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 18 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for UnitedHealth Group</h3>
<p>A total of 4 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $648.75.</p>
<p><strong>Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?</strong></p>
<p>20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights"><strong>Click here for access</strong></a>.<br />
&#x2A; An analyst from Deutsche Bank persists with their Buy rating on UnitedHealth Group, maintaining a target price of $625.<br />
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Overweight rating on UnitedHealth Group with a target price of $655.<br />
&#x2A; An analyst from Stephens &amp; Co. persists with their Overweight rating on UnitedHealth Group, maintaining a target price of $675.<br />
&#x2A; An analyst from Oppenheimer persists with their Outperform rating on UnitedHealth Group, maintaining a target price of $640. </p>
<p>Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.</p>
<p>If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for UnitedHealth Group, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.</p>


Options

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in UnitedHealth Group

<p>Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on <strong>Broadcom</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>).</p>
<p>And retail traders should know.</p>
<p>We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.</p>
<p>Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with AVGO, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.</p>
<p>So how do we know what these investors just did? </p>
<p>Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 98 uncommon options trades for Broadcom.</p>
<p>This isn't normal.</p>
<p>The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 46% bullish and 42%, bearish.</p>
<p>Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 16 are puts, for a total amount of $1,725,870, and 82 are calls, for a total amount of $5,758,966.</p>
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
<p>Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $75.0 to $300.0 for Broadcom over the recent three months. </p>
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
<p>Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Broadcom's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Broadcom's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $75.0 to $300.0 over the preceding 30 days.</p>
<h3>Broadcom Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734972325_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>AVGO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$4.85</td>
<td>$4.85</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$970.6K</td>
<td>505</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AVGO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$7.0</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
<td>$469.0K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td>3.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AVGO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$161.1</td>
<td>$156.75</td>
<td>$159.0</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$318.0K</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AVGO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$41.6</td>
<td>$41.3</td>
<td>$41.3</td>
<td>$188.00</td>
<td>$235.4K</td>
<td>3.4K</td>
<td>57</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AVGO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$59.3</td>
<td>$59.0</td>
<td>$59.0</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
<td>$147.5K</td>
<td>976</td>
<td>56</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Broadcom</h3>
<p>Broadcom is the sixth-largest semiconductor company globally and has expanded into various software businesses, with over $30 billion in annual revenue. It sells 17 core semiconductor product lines across wireless, networking, broadband, storage, and industrial markets. It is primarily a fabless designer but holds some manufacturing in-house, like for its best-of-breed FBAR filters that sell into the Apple iPhone. In software, it sells virtualization, infrastructure, and security software to large enterprises, financial institutions, and governments.Broadcom is the product of consolidation. Its businesses are an amalgamation of former companies like legacy Broadcom and Avago Technologies in chips, as well as Brocade, CA Technologies, and Symantec in software.</p>
<p>Having examined the options trading patterns of Broadcom, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance</p>
<h3>Broadcom's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 15,318,036, with AVGO's price up by 4.5%, positioned at $230.12.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 73 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Broadcom</h3>
<p>5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $238.6.</p>
<p><strong>Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?</strong></p>
<p>20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights"><strong>Click here for access</strong></a>.<br />
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays persists with their Overweight rating on Broadcom, maintaining a target price of $205.<br />
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Overweight rating for Broadcom, targeting a price of $233.<br />
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Broadcom, which currently sits at a price target of $265.<br />
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Piper Sandler keeps a Overweight rating on Broadcom with a target price of $250.<br />
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Deutsche Bank keeps a Buy rating on Broadcom with a target price of $240. </p>
<p>Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Broadcom with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.</p>


AVGO

Behind the Scenes of Broadcom's Latest Options Trends

<p>Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Vertiv Hldgs. Our analysis of options history for Vertiv Hldgs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRT#NYSE">VRT</a>) revealed 13 unusual trades.</p>
<p>Delving into the details, we found 38% of traders were bullish, while 46% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 9 were puts, with a value of $534,736, and 4 were calls, valued at $275,600.</p>
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
<p>After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $95.0 and $140.0 for Vertiv Hldgs, spanning the last three months.</p>
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
<p>Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.</p>
<p>This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Vertiv Hldgs's options for a given strike price.</p>
<p>Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Vertiv Hldgs's whale activity within a strike price range from $95.0 to $140.0 in the last 30 days. </p>
<h3>Vertiv Hldgs 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734972321_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" /></p>
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>
<p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Symbol</strong></th>
<th><strong>PUT/CALL</strong></th>
<th><strong>Trade Type</strong></th>
<th><strong>Sentiment</strong></th>
<th><strong>Exp. Date</strong></th>
<th><strong>Ask</strong></th>
<th><strong>Bid</strong></th>
<th><strong>Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Strike Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Total Trade Price</strong></th>
<th><strong>Open Interest</strong></th>
<th align="right"><strong>Volume</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>VRT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$19.0</td>
<td>$18.2</td>
<td>$19.0</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$190.0K</td>
<td>817</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$28.1</td>
<td>$28.0</td>
<td>$28.1</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$132.0K</td>
<td>214</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$6.8</td>
<td>$7.5</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$75.0K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$19.4</td>
<td>$19.0</td>
<td>$19.27</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$53.9K</td>
<td>117</td>
<td align="right">48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$16.8</td>
<td>$16.4</td>
<td>$16.4</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$49.1K</td>
<td>221</td>
<td align="right">90</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<h3>About Vertiv Hldgs</h3>
<p>Vertiv Holdings Co brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to ensure its customers vital applications run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. The company solves the important challenges faced by data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Its services include critical power, thermal management, racks and enclosures, monitoring and management, and other services. Its three business segments include the Americas, Asia Pacific; and Europe, Middle East &amp; Africa.</p>
<p>In light of the recent options history for Vertiv Hldgs, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.</p>
<h3>Current Position of Vertiv Hldgs</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,375,715, the price of VRT is down by -1.54%, reaching $118.19.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 58 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Vertiv Hldgs</h3>
<p>In the last month, 2 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $148.5.</p>
<p><strong>Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?</strong></p>
<p>20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights"><strong>Click here for access</strong></a>.<br />
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Barclays downgraded its rating to Equal-Weight, setting a price target of $142.<br />
&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup persists with their Buy rating on Vertiv Hldgs, maintaining a target price of $155. </p>
<p>Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.</p>
<p>If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Vertiv Hldgs, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.</p>


Vertiv Hldgs's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

In a report released today, Gary Tenner from D.A. Davidson maintained a Buy rating on Southern California Bancorp (BCAL – Research Report), with a ...

D.A. Davidson Sticks to Its Buy Rating for Southern California Bancorp (BCAL)

Russell 3000 reshuffle: MITT, ROOT among added, EHTH, BKKT among deleted

KRNY, DOMA among notable financial additions to Russell Microcap; MBIN, AINC out

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p><strong>Southern Calif Bancorp</strong> (NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bcal-stock-quote/"><strong>BCAL</strong></a></span>) just reported results for the first quarter of 2024.</p><ul><li>Southern Calif Bancorp reported earnings per share of 26 cents. This was below the analyst estimate for EPS of 27 cents.</li><li>The company reported revenue of $21.91 million.</li><li>This was 0.42% worse than the analyst estimate for revenue of $22.00 million.</li></ul><div><p>InvestorPlace Earnings is a project that leverages data from <a href="https://www.tradesmith.com">TradeSmith</a> to automate coverage of quarterly earnings reports. InvestorPlace Earnings distills key takeaways including earnings per share and revenue, as well as how a company stacks up to analyst estimates. These articles are published without human intervention, allowing us to inform our readers of the latest figures as quickly as possible. To report any concerns or inaccuracies, please contact us at <a href="mailto:editor@investorplace.com">editor@investorplace.com</a>.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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BCAL Stock Earnings: Southern Calif Bancorp Misses EPS, Misses Revenue for Q1 2024

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p>One of many stock market indexes used to measure performance, the <strong>Russell 2000</strong> is composed of 2,000 small-cap companies that make up the bottom two-thirds of the <strong>Russell 3000</strong> index. The reason is that the top 1,000 stocks in the Russell 3000 make up 93% of the index&rsquo;s market cap, so focusing on the lower 2,000 allows analysts and investors to judge the movement of the small-cap market more accurately.</p>



<p>It is an excellent way to gauge the performance of smaller economic sectors while also finding stocks to buy and sell. Moreover, the industry breakdown of the Russell 2000 has healthcare and technology at a combined 29% of the index, which means it is subject to the general volatility of those industries. That said, due to their small-cap nature, knowing which Russell 2000 stocks to sell is imperative to maximizing profits from a position before it fizzles out.</p>



<h2>AADI Bioscience (AADI)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/biotechnologyepzm1600-300x169.png" alt="OLK Stock. Modern Medical Research Laboratory: Two Scientists Wearing Face Masks use Microscope, Analyse Sample in Petri Dish, Talk. Advanced Scientific Lab for Medicine, Biotechnology. Blue Color. KZR stock. RSLS stock. Best Biotech Stocks to Buy"><div>Source: Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>Tackling an incredibly complex and serious group of genetic disorders, <strong>AADI Biosciences </strong>(NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/aadi-stock-quote/"><strong>AADI</strong></a></span>) has something of an uphill battle ahead of it. The company&rsquo;s drug pipeline focuses on treating cancers that occur due to malfunctions in what is called the <a href="https://www.cellsignal.com/pathways/mtor-signaling-pathway">mTOR signaling pathway.</a> That&rsquo;s significant because the mTOR pathway serves as a regulator in metabolic and physiological processes like building muscle or repairing damaged cells.</p>



<p>However, when overactive it can lead to cancer, diabetes and even depression &mdash; depending on additional factors. Thus, many of AADI&rsquo;s current drugs and drug pipelines focus on inhibiting this pathway to treat the aforementioned diseases. Unfortunately, despite one successful drug reaching the market and another <a href="https://www.aadibio.com/pipeline-clinical-studies/">entering regulatory trials</a> by year&rsquo;s end, the company has struggled to garner investor interest and has lost 31% of its value year-to-date.</p>



<p>As such, investors may want to sell now before another quarter of losses posted by its earnings report and wait to buy back in at a lower price depending on the progress of its next regulatory trials.</p>



<h2>Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="165" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/aaoimsn-300x165.jpg" alt="cables"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div><p>With the gold rush of artificial intelligence data centers and computer processing networks, one would think that a company specializing in selling access networking technology would prosper. Yet, that hasn&rsquo;t been the story so far for <strong>Applied Optoelectronics </strong>(NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/aaoi-stock-quote/"><strong>AAOI</strong></a></span>) in 2024. Despite the company&rsquo;s varied product applications for the telecom and data center industry, it has lost 56% of its value year-to-date.</p>



<p>Moreover, the company is now trading at a third of its 52-week price high and is still reeling from its disappointing <a href="https://investors.ao-inc.com/news-releases/news-release-details/applied-optoelectronics-reports-first-quarter-2024-results">first-quarter earnings report.</a> With revenue down by 23% year-over-year (YOY), the company&rsquo;s net losses amounted to $23 million in Q1 2024. While some of this can be chalked up to research and development, major increases in sales and marketing costs paired with a significant dip in its <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/catv#:~:text=community%20antenna%20television%3A%20a%20cable,either%20poor%20or%20not%20possible.">community antenna television</a> sales hurt the company&rsquo;s long-term momentum.</p>



<p>Having only been in the Russell 2000 since June 11, 2024, the company has a ways to go but is still one of the index&rsquo;s worst performers for the year.</p>



<h2>Southern California Bancorp (BCAL)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/californiastocks1600-300x169.jpg" alt="a picture of Los Angeles, California"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div><p>A regional banking company that has struggled to retain income over the years, <strong>Southern California Bancorp </strong>(NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bcal-stock-quote/"><strong>BCAL</strong></a></span>) has performed quite poorly year-to-date. For the <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/bcal/revenue/">first quarter of 2024,</a> the company&rsquo;s revenue sank 15.32% YOY. This put it at only $22.24 million for the quarter, lower than three out of the four prior quarters. </p>



<p>Even more concerning, the bank&rsquo;s net income dropped <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&amp;ref=318302280&amp;type=HTML&amp;symbol=BCAL&amp;cdn=b443e9cded5d040aa9d4afe7533243ad&amp;companyName=Southern+Calif+Bancorp&amp;formType=10-Q&amp;formDescription=General+form+for+quarterly+reports+under+Section+13+or+15%28d%29&amp;dateFiled=2024-05-08">40% YOY,</a> bringing it to $4.94 million. When investing in <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/financial/bank/">bank stocks,</a> the bank&rsquo;s cash flow and liquidity are key to its prospects of generating returns and further investor interest. Without these catalyzing factors, BCAL stock will likely continue to wither as it lacks the capital needed to make substantial investing decisions.</p>



<p>Thus, with this downtrend &mdash; likely due to the economic and quality of life struggles in Southern California &mdash; BCAL stock is among the most important Russell 2000 stocks to sell.</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Viktor Zarev&nbsp;did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;</em><a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank"><em>Publishing Guidelines.</em></a></p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, the responsible editor did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.</em></p>
<div><p>Viktor Zarev is a scientist, researcher, and writer specializing in explaining the complex world of technology stocks through dedication to accuracy and understanding.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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3 Russell 2000 Stocks to Sell in July Before They Crash & Burn

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p>Over the last 50 years, the banking industry in the United States has undergone a significant number of changes that have left it <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/011916/brief-history-us-banking-regulation.asp">more centralized than ever</a>. It has also left them reliant on big banks in the Federal Reserve for most people&rsquo;s active financial management. Where once most people went to their regional banking companies to obtain loans for houses or cars, now many are relying on a handful of big banks instead.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Part of this is a result of the digitized nature of modern banking, since for most accounts, there&rsquo;s no need to ever step into a physical banking location to open or manage the account. As a result, the geographical advantage that regional banks once had over large banks is gone, and many are struggling to keep up. Thus, it may be worth selling regional <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/financial/bank/">bank stocks</a> over the next decade as digital banking and large corporations outcompete the sector.</p>



<h2>Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/fitb1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Fifth Third Bank sign on brick building"><div>Source: Susan Montgomery / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>With over <a href="https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en.html">1,100 branches</a> and an exceptionally wide range of services, from accounts and loans to wealth management, <strong>Fifth Third Bancorp </strong>(NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/fitb-stock-quote/"><strong>FITB</strong></a>) operates like something more of a large national bank than a regional one. However, for one reason or another, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based giant has remained relatively confined to the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States.</p>



<p>This has put FITB on a relatively stable yet stagnant revenue trajectory despite its stock performing very well over the last 12 months. From an analytical standpoint, the company is relatively healthy enough to invest in at the moment. Its price-to-earnings ratio of <a href="https://www.google.com/finance/quote/FITB:NASDAQ">17.68x</a> is more than fair for major regional bank stocks and is currently very close to its 52-week high.</p>



<p>However, both revenue and net income have gradually declined for the company, which can clue investors in on a future dip to avoid. With the company&rsquo;s most recent second-quarter earnings report marking a 2.44% decline in revenue and a 6.81% decrease in net income, its ability to remain liquid over the long run and maintain investment growth could be at risk. </p>



<h2>New York Community Bancorp (NYCB)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/nycb1600-300x169.png" alt="Person holding cellphone with logo of US company New York Community Bancorp Inc. (NYCB) in front of business webpage. Focus on phone display. Unmodified photo."><div>Source: T. Schneider / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>Back in April, I warned about <strong>New York Community Bancorp&rsquo;s</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/nycb-stock-quote/"><strong>NYCB</strong></a>) potential weakness following its rebranding to Flagstar. Since then, the stock has remained relatively flat, but its financial performance has decreased at a concerning pace.</p>



<p>The bank is currently facing a revenue decrease of 8.92% year-over-year, worsening its net losses of <a href="https://s203.q4cdn.com/110803960/files/doc_financials/2024/q1/nycb-1q24-10-q.pdf">$327 million</a>, which represents a 116% decrease year-over-year. As a result, both earnings per share and net profit margin are in the negative at -1.35 and -74.49% respectively. For a regional bank, this kind of income instability can be a death sentence over the long run, and may very well result in NYCB&rsquo;s being bought out by another, larger banking corporation.</p>



<p>Moreover, considering the general savings and investing struggles of the average person living in <a href="https://robinhood.org/news/annual-poverty-tracker-report-by-robin-hood-and-columbia-finds-nyc-poverty-increased-from-18-percent-to-23-percent-in-2022-a-jump-from-1-5-to-2-million-new-yorkers-living-in-poverty/#:~:text=Key%20findings%20from%20the%20report,from%2018%25%20to%2023%25.">New York City</a> and its metro area, NYCB is unlikely to raise capital from its region in the form of banking customers as many people leave the city due to increasing crime and cost of living.</p>



<h2>Southern California Bancorp (BCAL)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bank-stocks-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="bank customer sliding money to teller at bank desk. promising bank stocks"><div>Source: Syda Productions / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>Another regional banking corporation feeling the effects of regional flight on its income trajectory, <strong>Southern California Bancorp</strong> (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bcal-stock-quote/"><strong>BCAL</strong></a>) has performed quite poorly year-to-date. As of Q1 2024, the company&rsquo;s revenue has sunk 15.32% year-over-year. This puts it at $22.24 million for the quarter, one of the lowest quarterly revenues compared to its last four quarters. </p>



<p>As part of this downtrend, the bank&rsquo;s income for the same quarter dropped by 40% year-over-year, bringing it to <a href="https://investor.banksocal.com/news/news-details/2024/SOUTHERN-CALIFORNIA-BANCORP-REPORTS-NET-INCOME-OF-4.9-MILLION-FOR-THE-FIRST-QUARTER-OF-2024/default.aspx">$4.9 million</a>. As a result, investors might want to consider this a warning sign as it could signal a constriction in the bank&rsquo;s cash flow and liquidity. This is important because these metrics are key aspects of how regional bank stocks generate returns and further investor interest.</p>



<p>Should BCAL continue this financial downtrend, it&rsquo;s likely to wind up like the former Silicon Valley Bank which collapsed from a liquidity crisis. To avoid this, the company has initiated a <a href="https://investor.banksocal.com/news/news-details/2024/SOUTHERN-CALIFORNIA-BANCORP-AND-CALIFORNIA-BANCORP-ANNOUNCE-RECEIPT-OF-SHAREHOLDER-APPROVALS-FOR-MERGER-OF-EQUALS/default.aspx">merger of equals</a> with another California bank known as California Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/calb-stock-quote/"><strong>CALB</strong></a>) but it is uncertain how long this could stave off losses.</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Viktor Zarev&nbsp;did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;</em><a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank"><em>Publishing Guidelines</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, the responsible editor did not have (either directly or<br>indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.</em></p>
<div><p>Viktor Zarev is a scientist, researcher, and writer specializing in explaining the complex world of technology stocks through dedication to accuracy and understanding.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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<p>The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/07/3-regional-banking-stocks-to-sell-as-big-banks-grow/">3 Regional Banking Stocks to Sell as Big Banks Grow</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.</p>

3 Regional Banking Stocks to Sell as Big Banks Grow

Bank of Southern California GAAP EPS of $0.01, revenue of $22.18M beats by $0.18M

Warning: BCAL is at high risk of performing badly

California Bancorp promotes Michele Wirfel to COO

Bank of Southern California GAAP EPS of -$0.59, revenue of $38.11M

AADI

AAMC

AAOI

AINC

BKKT

BRBS

CALB

CFFI

COHN

CWAN

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