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ESH Acquisition Corp. - Right

As the year-end approaches, concerns are mounting over the potential disruption of the traditional &#8220;Santa Claus rally&#8221; in the stock market. Lawrence G. McMillan, a seasoned trader and author, has raised alarms about what he calls the &#8216;Grinch pinch,&#8217; which could impact this seasonal market phenomenon.
What Happened: McMillan analyzed the current state of the stock market in a recent op-ed <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/santa-claus-rally-begins-but-will-the-stock-market-avoid-a-grinch-pinch-b00cd0bb">published </a>in MarketWatch on Friday, focusing on the S&amp;P 500 Index. The index is attempting to rebound from a sharp decline following the U.S. Federal Reserve&#8217;s December meeting. While the VIX has decreased and market indicators appear positive, McMillan warns that the market remains within a broad trading range between 5,870 and 6,100, with notable resistance and support levels.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42638862/kiyosaki-warns-of-global-financial-crisis-protect-your-wealth-by-investing-in-real-assets?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Rich Dad Poor Dad&#8217; Author Robert Kiyosaki Warns Of Global Financial Crisis: &#8216;Invest In Real Assets To Protect Your Wealth by Investing in Real Assets&#8217;</a>
Despite the market entering a bullish seasonal period known as the &#8220;Santa Claus rally,&#8221; McMillan advises investors to remain vigilant. 
The &#8220;Grinch pinch&#8221; refers to potential negative factors that could impede this rally. Although market breadth is improving, new lows on the NYSE still surpass new highs. McMillan suggests maintaining a core bullish position as long as the SPX stays above 5,870.
&#8220;In other words, the outlook for stocks can be quite negative if the market does not rally during this period,&#8221; he said.
Why It Matters: The &#8220;Santa Claus rally&#8221; is a well-documented phenomenon where the stock market tends to deliver gains during the final trading days of December. Historically, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42675763/santa-rally-serial-winners-10-stocks-historically-poised-for-big-year-end-gains">S&amp;P 500</a> has gained in 64 out of the last 96 years during the Dec. 24–Dec. 31 window, averaging a 0.85% return. Notably, in 2018, the S&amp;P 500 surged 6.6%, marking its strongest year-end rally on record.
Despite recent declines in U.S. stock futures post-Christmas, analysts remain optimistic about a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42681352/us-futures-tumble-after-christmas-break-but-analysts-still-expect-a-santa-claus-rally">potential Santa Rally</a> into the New Year. The S&amp;P 500 is on track for a robust 20% plus return for the second consecutive year in 2024. With a high probability of no change in interest rates for the upcoming Jan. 31, 2025 decision, the market outlook remains cautiously optimistic.
Price Action: As per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro,</a> as of Friday pre-market hours, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) which tracks the S&amp;P 500 has increased by 1.68% in the past five days. During the same time frame, the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) which tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index has increased by 1.65%. 
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42666635/blackrocks-bitcoin-etf-could-outshine-sp-500-tracking-spy-to-become-top-investment-vehicle-but-it-will-take-a-long-time-says-prominent-analyst?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackrock&#8217;s Bitcoin ETF Could Outshine S&amp;P 500-Tracking SPY To Become Top Investment Vehicle But It Will Take A &#8216;Long&#8217; Time, Says Prominent Analyst</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Midjourney

Analyst Color

News

General

Expert Warns Of Potential 'Grinch Pinch' Impacting Santa Claus Rally: 'The Outlook For Stocks Can Be Quite Negative'

Discussions around quantum computing have surged since Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) subsidiary Google teased its next-generation chip, &#8220;Willow," sparking interest in equities tied to the technology.
What happened: Shares of Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>), a company specializing in quantum machine offerings, have soared 157% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42397333/google-quantum-ais-willow-chip-outsmarts-supercomputers-completing-tasks-in-minutes-that-would-take-10-septillion-years">since the unveil</a>, reaching levels not seen since Jun. 2010. The stock closed at a multi-year high of $25.68 on Dec. 2018.
In doing so, QUBT outperformed the influential "Magnificent 7" cohort and even the red-hot, MicroStrategy Inc. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42665539/north-korean-hackers-suspected-presence-triggers-over-500-million-in-outflows-from-crypto-exchange">North Korean Hackers&#8217; Suspected Presence Triggers Over $500 Million In Outflows From Crypto Exchange</a>
Why It Matters: Google's quantum chip, Willow, can perform a standard benchmark computation in less than five minutes, a task that could take the world's fastest supercomputers forever.&nbsp;
The unprecedented speed represented a significant breakthrough in quantum computing, paving the way for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42641144/atlanta-software-developers-dives-into-quantum-computing-and-willow">practical applications</a> in sectors like drug discovery and energy systems.
Apart from the Willow-induced hype, QUBT stock soared after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42554980/whats-going-on-with-quantum-computing-qubt-stock">company secured a major contract with NASA</a> for image and data processing support.&nbsp;
Interestingly, while Willow's capabilities signaled a bright prospect for quantum computing and associated investments, concerns about it breaking the cryptographic algorithms had the opposite effect on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), the world's largest cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin has dropped 3.6% since the chip unveil, reflecting a divergent trajectory.
While experts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42455205/will-googles-new-willow-chip-break-bitcoin-some-dismiss-it-as-fantasy-while-others-flag-risk-that-isnt-immediate">have debated</a> whether the threat is immediate, a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42546731/bitcoin-could-require-over-300-days-of-downtime-to-prepare-it-for-the-quantum-era-shows-study-amid-google-willow-chip-concern">study estimated </a>that the network would require over 300 days of downtime to protect against risks from quantum computing.&nbsp;
Price Action: Shares of Quantum Computing rallied 12.6% to close at $19.14 during Thursday's regular session, 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>.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $96,313.62, down 1.75% in the last 24 hours.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42665334/will-dogecoin-hit-the-widely-anticipated-1-target-in-q1-2025-probably-not-but-musk-led-doge-could-hold-the-key">Dogecoin &#8216;Parabolic Rally&#8217; In 2025 Foreseen By Popular Analyst If &#8216;History Repeats&#8217; Just Like In 2017, 2021</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

Markets

$BTC

$SHIB

$SOL

GOOG

GOOGL

QUBT

Quantum Computing Stock QUBT Has More Than Doubled While Bitcoin Has Dropped Since Google's 'Willow' Reveal: What Does This Mean?

With U.S. stock futures trading lower this morning on Friday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Constellium SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSTM#NYSE">CSTM</a>) announced a public offering of common stock. Constellium shares fell 3.4% to $10.00 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VIRX#NASDAQ">VIRX</a>) said its board has initiated a process to explore a broad range of strategic alternatives. The company announced plans to close its ongoing pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial of Nana-val in Relapsed/Refractory EBV + Lymphomas. Viracta Therapeutics shares dipped 13.9% to $0.2040 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Evaxion Biotech A/S (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EVAX#NASDAQ">EVAX</a>) applied for a patent for vaccines targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Evaxion Biotech shares jumped 104.5% to $1.73 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul>
<li>The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AREN#NASDAQ">AREN</a>) disclosed that its compliance plan was accepted by the NYSE American. Arena Group shares jumped 17.6% to $1.67 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDYN#NASDAQ">GDYN</a>) will replace Revelyst Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEAR#NYSE">GEAR</a>) in the S&amp;P SmallCap 600 effective before the opening bell on Thursday, Jan. 2. Grid Dynamics shares jumped 9.7% to $23.11 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42684254/top-3-utilities-stocks-youll-regret-missing-in-december"> </a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42684254/top-3-utilities-stocks-youll-regret-missing-in-december">Top 3 Utilities Stocks You&#8217;ll Regret Missing In December</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Long Ideas

Pre-Market Outlook

Trading Ideas

AREN

CSTM

EVAX

GDYN

GEAR

VIRX

Constellium, Viracta Therapeutics And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Friday

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings

Earnings Scheduled For December 27, 2024

UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNF#NYSE">UNF</a>) will release its first-quarter financial results, before the opening bell, on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNF/earnings">Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.</a>
Analysts expect the Wilmington, Massachusetts-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.22 per share, down from $2.37 per share in the year-ago period. UniFirst projects quarterly revenue of $606.95 million, compared to $593.52 million a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Oct. 29, Unifirst raised its quarterly cash dividend from 33 cents to 35 cents per share.
UniFirst shares fell 0.4% to close at $176.61 on Thursday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie"> Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNF/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company </a>in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>Baird analyst Andrew Wittmann maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $199 to $200 on Oct. 24. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 79%.</li>
<li>UBS analyst Joshua Chan maintained a Neutral rating and increased the price target from $186 to $190 on June 27. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 62%.</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Andrew Steinerman maintained an Underweight rating and increased the price target from $170 to $175 on June 27. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 77%.</li>
<li>Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $160 to $180 on Feb. 29. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying UNF stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think:
Read This Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42684254/top-3-utilities-stocks-youll-regret-missing-in-december">Top 3 Utilities Stocks You&#8217;ll Regret Missing In December</a></li>
</ul>

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

UniFirst Gears Up For Q1 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed some easing in the fear level, while the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Thursday.
U.S. stocks settled mixed on Thursday, with the Dow Jones index closing slightly higher during the session. The market was shut on Wednesday for Christmas Day.
Month to date, the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.1%, while the Nasdaq has surged 4.2%, driven by significant gains in Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). The blue-chip Dow, however, fell around 3.5% during the month.
On the economic data front, U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 1,000 from the previous week to a reading of 219,000 during the second week of December, compared to market estimates of 224,000.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with healthcare, financial, and real estate stocks recording the biggest gains on Thursday. However, consumer discretionary and communication services stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.
The Dow Jones closed higher by around 29 points to 43,325.80 on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.04% to 6,037.59, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.05% at 20,020.36 during Thursday's session.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
At a current reading of 35.1, the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Thursday, versus a prior reading of 34.
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42684254/top-3-utilities-stocks-youll-regret-missing-in-december">Top 3 Utilities Stocks You&#8217;ll Regret Missing In December</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

AAPL

TSLA

Dow Edges Higher In Thin Holiday Trading As Tesla, Apple Surge: Investor Sentiment Improves, But Greed Index Remains In 'Fear' Zone

Recent concerns have emerged regarding a potential slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) investments by major U.S. tech giants, which could significantly impact the semiconductor industry.
What Happened: Doug Lefever, CEO of&nbsp;Advantest, a leading supplier of chip testing machines for&nbsp;Nvidia Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), has voiced apprehensions about a possible decline in AI spending by prominent U.S. technology firms. Such a downturn could lead to major disruptions in the semiconductor supply chain, Financial Times <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/54c3d188-9c5d-4664-94c4-366207ef9aad">reported</a> on Friday.&nbsp;
Lefever pointed out that companies like&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>),&nbsp;Google&nbsp;by Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), and&nbsp;Microsoft Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) have made substantial investments in data centers. A reduction in their spending could cause significant ripple effects due to the current market concentration. Lefever described the potential downturn as possibly &#8220;vicious&#8221; due to cyclical market dynamics.
Conversely, Lefever noted that demand for AI-enabled smartphones is currently sluggish but could surge if a breakthrough application arises. Such a development could lead to a rapid increase in smartphone replacements, significantly impacting the market.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42680592/peter-thiel-once-said-he-would-bet-on-the-reversal-of-silicon-valleys-math-bias-as-ai-continues-to-rise-isnt-that-a-long-overdue-rebalancing-of-our-society?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Thiel Once Said He Would Bet On The Reversal Of Silicon Valley&#8217;s Math Bias As AI Continues To Rise: &#8216;Isn&#8217;t That A Long Overdue Rebalancing Of Our Society&#8217;</a>
Despite these challenges, Advantest remains a dominant player in the semiconductor testing market, with a substantial share and increasing demand for its high-end testing machines. The company has seen its share price soar, driven by the rising complexity and cost of semiconductor chips.
Why It Matters: The potential slowdown in AI investment is a critical concern for the semiconductor industry, which heavily relies on the continuous growth of AI technologies. Logan Weaver, CEO of Surmount AI, highlighted at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/24/12/42268558/the-future-of-investing-with-ai-its-never-been-easier-to-manage-your-portfolio-says-expert">Benzinga&#8217;s Fintech Deal Day</a> how AI is transforming investment management, and empowering consumers with simplified portfolio management tools. This underscores the growing importance of AI in various sectors.
Meanwhile, Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co., emphasized that<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42378125/jamie-dimon-internet-bubble-was-hype-artificial-intelligence-is-real"> AI is not just hype </a>but a real phenomenon with the potential to benefit numerous aspects of life.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42676821/how-to-stream-the-nfl-christmas-gameday-live-on-netflix?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How To Watch NFL Christmas Gameday Live On Netflix With Mariah Carey, Beyoncé And Epic Football Matchups</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: 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.
Image via Shutterstock

Tech

MSFT

NVDA

Key Nvidia Supplier Warns AI Spending Slowdown May Trigger 'Vicious' Downturn For Chipmakers

Zeta Global Holdings Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZETA#NYSE">ZETA</a>), a marketing technology company specializing in AI-powered marketing solutions has outperformed the NYSE Composite index in 2024, while its peers have underperformed the market. Based on its fundamental and technical analysis, should you buy, sell, or hold the stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts are saying. 
Shares of Zeta were up 1.23% at $18.97 per share as of Thursday&#8217;s close. The stock was up 125.83% this year outperforming NYSE Composite, which rose by 14.98%.
Its peers, Freshworks Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FRSH#NASDAQ">FRSH</a>) was down 27.26%, and Temenos ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMSNY#OTC">TMSNY</a>) was down 21.52% in the same period.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010414/Zeta-peer-comparison--1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-708544" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010414/Zeta-peer-comparison--1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010414/Zeta-peer-comparison--300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010414/Zeta-peer-comparison--768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010414/Zeta-peer-comparison--1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010414/Zeta-peer-comparison-.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The technical analysis of daily moving averages indicates a short-term bearish trend.
The stock ended at $18.97 apiece on Thursday. This was below its eight and 50-day simple moving average of $19.52 and $21.69, respectively. However, as per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data, its current stock price was also lower than the 50-day moving average of $24.42, and its 200-day moving average of $24.42.
This implies that the stock is in a downtrend. On the other hand, the relative strength index of 38.38 suggests the stock&#8217;s movement is moderately oversold but still in the neutral zone.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010622/Zeta-Chart-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-708548" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010622/Zeta-Chart-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010622/Zeta-Chart-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010622/Zeta-Chart-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010622/Zeta-Chart-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010622/Zeta-Chart.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/24/12/42680125/nvda-could-go-up-to-170-in-q1-after-breaching-145-level-as-traders-turn-bullish-on-jensen-huangs-ai-giant">NVDA Could Go Up To $170 In Q1 After Breaching $145 Level As Traders Turn Bullish On Jensen Huang&#8217;s AI Giant</a> 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Two Of Zeta&#8217;s Clients Merge</h3>
Zeta Global stands to benefit from Omnicom&#8217;s acquisition of Interpublic. David A. Steinberg, the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Zeta, in a statement on Dec. 9 said that &#8220;We are proud of our extensive relationships with the top Holdcos, including both Omnicom and IPG, and believe that today's announcement is a positive one for the industry and Zeta. Like everyone else, we will be watching closely as this progresses and offer support as needed.&#8221;
During its investor summit, Zeta said it can leverage the combined entity&#8217;s vast data infrastructure and enhanced financial strength. This presents opportunities for Zeta to deepen AI-powered customer insights, expand scale and reach and accelerate growth.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">New Acquisition By Zeta</h3>
Zeta Global&#8217;s acquisition of LiveIntent is projected to contribute "Vast data assets, direct channel capabilities and premium publisher network to the Zeta Marketing Platform. The integration of LiveIntent into the ZMP will expand gross margins while accelerating the shift of our revenue derived from agency customers to direct channels,&#8221; added Steinberg in a statement dated Oct. 8, 2024. This data foundation will further position Zeta to capitalize on the combined Omnicom-Interpublic entity, offering solutions to this major client segment.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">ZETA's Estimated Topline And Bottomline</h3>
Benzinga&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZETA/earnings">estimate</a> for the fourth quarter revenue is pegged at $265.73 million, suggesting 26.34% growth from last year&#8217;s topline of $210.32 in the same quarter.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZETA/earnings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="415" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010715/Zeta-global-revenue-1024x415.png" alt="" class="wp-image-708549" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010715/Zeta-global-revenue-1024x415.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010715/Zeta-global-revenue-300x122.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010715/Zeta-global-revenue-768x311.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010715/Zeta-global-revenue.png 1194w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The consensus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZETA/earnings">estimate</a> for earnings in the fourth quarter is pegged at 21 cents per share, as compared to 16 cents in the same quarter of the previous fiscal, suggesting a 31.25% increase from the prior year&#8217;s actual.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZETA/earnings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="411" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010112/Zeta-global-EPS-1024x411.png" alt="" class="wp-image-708538" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010112/Zeta-global-EPS-1024x411.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010112/Zeta-global-EPS-300x120.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010112/Zeta-global-EPS-768x308.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27010112/Zeta-global-EPS.png 1213w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zeta Has Higher Liquidity To Meet Obligations</h3>
The company had a current ratio of 3.319 at the end of the third quarter, exceeding the industry average of 2.16, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data. This ratio, indicating a robust ability to meet short-term obligations, has surged 67.7% from the previous quarter.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42681797/should-you-buy-or-sell-this-nvidia-rival-analysts-weigh-in-as-technicals-signal-a-downtrend">Should You Buy or Sell This Nvidia Rival? Analysts Weigh In As Technicals Signal A Downtrend</a> 
What Are Analysts Saying: According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>, Zeta has a consensus &#8216;hold&#8217; with a price target of $32.59 based on the ratings of 17 analysts.
The highest price target out of all the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZETA/analyst-ratings">analysts</a> tracked by Benzinga is $45 issued by Craig-Hallum with a &#8216;buy&#8217; rating on Nov. 12, 2024. Analyst Jason Kreyer highlights Zeta Global&#8217;s strong performance, driven by the successful LiveIntent acquisition and cross-selling opportunities. Analyst is positive on the deepening penetration within the existing $100 billion plus customer base by replicating successful high-spend customer relationships.
Goldman Sachs analyst Gabriela Borges initiated coverage on Zeta with a &#8216;neutral&#8217; rating and announced a price target of $30 apiece. The note highlighted key medium-term risks. Including a possibility of its proprietary data&#8217;s value erosion as data accessibility and evolving consumer preferences may diminish, requiring continuous innovation. Strong 2024 performance, partly driven by one-time events, may make year-over-year comparisons challenging in 2025. Also, according to the analyst stricter privacy laws pose a long-term risk to Zeta&#8217;s data-driven business model, as evidenced by recent underperformance amid industry scrutiny.
The lowest target price was maintaining a &#8216;neutral&#8217; from Credit Suisse was adjusted to $9.5 from $12 per share on Aug. 4, 2022. The average price target of $38.67 between Goldman Sachs, RBC Capital, and Needham implies a 105.13% upside for Zeta.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZETA/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="948" height="361" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27005852/Zeta-ANR.png" alt="" class="wp-image-708535" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27005852/Zeta-ANR.png 948w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27005852/Zeta-ANR-300x114.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/27005852/Zeta-ANR-768x292.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 948px) 100vw, 948px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678014/top-7-blue-chip-stocks-with-the-best-return-potential-going-into-2025">S&amp;P 500 Hits 57 All-Time Highs In Record-Breaking 2024: Magnificent 7 Drive 30% Of Nasdaq&#8217;s Surge</a></li>
</ul>

Equities

Market Summary

Downgrades

Technicals

Initiation

Reiteration

FRSH

TMSNY

ZETA

Zeta Global Shares Beat Peers To Rise 125% In 2024: Breaking Down The Numbers

Chinese EV giant BYD Co Ltd (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) is reportedly offering discounts of up to 11.5% on its Song Pro DM-i and Qin Plus EV vehicle models.
What Happened: The Song Pro DM-i and the Qin Plus EV now have a starting price of 99,800 yuan, marking a discount of 11.5% and 9.1% from their price before the discount, Reuters reported. The discount is valid until Jan. 26.
BYD is China&#8217;s biggest EV seller and a major rival to American EV giant Tesla Inc. However, unlike Tesla, BYD makes both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, together referred to as new energy vehicles. 
Why It Matters: In the last quarter of 2023, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42680542/tesla-or-byd-which-ev-giant-will-sell-more-battery-electric-vehicles-in-q4">BYD sold 526,409 battery electric vehicles</a>, effectively replacing Tesla as the world's biggest seller of BEVs. Tesla in that quarter delivered just 484,507 units.
Tesla regained its position as the world's top seller of BEVs in the first quarter after selling 386,810 BEVs, 86,696 units more than BYD. Tesla kept up its lead in both Q2 and Q3. 
While it is unclear who will take the lead in the fourth quarter, both are trying to entice buyers with offers. Tesla is currently offering a discount of 10,000 yuan on the purchase of inventory <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42681583/chinas-ev-industry-likely-to-outpace-us-and-allies-but-elon-musks-tesla-could-still-make-gains">Model Y vehicles in China</a>, its second-biggest market outside the U.S.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42668333/tesla-model-x-lucid-gravity-or-rivian-r1s-which-three-row-electric-suv-is-a-better-buy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity Or Rivian R1S: Which Three-Row Electric SUV Is A Better Buy?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

BYDDY

BYD Offers Discounts Of Up To 11.5% On Select EVs As Year End Nears

Reported Earlier, Castellum Plans Public Offering Of Common Stock

XCUR

Reported Earlier, Exicure Signs Deal With GPCR Therapeutics To Acquire Subsidiary And Advance Biotech Growth

<ul>
<li>HYQVIA [Immune Globulin Infusion 10% (Human) with Recombinant Human Hyaluronidase] is the First and Only Facilitated Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (fSCIG) Approved in Japan for Agammaglobulinemia and Hypogammaglobulinemia</li>
<li>Administration of Recombinant Human Hyaluronidase Prior to Immunoglobulin Facilitates Subcutaneous Infusion of Larger Volumes, Potentially Reducing Frequency and Giving Patients More Flexibility</li>
<li>Approval Expands Takeda's Portfolio of Differentiated Immunoglobulin Therapies and Reflects the Company's Commitment to Bring High-Quality Plasma-Derived Therapies to Patients in Japan</li>
</ul>

Takeda Gains Approval For HYQVIA In Japan To Treat Immunodeficiency

<ul>
<li>VYVDURA&#xAE; now approved for at-home self-injection in Japan for both generalized myasthenia gravis and CIDP</li>
<li>argenx's VYVGART&#xAE; and VYVDURA portfolio approved in Japan for three indications – first country globally with access across three indications</li>
</ul>

ARGX

argenx Gets Approval For VYVDURA In Japan To Treat Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Patients

Nio Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) brand Onvo said on Friday that it has delivered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42681165/nios-onvo-brand-helps-spur-delivery-growth-with-cheaper-offering">20,000 units of its L60 SUV</a> within 100 days of commencing deliveries. 
What Happened: Onvo made the announcement via a post on the social media platform Weibo. 
Nio launched its family-oriented lower-priced EV brand Onvo in May this year. The company launched the L60 SUV on Sept. 19 and started deliveries on Sept. 28.
Now, merely a hundred days after launch, the company delivered 20,000 units.
The Onvo L60 is a mid-size electric SUV that starts at 206,900 yuan ($28,347) with the battery pack included, much lower than Tesla's affordable models Model 3 or Model Y in China.
Why It Matters: In September, Nio delivered 832 Onvo L60s despite having only a few selling days. In October, the first full month of sales, Onvo deliveries rose to 4,319. In November, L60 deliveries rose to 5,082. 
This implies that Onvo has sold 9,767 units of the L60 thus far in December, marking its highest monthly delivery total to date.
Nio, the company&#8217;s premium EV brand, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42260165/li-auto-xpeng-nio-heres-how-november-deliveries-of-chinese-ev-startups-stack-up">delivered just 15,493 vehicles in November</a> despite its longer lineup. Onvo, meanwhile, is closing in 10,000 deliveries in a month with just one vehicle model. At the current pace, Onvo is likely to take over Nio as the parent company&#8217;s best-selling brand. 
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>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42668333/tesla-model-x-lucid-gravity-or-rivian-r1s-which-three-row-electric-suv-is-a-better-buy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity Or Rivian R1S: Which Three-Row Electric SUV Is A Better Buy?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Nio

Global

Onvo Sells 20,000 EVs In 100 Days Of Launch, Gearing To Be Nio's Best-Selling Brand

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Economics

BBJP

WisdomTree Trust Japan Total Dividend Fund

Reported Earlier, Japan Industrial Production (MoM) Preliminary For November -2.3% Vs. -3.4% Est.; 2.8% Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan Tokyo Core Consumer Price Index (YoY) For December 2.4% Vs. 2.5% Est.; 2.2% Prior

Strive Asset Management, a company co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, announced plans for an exchange-traded fund on Thursday that would seek exposure to convertible securities issued by companies investing in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).
What Happened: The proposed ETF, named the Strive Bitcoin Bond ETF, aims to expose investors to the growing &#8220;Bitcoin bond&#8221; market, leveraged by companies like MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) to fund Bitcoin acquisitions, an SEC <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1592900/000159290024002726/strivebitcoinbondetf485a.htm">filing </a>showed.
&#8220;Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the notional exposure of the Fund (through securities and financial instruments) will be to Bitcoin Bonds,&#8221; the filing read.
Strive said that the fund will treat convertible debt as equity securities, despite the instruments having some attributes of debt securities.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42691548/floki-eyes-dogecoin-rivalry-with-second-meme-coin-exchange-traded-product">Floki Eyes Dogecoin Rivalry With Second Meme Coin Exchange-Traded Product</a>
Why It Matters: The filing comes amid a growing trend of companies issuing convertible bonds to support their Bitcoin purchase strategy. Michael Saylor-led MicroStrategy has been the market leader, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42186167/michael-saylors-microstrategy-convertible-notes-to-buy-bitcoin-offer-no-interest-so-why-are-investors-rushing-to-buy-them">issuing these bonds at 0% interest</a>.
A convertible note is a hybrid instrument that can be exchanged for equity in the company at a later date. The conversion feature of these notes eventually helps the debt holders to benefit from the equity upside on conversion. 
The strategy has drawn a fair share of criticism, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42228264/crypto-analyst-flags-convertible-debt-induced-liquidation-risk-to-michael-saylors-microstrategy">analysts pointing out the risks</a> of debt buyers not converting to shares before maturity.
Meanwhile, popular cryptocurrency analyst James Van Straten noted that Strive&#8217;s filing meant &#8220;more vested interest&#8221; for Bitcoin to do well under the Trump administration.
<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">Vivek Ramaswamy owns Strive with outside investment from the now Vice President J.D Vance. More vested interest for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> to do well from the Trump Administration. <a href="https://t.co/iN4gQyi4ZN">https://t.co/iN4gQyi4ZN</a>
&mdash; James Van Straten (@btcjvs) <a href="https://twitter.com/btcjvs/status/1872369373878640870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Strive founder Ramaswamy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently">was appointed</a> by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency along with tech mogul Elon Musk.
Ramaswamy&#8217;s involvement in the cryptocurrency sector isn&#8217;t new. During his run for the Republican presidential nomination, Ramaswamy advocated for reducing the Securities and Exchange Commission&#8217;s reach and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/01/36637284/the-bitcoin-president-that-wasnt-what-the-crypto-community-is-saying-about-vivek-ramaswamy">providing clarity</a> in cryptocurrency regulation.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $96,007.97, down 2.65% 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>.
Photo: Gage Skidmore on flickr
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42690488/are-donald-trumps-ambitious-bitcoin-goals-feasible">Are Donald Trump&#8217;s Ambitious Bitcoin Goals Feasible?</a></li>
</ul>

MSTR

Vivek Ramaswamy's Strive Applies For 'Bitcoin Bond' ETF That Tracks MicroStrategy's Convertible Securities Market

Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) creator Vitalik Buterin said Thursday that he has adopted baby hippo &#8220;Moo Deng,&#8221; donating a significant amount for the adorable creature and her family.
What happened: In an X post, Buterin called himself the "adoptive father" of Moo Deng and vowed to provide financial assistance for the pygmy whose cute antics have broken the internet.
Buterin set aside 88 Ether, worth $296,785, for Moo Deng and assured that he would donate more in the future.
"May they live long and prosper," the cryptocurrency entrepreneur said.
<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">Thanks for the warm welcome to the family and your work for wild animals! I&#39;m happy to be adoptive father to Moo Deng as she grows up over the next 2y and support her with my 10M THB donation, maybe more as I set aside 88 ETH for&#x1f99b;+ frens. May they live long and prosper&#x1f596;&#x1f3fb; <a href="https://t.co/l24vPybhTi">pic.twitter.com/l24vPybhTi</a>
&mdash; vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalikButerin/status/1872249492218708250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Buterin&#8217;s generous gesture was a token of gratitude to Thailand and its people for their hospitality, according to a letter released by Thailand&#8217;s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, where Moo Deng is housed.
Buterin stated in his letter that he received great hospitality in the country, particularly recognizing the support for Ethereum events.&nbsp;
"What better way to do than through a Christmas present to someone who is dear to all Thai people, Moo Deng, and who has become one of the most unexpected and important Thai celebrities on the world stage," Buterin said, offering gratitude.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42665539/north-korean-hackers-suspected-presence-triggers-over-500-million-in-outflows-from-crypto-exchange">North Korean Hackers&#8217; Suspected Presence Triggers Over $500 Million In Outflows From Crypto Exchange</a>
Why It Matters: Buterin has shown his philanthropic side on several occasions in the past, including donating billions of dollars worth of Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/21/07/22190225/ethereum-co-founder-donated-1b-shiba-inu-to-aid-india-in-covid-19-battle-money-reaching-th">COVID relief in India</a> and sending generous amounts to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40422601/dogecoin-shiba-inu-fall-as-ethereum-co-founder-vitalik-buterin-donates-over-500k-worth-of-">animal charities</a> around the world.
He has supported the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/03/38009277/vitalik-buterin-calls-out-copy-and-paste-meme-coins-i-want-to-see-higher-quality-fun-proje"> charitable aspect of meme coins</a>, where a portion of the supply can be used for the needy.&nbsp;
As for Moo Deng, her popularity even spawned a meme coin, Moo Deng (MOODENG), worth $273 million in market capitalization. The Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based meme coin has exploded a staggering 368824% in value since launch in September.
Price Action: At the time of writing, MOODENG was exchanging hands at $0.2766, largely unchanged in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/moo-deng-solana/">according </a>to CoinMarketCap.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42665334/will-dogecoin-hit-the-widely-anticipated-1-target-in-q1-2025-probably-not-but-musk-led-doge-could-hold-the-key">Dogecoin &#8216;Parabolic Rally&#8217; In 2025 Foreseen By Popular Analyst If &#8216;History Repeats&#8217; Just Like In 2017, 2021</a></li>
</ul>

$ETH

All Vitalik Buterin Wanted For Xmas Was A Hippopotamus — Ethereum Co-Founder Is Now The Adoptive Father Of Viral Sensation Moo Deng

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) could emerge as &#8220;the next Oracle&#8221; in the artificial intelligence revolution, according to Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, who dubbed the data analytics firm &#8220;the Messi of AI&#8221; despite its stock already surging 395.42% in 2024.
What Happened: The company&#8217;s stock, trading at $82.14, has become the S&amp;P 500&#8217;s top performer this year, pushing its market capitalization to $183.23 billion. This remarkable run has positioned Palantir well above Wedbush&#8217;s $75 price target, though Ives maintains strong conviction in the company&#8217;s growth trajectory.
&#8220;Looking ahead to the next 5-10 years, I believe it&#8217;s all about Palantir. In the context of the AI revolution, this is just the beginning,&#8221; Ives emphasized <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcTK53LhP2w">on</a> CNBC&#8217;s Closing Bell Overtime. He describes Palantir as a &#8220;table-pounder&#8221; stock that investors should consider adding to their portfolios, despite its current price-to-earnings ratio of 411.90.
Former Palantir employee Alex Fishman, now with Empros Capital, provided additional insight into the company&#8217;s potential: &#8220;When I look at Palantir, it&#8217;s one of the few companies where I can easily envision it becoming 10 or 20 times its current size.&#8221; 
Fishman highlighted Palantir&#8217;s crucial role in defense and commercial sectors, describing it as &#8220;the glue that ties everything together&#8221; in coordinating critical technological efforts.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/12/42692036/billionaire-investors-michael-burry-david-tepper-could-benefit-from-chinas-stimulus-measures">Billionaire Investors Michael Burry, David Tepper Could Benefit From China&#8217;s Stimulus Measures</a>
Why It Matters: Wall Street&#8217;s broader consensus remains more conservative, with an average price target of $35.58 based on 20 analyst ratings. However, recent updates suggest growing optimism. UBS issued an $80 price target on December 19, while Mizuho and Baird released positive outlooks, though their average target of $64.67 still implies a potential downside.
The company&#8217;s technical indicators suggest room for continued growth, with an RSI reading of 62 indicating the stock isn&#8217;t yet in overbought territory despite its dramatic rise. The stock&#8217;s 52-week range of $15.66 to $84.80 reflects its volatile but upward trajectory.
In the same discussion, Ives also raised Apple Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) price target to $325, citing AI initiatives, though he emphasized Palantir&#8217;s unique position in the enterprise AI space. As companies increasingly adopt AI solutions, Ives believes Palantir&#8217;s commercial expansion and defense sector dominance position it for continued growth into 2025.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42696614/cathie-wood-takes-profit-on-hot-ai-stock-palantir-again-continues-to-sell-block-shares-amid-bitcoin-buzz">Cathie Wood Takes Profit On Hot AI Stock Palantir Again, Continues To Sell Block Shares Amid Bitcoin Buzz</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Pixabay
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

PLTR

Palantir Touted As 'Next Oracle' By Dan Ives: Here Is Why The Wedbush Analyst Called The Company A 'Table Pounder'

On Thursday, U.S. stocks experienced a slight downturn as the S&amp;P 500 and NASDAQ indices both edging lower marginally. The S&amp;P 500 slipped by 0.04% to 6,037.59, while the NASDAQ fell 0.05% to 20,020.36. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a marginal increase of 0.07%, closing at 43,325.80.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Rigetti Computing Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>)
Rigetti Computing&#8217;s stock surged by 36.04%, closing at $15.44. It hit an intraday high of $15.50 and a low of $10.76, with a 52-week range of $0.66 to $15.50. Rigetti Computing was in focus after launching its 84-qubit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42681352/us-futures-tumble-after-christmas-break-but-analysts-still-expect-a-santa-claus-rally">Ankaa-3 quantum computer</a> with improved hardware. The stock has been in focus as investor attention shifts to Quantum computing and hit an all-time high on Thursday.
GameStop Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>)
GameStop shares increased by 5.94%, closing at $32.99. The stock reached a high of $34.37 and a low of $31.60, with a 52-week high of $64.83 and a low of $9.95. The rally was influenced by a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42679610/roaring-kittys-christmas-post-has-gamestop-rallying-7-in-overnight-trading-memecoin-connected-to-trader-also-surge">Christmas post</a> from Roaring Kitty a.k.a Keith Partick Gil which sparked interest among investors.
Palladyne AI Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDYN#NASDAQ">PDYN</a>)
Palladyne AI saw its stock jump by 47.57%, closing at $7.29. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $8.86, with a low of $6.30, and it has a 52-week range of $1.26 to $8.86. The surge followed the company&#8217;s announcement of its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42693853/palladyne-ai-shares-are-surging-today-what-you-need-to-know">successful autonomous tracking flight</a>&nbsp;using its Palladyne Pilot AI software.
Phunware Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHUN#NASDAQ">PHUN</a>)
Phunware&#8217;s stock rose by 27.91%, closing at $5.50. It reached a high of $5.63 and a low of $4.29, with a 52-week high of $24.01 and a low of $2.85. The stock&#8217;s volatility is linked to its ties with President-elect Donald Trump and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42680116/trump-linked-phunware-ceo-charts-overseas-plans-as-president-elect-makes-white-house-comeback-doesnt-end-on-election-day">company&#8217;s plans for global expansion</a>.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla&#8217;s stock experienced a slight decline of 1.76%, closing at $454.13. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $465.33, with a low of $451.02, and it has a 52-week range of $138.80 to $488.54. The company&#8217;s Senior Vice President of Automotive, Tom Zhu, highlighted Tesla&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42680075/tesla-exec-says-we-will-be-ready-to-efficiently-produce-autonomous-vehicles-as-shanghai-megafactory-nears-completion">readiness to produce autonomous vehicles</a> efficiently as the Shanghai Megafactory nears completion.
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading&nbsp;<a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a>&nbsp;by Benzinga.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42638957/warren-buffetts-timeless-advice-if-youre-gonna-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-you-shouldnt-own-a-stock-at-all?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Timeless Advice: &#8216;If You&#8217;re Gonna Do Dumb Things Because Your Stock Goes Down, You Shouldn&#8217;t Own A Stock At All&#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>

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