e.l.f. Beauty Option Alert: Aug 15 $75 Puts at the Ask: 750 vs 659 OI

e.l.f. Beauty Option Alert: Aug 15 $75 Puts at the Ask: 750 @ $13.95 vs 659 OI; Ref=$75.71

e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF) Stock

e.l.f. Beauty

e.l.f. Beauty Inc is a multi-brand beauty company that offers inclusive, accessible, clean, vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics and skin care products. The Company's mission is to make the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip, face, and skin concern. The company offers cosmetic accessories for women which include eyeliner, mascara, false eyelashes, lipstick, the foundation for the face, moisturizer, cleanser, and other tools through its stores and e-commerce channels. The products that the company sells are marketed under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, W3LL PEOPLE and Keys Soulcare brands. It carries out sales within the US and internationally, out of which maximum revenue is generated from the US.

COTY

ULTA


However, retail and wholesale beauty stocks have been in a steady decline, with losses accelerating in 2025. Once a Wall Street favorite, Ulta Beauty Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA) ended 2024 down 11.24% and is currently down

3 Beauty Stocks Off to an Ugly Start—Can 1 Stage a Comeback?

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Wall Street slumped into negative territory late in the week as renewed fears over inflation and trade tariffs eroded risk appetite. 

Wall Street Drops On Tariffs Threat, Dollar Rises, Uber Rockets On Ackman&#39;s Tweet: What&#39;s Driving Markets Friday?

e.l.f. Beauty Inc

aelf

E-L Financial Corp Ltd

On Friday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades involving Beam Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BEAM#NASDAQ">BEAM</a>), Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>), MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>), and Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADPT#NASDAQ">ADPT</a>).
The BEAM Trade
Ark Invest, through its ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKG#BATS">ARKG</a>) and ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>), bought a total of 24,640 shares of Beam Therapeutics.
This comes after the firm&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43755344/cathie-woods-ark-invest-loads-up-on-iridium-twist-bioscience-offloads-roku-here-are-key-ark-trades-this-friday">previous acquisition</a> of Beam Therapeutics shares just a week prior. The value of this trade, calculated from the latest closing price is nearly $750,000.
The NU Trade
Ark Invest, through its ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>), bought 162,143 shares of Nu Holdings Ltd. This marks a significant investment in the fintech company, reflecting Ark&#8217;s strategic positioning in the dynamic tech sector.
The value of this trade, calculated from the latest closing price is over $1.75 million.
The MELI and ADPT Trades
On the same day, Ark Invest also sold shares of MercadoLibre Inc and Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. Through its ARK Fintech Innovation ETF, Ark sold 347 shares of MercadoLibre.
Meanwhile, through its ARK Genomic Revolution ETF, Ark offloaded 8,129 shares of Adaptive Biotechnologies.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Ark Invest

ADPT

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Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Loads Up On Beam Therapeutics, Nu Holdings: Offloads MercadoLibre, Adaptive Biotechnologies

Market intelligence firm&nbsp;Santiment&nbsp;has identified three key metrics suggesting a potential bullish move for&nbsp;Bitcoin&nbsp;(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).
What Happened: The analytics platform highlights&nbsp;that the average returns of&nbsp;wallets, the dormancy period of coins, and Bitcoin&#8217;s supply on exchanges all indicate a possible upward swing for the leading cryptocurrency by market cap.
Santiment <a href="https://insights.santiment.net/read/biweekly-market-update-crypto-markets-react-to-inflation-and-scandals-8485">notes</a> that historically, accumulating BTC when wallets&#8217; average returns are below 0% has proven to be a strong strategy. Currently, wallets&nbsp;active in the past 30&nbsp;days show average returns of approximately -2.9%.
This suggests that buying or adding to positions could be statistically advantageous.
Additionally,&nbsp;older BTC tokens are circulating&nbsp;at a &#8220;healthy rate,&#8221; which is often a precursor to a rally. Santiment explains that when dormant tokens move frequently, it signals a healthy circulation, typically seen during prolonged bull runs.
Finally, Santiment points out that the amount of BTC on exchanges remains low after a significant withdrawal of coins into cold wallets in late 2024.
Currently, 7.6% of Bitcoin is held in known exchange wallets, compared to 9.92% six months ago.
Why It Matters: The potential bullish signals for Bitcoin come amid broader discussions about its role in economic strategies.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43878748/michael-saylor-bitcoin-is-economic-armor-calls-on-us-to-accumulate-btc">Michael Saylor</a>, a prominent Bitcoin advocate, recently called on the U.S. government to accumulate Bitcoin, suggesting it could serve as &#8220;economic armor&#8221; and help eliminate national debt.
This perspective aligns with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43889897/bitcoin-strategic-reserve-with-1-million-btc-could-offset-21-trillion-national-debt">Matthew Sigel&#8217;s</a>&nbsp;vision of using Bitcoin as a strategic reserve to offset the national debt by 2049.
However, not all outlooks are positive.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43852658/bitcoin-ethereum-face-downside-risk-as-institutional-demand-fades-jpmorgan-says">JPMorgan analysts</a>&nbsp;have expressed concerns over declining institutional demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, which could signal broader market weakness.
This decline in demand has been associated with futures contracts nearing backwardation, a condition where futures prices fall below spot prices, often seen during market downturns.
Price Action: Bitcoin was trading at $96,204 at the time of writing, declining by nearly 2% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900360/bill-gates-has-a-warning-for-the-next-generation-says-be-very-afraid-of-these-4-issues">Bill Gates Has A Warning For The Next Generation, Says Be ‘Very Afraid' Of These 4 Issues</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Bitcoin's Bullish Signals: These 3 Key Metrics Indicate Potential Upswing, Says Research Firm

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a dramatic increase in measles cases across the nation, raising alarms about potential public health implications.
What Happened: The CDC reported a significant increase in measles cases, with numbers rising to 93 from 14 in just one week, according to a Reuters report.
This surge is primarily attributed to an&nbsp;outbreak in Gaines County, Texas,&nbsp;where cases have escalated to 57 from 22 since February 11.
Texas has reported a total of 90 cases, prompting concerns about the potential spread to other regions within the state. The&nbsp;Texas Department of State Health&nbsp;Services&nbsp;has warned of more cases emerging due to the outbreak in Gaines County.
The CDC has identified cases in several states, including&nbsp;Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey,&nbsp;New Mexico, New York City,&nbsp;Rhode Island, and Texas.
Notably, 95% of those affected were either unvaccinated or had an unknown&nbsp;vaccination status.
Only 4% had received&nbsp;one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella&nbsp;vaccine, and none had received the two doses recommended by the agency.
Among the reported cases, 28 involved children under two years old, and 48 were individuals aged five to 19.
Although measles&nbsp;was declared eliminated in the&nbsp;U.S. in 2000, the virus can still spread through&nbsp;travelers from countries where measles&nbsp;is prevalent. The CDC noted three outbreaks in 2025, compared to 16 in 2024, which saw 285 cases.
Why It Matters: The recent surge in measles cases is part of a broader pattern of emerging infectious diseases that have been challenging public health systems.
Earlier this year, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42854890/us-records-first-human-bird-flu-death-high-levels-of-respiratory-illnesses-vaccine-stocks-rally">bird flu strain</a>&nbsp;was detected in Nevada, marking the first human death in the U.S. related to the H5N1 virus.
Additionally, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/08/40381585/who-declares-mpox-public-health-emergency-coordinated-international-response-essential-to-hal">World Health Organization</a>&nbsp;declared Mpox a public health emergency in 2024, emphasizing the need for a coordinated international response.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Health Care

General

Measles Cases Surge 5x In US In A Week, CDC Reports: Outbreak Primarily Originating From A Texas County

Bill Gates&nbsp;has outlined critical challenges for future generations, emphasizing the importance of addressing bioterrorism, climate change, and artificial intelligence.
What Happened: The Microsoft Corp. co-founder, reflecting on his fears from the 1950s, also noted the persistent threat of nuclear war.
However, he highlighted additional concerns for younger generations, including the potential dangers of bioterrorism and the improper development of AI. Gates also stressed the need for societal unity to combat polarization.
"A nuclear war or a super bad bioterrorism event, or not shaping AI properly or not bringing society together a little bit around the polarization. Those four things, yes, the younger generation has to be very afraid of those things," he said.
Gates shared these insights during a conversation with Patrick Collison at&nbsp;the Computer History Museum last&nbsp;week.
"It's fine that people are worrying about the problems we face, including how we shape AI and polarization and we're arguably less ready for a pandemic now than after the last one because of the divisiveness that's come in around that."
Gates, 69,&nbsp;added climate change to the&nbsp;list of pressing issues&nbsp;for millennials and Gen Z. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about the future, citing advancements in health and literacy.
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"The&nbsp;big headline is people are&nbsp;living longer, people are learning&nbsp;more, people are more literate."
Gates, who also co-founded the&nbsp;Gates Foundation, suggested that emphasizing these issues might sometimes involve exaggerating their impact to motivate action.
He remains hopeful, predicting breakthroughs in diseases like Alzheimer&#8217;s and HIV, and the eradication of polio and malaria.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43755136/bill-gates-wanted-a-friend-to-take-charge-of-microsoft-due-to-regret-over-leaving-harvard-but-heres-why-he-panicked-and-dropped-out">Bill Gates Wanted A Friend To &#8216;Take Charge&#8217; Of Microsoft Due To Regret Over Leaving Harvard, But Here&#8217;s Why He Panicked And Dropped Out</a>
Why It Matters: Gates&#8217; emphasis on artificial intelligence aligns with his previous discussions on the topic.
Earlier, Gates highlighted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36322815/bill-gates-reveals-five-cutting-edge-ai-innovations-he-is-excited-about">AI&#8217;s transformative potential</a>&nbsp;in healthcare, underscoring its role in consumer applications.
However, he also acknowledged AI&#8217;s limitations, noting that while it is not a panacea, its benefits are substantial. He elaborated on AI&#8217;s strengths and weaknesses during an interview, emphasizing its potential despite current shortcomings.
Gates further explored AI&#8217;s societal impact, predicting that its integration into the workforce could lead to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42438799/bill-gates-predicts-ai-in-the-workforce-will-lead-to-so-much-leisure-time-but-itll-create-a-what-do-we-do-with-all-that-time-problem">increased leisure time</a>.
However, he raised concerns about the societal implications of this shift, questioning how people will utilize the additional time.
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Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Bill Gates Has A Warning For The Next Generation, Says Be 'Very Afraid' Of These 4 Issues

Uber Technologies Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) CEO,&nbsp;Dara Khosrowshahi, stated that&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;has no plans to integrate&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&#8217;s forthcoming robotaxis into Uber&#8217;s platform.
What Happened: Speaking <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-21/uber-ceo-says-musk-wants-to-go-alone-on-tesla-robotaxi-rollout">with</a> Bloomberg TV at the FII conference in Miami on Friday, Khosrowshahi revealed that Musk plans to roll out Tesla's robotaxi service without external partnerships.
&#8220;They want to build it alone, so to some extent in Austin, we and Waymo will be competing with Tesla when they launch,&#8221; he said, referencing Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) autonomous vehicle unit.
Khosrowshahi believes that Uber would be a logical platform for Tesla drivers, as it introduces variable demand to the autonomous vehicle (AV) ecosystem. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/02/43899750/trump-team-threatens-to-cut-ukraines-access-to-elon-musks-starlink-over-minerals-dispute-report">Trump Team Threatens To Cut Ukraine&#8217;s Access To Elon Musk&#8217;s Starlink Over Minerals Dispute: Report</a>
Uber has intensified its focus on autonomous vehicle (AV) technology in recent years, forging over a dozen manufacturing partnerships and investing in multiple self-driving tech firms since 2023. The company is preparing to roll out autonomous rides with Waymo in Austin next month, followed by an expansion to Atlanta this summer.
Why It Matters: This revelation comes after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43724986/uber-ceo-looks-forward-to-tesla-partnership-for-robotaxis-no-one-wants-to-compete-against-tesla-or-elon">Khosrowshahi expressed optimism </a>about a potential partnership between Uber and Tesla for robotaxis. In a recent interview, he stated that he hoped to convince Tesla to work with Uber, emphasizing that no one wants to compete against Tesla if they can help it.
Uber halted its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42801896/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-resigns-from-board-of-autonomous-vehicle-tech-company-aurora">in-house self-driving car development</a> in 2020, selling its autonomous vehicle division to Aurora. Reflecting on the decision, the CEO explained that during the pandemic, he prioritized capital efficiency, as the company was incurring massive losses in robotaxi development. He acknowledged that hardware was not Uber's core strength.
The launch of Tesla's robotaxis and Waymo's expanded operations could impact Uber's ride volume growth and reduce its commission rates, according to Bloomberg. Additionally, Waymo offers driverless rides through its app in key markets like San Francisco and is set to expand to Miami next year.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Tesla

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GOOGL

TSLA

Will Elon Musk's Tesla Team Up With Uber To Roll Out Robotaxis? CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Spills The Beans

Goldman Sachs estimates that a proposed 10%<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43690898/trade-war-2-0-why-trumps-tariff-plans-could-be-worse-than-2018"> U.S. oil tariff</a> could lead to a $10 billion annual loss for foreign producers, posing a significant threat to Canadian and Latin American heavy crude suppliers that depend on U.S. refiners.
What Happened: The proposed tariff stems from the reliance of Canadian and Latin American heavy crude on U.S. refiners, given their limited alternative buyers and processing options. 
President Donald Trump is now considering a 25% tariff on Mexican crude and a 10% levy on Canadian crude starting in March, after delaying his initial proposal. Despite this, Goldman Sachs anticipates that the U.S. will remain the dominant market for heavy crude due to its advanced refining infrastructure and cost efficiency.
Analysts also estimate that light oil prices would need to increase by 50 cents per barrel for medium crude from the Middle East to become more appealing to Asian refiners. This shift is driven by U.S. Gulf Coast refiners favoring domestic light crude over imported medium grades.
It projects that U.S. consumers could face an annual tariff burden of $22 billion, while the government stands to generate $20 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, refiners and traders could gain $12 billion by leveraging discounted U.S. light crude and foreign heavy crude in premium coastal markets.
SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43805107/vivek-ramaswamy-foresees-bitcoin-as-a-more-common-corporate-treasury-holding-as-era-of-easy-money-ends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Vivek Ramaswamy Foresees Bitcoin As A ‘More Common' Corporate Treasury Holding As Era Of Easy Money Ends</a> 
Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s proposed oil tariffs are part of a broader strategy to reshape global trade. Earlier in the week, he announced plans to impose a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">25% tariff on auto imports, alongside chips and pharmaceuticals</a>, causing a stir in international trade. This move is expected to take effect in April.
The President also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43899444/trump-moves-to-impose-tariffs-on-countries-with-digital-taxes-defending-apple-amazon-meta-google-and-other-us-tech-giants">ordered his trade chief to reopen investigations into digital service taxes</a>&nbsp;imposed on U.S. tech firms, a move that could result in new tariffs on affected countries. These actions are part of Trump&#8217;s efforts to address what he calls an unfair trade balance with other nations.
Trump&#8217;s tariff plans have sparked a debate about their potential impact on the stock market. A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827291/exclusive-will-trumps-tariffs-hurt-or-help-stock-market-59-say-this">Benzinga poll</a>&nbsp;showed that 59% of respondents believe that Trump&#8217;s tariffs could hurt the stock market.
Meanwhile, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both tumbled 1.7% on Friday, recording their steepest single-day losses since Dec. 18. At the same time Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) ended 2.07% lower, according to data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro.</a>
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<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43805175/elon-musks-tesla-prepares-for-india-expansion-engineer-confirms-hiring-push-we-are-looking-for-motivated-talent-to-help-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's Tesla Prepares For India Expansion, Engineer Confirms Hiring Push: ‘We Are Looking For Motivated Talent To Help Us…'</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Trump's 10% Oil Tariff Could Deal $10 Billion Annual Blow To Canada And Other Foreign Producers, Goldman Sachs Warns

President Donald Trump is reportedly moving closer to securing a deal that would grant the U.S. substantial mineral rights in Ukraine. This comes amid escalating tensions between the two nations.
What Happened: On Friday, Trump&nbsp;expressed optimism about finalizing an agreement that could potentially bring $500 billion to the U.S. as part of a broader strategy to align with Russia to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a report <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-minerals-peace.html">by</a> the New York Times.
"So, we're signing an agreement, hopefully in the next fairly short period of time," he said, according to the report.
Meanwhile,&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that efforts are underway to draft an agreement, aiming to ease tensions with the U.S. over the proposed deal.
"This agreement can add value to our relations — what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Trump is focusing on securing&nbsp;rare earth and other minerals&nbsp;from Ukraine in exchange for&nbsp;American support. The negotiations have seen Ukraine strengthening its position as the U.S. and Russia engage in talks to end the conflict.
Despite initial resistance, some Ukrainian officials have advised Zelensky to proceed with the deal after addressing concerns over mineral profits and security commitments.
As negotiations continue, Zelensky remains focused on ensuring the agreement&#8217;s effectiveness, while simultaneously seeking support from European allies to fill potential gaps if U.S. backing wanes.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Today, Ukrainian and U.S. teams are working on a draft agreement between our governments. This agreement can add value to our relations—what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works. I look forward to a just results. <a href="https://t.co/o9jbiiiJTq">pic.twitter.com/o9jbiiiJTq</a>
&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1893056463431483526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: The ongoing negotiations over Ukraine&#8217;s mineral rights have been contentious, with the U.S. reportedly threatening to cut Ukraine&#8217;s access to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/02/43899750/trump-team-threatens-to-cut-ukraines-access-to-elon-musks-starlink-over-minerals-dispute-report">SpaceX&#8217;s Starlink</a>&nbsp;satellite internet service as a bargaining chip. This move followed the rejection of an initial proposal by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Earlier, Trump had warned Zelensky to negotiate an end to Russia&#8217;s invasion swiftly or risk losing Ukraine entirely. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43837157/trump-labels-zelenskyy-a-dictator-without-elections-urges-ukraine-to-negotiate-or-risk-losing-war">Truth Social post</a>, Trump labeled Zelensky a &#8220;dictator without elections,&#8221; accusing him of misusing U.S. aid.
Ukraine had previously rejected Trump&#8217;s offer to take 50% ownership of its rare earth minerals, calling it a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/02/43788546/ukraine-officials-stall-trumps-colonial-rare-earths-bid-prefer-mutually-beneficial-deal">&#8220;colonial agreement.&#8221;</a>&nbsp;As negotiations continue, the outcome of this deal could significantly impact U.S.-Ukraine relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900171/trump-dismisses-top-us-general-breaks-from-tradition-to-nominate-retired-officer-as-top-military-officer">Trump Dismisses Top US General, Breaks From Tradition To Nominate Retired Officer As Top Military Officer</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photos courtesy: Shutterstock

Politics

Global

Trump Administration Eyes Mineral Rights Deal With Ukraine Amid Rising Tensions: 'We're Signing An Agreement'

In a significant shift in military leadership, President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;has removed Air Force General&nbsp;C.Q. Brown&nbsp;from his role as&nbsp;chairman of the Joint Chiefs&nbsp;of Staff. This decision, announced on Friday, has led to a reshuffle within the U.S. military&#8217;s top ranks.
What Happened: Trump revealed on Truth Social his intention to nominate former Lieutenant General&nbsp;Dan &#8220;Razin&#8221; Caine&nbsp;as Brown&#8217;s successor. This marks the first time a retired officer has been nominated for this prestigious position.
The reshuffle extends beyond Brown&#8217;s dismissal. Admiral&nbsp;Lisa Franchetti,&nbsp;the first woman to lead&nbsp;a military service, will be replaced&nbsp;as head of the U.S.&nbsp;Navy.
Additionally,&nbsp;the air force vice chief&nbsp;of staff and&nbsp;judge advocates general for the&nbsp;Army, Navy, and Air Force are also being removed, as confirmed by the Pentagon.
Trump&#8217;s actions have drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Senator&nbsp;Jack Reed&nbsp;and Representative&nbsp;Seth Moulton&nbsp;have voiced their concerns, citing potential politicization and risks to national security, according to a report by Reuters.
Defense Secretary&nbsp;Pete Hegseth&nbsp;had expressed doubts regarding Brown&#8217;s appointment, questioning whether it was based on merit or race.&nbsp;Brown, a former fighter pilot, has previously spoken about facing discrimination in the military.
Why It Matters: This reshuffle comes amid Trump&#8217;s broader efforts to reshape military policies.
In January, Trump signed executive orders aimed at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43266467/trumps-executive-orders-make-us-most-lethal-fighting-force-in-the-world-iron-dome-defense-system-get-woke-policies-out-of-military">strengthening</a> U.S. military capabilities, including the construction of an Iron Dome missile defense system, modeled after Israel&#8217;s defense technology.
Trump emphasized the need for a &#8220;strong, strong defense&#8221; to ensure the U.S. remains the &#8220;most lethal fighting force in the world.&#8221;
Additionally, Trump has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43752207/were-going-to-find-billions-trump-targets-pentagon-for-deep-spending-cuts">targeted</a> the Pentagon&#8217;s $800 billion budget for deep spending cuts, aligning with&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8216;s efforts to uncover potential &#8220;fraud and abuse.&#8221;
This move has raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43578729/court-halts-musks-doge-squad-from-gaining-access-to-treasury-payment-systems-a-risk-of-irreparable-harm">concerns</a> about conflicts of interest, given Musk&#8217;s government contracts. However, National Security Adviser&nbsp;Mike Waltz&nbsp;assured that &#8220;appropriate firewalls&#8221; would be in place.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Trump Dismisses Top US General, Breaks From Tradition To Nominate Retired Officer As Top Military Officer

Goldman Sachs expert Scott Rubner has cautioned that Wall Street stocks may face a downturn, citing growing instability in the options market as a key factor behind his prediction.
What Happened: According to a note from Scott Rubner, the stock market could come under pressure as nearly $2.7 trillion in U.S. stock market derivatives approach expiration, reported by Reuters on Friday. If these contracts remain unexercised, heightened volatility may follow.
Rubner also highlighted additional factors that could slow stock buying, including the impending annual tax payments by U.S. retail traders and the seasonal decline in retirement fund contributions to mutual and exchange-traded funds in March.
SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43805107/vivek-ramaswamy-foresees-bitcoin-as-a-more-common-corporate-treasury-holding-as-era-of-easy-money-ends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Vivek Ramaswamy Foresees Bitcoin As A ‘More Common' Corporate Treasury Holding As Era Of Easy Money Ends</a>
Approximately $2.7 trillion in equity options were set to expire on Friday, covering bets on the S&amp;P 500, U.S. exchange-traded funds, and individual stocks. According to a Goldman Sachs note, banks and intermediaries holding over $9 billion in hedges for these trades have helped stabilize market volatility.
Dan Izzo, founder of hedge fund BLKBRD Asset Management and a former bank trader, explained that if investors fail to renew their options bets, intermediaries will be forced to unwind their hedges. This creates significant short-term pressure. The bigger risk is if &#8220;no one willing to buy that impact, we could see it trigger a larger sell off,&#8221; Izzo warned.
Why It Matters: Although the S&amp;P 500 and European stock markets reached record highs on Tuesday, they have since retreated. The decline is partly driven by President Donald Trump&#8216;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">tariff warning on pharmaceuticals, semiconductor </a>chips, and wood, fueling trade war concerns and rattling investors.
The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration raised concerns for many giants including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), and Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), among others. 
In a poll conducted by Benzinga,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827658/exclusive-apple-nvidia-tesla-or-boeing-which-company-faces-the-biggest-risk-from-trumps-china-tariffs-35-say-this-stock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">35% of the respondents&nbsp;</a>believed that Apple would see maximum impact from Trump's tariffs due to its reliance on Chinese supply chains. Most respondents also feel that these plans could provoke retaliation from other nations. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43839627/apple-may-hike-iphone-prices-by-9-due-to-trumps-tariffs-says-bank-of-america" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analysts at the Bank of America</a>&nbsp;securities have suggested that Apple may need to increase iPhone prices by 9% to counter the tariffs.
Meanwhile, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both tumbled 1.7% on Friday, recording their steepest single-day losses since Dec. 18. At the same time Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) ended 2.07% lower, according to data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro.</a>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

AAPL

NVDA

Top Analyst Warns Of Looming Stock Market Correction As S&P 500 Records Biggest Single Day Loss Since December: 'We Could See It Trigger A Larger Sell Off'

US negotiators have reportedly threatened to cut Ukraine&#8217;s access to SpaceX&#8217;s Starlink satellite internet service. This move comes amid ongoing negotiations over <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/02/43788546/ukraine-officials-stall-trumps-colonial-rare-earths-bid-prefer-mutually-beneficial-deal">access to Ukraine&#8217;s critical minerals.</a>
What Happened: Negotiators from the U.S. have been pushing Ukraine to provide access to its vital minerals. As a bargaining chip, they have raised the prospect of revoking <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42719245/elon-musks-starlink-to-bring-space-based-mobile-connectivity-to-ukraine">Ukraine&#8217;s access to the Starlink</a> internet system, which is owned by Elon Musk&#8216;s&nbsp;SpaceX,&nbsp;Reuters&nbsp;reported.
This development follows the rejection of an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During a meeting between U.S. special Ukraine envoy&nbsp;Keith Kellogg&nbsp;and Zelenskiy, Ukraine was warned of a potential shutdown of the Starlink service if a deal on critical minerals was not reached, according to the report. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/02/43807232/trump-praises-elon-musks-starlink-rollout-says-spacex-rocket-recovery-is-like-you-grab-a-beautiful-little-babyclaims-us-russia-china-cant-compete">Trump Praises Elon Musk&#8217;s Starlink Rollout, Says SpaceX Rocket Recovery Is &#8216;Like You Grab A Beautiful Little Baby:&#8217; &#8216;Nobody Else Can Do It&#8217;</a>
Starlink has been vital in maintaining Ukraine's internet access amid the ongoing conflict. &#8220;Ukraine&nbsp;runs on Starlink. They consider&nbsp;it their North Star,&#8221; a source told the publication. 
&#8220;Losing&nbsp;Starlink &#8230; would be a&nbsp;massive blow.&#8221;
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, stressed that Starlink is crucial for Ukraine's drone operations, a cornerstone of its military strategy. &#8220;Losing Starlink would be a game changer,&#8221; she warned.
Why It Matters: The U.S. has been actively involved in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with President Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43837157/trump-labels-zelenskyy-a-dictator-without-elections-urges-ukraine-to-negotiate-or-risk-losing-war">warning Zelenskyy </a>to negotiate an end to the war or risk losing Ukraine entirely. 
Zelenskyy has rejected the Trump administration&#8217;s demand for $500 billion in Ukrainian mineral resources as repayment for wartime aid. On Friday, he confirmed that U.S. and Ukrainian teams are negotiating an agreement, while President Trump voiced optimism that a deal will be finalized soon.
This has led to a rift between the two leaders, with Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43837157/trump-labels-zelenskyy-a-dictator-without-elections-urges-ukraine-to-negotiate-or-risk-losing-war">denouncing Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;as &#8220;a dictator without elections.&#8221;
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

SPACE

Trump Team Threatens To Cut Ukraine's Access To Elon Musk's Starlink Over Minerals Dispute: Report

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

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

Michael Jordan's legendary Chicago estate has taken on a new life under its latest owner. After <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/12/42638801/before-his-180-on-climate-change-elon-musk-advocated-for-action-cautioning-that-oceanfront-real-estate-values-would-plummet-2">sitting on the market</a> for over a decade, the sprawling Highland Park mansion finally sold for $9.5 million in December. But instead of keeping it as a private home, the new buyer, John Cooper, is already shaking things up—turning it into a luxury rental at a jaw-dropping $230,000 per month and selling off shares of the property in a unique timeshare model.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Discounted Sale After 12 Years on the Market</h2>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Michael Jordan&#39;s mansion sitting seven acres with nine beds and 19 baths &#x1f92f; <a href="https://t.co/ZjQV0wDOdq">pic.twitter.com/ZjQV0wDOdq</a>
&mdash; The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) <a href="https://twitter.com/Am_Blujay/status/1787188879541317787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Jordan originally listed the 56,000-square-foot estate in 2012 for $29 million, but it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42678673/michael-jordan-sells-his-massive-luxury-mansion-for-9-5-million-but-it-took-12-years-to-find-a-buyer-and-he-spent-50-million-building-it">struggled to attract buyers</a>, despite multiple price cuts and the home's deep ties to the basketball legend. The mansion, known as Legend Point, boasts nine bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, a full-size basketball court, a cigar lounge, and even doors from the original Playboy Mansion. After years of markdowns, Cooper, a real estate investor from Nebraska, purchased the property for $9.5 million—a significant drop from its original asking price.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Turning Legend Point Into A Business</h2>
Rather than using the mansion as his primary residence, Cooper quickly set plans in motion to monetize the iconic home. Per Realtor.com, just weeks after closing the deal, he announced that portions of the property would be sold as luxury timeshares under the name &#8220;Champions Point.&#8221; Co-owners can buy a share for at least $1 million, granting them access to the estate for a designated week each year. Owners can invite up to 24 guests and even host high-end events for an extra fee.
Trending: Many don&#8217;t know there are tax benefits when buying a unit as an investment —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/casa-shares-y2"> Here&#8217;s how to invest in real estate by mirroring BlackRock's big move</a>
Now, in addition to selling shares, Cooper has listed the entire estate for rent, offering anyone with deep enough pockets the chance to live in Jordan's former home for $230,000 a month. The listing describes it as a &#8220;once-in-a-lifetime opportunity&#8221; for those who &#8220;live and breathe sports.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Renters and Co-Owners Get</h2>
The mansion's amenities are as grand as its history. Renters and co-owners gain access to a regulation-size basketball court, an infinity pool with an island, a tennis court, a putting green, a state-of-the-art home theater, a wine cellar, a commercial-grade fitness center, and a cigar room with a custom humidor. High-end add-ons, including private chefs, on-site entertainment, and luxury transportation, are also available for an extra cost.
Cooper, a longtime Bulls fan who has lived in Chicago for the past decade, says he wants to preserve the property's legacy while also making it more accessible to sports enthusiasts, celebrities, and businesses looking for a one-of-a-kind luxury experience.
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Michael Jordan's Former $9.5 Million Chicago Megamansion Is Now A $230,000/Month Rental As Its New Owner Sells Off Pieces Of The Property

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) CEO Tim Cook has reportedly pledged a significant investment in the United States and a shift in manufacturing from Mexico to the U.S. President Donald Trump made this announcement during a meeting with governors.
What Happened: After <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43876173/apple-ceo-tim-cook-reportedly-meets-trump-as-tariff-impact-looms-on-iphone-sales-and-companys-china-strategy">meeting Cook at the White House </a>this week, Trump revealed that the Apple CEO had assured him of moving iPhone maker&#8217;s manufacturing from Mexico to the U.S.
 &#8220;He&#8217;s&nbsp;investing hundreds of billions of&nbsp;dollars&#8230; That&#8217;s&nbsp;what he told me. Now&nbsp;he has to do it,&#8221; Trump said.
Trump also mentioned that Cook had halted two plants in Mexico and would now be producing Apple products in the U.S. However, Cook has not yet publicly announced any such investment.
"They don't want to be in the tariffs," Trump said.
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="TRUMP DOGE EFFECT: President Trump FULL REMARKS on Spending, Ukraine War, Taxes, Migrants" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b92O_a3MkpA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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It's unclear which manufacturing facilities Trump was referring to. Foxconn Technology Group, the maker of Apple's iPhones, already has a strong presence in Mexico and plans to expand further.
Apple did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment. 
Why It Matters: The news of Apple&#8217;s potential shift in manufacturing and significant U.S. investment comes at a crucial time for the tech giant. Like other tech giants, Apple is grappling with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827658/exclusive-apple-nvidia-tesla-or-boeing-which-company-faces-the-biggest-risk-from-trumps-china-tariffs-35-say-this-stock">rising U.S.-China trade tensions.</a> Trump&#8217;s 10% tariff on Chinese-made goods poses a significant challenge, as China remains Apple's primary manufacturing hub, and the U.S., is its largest market.
According to an analyst at Bank of America, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43839627/apple-may-hike-iphone-prices-by-9-due-to-trumps-tariffs-says-bank-of-america">iPhone maker will need to hike prices</a> on iPhones, iPads, and other products by approximately 9% to counter the effect of tariffs. assuming a minimum 10% tariff applies to all of them. The analyst also expects a potential hit on the sales volume.
On Wednesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43820197/apple-unveils-iphone-16e-with-a18-chip-ai-features-599-price-tag">a budget-friendly successor</a> to the third-generation iPhone SE. Priced at $599, the device is designed to run artificial intelligence efficiently.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tim Cook Reportedly Tells Trump Apple Will Invest 'Hundreds Of Billions' In US: 'They Don't Want To Be In The Tariffs'

Elon Musk&#8217;s unsolicited $97 billion bid for OpenAI&#8216;s assets has created a valuation challenge for the artificial intelligence leader, potentially complicating its planned transition to a for-profit structure.
Legal experts suggest the offer, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43755069/openai-board-rejects-elon-musks-97-billion-acquisition-proposal-days-after-sam-altman-calls-it-a-move-to-slow-down-a-competitor#:~:text=OpenAI%20Board%20Rejects%20Elon%20Musk's,Slow%20Down'%20A%20Competitor%20%2D%20Benzinga">though swiftly rejected</a>, could force regulators to scrutinize OpenAI&#8217;s corporate restructuring more closely. The bid &#8220;will be more difficult to justify valuing the nonprofit&#8217;s assets at less than $97 billion if there is a concrete offer for that sum,&#8221; <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2025/02/11/elon-musks-97bn-offer-is-a-headache-for-sam-altmans-openai">according to a report by The Economist</a>.
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Musk, OpenAI&#8217;s co-founder and now rival, submitted the bid through a consortium on Feb. 11, targeting the non-profit entity that controls the company. The move escalates his feud with CEO Sam Altman over the company&#8217;s shift toward a more traditional corporate structure.
&#8220;OpenAI is not for sale,&#8221; company spokesman Chris Lehane told The Economist.
The timing appears strategic, as OpenAI reportedly seeks to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43374528/softbank-may-lead-openais-40-billion-funding-round-at-a-300-billion-valuation-despite-deepseek-disruption-report">raise approximately $40 billion from investors, including SoftBank</a>. Musk&#8217;s bid could potentially disrupt the fundraising efforts by raising questions about proper valuation during the company&#8217;s restructuring.
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Jill Horwitz, law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that the nonprofit board&#8217;s fiduciary duty is to act according to OpenAI&#8217;s legal purpose—building safe artificial intelligence that &#8220;benefits all of humanity.&#8221; The mission-focused obligation may provide flexibility in responding to acquisition offers.
Musk&#8217;s legal team has urged attorneys general in California and Delaware, where OpenAI operates, to ensure the nonprofit surrenders control at fair market value during any restructuring.&nbsp;
While company insiders doubt state officials will acquiesce to Musk, Horwitz noted they have &#8220;clear law to apply&#8221; regarding proper valuation.
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The bid follows recent tensions over the &#8220;Stargate Project,&#8221; a $100 billion data center investment fund announced by Altman and President Donald Trump on Jan. 21. Musk publicly questioned whether the project&#8217;s backers had sufficient funding, allegations they denied.
Altman responded to Musk&#8217;s bid with a facetious counteroffer on X—$9.7 billion to &#8220;buy Twitter,&#8221; as Musk&#8217;s social network was previously known. &#8220;I think he&#8217;s just trying to slow us down,&#8221; <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2025-02-11/altman-says-musk-probably-just-trying-to-slow-us-down-video">Altman told Bloomberg</a>. &#8220;I feel for the guy. I don&#8217;t think he&#8217;s a happy person.&#8221;
The offer represents another front in Musk&#8217;s competitive strategy against his largest AI rival. He launched xAI in 2023, positioning it as a direct competitor to OpenAI.
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Experts Say Musk's $97 Billion Offer Could Force OpenAI To Reassess Its Value

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A top Democrat warned last week that the White House's  government efficiency team could disrupt tax refund processing as representatives <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43754316/irs-gears-up-to-lay-off-thousands-of-workers-potentially-impacting-tax-season-no-analysis-to-the-impact-it-will-have-on-operations">began examining Internal Revenue Service operations during peak filing season</a>.
Gavin Kliger, a member of the Department of Government Efficiency that is being led by Elon Musk, visited IRS headquarters in Washington on Feb. 13, requesting detailed information about agency operations and staffing, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/13/politics/doge-visits-the-irs-putting-staffers-on-edge/index.html">according to CNN</a>.
&#8220;My office is hearing that DOGE is now at the IRS. That means Musk&#8217;s henchmen are in a position to dig through a trove of data about every taxpayer in America. And if your refund is delayed, they could very well be the reason,&#8221; Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) <a href="https://x.com/RonWyden/status/1890114168583565673">wrote on X</a>.
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The visit marks the efficiency department&#8217;s first direct engagement with the tax agency, which employs approximately 100,000 workers. According to CNN, Kliger requested information about each business unit&#8217;s responsibilities and risk factors.
An email shared with CNN that was sent to IRS employees during the visit instructed staff to route queries about &#8220;high-profile visitors&#8221; through proper channels, noting the matter had been &#8220;elevated to Treasury&#8221; for further instruction.
President Donald Trump authorized the IRS review earlier in the day on Feb. 13, telling reporters, &#8220;the Internal Revenue Service will be looked at like everybody else.&#8221; When asked if he expected the agency to be closed, Trump responded: &#8220;No, I don&#8217;t expect it. But I think the Internal Revenue Service will be looked at like everybody else.&#8221;
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The audit follows an <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1886847092888310231?lang=en">informal poll on X</a> where Musk asked followers if they favored reviewing the IRS. The poll showed 91.2% support among respondents. The billionaire issued a poll earlier in December <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42380263/elon-musk-asks-if-irs-funding-should-be-deleted-more-than-60-of-respondents-said-yes#:~:text=Billionaire%20entrepreneur%20Elon%20Musk%20sparked,delete%22%20the%20agency's%20funding%20entirely.">calling for the IRS to be "deleted,"</a> which saw 60.4% of respondents agree with the proposition.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) embraced the scrutiny <a href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2025/02/13/chairman-smith-business-as-usual-at-the-irs-is-unacceptable/">in a letter</a> to Acting IRS Commissioner Douglas O&#8217;Donnell. &#8220;Business as usual at the IRS is unacceptable,&#8221; Smith wrote. &#8220;Our government has not been working effectively for the American people, and it needs to change.&#8221;
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The IRS already faces hiring restrictions under Trump&#8217;s Jan. 20 executive order freezing federal employment. While the broader hiring freeze expires after 90 days, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/hiring-freeze/">the order</a> says that IRS restrictions will remain until the treasury secretary determines &#8220;it is in the national interest to lift the freeze.&#8221;
No operational changes or layoffs have been announced. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/doge-internal-revenue-service-9697cb99#:~:text=Kliger%20doesn't%20have%20access,obtain%20or%20view%20taxpayer%20information.">The Wall Street Journal reported</a> that a source said Kliger did not access IRS computer systems or taxpayer information during his visit.
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'If Your Refund Is Delayed, They Could Be The Reason,' Senator Sounds Alarm On Musk's IRS Audit

FirstCash Hldgs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCFS#NASDAQ">FCFS</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 3.64% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 11.97%. Currently, FirstCash Hldgs has a market capitalization of $5.13 billion. 
Buying $1000 In FCFS: If an investor had bought $1000 of FCFS stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $9,482.00 today based on a price of $114.59 for FCFS at the time of writing.
<h3>FirstCash Hldgs's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740181511_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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