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BlackRock Large Cap Growth ETF

The U.S. restaurant industry continues to be impacted by high wages, food cost inflation and traffic woes in 2024 after two years of strong growth. The Zacks defined Retail &ndash; Restaurants industry is currently in the bottom 41% of the Zacks Industry Rank. In the past year, the industry has declined 8.4%, while its year-to-date return is negative 12.7%.
The restaurant industry has been facing declining traffic for quite some time. A rapid increase in menu prices is the primary reason behind traffic erosion. Restaurant operators are grappling with the high cost of operations.&nbsp;
Intense competition, high wages and food cost inflation are concerning. The industry continues to bear increased expenses, which have been affecting margins. Higher pre-opening costs, marketing expenses and costs related to sales-boosting initiatives are exerting pressure on the company&#39;s margins.
Despite these headwinds, the Department of Commerce, in its June retail sales report, revealed that sales at restaurants and bars increased 4.4% year over year and 0.3% month over month.&nbsp;
Restaurant operators are trying to remain buoyant focusing on digital innovation, sales-building initiatives and cost-saving efforts. Restaurant operators constantly partner with delivery channels and digital platforms to drive incremental sales.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, a handful of restaurant stocks have flourished year to date, defying the industry&#39;s weak performance. Investment in these stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank and a possible earnings beat should provide more returns in the near future.
<h3>Our Top Picks</h3>
We have narrowed our search to two restaurant stocks that are poised to beat on earnings results this month. Each of these stocks carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and has a positive Earnings ESP.
Our research shows that for stocks with the combination of a Zacks Rank #3 or better and a positive Earnings ESP, the chance of an earnings beat is as high as 70%. These stocks are anticipated to appreciate after their earnings release.
Texas Roadhouse Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) is a full-service, casual dining restaurant chain offering assorted seasoned and aged steaks hand-cut daily on the premises and cooked to order over open gas-fired grills. TXRH operates restaurants under the Texas Roadhouse and Aspen Creek names.&nbsp;
TXRH offers its guests a selection of ribs, fish, seafood, chicken, pork chops, pulled pork and vegetable plates, an assortment of hamburgers, salads and sandwiches. TXRH also provides supervisory and administrative services for other licensed and franchise restaurants. Its second-quarter top line is likely to have been aided by productivity and margin enhancement initiatives and operational excellence across its restaurants.
Texas Roadhouse currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. TXRH reported positive earnings surprises in three out of the last four reported quarters. For second-quarter 2024, it has an Earnings ESP of +3.90%.&nbsp; The company will report on Jul 25, after the closing bell.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/6e/72020.jpg?v=1822482392" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock has climbed 40.3% year to date. and has shown positive earnings estimate revisions in the last seven days. TXRH has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 15.3% and 33.3%, respectively, for the current year. &nbsp;
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/62/72021.jpg?v=54391280" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wing#NASDAQ">WING</a>) franchises and operates restaurants. WING&#39;s operating segment consists of the Franchise and Company segments. WING offers classic wings, boneless wings, and tenders that are cooked-to-order, and hand-sauced-and-tossed in various flavors.
WING&#39;s second-quarter 2024 results are likely to benefit from delivery channel expansion, menu innovation and digital marketing initiatives. Also, its supply-chain strategy and robust unit economics are adding to the positives.
Wingstop currently carries a Zacks Rank #1. WING reported positive earnings surprises in the last four reported quarters. For second-quarter 2024, it has an Earnings ESP of +3.08%. The company will report on Jul 31, before the opening bell.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/a3/72022.jpg?v=1676955338" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock has jumped 44% year to date. In the last seven days, WING has shown positive earnings estimate revisions. The expected revenue and earnings growth rate is 28.8% and 39.5%, respectively, for the current year.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/25/72023.jpg?v=1078978389" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2305838/2-thriving-restaurant-stocks-to-buy-on-possible-earnings-beat?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-earnings_esp-2305838">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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TXRH

WING

2 Thriving Restaurant Stocks to Buy on Possible Earnings Beat

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2uMiR0kj5w" title="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2uMiR0kj5w">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2uMiR0kj5w</a>

Politics

General

U.S. Vice President Harris Says Biden Feeling Much Better, Recovering Fast From COVID; Biden's Legacy Of Accomplishment Is Unmatched In Modern History

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Applied Mat (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with AMAT, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 25 uncommon options trades for Applied Mat.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 52% bullish and 32%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 15 are puts, for a total amount of $858,524, and 10 are calls, for a total amount of $421,561.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $165.0 to $290.0 for Applied Mat over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Applied Mat's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Applied Mat's significant trades, within a strike price range of $165.0 to $290.0, over the past month.
<h3>Applied Mat Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721663166_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>AMAT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$8.6</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
<td>$228.9K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMAT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$6.2</td>
<td>$6.1</td>
<td>$6.1</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$173.8K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMAT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$60.45</td>
<td>$59.6</td>
<td>$60.45</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$151.1K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMAT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/26/24</td>
<td>$24.05</td>
<td>$22.6</td>
<td>$24.05</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$50.5K</td>
<td>43</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMAT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$23.8</td>
<td>$23.45</td>
<td>$23.45</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$49.2K</td>
<td>273</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Applied Mat</h3>
Applied Materials is the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment, or WFE, manufacturer in the world. Applied Materials has a broad portfolio spanning nearly every corner of the WFE ecosystem. Specifically, Applied Materials holds a market share leadership position in deposition, which entails the layering of new materials on semiconductor wafers. It is more exposed to general-purpose logic chips made at integrated device manufacturers and foundries. It counts the largest chipmakers in the world as customers, including TSMC, Intel, and Samsung.
<h3>Applied Mat's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,210,854, with AMAT's price up by 3.18%, positioned at $216.95.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 24 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Applied Mat</h3>
Over the past month, 2 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $282.5.
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Stifel persists with their Buy rating on Applied Mat, maintaining a target price of $275. </li>
<li>Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald continues to hold a Overweight rating for Applied Mat, targeting a price of $290. </li>
</ul>
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Applied Mat options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

AMAT

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Applied Mat

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Moderna (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MRNA, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 8 uncommon options trades for Moderna.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 37% bullish and 37%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 4 are puts, for a total amount of $167,740, and 4 are calls, for a total amount of $158,137.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $80.0 to $170.0 for Moderna during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Moderna's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Moderna's whale trades within a strike price range from $80.0 to $170.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Moderna 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721663161_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.45</td>
<td>$7.05</td>
<td>$7.1</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>$62.4K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$8.6</td>
<td>$8.4</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$59.9K</td>
<td>3.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$10.35</td>
<td>$10.5</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$39.9K</td>
<td>18.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$36.05</td>
<td>$35.25</td>
<td>$35.85</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$35.8K</td>
<td>403</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>08/30/24</td>
<td>$45.5</td>
<td>$39.0</td>
<td>$42.78</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$34.2K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Moderna</h3>
Moderna is a commercial-stage biotech that was founded in 2010 and had its initial public offering in December 2018. The firm's mRNA technology was rapidly validated with its COVID-19 vaccine, which was authorized in the United States in December 2020. Moderna had 39 mRNA development candidates in clinical trials as of mid-2023. Programs span a wide range of therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, oncology, cardiovascular disease, and rare genetic diseases.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Moderna, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Moderna</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 479,731, the price of MRNA is down by -0.24%, reaching $120.85.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 10 days from now.</li>
</ul>
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Moderna options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

MRNA

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With MRNA

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Lululemon Athletica. Our analysis of options history for Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>) revealed 15 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 66% of traders were bullish, while 26% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 2 were puts, with a value of $102,225, and 13 were calls, valued at $888,428.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $190.0 and $300.0 for Lululemon Athletica, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Lululemon Athletica's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Lululemon Athletica's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $190.0 to $300.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Lululemon Athletica 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721663156_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$29.05</td>
<td>$29.0</td>
<td>$29.05</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$325.3K</td>
<td>360</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$123.15</td>
<td>$120.25</td>
<td>$123.15</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$147.6K</td>
<td>1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$21.0</td>
<td>$20.65</td>
<td>$20.95</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$73.3K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$97.8</td>
<td>$94.3</td>
<td>$96.16</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$67.3K</td>
<td>31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$6.55</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$6.55</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$52.4K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">22</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lululemon Athletica</h3>
Lululemon Athletica designs, distributes, and markets athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for women, men, and girls. Lululemon offers pants, shorts, tops, and jackets for both leisure and athletic activities such as yoga and running. The company also sells fitness accessories, such as bags, yoga mats, and equipment. Lululemon sells its products through more than 700 company-owned stores in about 20 countries, e-commerce, outlets, and wholesale accounts. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Lululemon Athletica, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Lululemon Athletica Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 528,727, with LULU's price up by 1.0%, positioned at $283.05.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 38 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Lululemon Athletica</h3>
A total of 2 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $345.0.
<ul>
<li>Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Baird keeps a Outperform rating on Lululemon Athletica with a target price of $470. </li>
<li>Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Jefferies continues to hold a Underperform rating for Lululemon Athletica, targeting a price of $220. </li>
</ul>
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 Lululemon Athletica with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

LULU

Behind the Scenes of Lululemon Athletica's Latest Options Trends

JP Morgan analyst Andrea Teixeira maintains Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $170 to $181.

Price Target

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on Procter & Gamble, Raises Price Target to $181

A 31-year-old homeowner recently sparked debate on Reddit&#8217;s Bogleheads forum after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/what-happens-when-you-pay-off-your-mortgage">paying off their mortgage</a> in just six years, only to be called a &#8220;dumbass&#8221; by their CPA uncle. The young homeowner, who had a 3.375% interest rate on a 30-year mortgage, sought opinions on whether their decision was financially sound.
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&#8220;Paying off debt feels great and to own an asset like a house outright is a great feeling,&#8221; the homeowner wrote. &#8220;Did I waste too much money paying my house off so early and should have put it into something like VOO? Am I in a better position where I can now throw down more <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/05/38761475/retire-early-or-retire-rich-man-asks-whether-its-better-to-retire-at-40-with-125-000-a-year-or-a">money into my retirement</a> and brokerage account to invest now more than ever?&nbsp;
The community&#8217;s response was mixed. Many acknowledged the psychological benefits of being debt-free while pointing out the potential opportunity cost.
One commenter noted, &#8220;Financially suboptimal. Psychologically, could be excellent.&#8221; They added, &#8220;This dude has a paid off house; they are absolutely killing it!&#8221;
Another user shared a personal perspective: &#8220;Having always lived in fear as a child of losing our home, I too made it a priority to pay off my house as soon as possible. Intellectually, I understand that I likely would have been better off financially investing that money. Psychologically, the impact has been indescribable.&#8221;
Some responses highlighted the freedom that comes with owning a home outright. &#8220;You&#8217;re free, my dude! Your finances are presumably pretty damn easy these days. Your stress level should be quite low,&#8221; one user commented.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/200k-annuities-adv">How much money will a $200,000 annuity pay out each month? The numbers may shock you.</a>
However, others pointed out the potential financial drawbacks. One detailed analysis suggested, &#8220;Without knowing all your numbers, we can safely assume this was a decision that likely will hurt you negatively by at least a couple hundred thousand dollars.&#8221;
Ultimately, the consensus seemed to be that while the decision may not have been optimal purely financially, the peace of mind and flexibility gained could outweigh the potential lost investment returns for some individuals.
As one commenter succinctly put it, &#8220;You did great. I haven&#8217;t heard of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/07/39727958/a-massive-bubble-in-the-housing-market-has-developed-and-it-is-about-to-pop-real-estate-executive-sa">people being mortgage free</a> at 31 since my grandparents walked this earth.&#8221;
Trending: Rory McIlroy&#8217;s mansion in Florida is worth $22 million today, doubling from 2017 —<a href="https://benzinga.com/money/rory-mcilroys-florida-mansion-doubled-in-value"> here&#8217;s how to get started investing in real estate with just $100</a>
There are financial implications to paying off a mortgage in 6 years – some good and some bad.&nbsp;
Pros:
<ul>
<li>Interest savings: By paying off the mortgage early, the homeowner saved a significant amount in interest payments over the life of the loan.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Increased cash flow: Without a monthly mortgage payment, the homeowner has more disposable income to invest, save, or spend.</li>
<li>Financial security: Owning the home outright provides security and eliminates the risk of foreclosure.</li>
</ul>
Cons:
<ul>
<li>Opportunity cost: The money used to pay off the mortgage could have earned higher returns if invested in the stock market. For example, investing in an S&amp;P 500 index fund historically averages a 9.8% return, which could outperform the 3.375% mortgage interest rate.</li>
<li>Tax implications: The homeowner will lose the mortgage interest tax deduction, which could result in higher taxes.</li>
<li>Reduced liquidity: Paying off the mortgage early ties up a significant amount of money that could have been used for other purposes or emergencies. </li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Mark Cuban believes &#8220;the next wave of revenue generation is around real estate and entertainment&#8221; —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bezos-landlord-100-dollars"> this new real estate fund allows you to get started with just $100.</a></li>
<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/red-ventures"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

31-Year-Old Pays Off Mortgage In 6 Years – But His CPA Uncle Calls It A Foolish Move: Who's Right?

<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/4aa65f0f-dcdf-4849-bd87-b81b23961fc1">https://www.ft.com/content/4aa65f0f-dcdf-4849-bd87-b81b23961fc1</a>
Diabetes device maker Embecta has hired advisers to explore a possible sale, following two years of lacklustre share price performance after the medical technology business was spun out of health tech giant Becton Dickinson. Embecta, which is the world's largest maker of disposable insulin pen needles and syringes for diabetics, tapped advisers from Centerview Partners in recent months to guide a possible sale of the business, according to two people familiar with the matter. The medtech business, which sells about 8bn syringes and needle pens annually to more than 100 countries worldwide, could be an attractive takeover target for private equity because of its low market value and similar profile to other companies that have attracted recent buyout interest, two people added. Last year, Advent International and Warburg Pincus bought injectable device manufacturer Simtra BioPharma Solutions for $4.25bn after it was spun out of healthcare conglomerate Baxter International. Baxter is also currently working on a spin-off or possible sale to private equity of its kidney care division Vantive. Embecta's share price is down nearly 70 per cent since it was spun out as a separate listed company from Becton Dickinson in April 2022. The Nasdaq-listed company was valued at $2.1bn, including debt, at market close on Friday. Sales volumes at Embecta's US business, which contributes about half the group's revenue, have been hurt by the popularity of GLP-1 drugs, such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, which have taken business away from conventional insulin treatments for type 2 diabetes. The people briefed on the process said a sale was not guaranteed and Embecta could remain a listed company. Embecta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Centerview declined to comment. Devdatt Kurdikar, Embecta's chief executive, told a Bank of America investor conference in May that Ozempic had led to "delay" in patients being prescribed insulin "but not an elimination". "Insulins have been around for 100 years," said Kurdikar. "Mechanistically, we don't see insulin going away because of GLP-1." Declining margins across the business as well as the length and cost of the full separation from Becton Dickinson have also weighed on the stock, according to analysts. Embecta's adjusted net income is projected to fall 23 per cent year on year to $132mn in the 12 months to the end of September this year, while annual revenues are projected to remain broadly flat at about $1.1bn, according to analyst consensus estimates. Increasing rates of diabetes in the developing world, where insulin treatment is preferred to GLP-1s, and the possible approval by the US Food and Drug Administration of a new insulin patch pump, which can hold 300 doses of insulin at once, could spur growth at the company, Kurdikar has previously said.

Asset Sales

EMBC

Reported July 19, 2024 "Diabetes Device Maker Embecta Explores Sale Amid Slowing Profits" - Financial Times

Benchmark analyst Kurt Hallead reiterates Halliburton (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAL#NYSE">HAL</a>) with a Buy and maintains $42 price target.

Reiteration

Benchmark Reiterates Buy on Halliburton, Maintains $42 Price Target

LIVE: Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at NCAA event at the White House — 7/22/24

WIIM

Embecta shares are trading higher following a report suggesting the company is exploring a sale.

McDonald&#8217;s Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) reportedly plans to extend its $5 meal deal across most U.S. locations to attract cost-conscious diners.
Launched on June 25, this initiative aims to entice customers who have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39439346/why-are-mcdonald-shares-trading-higher-friday" rel="noreferrer noopener">cut back on fast food due to inflation.</a>
Approximately 93% of McDonald&#8217;s restaurants have committed to offering the bundle beyond the initial four-week window, with some locations planning to continue through August, reported <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-22/mcdonald-s-to-extend-5-meal-deal-citing-customer-traffic?srnd=phx-industries&amp;sref=TBDibEcD" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>.
Early results show the meal deal is successfully drawing customers back to the restaurants, per the report.
McDonald&#8217;s Chief Marketing Officer Tariq Hassan and National Field President Myra Doria noted in a memo that increasing guest counts is crucial for sustained growth.
The company is also considering extending the meal deal further and extending hours of operation to meet demand during off-peak times.
The company aims to enhance its affordability strategies for the rest of the year, addressing consumer spending limitations due to shrinking disposable incomes.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39524167/mcdonalds-customers-prefer-chicken-over-plant-based-options-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">McDonald&#8217;s Customers Prefer Chicken Over Plant-Based Options: Report</a>
The company&#8217;s $5 meal deal includes a McDouble cheeseburger, small fries, four-piece chicken nuggets, and a small soft drink. The fast-food chain&#8217;s menu has seen historic price hikes of more than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39428015/mcdonalds-announces-5-value-meal-as-it-looks-to-win-back-customers-were-committed-to-winning-the-val" rel="noreferrer noopener">200% in some cases in the past decade.</a>
McDonald&#8217;s is set to announce its second-quarter <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">earnings on July 29. </a>The extended meal deal and other affordability measures are part of the company&#8217;s efforts to maintain customer traffic amid economic pressures.
In April, the company reported first-quarter FY24 sales growth of 4.6% year-on-year to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38520891/mcdonalds-bottomline-faces-the-heat-of-consumer-spending-cut-in-q1-shares-slide" rel="noreferrer noopener">$6.17 billion and an adjusted EPS of $2.70</a>.
McDonald&#8217;s stock has lost more than 12% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VCR#NYSE">VCR</a>).
Price Action: MCD shares are trading higher by 0.33% at $258.13 at last check Monday.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by nlinnlin on Shutterstock

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What's Going On With Fast-Food Giant McDonald's Shares Today?

MIRA

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RCAT

Red Cat Secures $4.4M Non-Dilutive Financing Through Unusual Machines Divestiture To Support Development Of Drone Systems For U.S. Department Of Defense And NATO Allies

JP Morgan analyst Andrea Teixeira maintains Newell Brands (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NWL#NASDAQ">NWL</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $8 to $7.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Newell Brands, Lowers Price Target to $7

FUFU

MARA

RIOT

Shares of crypto-linked stocks are trading lower amid a drop in the price of Bitcoin.

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Kristen Kluska reiterates Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RARE#NASDAQ">RARE</a>) with a Overweight and maintains $115 price target.

RARE

Cantor Fitzgerald Reiterates Overweight on Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Maintains $115 Price Target

Alpha Modus, Corp. ("Alpha Modus"), a technology company with a core focus on artificial intelligence in retail, today announced it has received the following two new patent awards from the United States Patent and Trademark Office: &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>U.S. Patent No. 12,039,550, titled "Method for Enhancing Customer Shopping Experience in a Retail Store," issued on July 16, 2024. 
<ul>
<li>U.S. Patent No. 12,026,731, titled "Method for Personalized Marketing and Advertising of Retail Products," issued on July 2, 2024.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

INAQ

Alpha Modus Announces Two New Patent Awards For "Method For Enhancing Customer Shopping Experience In A Retail Store," And "Method For Personalized Marketing And Advertising Of Retail Products,"

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Kristen Kluska reiterates Mereo BioPharma Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MREO#NASDAQ">MREO</a>) with a Overweight and maintains $7 price target.

MREO

Cantor Fitzgerald Reiterates Overweight on Mereo BioPharma Group, Maintains $7 Price Target

JP Morgan analyst Andrea Teixeira maintains Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMB#NYSE">KMB</a>) with a Underweight and raises the price target from $123 to $135.

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