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Blackstone is reportedly set to acquire a 55.1% stake in Japanese e-comics provider Infocom. Blackstone may aim to secure all of Infocom&#39;s shares through a takeover bid and share transfer. Blackstone manages $1.1 trillion in assets.

Blackstone Set To Acquire Japanese E-Comics Giant Infocom For $1.7B: Report

Milan,,Italy,-,August,10,,2017:,Blackstone,Group,Logo,On

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Movers

Blackstone to sell Turtle Bay Resort for $725 million, expected to close Q3 2024. 

What&#39;s Going On With Blackstone Stock Today?

handing a paycheck to an employee

Blackstone is set to grant equity to employees at its U.S. buyout companies, expanding ownership beyond management. Announced at an investor conference, this plan covers new acquisitions and starts with the 18,000 employees of Copeland. To qualify, employees must stay until Blackstone sells or goes public. This initiative follows industry trends promoting broader employee ownership.

Blackstone To Grant Equity To Rank-And-File Employees At US Buyouts: Report

B of A Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan maintains Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) with a Buy and maintains $230 price target.

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Analyst Ratings

AAPL

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Apple, Maintains $230 Price Target

Align Technology, Inc&#39;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/algn#NASDAQ">ALGN</a>) successful efforts to broaden the Invisalign portfolio are poised to bring significant growth in the upcoming quarters. Continued expansion into new regions and new manufacturing facilities appears optimistic. A sound financial stability is beneficial for the stock as well. Meanwhile, the adverse macroeconomic impacts on its operations and excessive reliance on a single platform raise concerns.
In the past year, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has lost 27.6% compared with 2.6% decline of the industry.The S&amp;P 500 composite increased 27.7% during the same time frame.
The renowned medical device company has a market capitalization of $18.34 billion. ALGN&#39;s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average surprise being 5.92%.
Let&#39;s delve deeper.
<h3>Upsides</h3>
Invisalign Portfolio Expansion: Following its FDA clearance for broad patient applicability, including growing children, teens and adults in late 2023, the IPE system was commercially launched in the United States and Canada in the first quarter of 2024. Recently, it received regulatory clearance in Australia and New Zealand as well. The company is also set to introduce ClinCheck smile video, the next generation of In-Face digitalization with AI-assisted video, which will be available to all doctors using the Invisalign Practice App and ClinCheck treatment planning software.
Earlier in 2023, Align Technology launched a new doctor-enabled direct ship-to-patient feature in its Vivera Retainer Subscription platform, and expanded the Invisalign Comprehensive Three and Three product in APAC countries such as China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan and India.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/35/70709.jpg?v=1218021748" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Additionally, in the first quarter of 2024, the company&#39;s Super Bowl campaign featuring athletes, TikTok, GenZ influencers and fashion designers generated more than 6.1 billion impressions and 18.1 million unique visitors to its consumer websites across the United States. Consumer advertising across the APAC region resulted in more than 6.6 billion impressions and 16 million website visitors, marking a 195% increase from the year-ago quarter&#39;s level.
Geographic Expansion Continues:&nbsp;Align Technology is expanding its sales and marketing by reaching new countries and regions, including new areas within Africa and Latin America. By the end of 2023, the company sold directly or through authorized distributors in more than 100 countries. With the opening of its third clear aligner fabrication facility in Wroclaw, Poland, ALGN now has a manufacturing facility in each of its operating territories &mdash; Americas (Mexico), APAC (China) and EMEA (Poland).
The company also performs digital treatment planning and interpretation for restorative cases worldwide, including Costa Rica, China, Germany, Spain, Poland, and Japan, among others. Align Technology continues to expand its business through investments in resources, infrastructure and initiatives that help drive growth in Invisalign treatment, intraoral scanners and Exocad CAD/CAM software in existing and new international markets. Its Invisalign Comprehensive Three and Three product is currently available in North America and certain markets in EMEA and APAC, and most recently expanded to French territories and the Middle East.
Strong Solvency, Attractive Returns to Investors: With no debt on its balance sheet, Align Technology looks quite comfortable from the liquidity point of view. The company closed the first quarter of 2024 with $899 million in cash, cash equivalents cash, and short-term marketable securities.
In addition, Align Technology&#39;s January 2023 $1 billion stock repurchase program has $650 million available, with up to $150 million of stock buybacks planned in the second quarter, either through a combination of open market repurchase or an accelerated stock repurchase agreement.
<h3>Downsides</h3>
Macroeconomic Concerns: Although the company is gradually coming out of the impact of the two-and-a-half-year-long healthcare crisis, it still faces challenges from the industry-wide staffing shortages and supply chain. Added to this, Align Technology faces increased challenges from macroeconomic uncertainty due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the potential supply issues related to the war in the Middle East.
Overdependence on Invisalign Technology System:&nbsp;A major portion of Align Technology&#39;s net revenues depends on the sale of its Invisalign Technology System, primarily Invisalign Technology Full and Invisalign Technology Teen. Therefore, continued and widespread market acceptance of Invisalign Technology by orthodontists, GPs and consumers is critical to the company&#39;s future success. Management fears that if consumers start preferring a competitive product over Invisalign, ALGN&#39;s operating results may suffer.
<h3>Estimate Trend</h3>
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Align Technology&#39;s 2024 earnings per share has remained constant at $9.60 in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company&#39;s 2024 revenues is pegged at 4.13 billion, implying a 6.8% rise from the year-ago reported number.
<h3>Key Picks</h3>
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Hims &amp; Hers Health (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hims#NYSE">HIMS</a>), Medpace (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/medp#NASDAQ">MEDP</a>) and Penumbra (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pen#NYSE">PEN</a>).
Hims &amp; Hers Health&#39;s earnings are expected to surge 281.8% in 2024 compared with the industry&#39;s 15.7% growth. HIMS&#39; earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, delivering an average surprise of 79.2%. Its shares have surged 141.3% against the industry&#39;s 27.1% decline in the past year.
HIMS sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present.
Medpace, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, has an estimated 2024 earnings growth rate of 27.1% compared with the industry&#39;s 13.1%. Shares of MEDP have rallied 66.4% compared with the industry&#39;s 5% growth over the past year.
MEDP&#39;s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 12.8%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 30.6%.
Penumbra, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated 2024 earnings growth rate of 37.3% compared with the industry&#39;s 11.9%. Shares of PEN have lost 45.3% against the industry&#39;s 0.6% growth over the past year.
The company&#39;s revenues are expected to grow 14.2% year over year in the second quarter of 2024. PEN delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 25.9%.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2298287/here-s-why-holding-align-technology-algn-stock-could-pay-off?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2298287">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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Trading Ideas

ALGN

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

MEDP

Here's Why Holding Align Technology Stock Could Pay Off

RBC Capital analyst Jon Arfstrom maintains BankUnited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKU#NYSE">BKU</a>) with a Sector Perform and raises the price target from $29 to $31.

RBC Capital Maintains Sector Perform on BankUnited, Raises Price Target to $31

NCLH

Port And City Of Galveston Affected By Power Outages After Hurricane Beryl; Vessel Operations Suspended With Case-By-Case Considerations; At Least One Cruise Ship Cleared To Dock On Tuesday; Cargo Operations Suspended Pending U.S. Coast Guard Review

B of A Securities analyst Michael Ryskin initiates coverage on Tempus AI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>) with a Buy rating and announces Price Target of $41.

Initiation

B of A Securities Initiates Coverage On Tempus AI with Buy Rating, Announces Price Target of $41

Equinor ASA (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eqnr#NYSE">EQNR</a>), a Norwegian energy giant, has achieved a milestone with the commencement of production from the first well in its ambitious five-well tie-back project on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. This initiative is a tie-back to an existing offshore platform in the Norwegian Sea, highlighting Equinor&#39;s strategic focus on leveraging the existing infrastructure.
<h3>Project Background and Milestones</h3>
The journey began in 2021 when Equinor and its partners submitted the Plan for Development and Operation (&quot;PDO&quot;) for the Lavrans and Kristin Q discoveries as satellite extensions to the Kristin field. The PDO for the first phase of the Kristin South project received approval in 2022, and production from the first Lavrans well commenced on Jul 7, 2024.
Trond Bokn, Equinor&#39;s senior vice president for Project Development, emphasized that the Kristin South project illustrates the company&#39;s strategy to enhance value through the utilization of existing infrastructure on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. EQNR, in collaboration with partners and suppliers, has successfully initiated production from Lavrans.
<h3>Operational Details</h3>
The project saw the installation of a new subsea template tied into the Kristin platform, now processing oil and gas from the first Lavrans well. The produced gas is exported through the pipeline system to the European market, while the oil is transferred by ship via the Asgard C storage vessel.
The Kristin South project&#39;s first phase includes four additional wells &mdash; three at the Lavrans field and one in the Q-segment at the Kristin field. The expected output from this phase is 6.2 GSm&sup3; of gas and 1.9 MSm&sup3; of oil, totaling 58.2 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Grete B. Haaland, Equinor&#39;s senior vice president for Exploration &amp; Production North, underscored the broader significance of this project. She highlighted that it represents a milestone in the company&#39;s strategy to develop new resources in a mature area of the Norwegian Sea. Integrating additional resources into existing hubs is seen as a cost-effective method to increase production and prolong the operational lifespan of EQNR&#39;s fields, thereby contributing to energy security and employment opportunities in Norway.
<h3>Environmental and Economic Impact</h3>
Notably, the CO2 intensity of Kristin South Phase 1&#39;s extraction and production is remarkably low, at less than 1 kg of CO2 per barrel of oil equivalent. Emissions are primarily generated from drilling activities. The project has also bolstered the Norwegian economy, with more than 60% of the contract values in the development phase awarded to Norwegian suppliers. The project is expected to have created approximately 4,000 person-years of employment across Norway, with 800 in the Mid-Norway region, during 2020-2025.
<h3>Key Contractors and Prospects</h3>
The project has engaged several prominent contractors, including Aker Solutions/OneSubsea for subsea production facilities, TechnipFMC for pipeline fabrication and subsea installation, Aibel for platform modification and Transocean as the rig provider, with the Transocean Spitsbergen semi-submersible designated for the task.
Discovered in 1995, the Lavrans and the Kristin fields, operational since 2005, have a technical lifetime of upto 2043, with potential for further extensions. The Kristin South project partners include Equinor Energy (54.82%, operator), Petoro (22.52%), Var Energi (16.66%) and TotalEnergies EP Norge (6%).
Torger Rod, Var Energi&#39;s chief operating officer, commended Equinor for the successful and safe initiation of production from the first Lavrans well in the Kristin South project. He highlighted this achievement as a notable example of effectively developing challenging discoveries to achieve profitable, low-emission production. This is in sync with Var Energi&#39;s goal of reaching approximately 400 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of 2025.
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h3>
Equinor currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the&nbsp;energy&nbsp;sector may look at some better-ranked stocks like Hess Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hes#NYSE">HES</a>), Sunoco LP&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sun#NYSE">SUN</a>) and SM Energy Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sm#NYSE">SM</a>), each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present.
Hess is a leading oil and natural gas exploration and production company that made several world-class oil discoveries in the Stabroek Block, located off the coast of Guyana.&nbsp;The company is currently in the process of being acquired by supermajor Chevron in an all-stock deal worth $53 billion. The merger will likely result in the creation of an energy behemoth with a massive portfolio of producing assets.&nbsp;
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HES&#39; 2024 EPS is pegged at $10.28. The company has a Zacks Style Score of B for Growth. It has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2024 and 2025 in the past 30 days.
Sunoco is a leading wholesale motor fuel distributor in the United States, boasting a vast distribution network spanning 40 states. With long-term contracts servicing more than 10,000 convenience stores, it distributes over 10 fuel brands, ensuring a stable revenue stream. SUN currently has a Value Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings per unit is pegged at $7.29 and $7.17, respectively. The partnership has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2024 and 2025 in the past 60 days.
SM Energy is set to expand its oil-centered operations in the coming years, with an increasing focus on crude oil, especially in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford regions. The company&#39;s attractive oil and gas investments should create long-term value for shareholders.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SM&#39;s 2024 EPS is pegged at $6.95. The company has a Zacks Style Score of A for Value. It has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2025 in the past seven days.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2298286/equinor-eqnr-launches-first-of-five-wells-offshore-norway?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_energy_sector-2298286">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Earnings

EQNR

Equinor Launches First of Five Wells Offshore Norway

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Enphase Energy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NASDAQ">ENPH</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with ENPH, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 22 uncommon options trades for Enphase Energy.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 59% bullish and 31%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $280,459, and 16 are calls, for a total amount of $972,082.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $55.0 and $185.0 for Enphase Energy, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Enphase Energy stands at 754.53, with a total volume reaching 1,846.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Enphase Energy, situated within the strike price corridor from $55.0 to $185.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Enphase Energy Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1720545402_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ENPH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$35.05</td>
<td>$16.5</td>
<td>$26.2</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$157.2K</td>
<td>52</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ENPH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$13.4</td>
<td>$11.2</td>
<td>$13.4</td>
<td>$185.00</td>
<td>$134.0K</td>
<td>409</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ENPH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$22.1</td>
<td>$21.65</td>
<td>$21.65</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$86.6K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ENPH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$27.7</td>
<td>$26.3</td>
<td>$27.55</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$82.6K</td>
<td>193</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ENPH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$27.7</td>
<td>$26.9</td>
<td>$27.46</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$82.3K</td>
<td>193</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">30</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Enphase Energy</h3>
Enphase Energy is a global energy technology company. The company delivers smart, easy-to-use solutions that manage solar generation, storage, and communication on one platform. The company's microinverter technology primarily serves the rooftop solar market and produces a fully integrated solar-plus-storage solution. Geographically, it derives a majority of revenue from the United States.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Enphase Energy, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Current Position of Enphase Energy</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,601,794, with ENPH's price up by 1.64%, positioned at $104.5.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 14 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Enphase Energy</h3>
In the last month, 3 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $111.94.
<ul>
<li>In a positive move, an analyst from HSBC has upgraded their rating to Buy and adjusted the price target to $166. </li>
<li>Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from JP Morgan keeps a Overweight rating on Enphase Energy with a target price of $124. </li>
<li>An analyst from GLJ Research downgraded its action to Sell with a price target of $45. </li>
</ul>
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Enphase Energy options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

ENPH

Behind the Scenes of Enphase Energy's Latest Options Trends

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Shopify (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NYSE">SHOP</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with SHOP, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 12 uncommon options trades for Shopify.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 25% bullish and 75%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $296,057, and 6 are calls, for a total amount of $582,185.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $35.0 to $80.0 for Shopify during the past quarter. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Shopify options trades today is 4811.6 with a total volume of 2,896.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Shopify's big money trades within a strike price range of $35.0 to $80.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Shopify Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1720545396_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$2.69</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$171.9K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.37</td>
<td>$2.3</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$166.6K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">462</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.36</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$100.8K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$10.6</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$75.9K</td>
<td>851</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHOP</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$5.1</td>
<td>$5.0</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$75.0K</td>
<td>7.3K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Shopify</h3>
Shopify offers an e-commerce platform primarily to small and medium-size businesses. The firm has two segments. The subscription solutions segment allows Shopify merchants to conduct e-commerce on a variety of platforms, including the company's website, physical stores, pop-up stores, kiosks, social networks (Facebook), and Amazon. The merchant solutions segment offers add-on products for the platform that facilitate e-commerce and include Shopify Payments, Shopify Shipping, and Shopify Capital.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Shopify, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Shopify's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 3,271,876, with SHOP's price down by -1.41%, positioned at $66.39.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 22 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Shopify</h3>
3 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $81.66666666666667.
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Citigroup has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Shopify, which currently sits at a price target of $96. </li>
<li>Showing optimism, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group upgrades its rating to Outperform with a revised price target of $75. </li>
<li>An analyst from JP Morgan downgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $74. </li>
</ul>
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Shopify, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

SHOP

Decoding Shopify's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Bilibili (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BILI#NASDAQ">BILI</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with BILI, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 21 uncommon options trades for Bilibili.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 42% bullish and 47%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $215,620, and 16 are calls, for a total amount of $1,099,075.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $12.0 to $20.0 for Bilibili over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Bilibili's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Bilibili's whale activity within a strike price range from $12.0 to $20.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Bilibili Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1720545391_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>BILI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/16/24</td>
<td>$3.45</td>
<td>$3.3</td>
<td>$3.45</td>
<td>$14.00</td>
<td>$241.5K</td>
<td>11</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BILI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/26/24</td>
<td>$0.89</td>
<td>$0.81</td>
<td>$0.89</td>
<td>$17.50</td>
<td>$88.5K</td>
<td>28</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">136</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BILI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$2.89</td>
<td>$2.8</td>
<td>$2.9</td>
<td>$16.00</td>
<td>$80.8K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BILI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.76</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
<td>$79.5K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">688</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BILI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$16.00</td>
<td>$63.0K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">601</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Bilibili</h3>
Bilibili is a Chinese online entertainment platform that is best known for its video-sharing site that resembles YouTube. The site was founded in 2009 and started as a long-form video platform for anime, comics, and gaming, or ACG, content that appealed to Gen Z users. Since then, it has expanded its content on the platform to include a broader range of interests that have attracted Chinese users outside of the Gen Z cohort. The firm generates revenue through five main areas: advertising, games, live streaming, value-added services, and e-commerce.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Bilibili, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Bilibili</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,903,217, with BILI's price up by 3.56%, positioned at $17.02.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 37 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Bilibili</h3>
Over the past month, 1 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $21.0.
<ul>
<li>An analyst from JP Morgan upgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $21. </li>
</ul>
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Bilibili with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

BILI

Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on BILI Options

RBC Capital analyst Jon Arfstrom maintains BOK Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BOKF#NASDAQ">BOKF</a>) with a Sector Perform and raises the price target from $98 to $99.

BOKF

RBC Capital Maintains Sector Perform on BOK Financial, Raises Price Target to $99

Launched on 05/14/2007, the Invesco S&amp;P Global Water Index ETF (ARCA:CGW) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Industrials - Water segment of the equity market.
An increasingly popular option among retail and institutional investors, passively managed ETFs offer low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency; they are also excellent vehicles for long term investors.
Sector ETFs are also funds of convenience, offering many ways to gain low risk and diversified exposure to a broad group of companies in particular sectors. Industrials - Water is one of the 16 broad Zacks sectors within the Zacks Industry classification. It is currently ranked 3, placing it in top 19%.
Index Details
The fund is sponsored by Invesco. It has amassed assets over $955.71 million, making it one of the average sized ETFs attempting to match the performance of the Industrials - Water segment of the equity market. CGW seeks to match the performance of the S&amp;P GLOBAL WATER INDEX before fees and expenses.
The S&amp;P Global Water Index comprises of developed market securities including water utilities, infrastructure, equipment, instruments and materials.
Costs
Investors should also pay attention to an ETF&#39;s expense ratio. Lower cost products will produce better results than those with a higher cost, assuming all other metrics remain the same.
Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.56%, making it on par with most peer products in the space.
It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.47%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure that minimizes single stock risk, investors should also look at the actual holdings inside the fund. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
Looking at individual holdings, Xylem Inc/Ny (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/xyl#NYSE">XYL</a>) accounts for about 8.56% of total assets, followed by American Water Works Co Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/awk#NYSE">AWK</a>) and Veralto Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vlto#NYSE">VLTO</a>).
The top 10 holdings account for about 54.53% of total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
The ETF has added roughly 5.49% and is up about 12.92% so far this year and in the past one year (as of 07/09/2024), respectively. CGW has traded between $44.46 and $59.71 during this last 52-week period.
The ETF has a beta of 0.98 and standard deviation of 18.19% for the trailing three-year period, making it a low risk choice in the space. With about 67 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.
Alternatives
Invesco S&amp;P Global Water Index ETF carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), which is based on expected asset class return, expense ratio, and momentum, among other factors. Thus, CGW is a sufficient option for those seeking exposure to the Industrials ETFs area of the market. Investors might also want to consider some other ETF options in the space.
First Trust Water ETF (ARCA:FIW) tracks ISE Clean Edge Water Index and the Invesco Water Resources ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pho#NASDAQ">PHO</a>) tracks NASDAQ OMX US Water Index. First Trust Water ETF has $1.66 billion in assets, Invesco Water Resources ETF has $2.08 billion. FIW has an expense ratio of 0.53% and PHO charges 0.60%.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2298261/should-you-invest-in-the-invesco-s-p-global-water-index-etf-cgw?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-sector_etf-2298261">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Sector ETFs

ETFs

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Water Resource Portfolio

VLTO

Should You Invest in the Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF?

RBC Capital analyst Jon Arfstrom maintains Cullen/Frost Bankers (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CFR#NYSE">CFR</a>) with a Sector Perform and raises the price target from $118 to $119.

RBC Capital Maintains Sector Perform on Cullen/Frost Bankers, Raises Price Target to $119

The battle between anti-cannabis and pro-cannabis groups in Thailand has intensified since the Committee for the Control of Narcotic Drugs approved the reclassification of hemp and cannabis as narcotics on<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39665675/thailand-politicians-take-next-step-to-make-marijuana-illegal-again-provoking-national-protests"> July 5, 2024.</a>
Pro-cannabis advocates gathered to push for a Cannabis Act and oppose its reclassification as a narcotic. On July 8, about 100 members of the Thai Cannabis Future Network, led by Prasitchai Noonuan, marched from the United Nations headquarters to Government House to submit a proposal to the government. They called for cannabis to be regulated under a special cannabis law to resolve conflicts according to international standards, <a href="https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2825396/govt-urged-to-form-cannabis-impact-panel">reported</a> Bangkok Post. 
Protesters also threatened to expose alleged ties between influential financial groups and politicians, particularly those in the ruling Pheu Thai Party leadership.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trust In Science</h3>
In what seems to be the chosen strategy to defy the decriminalization policies, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/39068360/hundreds-of-cannabis-advocates-rallied-in-bangkok-protesting-governments-marijuana-policy-u-turn">pro-cannabis groups</a> are pushing for the establishment of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38792937/thailands-cannabis-reversal-intensifies-advocates-want-government-to-provide-scientific-justific">scientific committee</a> to study the impacts of cannabis, comparing its health risks and societal effects to those of tobacco and alcohol. They argue that without evidence showing significant harm, cannabis should not be reclassified as a narcotic.
&#8220;A committee should study the issue. The facts should be established and laid out for the public to see,&#8221; Noonuan said, adding that the network proposed forming a joint committee to research cannabis in four dimensions:
<ul>
<li>Whether cannabis poses more health risks than cigarettes and alcohol.</li>
<li>Whether cannabis has caused more severe social harm in the last two years compared to cigarettes and alcohol.</li>
<li>Whether the medicinal properties of cannabis are superior to those of cigarettes and alcohol.</li>
<li>Whether cannabis causes psychiatric disorders and brain damage in young people, as claimed by the government.</li>
</ul>
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39665675/thailand-politicians-take-next-step-to-make-marijuana-illegal-again-provoking-national-protests">Thailand Politicians Take Next Step To Make Marijuana Illegal Again Provoking National Protests</a>
On Monday, protesters threatened to expose alleged ties between influential financial groups and politicians, particularly those in the ruling Pheu Thai Party leadership.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="No comment : manifestation contre la repénalisation du cannabis &#x7C; euronews &#x1f1eb;&#x1f1f7;" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qP7a_xdMgyU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Courtesy of No Comment/EuroNews on YouTube</figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cannabis Perspectives</h3>
Hiranrat Mahadisthadakul, a director and secretary of the Hemp and Cannabis Industry Association (HCIA), stated that the association, with over 20 member companies and investments of millions of dollars, does not support the reclassification. They prefer regulation under a special cannabis law for more business flexibility. &#8220;We have invested on the basis of clear government policy, not the policy of a particular party,&#8221; she <a href="https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2024/07/08/thai-weed-heats-up-advocates-against-reclassification-push-for-cannabis-act/">told</a> Khaosod.
Meanwhile, Thongchai Posawang, leader of a community enterprise growing medical cannabis, urged the government to assist small-scale cannabis businesses affected by inconsistent policies. He highlighted the high costs and challenges faced by farmers growing cannabis for medical use.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cannabis Regulations Crisis</h3>
Thailand&#8217;s cannabis industry is currently facing a hard moment. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to re-criminalize cannabis by the end of 2024, reversing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/06/27631189/thailand-makes-marijuana-legal-here-are-dos-donts-you-need-to-know">2022 decriminalization</a>. This move has raised concerns among business owners who have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39195913/thailands-cannabis-industry-faces-potential-recriminalization-plan-274m-at-stake-trade-group-say">invested heavily</a> in the industry based on the previous liberalization policies. Some entrepreneurs are threatening legal action and protests to oppose the reclassification.
<ul>
<li>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39195913/thailands-cannabis-industry-faces-potential-recriminalization-plan-274m-at-stake-trade-group-say">Thailand&#8217;s Cannabis Industry Faces Potential Recriminalization Plan: $274M At Stake, Trade Group Says</a></li>
</ul>

Cannabis

[VIDEO] Cannabis Advocates In Thailand Protest Reclassification, Stressing Need For Scientific Review And Effect On Economy

BYD Co., Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) has reportedly inked an agreement with the authorities of the Shen-Shan Special Cooperation Zone to develop the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39662998/chinese-ev-makers-pivot-to-africa-amid-eu-and-us-tariff-hurdles" rel="noreferrer noopener">third phase of its industrial park.</a>
The project, costing RMB6.5 billion ($893.77 million), will focus on constructing battery-pack production lines and a core parts factory for new energy vehicles (NEVs), <a target="_blank" href="https://cnevpost.com/2024/07/08/byd-to-invest-rmb-6-b-in-phase-3-shen-shan-park/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> CnEV Post.
Established in February 2011, the Shen-Shan Special Cooperation Zone operates as a Shenzhen enclave, originally under Shanwei city in Guangdong province but now administered by the Shenzhen municipal government.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39680108/warren-buffett-backed-byd-to-build-1b-plant-in-turkey-with-annual-production-capacity-of-150k-vehicl" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett-Backed BYD To Build $1B Plant In Turkey With Annual Production Capacity Of 150K Vehicles</a>
In August 2021, BYD signed a RMB 5 billion agreement for the first phase of its industrial park focusing on auto parts production.
On January 30, 2022, BYD committed RMB 20 billion for the second phase, transforming it into a vehicle manufacturing base, the report read.
By October 2022, the first phase was operational, reaching full design capacity by December 2023.
In March, China&#8217;s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approved BYD&#8217;s relocation of its Pingshan factory in Shenzhen to the Shen-Shan Special Cooperation Zone.
According to information from the Shenzhen municipal government on June 14, BYD&#8217;s new energy vehicles (NEVs) produced at the industrial park are conveniently located just a five-minute drive from Xiaomo Port.
BYD, China&#8217;s largest NEV manufacturer, recorded sales of 1.612 million NEVs in the first half of the year, marking a 28.46% increase compared to the previous year.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo via Shutterstock
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BYDDF

BYDDY

Tesla's Top Rival BYD Expands Shen-Shan Industrial Park With ~$893M Investment In NEV Production Facilities

Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) announced it is starting the process to find a new chief scientific officer and president <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39683163/pfizer-is-looking-for-a-successor-for-dr-mikael-dolsten-pfizers-chief-scientific-officer-and-pres">of Pfizer Research and Development.</a>
The Details: Mikael Dolsten, the current Chief Scientific Officer and President, is set to leave the company after 15 years. Dolsten will stay in his current role until a new chief scientific officer is hired.
Pfizer obtained more than 35 drug and vaccine approvals during Dolsten&#8217;s tenure for products related to therapies for inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular, stroke prevention, hemophilia and cancer.
&#8220;I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished in creating a world-class R&amp;D organization with amazing talent, industry-leading scientific platforms, and a first-in-class pipeline and portfolio,&#8221; said Dolsten.&nbsp;
The process of finding Dolsten&#8217;s replacement is anticipated to last several months. Separately, on July 1, the company announced the election of Cyrus Taraporevala to its Board of Directors and Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39692499/oklahomas-medical-cannabis-industry-faces-major-downturn">Oklahoma&#8217;s Medical Cannabis Industry Faces Major Downturn</a>
PFE Price Action: At the time of publication, Pfizer shares are trading 0.73% lower at $27.73 per data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: Photo via Shutterstock

Pfizer Launches Process To Identify Chief Scientific Officer Successor

RBC Capital analyst Jon Arfstrom maintains Home BancShares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOMB#NYSE">HOMB</a>) with a Sector Perform and raises the price target from $26 to $27.

HOMB

RBC Capital Maintains Sector Perform on Home BancShares, Raises Price Target to $27

Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MULN#NASDAQ">MULN</a>) announced Tuesday that Bollinger Motors will sell five all-electric Class 4 Bollinger B4 commercial <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/07/g39687850/mullen-announces-spencer-manufacturing-to-purchase-bollinger-motors-b4-ev-chassis-cabs-for-emergen">trucks to Spencer Manufacturing.&nbsp;</a>
The Details:
Mullen said Spencer Manufacturing will upfit the five electric vehicles into fire rescue trucks, and the vehicle order is valued at approximately $825,000.
Last week, the company announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/07/g39594987/mullen-announces-class-1-ev-sale-to-massachusetts-dealer-partner-eco-auto">the first sale</a> of its Mullen Commercial EVs in Massachusetts through its new dealer partner, Eco Auto. The initial delivery will go to a Massachusetts-based company offering custom home building, home renovations and maintenance, property management and painting services.
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The Mullen THREE Class 3 EV cab chassis truck <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39274650/mullen-automotive-secures-rebate-for-its-ev-truck-in-massachusetts-details">qualified for a</a> $15,000 incentive through the State of Massachusetts MOR-EV program in June.&nbsp;
According to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Mullen shares are down by more than 18% over the past month and trading well-below the stock&#8217;s 50-day moving average of $3.91.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy MULN Stock: </h2>
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument. 
For example, in Mullen Automotive's case, it is in the Consumer Discretionary sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.
MULN Price Action: According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Mullen Automotive shares are down 4.37% at $2.19 at the time of publication Tuesday.
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</ul>
Image: Courtesy of Mullen Automotive, Inc.

MULN

EV Truck Maker Mullen Automotive Announces $825K Deal

A recent caller to The Ramsey Show raised important questions about prenuptial agreements with financial expert <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39636571/you-dont-have-time-to-waste-money-59-year-old-with-only-40-000-saved-asks-dave-ramsey-pay-down-m">Dave Ramsey.</a> The show provided a platform for a 28-year-old listener seeking guidance on an impending prenuptial request, not from his fiancee, but from her family.
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The caller, who makes $300,000 a year, is engaged to a woman from an extremely wealthy family. He noted that his income is expected to jump to around $500,000 a year. Despite his substantial income, his future in-laws want him to sign a prenuptial agreement to protect their daughter's potential inheritance. He explained that his fiancee, aged 25, has no money.
Ramsey shared his perspective based on his extensive experience. "When my children were married, my net worth was over $100 million, and none of them signed a prenuptial," he revealed. Ramsey explained that he had structured his estate to protect family assets without <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/04/38490644/warren-buffett-tried-convincing-bill-gates-to-pay-nearly-400-million-for-an-engagement-ring-the-marr">requiring such agreements</a>. "I have my estate plan set up to where certain things are controlled only by Ramsey blood in trusts so you can't get to them in the event of a divorce."
Addressing the caller's concern, Ramsey pointed out that in most states, an inheritance generally goes to the person who inherited it and isn&#8217;t divided in a divorce. He made it clear, however, that he is not a lawyer but has seen this hold in many financial cases he has encountered.
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Ramsey acknowledged the caller&#8217;s discomfort with the prenuptial request. "Frankly, it's a little bothersome," he said. "If I were in your shoes, I'd find it troubling that this came up after the engagement. It's a bit low class to add something to the contract terms after signing it."
Ken Coleman, co-host on the show, emphasized a deeper issue: the potential control the fiancee's family might exert over their relationship. "The concern is less about the money and their role in her life," Coleman noted, suggesting that the couple seek premarital counseling to address these dynamics.
Ramsey agreed, highlighting the importance of establishing clear boundaries. "You're marrying her and her family, and it's crucial to understand what this issue means for your relationship," he said. He also suggested the caller consider how this situation might affect his future. "What else is going to come up after you're married that they tell her what to do?"
The caller also mentioned that his future in-laws plan to build a house for the couple and place it in a trust. Ramsey cautioned about the implications of such control. "This family has problems with leaving and cleaving. They're big into real estate and they want to control this asset."
See Also: Warren Buffett flipped his neighbor's $67,000 life savings into a $50 million fortune —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/advisor-adv-warren-buffett"> How much is that worth today?</a>
Ramsey shared his challenges with setting boundaries as a wealthy parent. He noted that having money can create a desire to control things but emphasized the importance of allowing children to live their lives.
Coleman echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of allowing young adults to face hardship and grow independently. "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/05/39069576/are-you-rich-heres-the-net-worth-you-need-to-be-poor-middle-class-and-wealthy">Massive money</a> creates massive ease, and absent of hardship, it can make people soft and entitled."
Ramsey wrapped up the discussion by advising the caller to bring these issues up in premarital counseling. He emphasized the importance of the couple sitting down with a therapist to discuss these dynamics before getting married, highlighting the need to set boundaries with her family to ensure a healthy relationship.
By addressing key financial issues upfront, prenups can provide peace of mind and help couples navigate potential challenges in the future. While discussing a prenuptial may not be the most romantic conversation, it can be essential in building a strong and secure foundation for a successful marriage. However, it&#8217;s not for everyone.
It is also important to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">consider consulting a professional advisor</a> when making significant life decisions, such as marriage. Advisors can offer valuable insights and guidance tailored to individual needs and circumstances, whether financial planning, estate planning, or legal matters.&nbsp;
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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/red-ventures"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
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Blackstone Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>) has reportedly agreed to purchase Japanese e-comics provider Infocom Corp.



Blackstone is set to acquire a 55.1% stake in Infocom from Tokyo-listed Teijin Ltd., according to a report from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-31/blackstone-is-said-to-buy-japanese-manga-firm-for-1-7-billion?srnd=technology-vp&amp;sref=TBDibEcD" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>. Blackstone had offered about ¥260 billion ($1.66 billion) for the company, the report added.



Blackstone may aim to secure all of Infocom&#8217;s shares through a takeover bid and share transfer. The firm was selected as the buyer after surpassing bids from Sony Music Entertainment, Japanese fund Integral Corp., and KKR &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>), as per the report.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38959529/blackstone-to-grant-equity-to-rank-and-file-employees-at-us-buyouts-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackstone To Grant Equity To Rank-And-File Employees At US Buyouts: Report</a>



Infocom shares have soared about 96% this year, bringing the company&#8217;s valuation to roughly $1.8 billion.



Blackstone had $1.1 trillion in assets under management at the end of the previous year.



Blackstone stock has gained more than 39% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;First Trust Growth Strength ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTGS#NASDAQ">FTGS</a>) and Amplify AI Powered Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIEQ#NYSE">AIEQ</a>).



Price Action: BX shares closed higher by 2.76% at $119.33 on Thursday.



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Read Next: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/39021029/donald-trump-to-get-endorsement-from-blackstone-ceo-steve-schwarzman-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump To Get Endorsement From Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman: Report</a>

Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>) stated that Blackstone Real Estate has agreed to sell <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/05/b39059008/blackstone-real-estate-sells-turtle-bay-resort" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turtle Bay Resort for $725 million</a>.



Turtle Bay Resort&nbsp;has 450 rooms on 1,300 acres along the North Shore of O&#8217;ahu and boasts a variety of top-tier amenities.&nbsp;The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024.



Blackstone bought the hotel in 2018 for&nbsp;$332 million&nbsp;and invested significant capital in renovations.



Rob Harper, Head of Blackstone Real Estate Asset Management Americas, said, &#8220;This transaction is an excellent outcome for our investors and a testament to Blackstone&#8217;s ability, including through the pandemic, to transform iconic, luxury hospitality assets. The team executed an ambitious business plan, investing significant capital to reposition the resort for long-term success while also adding high-quality jobs on the North Shore.&#8221;



In a separate transaction, Areté Collective, a vertically integrated development company known for sustainable development practices, disclosed the closing of a transaction to purchase 65 acres of land at Turtle Bay on O‘ahu&#8217;s North Shore.



Including both deals, Blackstone expects to generate sale proceeds of $768 million.



Blackstone stock has gained more than 35% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;First Trust Growth Strength ETF&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTGS#NASDAQ">FTGS</a>) and&nbsp;Amplify ETF Trust Amplify AI Powered Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIEQ#NYSE">AIEQ</a>).



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38959529/blackstone-to-grant-equity-to-rank-and-file-employees-at-us-buyouts-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackstone To Grant Equity To Rank-And-File Employees At US Buyouts: Report</a>



Price Action: BX shares are down 3.54% at $116.92 at the last check Wednesday.



Image via Shutterstock

What's Going On With Blackstone Stock Today?

Blackstone Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>) is reportedly initiating a plan to grant equity to&nbsp;the majority of&nbsp;employees at its U.S. buyout companies.



The decision will be announced&nbsp;at an investor conference this week and will apply to all new acquisitions where Blackstone's&nbsp;private-equity&nbsp;division takes control,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/blackstone-to-grant-equity-to-most-employees-in-future-u-s-buyouts-3c5fed45?mod=hp_listb_pos2" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported&nbsp;</a>The Wall Street Journal.



Blackstone, whose private-equity portfolio encompasses over 400,000 employees, aims to broaden ownership beyond just management ranks, the report added.



The program will begin with the 18,000 employees of Copeland, a climate-technologies unit purchased from&nbsp;Emerson Electric Co&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EMR#NYSE">EMR</a>) for $14 billion last year.



Employees&nbsp;must remain with their company until Blackstone&nbsp;either&nbsp;sells it or takes it public&nbsp;to qualify for the equity incentives.&nbsp;The payout amount will depend on Blackstone's return on its investment.



The initiative is part of a&nbsp;wider&nbsp;trend within the buyout industry to include more employees in ownership.&nbsp;KKR &amp; Co Inc&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>), another major private-equity firm, started broad-based employee ownership programs&nbsp;in&nbsp;2011.&nbsp;



KKR's model was expanded&nbsp;through a nonprofit called Ownership Works, which aims to promote shared ownership among companies.



Also Read:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38852113/morgan-stanley-obtains-700m-property-loan-from-blackstone-venture" rel="noreferrer noopener">Morgan Stanley Obtains $700M Property Loan From Blackstone&nbsp;Venture</a>



Ownership Works, launched by Pete Stavros of KKR, has 19 founding&nbsp;private-equity&nbsp;partners, including KKR,&nbsp;Apollo Global Management&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APO#NYSE">APO</a>), Ares Management, Silver Lake, and&nbsp;TPG Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPG#NASDAQ">TPG</a>).&nbsp;



Each partner committed to introducing shared ownership in at least three companies by the end of 2023.&nbsp;



Notably, Blackstone is not a listed partner but has similar programs in place at some companies&nbsp;like Merlin Entertainments, per the report.



Advocates of broader employee ownership argue that it can attract and retain workers in a competitive labor market, help lower-level employees build wealth, and better align their interests with those of management and shareholders.&nbsp;



Blackstone stock has gained more than 50% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;First Trust Growth Strength ETF&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTGS#NASDAQ">FTGS</a>) and&nbsp;Amplify AI Powered Equity ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIEQ#NYSE">AIEQ</a>).



Price Action: BX shares closed higher by 1.62% at $127.71&nbsp;on Tuesday.



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image: Shutterstock/ Andrey_Popov

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