Equitable Hldgs (NYSE:EQH) Stock

Equitable Hldgs

Equitable Holdings Inc is a financial services company in the U.S. The company provides variable annuities, tax-deferred investment and retirement plans, employee benefits, and protection solutions for individuals, families, and small businesses. Its business segments include Individual Retirement, Group Retirement, Investment Management and Research, Protection Solutions, Wealth Management, and Legacy. The Individual Retirement segment offers annuity products, the Group Retirement segment provides tax-deferred investment and retirement services, the Investment Management and Research segment consists of diversified investment management, research, and related services, and the Protection Solutions segment focuses on life insurance products.

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Equitable Holdings shares are trading higher by 4.6% during Monday&#39;s session. The company announced a cash tender offer for up to 46 million units of AllianceBernstein.

Why Equitable Holdings (EQH) Shares Are Trading Higher

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RGA enters a $32 billion reinsurance agreement with Equitable Holdings. The deal will generate significant returns for RGA, with expected growth in adjusted operating income, and further enhances RGA&#39;s strategic partnership in product development and distribution.

Equitable Inks Reinsurance Deal With RGA And Plans To Boost Stake In AllianceBernstein: Details

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Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH) shares fell 10.9% since it reported second-quarter 2024 results on Jul 30, 2024, after the closing bell. Its strong second-quarter earnings benefited on the back of higher AUM/A, growth in spread income and fee-based revenues.

Equitable Holdings Declines 11% Despite Q2 Earnings Beat

Equitable Holdings Inc

Equitable Holdings, Inc. Depositary Shares

Equitable Holdings, Inc. Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of Fixed Rate Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C

Jason Les, CEO of leading Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) miner Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>), stated on Monday that the company was committed to boosting Bitcoin yield for its shareholders but denied exploring maneuvers like those of&nbsp; Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) as yet.
What happened: During the firm's fourth-quarter earnings call on Monday, Les outlined the significance of offering a higher Bitcoin per share by minimizing dilution.&nbsp;
He pointed out that the company&#8217;s mining operations, characterized by a "very low" direct cost of production, are the key to this strategy.
"And of course, always going to be looking to raise capital in the least dilutive, lowest cost of capital manner in order to enhance Bitcoin yield," the CEO added.&nbsp;
The "Bitcoin Yield" metric, popularized by Strategy, the world's largest corporate holder, measures the percentage change in the number of Bitcoins a company owns per share over a period. The metric helps gauge the effectiveness of the Bitcoin acquisition strategy.&nbsp;
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43905274/kanye-west-deletes-x-posts-on-potential-meme-coin-unfollows-changpeng-zhao-whats-he-upto">Kanye West Deletes X Posts On Potential Meme Coin, Unfollows Changpeng Zhao — What&#8217;s He Upto?</a>
"We think with our assets and the things that we&#8217;ve what we build up here at Riot, we are well positioned to find alternative forms of financing," Les stated.
On the question of introducing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43913122/strategy-acquires-20356-bitcoin-for-1-99-billion-boosts-2025-btc-yield-to-6-9">"structured products"</a> like Strategy, the CEO said, "That&#8217;s not something that we&#8217;ve looked too closely at yet."
Why It Matters: Les' remarks come in the wake of a trend among leading U.S.-based Bitcoin miners to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42867736/us-bitcoin-miners-hoard-apex-crypto-to-shield-against-rising-expenses-mara-riot-replicate-microstrategys-playbook">accumulate BTC as a buffer</a> against increasing competition and shrinking profit margins.&nbsp;
Riot bagged approximately $510 million worth of Bitcoin in December. As of this writing, it was the third-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, with a stash of 18,221 BTC, worth $1.67 billion, <a href="https://bitcointreasuries.n">according</a> to bitcointreasuries.net.
Riot Platforms <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43928216/riot-platforms-shares-climb-after-fy-2024-results-details">reported </a>a fiscal 2024 revenue of $376.7 million, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $372.34 million. The company posted mining revenue of $321 million for the year, as compared to $189.0 million in 2023, primarily driven by higher average Bitcoin prices.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $92,165.87, down 3.64% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Shares of Riot rose 1% in after-hours trading, after closing 4.49% lower at $9.990 during Monday's trading session. Year-to-date, the stock has dropped 2.15%.
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/02/43903229/advisors-remain-divided-on-crypto-but-sec-approvals-demand-are-shifting-views">Advisors Remain Divided On Crypto, But SEC Approvals, Demand Are Shifting Views</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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MSTR

RIOT

Riot Platforms CEO Reaffirms Plan To Boost Bitcoin Yield But 'Not Looking Too Closely' At Michael Saylor-Led Strategy's Maneuvers

Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly pushing to deploy Starlink satellite internet terminals within the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's national airspace network — a move that raises concerns over conflicts of interest and the status of Verizon Communication's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31605628/verizon-secures-2-4b-contract-to-modernize-faa-infrastructure">existing contract to upgrade</a> the system.
What Happened: Musk approved the shipment of 4,000 Starlink terminals to the FAA last week to support the agency's IT infrastructure overhaul, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-25/musk-seeks-to-install-starlink-terminals-in-us-airspace-network">reported</a> Bloomberg, citing a person familiar with the matter.
One terminal has already been installed at the FAA's air-traffic control technology lab in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for testing.
The FAA manages 45,000 flights carrying nearly 3 million passengers daily.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43907210/tesla-exec-says-company-met-about-upcoming-roadster-earlier-this-month-confirms-ev-company-working-with-spacex-for-superior-specs">Tesla Exec Confirms Roadster Update Talks, Collaboration With SpaceX For Top Specs</a>
In 2023, Verizon was awarded a $2.4 billion contract to lead the network upgrade, but it remains unclear how Starlink's involvement could affect that agreement, the report noted.
Verizon denied knowledge of any changes. It told the publication that the company has "no indication that these reports are accurate."
Why It Matters: Musk's deepening involvement in government infrastructure projects could spark scrutiny, especially as the FAA is also responsible for regulating SpaceX's launches.
Musk's Starlink currently faces challenges from China&#8217;s SpaceSail and Jeff Bezos&#8217; Project Kuiper, both of which are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/02/43906438/elon-musks-starlink-braces-for-global-satellite-war-as-chinas-spacesail-and-jeff-bezos-kuiper-expand">expanding their satellite networks</a>.
Earlier, <a href="https://in.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">Starlink&#8217;s rapid deployment</a> was praised by President Donald Trump, who highlighted its crucial role during Hurricane Helene&#8217;s aftermath in North Carolina.
As SpaceX remains privately held, Musk last year dismissed the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39519229/elon-musk-dismisses-rumors-of-spacex-ipo-as-it-reportedly-seeks-210b-valuation-pressure-for-short-te">idea of an IPO</a>, citing the pressure for short-term results in public companies.
Price Action: Verizon&#8217;s stock rose 0.023% in after-hours trading to reach $43.33. Earlier on Monday, it closed at $43.32, marking a 1.31% gain, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Photo by Rokas Tenys on Shutterstock
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

SPACE

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Elon Musk's SpaceX Pushing To Integrate Starlink In US Airspace Network, Raising Conflict Of Interest Concerns

Influential economist and market commentator Peter Schiff criticized Strategy Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) debt-fueled Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) purchases on Monday, pointing out the decline in the firm&#8217;s share price and the narrowing Net Asset Value premium.
What Happened:&nbsp;Schiff stated on X that despite the company&#8217;s co-founder Michael Saylor talking&nbsp;about his leveraged Bitcoin buys&nbsp;generating a yield of 6.9% this year, the stock value has dropped by 6%. 
Schiff stated that the &#8220;massive dilution&#8221; has destroyed shareholder value, causing&nbsp;the premium to its Bitcoin&nbsp;holdings to collapse by 85%.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/saylor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saylor</a> bragged about his leveraged Bitcoin buys generating a BTC yield of 6.9% so far in 2025. However, the share price of <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MSTR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MSTR</a> is down 6% in 2025, while massive dilution has destroyed shareholder value, causing the premium to its Bitcoin holdings to collapse by 85%.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1894133709328052506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The NAV premium measures the firm's market value to its Bitcoin holdings value. According to the MSTR <a href="https://www.mstr-tracker.com/discuss/premium">tracker</a>, the premium was 1.604 as of this writing, or 60%, down from 2.148, or 148%, on Jan. 19. 
Typically, a high premium reflects the market&#8217;s trust in the company&#8217;s Bitcoin investment strategy.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43905274/kanye-west-deletes-x-posts-on-potential-meme-coin-unfollows-changpeng-zhao-whats-he-upto">Kanye West Deletes X Posts On Potential Meme Coin, Unfollows Changpeng Zhao — What&#8217;s He Upto?</a>
Why It Matters:&nbsp;Strategy&#8217;s Bitcoin play has been under scrutiny, with some, like Schiff, questioning its effectiveness. 
Last week, he <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43838036/peter-schiff-says-michael-saylor-led-strategys-convertible-debt-offerings-arent-going-well-as-stock-falls-despite-bitcoins-gain">warned</a> that if the company's shares continue to trade&nbsp;at a discount to its&nbsp;Bitcoin holdings, it could lead to a negative Bitcoin yield.
Strategy has spearheaded Bitcoin&#8217;s corporate adoption, accumulating a stockpile of 478,740 BTC, worth over $44 billion,&nbsp;<a href="https://bitcointreasuries.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to bitcointreasuries.net. The company announced its latest acquisition of 20,356 BTC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43399688/microstrategy-prices-preferred-stock-offering-at-80-per-share-seeks-563m-to-buy-bitcoin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for approximately $1.99 billion</a>&nbsp;on Monday.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $92,098.54, down 4.18% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Shares of MicroStrategy were down 2.21% in after-hours trading, after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR">closing </a>5.65% lower at $282.76 during Monday&#8217;s trading session.
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/25/02/43903229/advisors-remain-divided-on-crypto-but-sec-approvals-demand-are-shifting-views">Advisors Remain Divided On Crypto, But SEC Approvals, Demand Are Shifting Views</a></li>
</ul>

Peter Schiff Questions Michael Saylor-Led Strategy's Leverage Bitcoin Play Amid MSTR Decline: 'Massive Dilution Has Destroyed Shareholder Value'

Chinese tech giants Tencent Holdings (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCEHY#OTC">TCEHY</a>), Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), and ByteDance have significantly increased orders for Nvidia Corporation's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) H20 AI chips, as the rise of DeepSeek's low-cost AI models drives a surge in demand for AI computing power.
What Happened: The spike in H20 chip orders, reported by Reuters, citing six people familiar with the matter, highlights Nvidia's continued dominance in the AI chip market.
The H20 is a China-specific chip, developed in response to U.S. export restrictions that prevent Nvidia from selling its most advanced AI hardware to Chinese companies.
While concerns about additional U.S. trade restrictions exist, sources say the primary driver behind the demand is DeepSeek's AI models, which optimize computational efficiency for inference tasks rather than relying solely on raw processing power.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/02/43930715/google-sued-over-ai-search-overviews-education-company-says-tech-giant-is-stealing-content-and-driving-publishers-out-of-business">Google Sued Over AI Search Overviews — Education Company Says Tech Giant Is Stealing Content And Driving Publishers Out Of Business</a>
These models have gained rapid adoption across industries, from cloud computing to automotive applications.
Tencent is reportedly testing DeepSeek's AI models in WeChat, while automaker Great Wall has integrated them into its connected vehicle systems. Analysts estimate Nvidia shipped around 1 million H20 chips in 2024, generating over $12 billion in revenue.
Why It Matters: Last month, Nvidia recognized China's DeepSeek R1 AI model. The model built for less than $6 million, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43256425/nvidia-says-deepseek-an-illustration-of-how-new-ai-models-can-be-created-while-being-export-control-compliant-amid-600-billion-market-value-plunge">allegedly outperformed</a> top U.S. models, including those from OpenAI.
This milestone contributed to a broader tech market downturn, leading to a 17% decline in Nvidia's stock and a more than 20% plunge in AI infrastructure shares. It also led to a $600 billion drop in Nvidia's market capitalization.
Earlier this month, in an interview, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang addressed <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43876025/nvidia-ceo-attributed-the-deepseek-led-sell-off-to-investor-misconception-on-ai-spending-obviously-that-paradigm-is-wrong">investor concerns</a>, attributing the sell-off to misconceptions about AI infrastructure spending.
Price Action: In after-hours trading, Nvidia rose 0.51%, reaching $130.95 at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image via Shutterstock
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</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

BABA

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Nvidia Sees Rush For H20 AI Chip Orders As DeepSeek Disrupts AI Market— Tencent, Alibaba, ByteDance Fuel Demand Surge

On Monday, Cathie Wood&#8216;s Ark Invest made a significant purchase of Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) shares. This acquisition comes as Amazon continues its robust performance in the e-commerce sector, with analysts projecting further growth. The move aligns with recent insights highlighting Amazon&#8217;s potential as a leading player in the industry.
The Amazon Trade 
Ark Invest&#8217;s Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>) fund acquired 2,549 shares of Amazon.This purchase is valued at approximately $542,197, reflecting Amazon&#8217;s closing price of $212.71 on the same day. 
The acquisition comes amid a backdrop of positive analyst sentiment and strategic investments in Amazon. According to a <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43847764/amazon-tightens-grip-e-commerce-accelerates-jpmorgans-best-idea-2025">recent report</a>, JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth highlighted Amazon as his &#8220;Best Idea&#8221; for 2025, citing an expected acceleration in U.S. e-commerce growth.
Furthermore,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43875453/valueact-bets-119-million-on-amazon-as-analysts-see-25-upside-whats-driving-jeff-bezos-e-commerce-gianthttps://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43880110/james-bond-franchise-shifts-hands-to-amazon-mgm-studios">ValueAct Holdings</a>&nbsp;recently invested $119 million in Amazon, reflecting confidence in the company&#8217;s strategic direction. This investment aligns with Amazon&#8217;s reported fourth-quarter net sales of $187.8 billion, surpassing analyst expectations and marking a 10% year-over-year increase. These developments underscore Amazon&#8217;s strong market position and potential for continued growth.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Deere &amp; Co: Ark Invest&#8217;s ARKK fund purchased 10,271 shares.</li>
<li>Iridium Communications Inc: ARKK fund acquired 108,803 shares,</li>
<li>Datadog Inc: ARKW fund bought 15,597 shares.</li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43929332/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-has-new-book-out-about-silicon-valley-a-moment-of-reckoning-has-arrived-for-the-west">Palantir CEO Alex Karp Has New Book Out About Silicon Valley: &#8216;A Moment Of Reckoning Has Arrived For The West&#8217;</a></li>
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

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AMZN

ARKF

Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Makes Amazon Bet in Monday Market Splash

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43818083/elon-musk-revives-decades-old-push-to-audit-the-fed-jerome-powell-warns-its-a-step-toward-eliminating-the-central-bank">Elon Musk'</a>s social media company X is in talks to raise new funding that would value the platform at $44 billion—the same amount Musk paid for it in 2022, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-19/musk-s-x-is-in-talks-to-raise-money-at-a-44-billion-valuation?embedded-checkout=true">according to Bloomberg</a>. The discussions are ongoing, and the final terms could change, the report added.&nbsp;
If the deal goes through, it would be the first major outside investment since Musk's takeover.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">X&#8217;s Financial Moves and the Road to Recovery</h2>
Since Musk took control, has had a tough time holding on to advertisers. According to <a href="https://www.actionsxchangerepository.fidelity.com/ShowDocument/ComplianceEnvelope.htm?_fax=-18%2342%23-61%23-110%23114%2378%23117%2320%23-1%2396%2339%23-62%23-21%2386%23-100%2337%2316%2335%23-68%2391%23-66%2354%23103%23-16%2369%23-30%2358%23-20%2376%23-84%23-11%23-87%2348%23-52%23-21%23-96%23-58%23-33%23-107%23-46%2393%23113%23-112%23127%23-42%23-97%2330%23-58%23-24%23-27%23-119%2394%23-121%23-102%23-69%23-71%23-99%2338%2353%23-51%2361%23-106%23-18%23-43%23-106%23-20%23-31%2385%23-55%235%2388%23-74%2371%23107%23-82%23-3%23-86%23-27%23-57%23-125%2342%23119%2357%23-111%2321%2363%23-99%2317%23-28%2320%23-38%23-101%23113%2380%23-77%23-4%23">Fidelity Investments</a>, the company's valuation dropped nearly 72% by October, largely because of concerns over content moderation and brand safety. Advertising revenue took a hit, and many major brands pulled their spending. But now, there are signs of a comeback.
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In December, as mentioned by Bloomberg, Musk's aerospace company, SpaceX, reached a valuation of $350 billion, cementing its status as the most valuable private tech firm.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, his artificial intelligence startup, xAI, secured $6 billion in funding at a $50 billion valuation and could soon see that number climb to $75 billion. X holds a 10% stake in xAI, which ties its future to the fast-growing AI sector.
To add value, X has integrated xAI's Grok 3 AI model into its platform. As claimed by the company, <a href="https://x.com/grok/status/1891793693020991658">Grok 3 outperforms </a>AI systems from Google (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)), OpenAI, Anthropic, and DeepSeek. Following its release, X raised the price of its Premium+ subscription to nearly $50 a month as part of a push to generate more revenue outside of advertising.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/millionaires-never-earned-six-figures-according-to-dave-ramsey">69% of Millionaires Never Earned A Six-Figure Salary – Here Are 2 Things They Do To Get Their First $1 Million, According To Dave Ramsey</a>
Still, ad revenue hasn't fully bounced back. In line with industry reports, X's U.S. ad sales were down 28% year-over-year in 2024. However, some brands are returning. CEO Linda Yaccarino <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R9LtHiZ74w">said in early January</a> that 90% of advertisers who had previously left have resumed spending on the platform.
X has appeared to be pressuring advertising giant Interpublic Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IPG#NYSE">IPG</a>) to increase client spending on the platform, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/x-hinted-at-possible-deal-trouble-in-talks-with-ad-giant-to-increase-spending-feb122a6">according to The Wall Street Journal</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Interpublic leadership saw a phone call from an attorney from X as a threat that its planned $13 billion merger with Omnicom Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OMC#NYSE">OMC</a>) could be slowed down or blocked by the incoming Trump administration due to Musk's expected role in the government, The Journal reported.&nbsp;
Musk also is dealing with legal troubles. The Securities and Exchange Commission on Jan. 14 <a href="https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26219">announced a lawsuit</a> against Musk for allegedly not timely disclosing he purchased more than 5% of Twitter's common stock in March 2022. The regulator said the lack of timely disclosure allowed Musk to save $150 million on the deal.&nbsp;
Read Next:
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<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
</ul>

GOOG

Elon Musk's X Eyes $44 Billion Comeback Amid Trump's Victory – 'A Major Turnaround' After Losing 72% of Its Value

The stock market experienced a correction on Monday, with the Nasdaq Composite sliding over 200 points. Meanwhile, the Dow inched up 0.08% to 43,461.21, while the Nasdaq dropped 1.2% to 19,286.92. The S&amp;P 500 also declined, slipping 0.5% to 5,983.25.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Palantir Technologies Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>)
Palantir shares fell by 10.53% to close at $90.68, with an intraday high and low of $99.01 and $89.3, respectively. The 52-week high and low stand at $99.01 and $15.67. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43920295/palantir-extends-losses-microsoft-slides-whats-driving-markets-monday">company&#8217;s shares extended losses</a>&nbsp;as the major indices struggled to maintain early momentum.
Tempus AI Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>)
Tempus AI shares rose by 2.17% to close at $69.57. The stock hit an intraday high of $74.2 and a low of $65.37. The 52-week high and low are $91.45 and $22.89, respectively. The shares moved higher ahead of its 2024 fiscal-year <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43920295/palantir-extends-losses-microsoft-slides-whats-driving-markets-monday">fourth-quarter earnings report.</a>
Riot Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>)
Riot Platforms shares fell by 4.49% to close at $9.99, with an intraday high and low of $10.63 and $9.84, respectively. The 52-week high and low stand at $18.36 and $6.36. The shares climbed after the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)-mining company reported its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43928216/riot-platforms-shares-climb-after-fy-2024-results-details">fourth-quarter results</a>, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $372.34 million.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>)
Berkshire Hathaway shares fell by 2.55% to close at $1432.5. The stock hit an intraday high of $1460 and a low of $1420. The 52-week high and low are $2140 and $1403.75, respectively. The <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43918506/berkshire-hathaway-stock-hits-new-all-time-highs-passes-tesla-analyst-sees-more-upside-ahead">shares hit all-time highs</a> on the heels of the company&#8217;s annual shareholder letter from CEO Warren Buffett.The legendary investor reiterated his belief in U.S. equities in the letter.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla shares fell by 2.15% to close at $330.53. The stock hit an intraday high of $342.4 and a low of $324.7. The 52-week high and low are $488.54 and $138.8, respectively. The shares traded volatile after the company announced it will deploy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43922637/tesla-stock-is-trading-volatile-today-whats-driving-the-action">full self-driving features in China</a>.
Image via Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/%E2%80%9CPremarket">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/exclusives/25/02/43917155/warren-buffett-americas-businesses-usually-find-a-way">Warren Buffett: America&#8217;s Businesses &#8216;Usually Find A Way&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

PLTR

TSLA

Palantir, Tempus AI, Riot Platforms, Berkshire Hathaway, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Leading cryptocurrencies corrected sharply on Monday as the Bybit hack and President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff threat weighed on the market.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-4.82%</td>
<td>$91,639.29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-11.48%</td>
<td>$2,494.24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-13.79%</td>
<td>$0.2096</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin sank below $91,000 for the first time in over three months, while Ethereum fell to an intraday low of $2,461.52, its lowest since Feb. 3.
The apex cryptocurrency has already lost 9.7% since February began, in contrast to the 43% rise it saw last year. Ethereum has dropped 23.63% and could be heading to its worst February.
Ethereum was at the center of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43905078/bybit-nears-recovery-after-crypto-heist-freezes-42-89-million-in-stolen-funds-secures-1-23-billion-in-eth-through-whales-and-loans">$1.4 billion hack</a> on cryptocurrency exchange Bybit. Although the platform claims to have restored its ETH holdings to pre-hack levels, concerns about hackers dumping such a big amount have generated alarm.
The market bled profusely, with over $960 million getting liquidated in the last 24 hours. Upside bets accounted for $890 million.&nbsp;
Hedges against price decline increased as the total number of short positions surpassed long positions, according to the Long/Short Ratio.
That said, a whopping $1.61 billion in short positions risked liquidation if Bitcoin reclaimed $100,000.
The market was gripped with "Extreme Fear," according to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index, sparking concerns of further downsides.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Story (IP)</td>
<td>+15.01%</td>
<td>$4.65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DeXe (DEXE)</td>
<td>+2.31%</td>
<td>$19.06</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Berachain (BERA)</td>
<td>+0.87%</td>
<td>$16.94</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.08 trillion, falling by 2.56% in the last 24 hours.
Investors will be watching the all-important earnings report of artificial intelligence darling Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), slated for Wednesday.&nbsp;
In addition, the Federal Reserve&#8217;s favorite inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures index, will be released on Friday, providing cues about the central bank&#8217;s moves on interest rates.
Major stock indexes slid on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.50% to close at 5,983.25. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite lost 1.21% during the session, ending at 19,286.92. The Dow Jones Industrial Average chalked out a narrow gain of 0.08% to close at 43,461.21.
The sentiment was impacted after Trump reaffirmed that tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43926015/trump-confirms-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-will-take-effect-as-planned">would take effect as planned</a>.&nbsp;
Investors will focus on the all-important earnings report of artificial intelligence darling Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), slated for Wednesday.&nbsp;
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency analyst and investor Ali Martinez cautioned traders that if Bitcoin loses $93,700 as support, the next key level of interest is $75,600.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> fails to hold $93,700 as support, the next key level to watch is $75,600! <a href="https://t.co/bCfwEHhlYJ">pic.twitter.com/bCfwEHhlYJ</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1894164403567956097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
He also highlighted the declining capital inflows into the cryptocurrency market in the last 10 days, which fell from $52 billion to $26.5 billion.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Capital inflows into the crypto market have dropped nearly 50% in the past 10 days, declining from $52 billion to $26.5 billion. <a href="https://t.co/m9DWHiyQPn">pic.twitter.com/m9DWHiyQPn</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1894092177686339994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Chris Burniske, cofounder of cryptocurrency firm Placeholder, stated that the ongoing "mid-bull reset" is not unprecedented and that top coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) witnessed big corrections during the last bull cycle in 2021.
"Those calling for a full-blown bear are misguided," Burniske added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">In the middle of 2021:<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> drew down 56%<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> drew down 61%<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24SOL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$SOL</a> drew down 67% Many others 70-80%+ You can come up with all the reasons for why this cycle is different, but the mid-bull reset we&#39;re going through isn&#39;t unprecedented. Those calling for a full blown bear are…
&mdash; Chris Burniske (@cburniske) <a href="https://twitter.com/cburniske/status/1894163006080127217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43920916/michael-saylor-presents-digital-assets-framework-to-sec-crypto-task-force">Michael Saylor Presents &#8216;Digital Assets Framework&#8217; To SEC Crypto Task Force</a></li>
</ul>

Movers

$DOGE

$ETH

$SOL

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Bleed Amid Trump's Tariff Threat, Bybit Mega Breach: Analyst Says 'Mid-Bull Reset' Not Unprecedented, Full-Blown Bear Market Not Yet Here

On Monday, Chegg Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHGG#NYSE">CHGG</a>) sued Alphabet Inc.'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>) Google, alleging that its AI-generated search overviews are unfairly using publishers' content, reducing site traffic, and threatening the future of online publishing.
What Happened: Chegg, a provider of textbook rentals and online tutoring, filed the lawsuit in Washington, D.C., claiming that Google&#8217;s AI overviews are diminishing demand for original content and harming publishers&#8217; competitiveness, reported Reuters.
Chegg CEO Nathan Schultz stated, "Our lawsuit is about more than Chegg – it's about the digital publishing industry, the future of internet search, and about students losing access to quality, step-by-step learning in favor of low-quality, unverified AI summaries."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43771526/after-google-stands-firm-on-gulf-of-america-label-mexico-says-its-waiting-for-a-new-response-or-will-proceed-to-court">After Google Stands Firm On &#8216;Gulf of America&#8217; Label, Mexico Says It&#8217;s Waiting For A New Response Or &#8216;Will Proceed To Court&#8217;</a>
Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda dismissed the claims, stating, "With AI Overviews, people find Search more helpful and use it more, creating new opportunities for content to be discovered."
Why It Matters: Previously, publishers like The Atlantic have also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36236482/googles-ai-search-a-double-edged-sword-for-publishers-like-the-atlantic">expressed concerns</a> over Google&#8217;s AI search capabilities, fearing reduced web traffic as users receive direct answers without visiting external sites.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Alphabet reported total revenue of $96.5 billion <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43479274/alphabet-q4-earnings-highlights-ai-cloud-youtube-momentum-continues-capex-guidance-sends-shares-lower">for the fourth quarter</a>, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year. However, this figure fell slightly short of the Street consensus estimate of $96.6 billion.
At the time, Google also revealed that its AI-driven search features are now generating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43485518/google-ais-search-revenue-matches-traditional-ads-says-alphabet-but-there-is-rising-competition-from-openai-perplexity-deepseek">monetization rates</a> on par with traditional search results.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Alphabet&#8217;s Class A shares dipped 0.14% in after-hours trading to $179.01, while Class C shares inched up 0.011% to $181.21, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga Pro data</a>. Meanwhile, Chegg shares have plummeted over 98% from their 2021 peak.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
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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<li><a href="https://in.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43646042/elon-musks-97-4-billion-openai-takeover-bid-reportedly-not-received-by-chatgpt-parent-another-one-of-his-tactics-says-sam-altman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's $97.4 Billion OpenAI Takeover Bid Reportedly Not Received By ChatGPT Parent: ‘Another One Of His Tactics,' Says Sam Altman</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Legal

CHGG

GOOGL

Google Sued Over AI Search Overviews — Education Company Says Tech Giant Is Stealing Content And Driving Publishers Out Of Business

Amazon.com, Inc. has unveiled a comprehensive guide to help job seekers navigate its rigorous hiring process—an approach rooted in founder Jeff Bezos&#8217; long-standing belief that hiring the right people is critical to a company&#8217;s success.
What Happened: Since Amazon's early days, Bezos has spoken about the importance of hiring top-tier talent.
In a 1998 interview, he revealed that he spent "about a third of the interview asking questions designed to ascertain whether or not [a candidate] can hire great people."
He believed that scaling Amazon successfully hinged not just on external challenges but on the company's internal ability to execute with top talent.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36631415/this-amazon-applicants-interview-answer-earned-her-a-seat-3-feet-away-from-amazons-bezos">This Amazon Applicant&#8217;s Interview Answer Earned Her A Seat 3 Feet Away From Jeff Bezos</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Jeff Bezos on hiring (1998): "I spend a third of the job interview asking questions designed to ascertain whether they can hire great people."<a href="https://t.co/NgYVx225Tt">pic.twitter.com/NgYVx225Tt</a>
&mdash; Jon Erlichman (@JonErlichman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonErlichman/status/1309267796040261632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Now, Amazon is continuing that legacy by pulling back the curtain on its hiring process. In a blog post last week, the company outlined six key things every candidate should know when interviewing for a job at Amazon in 2025.
The Interview Process Is Structured And Multi-Step
Amazon's hiring process typically involves an initial phone screen, followed by role-specific assessments, and then an in-depth interview loop with multiple employees. The entire process can take anywhere from three to six weeks, with additional time required for senior roles.
You'll Have Several Key Contacts Throughout
Candidates will interact with a recruiter, a dedicated scheduler, and multiple interviewers, including a "bar raiser." This specially trained interviewer ensures Amazon maintains consistently high hiring standards and helps eliminate bias in decision-making.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Amazon's Leadership Principles Are The Foundation
Amazon evaluates candidates based on its Leadership Principles, which guide company culture. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these principles, with "Customer Obsession" being central to every role.
Clear Timelines Help Keep Candidates Informed
Amazon aims to provide a decision within two business days of a phone screen and within five business days after final interviews. Offers typically involve a brief negotiation phase lasting a few days to a week.
Extensive Resources Are Available
Candidates can access role-specific interview guides, insights on company culture via Amazon's YouTube channel, and structured preparation methods like the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
‘Candid Chats' Offer A Glimpse Into Amazon's Culture
Before making a decision, candidates can participate in informal Candid Chats with current Amazon employees, allowing them to ask real questions about company culture, work-life balance, and career growth.
Amazon currently holds a market cap of $2.254 trillion, ranking as the world&#8217;s fourth most valuable company. Year-to-date, its stock is down 3.41%, but over the past 12 months, it has risen by 21.74%.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Image via Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41268186/jeff-bezos-led-amazon-almost-ran-out-of-cash-24-years-ago-at-400b-it-is-now-projected-to-have-as">Jeff Bezos-Led Amazon Almost Ran Out Of Cash 24 Years Ago. At $400B, It Is Now Projected To Have As Much Cash As Apple And Microsoft Combined By 2027: Here&#8217;s More</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.

Jeff Bezos Knew Great Hiring Was Crucial Because He Used To Ascertain One Key Thing In Interviews — Now, Amazon Has Dropped 6 Must-Know Secrets To Landing A Job At The Tech Giant In 2025

Wilfredo Pagan, a 77-year-old Long Island resident, has spent years battling an unexpected adversary: the Social Security Administration. Despite being very much alive, Pagan has been repeatedly denied <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43592816/social-security-beneficiaries-have-every-reason-to-be-alarmed-by-musks-access-to-u-s-department-of-treasury-payment-system">Social Security benefits</a> because, according to government records, he has been dead for years. The bureaucratic mix-up has left him struggling to pay mounting medical bills while fighting to reclaim the benefits he has earned.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Bureaucratic Nightmare</h2>
Pagan, who owns a small shop in Far Rockaway selling spiritual candles and religious statues, has been trying to prove his existence to the SSA for years. His goddaughter, Deana Bain, has been by his side, showing officials multiple records dating back to 2016 that incorrectly list him as deceased. Yet, every attempt to correct the error has been met with delays and dead ends.
&#8220;We'll do an investigation and call you,&#8221; officials have repeatedly told Bain. But, as <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/social-security-denies-benefits-long-island/6146362/">she told WNBC-TV news</a>, &#8220;Nothing.&#8221;
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<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
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Pagan&#8217;s frustration deepened when he visited his local Social Security office in Freeport, bringing his original <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43759346/massive-data-breach-exposes-americans-financial-details-names-card-numbers-pins-and-more-at-risk">Social Security card</a> to support his claim. Instead of resolving the issue, a worker confiscated his card, telling him it was fake. Pagan, who has worked his entire life and contributed to Social Security, was left humiliated and accused of fraud.
&#8220;Like I was a thief,&#8221; he recalled. &#8220;That is what hurt me.&#8221;
Despite presenting additional documents, including his birth certificate, Pagan says officials refused to listen.
Trending: The average 401(k) balance soars to a record-breaking high – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/average-401k-balances-soars-to-record-high">Here's how to know if your nest egg is keeping pace.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Consequences of a Clerical Error</h2>
The effects of being <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/40043132/social-security-administration-accidentally-kills-memphis-woman-blocking-her-from-access-to-mone">mistakenly declared dead by Social Security</a> extend beyond denied benefits. According to the Social Security Advisory Board, between 7,000 and 12,000 people are incorrectly recorded as deceased each year. The consequences can be severe, affecting identity authentication, employment opportunities, tax refunds, and even access to credit.
For Pagan, the error has had a devastating impact on his declining health. Without Social Security benefits, he has struggled to cover his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43662970/mark-cuban-says-u-s-healthcare-is-horrific-calls-for-free-medical-school-to-fix-doctor-shortages-and-soaring-costs">medical expenses</a>, and Bain worries that hospitals may refuse to treat him due to unpaid bills.
Adding to the confusion, Bain says that at one point, SSA officials suggested that someone else was receiving Pagan's benefits using his Social Security number. They claimed a person in the Dominican Republic had died while using his identity, but provided no further details.
See Also: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Glimmer of Hope?</h2>
Despite the repeated setbacks, Pagan had no trouble obtaining a U.S. passport last year, which listed his Social Security number. Yet, the death notices from the SSA continued to arrive.
After WNBC reported on Pagan's case, the SSA finally took action. Within hours of the news station reaching out to the local Social Security office, a representative contacted his family. While the agency declined to comment on Pagan's case specifically, he was granted an appointment at the Freeport Social Security office on Feb. 12.
The outcome of this meeting hasn't yet been reported on, but Pagan could be owed thousands of dollars in back benefits. For a man who has spent years trying to prove he is alive, this progression may finally bring the resolution he desperately needs.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/millionaires-never-earned-six-figures-according-to-dave-ramsey">69% of Millionaires Never Earned A Six-Figure Salary – Here Are 2 Things They Do To Get Their First $1 Million, According To Dave Ramsey</a></li>
</ul>

Social Security Says He's Dead—But This 77-Year-Old Long Island Resident Proves He's Very Much Alive

SXTC

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

On Monday, Elon Musk expressed his frustration over the perceived incompetence of federal workers and misuse of taxpayer money in a post on X. 
What Happened: Musk, who is associated with the Department of Government Efficiency, criticized the inability of some employees to pass a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43902918/elon-musk-demands-federal-workers-justify-their-jobs-fbis-kash-patel-tells-employees-not-to-respond">simple email test</a>, which he deemed as a display of contempt for how taxes are being spent.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The email request was utterly trivial, as the standard for passing the test was to type some words and press send! Yet so many failed even that inane test, urged on in some cases by their managers. Have you ever witnessed such INCOMPETENCE and CONTEMPT for how YOUR TAXES are… <a href="https://t.co/QjSmY4ezpg">https://t.co/QjSmY4ezpg</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1894173297786720718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
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This post comes in the wake of Musk&#8217;s demand that federal employees justify their positions to him via email or risk losing their jobs. This directive, according to Musk, aligns with President Donald Trump&#8217;s instructions to eradicate federal waste and fraud. However, this move has been met with resistance, with FBI&#8217;s Kash Patel advising employees not to respond to Musk&#8217;s request.
Musk said that subject to the discretion of Trump, Federal employees would be &#8220;given another chance.&#8221; Responding to the right-wing political commentator Matt Walsh, he said, &#8220;Failure to respond a second time will result in termination.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Subject to the discretion of the President, they will be given another chance. Failure to respond a second time will result in termination. <a href="https://t.co/04xzgScXfj">https://t.co/04xzgScXfj</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1894177129887404484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43929806/dave-ramsey-says-its-very-difficult-to-trust-someone-in-pajamas-on-a-zoom-call-admits-hes-the-crotchety-old-boss">Dave Ramsey Says &#8216;It&#8217;s Very Difficult To Trust Someone In Pajamas On A Zoom Call&#8217;—Admits He&#8217;s &#8216;The Crotchety Old Boss&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s role as a senior advisor to Trump has been under legal scrutiny, with allegations of him exercising &#8220;virtually unchecked power&#8221;. The Trump administration clarified that Musk is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43902918/elon-musk-demands-federal-workers-justify-their-jobs-fbis-kash-patel-tells-employees-not-to-respond">not a part of the DOGE</a> team but serves as a senior advisor to the President. This clarification comes as the Trump administration faces a lawsuit alleging Musk's influence is excessive for a non-elected, non-Senate-confirmed individual.
A lawsuit filed by several Democratic states seeks to restrict Musk and the DOGE team from accessing government systems, arguing that Musk's influence contravenes the Constitution. The Trump administration, however, maintains that Musk is not a DOGE employee and does not have the authority to make government decisions himself.
Musk&#8217;s recent post and his demands on federal workers are likely to fuel this ongoing controversy. His demand that federal employees submit work summaries or be considered resigned faced swift pushback from agency heads and lawmakers, leading the Trump administration to clarify that responses were voluntary. While Trump defended Musk's move as an efficiency measure, even some Republican senators criticized it as overreach, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5161948-trump-musk-opm-email-backlash/">reported</a> The Hill.
Image via Shutterstock
Did You Know?
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</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Government

Politics

Elon Musk Says DOGE Email Request To Federal Workers Utterly Trivial: 'Failure To Respond A Second Time Will Result In Termination'

Dave Ramsey is doubling down on his stance against remote work, joining the ranks of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43306967/elon-musk-slams-work-from-home-as-messed-up-and-morally-wrong-meanwhile-remote-workers-quietly-sneak-in-three-day-weekends-every-week">Elon Musk</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43757032/jamie-dimon-goes-off-on-return-to-office-critics-you-dont-have-to-work-at-jpmorgan">Jamie Dimon</a>, explicitly saying that in-person collaboration is the key to success.&nbsp;
On a recent episode of the &#8220;EntreLeadership&#8221; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuu7_xBcFDI">podcast</a>, Ramsey talked with a business owner who was worried about employees skipping lunch to leave work early. This led to a bigger conversation about workplace rules, leadership, and his strong opinion on remote work.
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<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Case Against Remote Work</h2>
Ramsey, the well-known personal finance guru and business leader, was direct when talking about the efficiency of remote work. &#8220;We know things move at the speed of trust, and it&#8217;s very difficult to trust someone sitting in their pajamas on a Zoom call,&#8221; he said.
He explained that at Ramsey Solutions, employees are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39945751/bosses-admit-using-return-to-office-mandate-to-get-workers-to-quit-survey">expected to work from the office</a> because it improves communication, creativity, and productivity. While he acknowledged that working from home isn&#8217;t &#8220;morally wrong,&#8221; he argued that it simply isn&#8217;t as effective as in-person collaboration.
Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a>
His comments reflect a broader debate among business owners about the pros and cons of remote work. Some companies have embraced flexibility, while others, like Ramsey Solutions, insist that employees are more productive and engaged when they work in a shared space.
Ramsey also admitted that his stance has led some employees to quit. &#8220;I&#8217;ve had some people that said they wanted to work from home, and so they quit and went to work for somebody who wanted to work from home,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Which I guess makes me the crotchety old boss in this scenario, right?&#8221;
Despite acknowledging that his views aren&#8217;t popular with everyone, he stood by his belief that workplace structure is a key part of running a successful business. &#8220;It is my name on the side of the building, and it is my signature on the bottom of your freaking paycheck,&#8221; he stated.
See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Ramsey's remarks highlight the challenges many business owners face when balancing employee preferences with business needs. His message is that company culture and expectations should be firmly established, and employees who disagree have the option to seek work elsewhere.
His advice to the business owner on the podcast was to address the issue directly and set precise expectations for employees, telling them that he let this situation go unchecked for a while, which created a gap in their customer service. He should also tell them he has regrets about not addressing it sooner because now it might seem like he&#8217;s reversing his stance, but that's not the case.
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Personal Finance

Dave Ramsey Says 'It's Very Difficult To Trust Someone In Pajamas On A Zoom Call'—Admits He's 'The Crotchety Old Boss'

Raymond James Finl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RJF#NYSE">RJF</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 4.4% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.7%. Currently, Raymond James Finl has a market capitalization of $31.08 billion. 
Buying $1000 In RJF: If an investor had bought $1000 of RJF stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $10,952.50 today based on a price of $151.68 for RJF at the time of writing.
<h3>Raymond James Finl's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740440711_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.

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 20 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) is set to report its fourth-quarter results after Tuesday's closing bell. Here's a look at what to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/43900819/these-4-low-pe-tech-stocks-could-be-breakout-ready-bargains">expect in the report. </a>
What To Watch: Investors will be looking for updates on First Solar's net bookings which were 4.0 GW year-to-date last quarter and only 0.4 GW growth in the third quarter.&nbsp;
Wall Street will also be interested in the company's guidance heading into fiscal 2025. First Solar lowered its<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41613167/first-solar-stock-sinks-after-worse-than-expected-q3-results-cut-fy24-guidance"> fiscal 2024</a> net sales forecast to a range of $4.1 billion to $4.25 billion, versus the $4.44 billion estimate, last quarter.&nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43920295/palantir-extends-losses-microsoft-slides-whats-driving-markets-monday">Palantir Extends Losses, Microsoft Slides: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Monday?&nbsp;</a>
The company also lowered its full-year earnings forecast from between $13 and $14 per share to between $13 and $13.50 per share, versus the $13.49 estimate.
First Solar executives may provide commentary on the political climate and new Energy Secretary Chris Wright, whose background in the fossil fuel industry and his views on climate change and renewable energy could be of concern.&nbsp;
Analysts Weigh In: First Solar stock has a consensus price target of $278.71 based on the ratings of 25 analysts.&nbsp; The high is $367, issued by Morgan Stanley in November 2024 and the low is $209, issued by Wells Fargo on Jan. 8, 2025.&nbsp;
Mizuho analyst Maheep Mandloi upgraded First Solar shares from Neutral to Outperform and raised the price target from $218 to $259 in mid-February.&nbsp;
According to estimates from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings of $4.71 per share on revenue of $1.47 billion.&nbsp;
FSLR Price Action: According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, First Solar shares ended Monday's session down 1.63% at $152.91.&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43903335/financial-crime-weekly-1-4-billion-ethereum-stolen-in-largest-crypto-hack-ever-sec-creates-cyber-and-emerging-technologies-unit">Financial Crime Weekly: $1.4 Billion Ethereum Stolen In Largest Crypto Hack Ever, SEC Creates Cyber And Emerging Technologies Unit</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

Previews

FSLR

First Solar Q4 Earnings Preview: Sales, Net Bookings To Watch

Republic Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSG#NYSE">RSG</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 43.8% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 58.85%. Currently, Republic Servs has a market capitalization of $72.67 billion. 
Buying $1000 In RSG: If an investor had bought $1000 of RSG stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $10,709.16 today based on a price of $232.71 for RSG at the time of writing.
<h3>Republic Servs's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740439809_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.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Republic Servs Stock In The Last 5 Years

TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles maintains Domino's Pizza (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPZ#NASDAQ">DPZ</a>) with a Buy and maintains $490 price target.

Price Target

TD Cowen Maintains Buy on Domino's Pizza, Maintains $490 Price Target

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) shares traded higher Monday following reports that multiple lenders are preparing to back a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/02/43791793/why-is-walgreens-boots-alliance-stock-trading-higher-on-tuesday">potential buyout from</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/02/43791793/why-is-walgreens-boots-alliance-stock-trading-higher-on-tuesday"> Sycamore Partners</a>.
What To Know: Morgan Stanley, UBS and private lenders are reportedly putting together a $10 billion package to back Sycamore Partners&#8217; potential takeover deal for Walgreens, according to a <a href="https://x.com/OctusCredit/status/1894084066774863917">post</a> from Octus on Monday.
Sources familiar with the matter said the deal could be separated into multiple tranches and nothing has been formalized yet.
Walgreens Boots Alliance shares are up approximately 16% since the start of the year, buoyed by buyout rumors. Bloomberg<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-18/walgreens-gains-after-cnbc-says-sycamore-takeout-is-alive?embedded-checkout=true"> reported</a> last week that Walgreens shares were up after CNBC&#8217;s David Faber said the deal was still &#8220;alive&#8221; after being "mostly dead a couple of weeks ago.&#8221;
The news follows <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">reports</a> from December that indicated Walgreens was discussing a deal with Sycamore Partners in which the company would sell itself to the private-equity firm and pull the pharmacy chain from public markets.
Walgreens shares have been trending lower for the past 10 years. The stock was trading above $90 per share and valued at more than $100 billion in 2015. Walgreens had a market cap of $8.78 billion as of Monday's close, per <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/02/43926641/hims-hers-health-stock-drops-after-q4-report-eps-in-line-revenues-beat">Hims &amp; Hers Health Stock Drops After Q4 Report: EPS In-Line, Revenues Beat</a>
WBA Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/wba">Walgreens shares</a> closed Monday up 6.31% at $10.80, according to data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Shutterstock.

Walgreens Boots Alliance Stock Is Up More Than 6% On Monday: Here's What Happened

DA Davidson analyst Linda Bolton Weiser maintains Hasbro (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAS#NASDAQ">HAS</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $73 to $75.

DA Davidson Maintains Neutral on Hasbro, Raises Price Target to $75

Press Releases

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Equitable Launches 401(k) Pooled Employer Plan

Equitable Holdings Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation Honors Equitable President Nick Lane

RGA Announces Reinsurance Transaction with Equitable Holdings

Equitable Holdings Reinsures 75% of its Individual Life Block with RGA, Enhancing Focus on Growth in Retirement, Asset Management, and Wealth Management

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