Option chain shows key data for Merck's stock options at various strike prices and expiration dates. Traders use this information to analyze potential trades and assess market sentiment for Merck.

Merck (OTC:MKKGY) Stock, Option Chain

Merck KGaA operates in three main segments: life sciences, performance materials, and healthcare. The life sciences segment (44% of 2023 sales) primarily provides laboratory consumables and services to researchers in academia and applied fields, including the biopharmaceutical industry. In the healthcare segment (38%), Merck develops, manufactures, and sells branded pharmaceuticals with significant therapeutic concentrations in oncology, multiple sclerosis, and fertility. In its electronics segment (17%), the company offers specialty materials to manufacture a variety of products, such as semiconductors, flat-screen televisions, automobiles, and cosmetics. In 1995, the E. Merck KG family publicly sold part of the company, resulting in the current 30% public ownership of the firm.

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MKKGY

SGEN

Pfizer Clears Required Regulatory Hurdles To Complete $43B Seagen Acquisition

MKGAF

Merck Germany&#39;s Two Pivotal Trials Flunk In Multiple Sclerosis

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RGEN

Repligen Corporation (NASDAQ: RGEN) agreed to acquire Sweden-based privately-held Metenova. 

Life Sciences Player Repligen&#39;s Strategic European Acquisition - What It Means for Investors

Merck KGaA

VUZI

Vuzix Option Alert: 1,950 Jan 2026 $7 Calls Traded At The Ask For $1.90 With Open Interest Of 468; Stock Reference Price $5.00

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Shares of Chinese EV stocks are trading higher amid recent reports of a Chinese stimulus plan.

LASE

Laser Photonics shares are trading higher after the company announced it received an order from Walsh Service Solutions.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is navigating a period of guarded optimism, according to a new report from Messari, buoyed by institutional inflows into newly approved ETFs and the promises made by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42640293/trump-congratulates-bitcoiners-on-new-all-time-highs-as-apex-crypto-suffers-first-weekly-loss-since-election-triumph">new presidential administration</a>.
What Happened: The <a href="https://messari.io/report-pdf/a929cd003f5eec790275e05ae8ef28cf4a6b4bfc.pdf">report</a> suggests that Bitcoin&#8217;s future trajectory depends on whether the administration can convert campaign rhetoric into tangible policy outcomes.
Bitcoin experienced a significant price surge in 2024, reaching an all-time high of $75,000 in the first quarter after the launch of Bitcoin ETFs. 
Institutions were overwhelmingly net buyers of Bitcoin throughout the year, with Grayscale&#8216;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GBTC#OTC">GBTC</a>) outflows decreasing substantially and Blackrock&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>) emerging as the largest net buyer.
ETF issuers now hold over 1.1 million BTC, with Blackrock (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NASDAQ">BLK</a>) and Grayscale holding the majority.
MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) has continued to actively invest in Bitcoin, with total holdings now exceeding 420,000 BTC after a recent purchase of $2.1 billion.
The company intends to raise a further $42 billion to fund additional purchases over the next three years. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42672990/solana-surged-2000-in-2-years-but-it-could-go-even-higher-report">Solana Surged 2,000% In 2 Years, But It Could Go Even Higher: Report</a>
The election of a new president who has expressed positive sentiments towards crypto has created a hopeful environment for the sector. 
Some of his stated promises include firing SEC commissioner Gary Gensler, introducing a national strategic Bitcoin reserve, forming a Bitcoin and crypto presidential council, and ensuring Bitcoin mining in the U.S. 
While a federal strategic Bitcoin reserve is unlikely, the report emphasizes that achieving some of the higher-probability policy items could sustain the current market enthusiasm.
The Bitcoin network is undergoing a significant evolution with the introduction of Ordinals and Runes, which have enabled NFTs and fungible tokens, bringing new functionality. 
Bitcoin&#8217;s staking protocol Babylon is also a new development, allowing holders to stake their assets to secure other networks. 
Despite these developments, the report notes the network was not designed for maximum programmability, but a low penetration of Bitcoin utility could exceed $30 billion in market value.
Messari projects that institutional ETF inflows will continue to be a primary driver of price action, which could lead to more stable, less volatile price movements. 
The report also acknowledges that the success of new developments like Runes, Ordinals, and Bitcoin staking will depend on user adoption and the continued improvement of the user experience.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42669525/bitcoins-rally-tracked-this-crucial-macro-indicatorand-now-its-pointing-to-a-correction">Bitcoin&#8217;s Rally Tracked This Crucial Macro Indicator—And Now It&#8217;s Pointing To A Correction</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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

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$BTC

GBTC

IBIT

MSTR

Bitcoin Investors Should Be Optimistic Ahead Of 2025: Here's Why

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards JD.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in JD usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 10 extraordinary options activities for JD.com. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 60% leaning bullish and 30% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $176,692, and 7 are calls, amounting to $369,159.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $30.0 to $60.0 for JD.com over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for JD.com options trades today is 13666.78 with a total volume of 5,844.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for JD.com's big money trades within a strike price range of $30.0 to $60.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>JD.com Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735229735_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>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>JD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$2.26</td>
<td>$1.95</td>
<td>$2.25</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$111.2K</td>
<td>4.2K</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$0.86</td>
<td>$0.81</td>
<td>$0.81</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$95.2K</td>
<td>19.5K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$4.55</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$91.5K</td>
<td>319</td>
<td>200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$0.88</td>
<td>$0.83</td>
<td>$0.83</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$49.8K</td>
<td>19.5K</td>
<td>600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$0.6</td>
<td>$0.54</td>
<td>$0.54</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$49.6K</td>
<td>61.9K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About JD.com</h3>
JD.com is a leading e-commerce platform with its 2022 China GMV being similar to Pinduoduo (GMV not reported), on our estimate, but still lower than Alibaba. it offers a wide selection of authentic products with speedy and reliable delivery. The company has built its own nationwide fulfilment infrastructure and last-mile delivery network, staffed by its own employees, which supports both its online direct sales, its online marketplace and omnichannel businesses.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding JD.com, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of JD.com</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,841,224, with JD's price down by -0.71%, positioned at $36.2.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 69 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On JD.com</h3>
In the last month, 1 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $46.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Bernstein has elevated its stance to Outperform, setting a new price target at $46. 
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 JD.com, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

JD.com Options Trading: A Deep Dive into Market Sentiment

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Nike. Our analysis of options history for Nike (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) revealed 12 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 58% of traders were bullish, while 41% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 3 were puts, with a value of $147,507, and 9 were calls, valued at $319,833.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $76.0 to $100.0 for Nike during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Nike stands at 4755.38, with a total volume reaching 2,026.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Nike, situated within the strike price corridor from $76.0 to $100.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Nike 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735229729_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 align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NKE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/31/25</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$2.89</td>
<td>$2.89</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
<td>$57.8K</td>
<td>101</td>
<td align="right">400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NKE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$5.75</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$5.72</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$49.7K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
<td align="right">87</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NKE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$7.45</td>
<td>$7.3</td>
<td>$7.3</td>
<td>$82.50</td>
<td>$48.9K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td align="right">134</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NKE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$5.7</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$48.8K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
<td align="right">174</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NKE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$16.1</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$77.50</td>
<td>$45.0K</td>
<td>4.8K</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Nike</h3>
Nike is the largest athletic footwear and apparel brand in the world. Key categories include basketball, running, and football (soccer). Footwear generates about two thirds of its sales. Its brands include Nike, Jordan (premium athletic footwear and clothing), and Converse (casual footwear). Nike sells products worldwide through company-owned stores, franchised stores, and third-party retailers. The firm also operates e-commerce platforms in more than 40 countries. Nearly all its production is outsourced to contract manufacturers in more than 30 countries. Nike was founded in 1964 and is based in Beaverton, Oregon.
In light of the recent options history for Nike, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Nike's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,680,559, the price of NKE is up 0.27% at $77.0. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 84 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Nike</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $80.8.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from UBS keeps a Neutral rating on Nike with a target price of $73. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group keeps a Outperform rating on Nike with a target price of $97. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Equal-Weight rating on Nike with a target price of $70. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Nike, which currently sits at a price target of $80. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Needham downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $84. 
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 Nike, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Smart Money Is Betting Big In NKE Options

RYDE

Ryde Group shares are trading higher after the company announced it renewed its 3-year ride-hail and carpool licenses in Singapore.

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Hims &amp; Hers Health. Our analysis of options history for Hims &amp; Hers Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) revealed 9 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 11% of traders were bullish, while 66% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 4 were puts, with a value of $139,520, and 5 were calls, valued at $233,968.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $15.0 and $37.0 for Hims &amp; Hers Health, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Hims &amp; Hers Health'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 Hims &amp; Hers Health's whale trades within a strike price range from $15.0 to $37.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Hims &amp; Hers Health Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735229724_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$2.85</td>
<td>$2.9</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
<td>$72.7K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$5.8</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
<td>$56.0K</td>
<td>793</td>
<td>210</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$2.25</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$44.0K</td>
<td>3.8K</td>
<td>294</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$4.1</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$4.14</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$40.9K</td>
<td>478</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$4.16</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$39.9K</td>
<td>478</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Hims &amp; Hers Health</h3>
Hims &amp; Hers Health Inc is a multi-specialty telehealth platform that connects consumers to licensed healthcare professionals, enabling them to access high-quality medical care for numerous conditions related to mental health, sexual health, dermatology, primary care, and more.
In light of the recent options history for Hims &amp; Hers Health, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Where Is Hims &amp; Hers Health Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 4,915,986, the price of HIMS is down by -0.18%, reaching $28.1.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 60 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Hims &amp; Hers Health</h3>
In the last month, 2 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $40.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Morgan Stanley downgraded its rating to Overweight, setting a price target of $42. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Canaccord Genuity continues to hold a Buy rating for Hims &amp; Hers Health, targeting a price of $38. 
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 Hims &amp; Hers Health, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

Spotlight on Hims & Hers Health: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

Watching Shares Of Flotek; Traders Circulate Co. Mentioned As Zack's Under 10 Pick

SMX shares are trading higher after the company announced integration of its cutting-edge technology to mark and protect NFC and RFID chips.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued three of the nation's largest banks and the operator of Zelle last week, alleging a failure to protect consumers from widespread fraud on the peer-to-peer payment network, resulting in customer losses of more than <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40155365/zelle-controversy-heats-up-jpmorgan-considers-legal-action">$870 million since 2017. </a>
The Details: The CFPB's <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/early-warning-services-llc-bank-of-america-na-jpmorgan-chase-bank-na-wells-fargo-bank-na/">lawsuit</a> alleges that JP Morgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) and Early Warning Services rushed to complete the Zelle payment network in order to compete with Venmo and CashApp and neglected to enact effective fraud safeguards. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42669113/waymos-autonomous-vehicles-are-safer-than-human-drivers-report">Waymo&#8217;s Autonomous Vehicles Are Safer Than Human Drivers: Report</a>
"The nation's largest banks felt threatened by competing payment apps, so they rushed to put out Zelle," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. "By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves."
The lawsuit further alleges that the banks "systemically failed" their customers by failing to properly investigate customer complaints or share information on known acts of fraud which allowed bad actors to hop between banks and commit repeated fraudulent transactions.&nbsp;
Benzinga contacted JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Early Warning Services for comment on the lawsuit. 
In <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zelle-fraud-chase-bank-of-america-wells-fargo-cfpb-payments/">a statement</a> given to CBS News, a Zelle spokesperson said the CFPB&#8217;s accusations are &#8220;legally and factually flawed&#8221; and the lawsuit is &#8220;driven by political factors."&nbsp;
JPMorgan also told CBS News that the CFPB has a &#8220;political agenda,&#8221;and the agency is &#8220;overreaching its authority by making banks accountable for criminals, even including romance scammers.&#8221;
The CFPB said its lawsuit aims to stop the banks' alleged unlawful practices, secure penalties for the violations and obtain other relief for consumers.&nbsp;
"The banks failed to fix glaring flaws in their systems even as hundreds of thousands of customers filed complaints about fraud," Chopra said in a <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/prepared-press-call-remarks-of-cfpb-director-rohit-chopra-on-the-zelle-lawsuit-announcement/">statement</a>.
"The banks knew their customers were having their money stolen, but since they weren't bearing the cost of these losses themselves, they dragged their feet on fixing the problems," he added.&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42653466/honda-nissan-plan-to-merge-in-the-face-of-chinese-ev-competition">Honda, Nissan Confirm Merger Plans To Offset Chinese EV Competition: How Mitsubishi Factors In</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock.

Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

Legal

Tech

'Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters': Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit

Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COEP#NASDAQ">COEP</a>) shares traded higher on Thursday after the company announced the completion of its acquisition of the NexGenAI Affiliates Network platform <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/n42682156/coeptis-therapeutics-makes-bold-strides-in-innovation-with-the-acquisition-of-nexgenai-affiliates-" rel="noreferrer noopener">and the launch of Coeptis Technologies.</a>
This new division is designed to diversify the company&#8217;s growth potential, specifically in highly regulated industries like biotech, pharmaceuticals, and multi-level marketing.
The NexGenAI Affiliates Network platform, developed by NexGenAI Solutions Group, is an AI-powered marketing software and robotic process automation (RPA) solution.
This tool helps marketers process large volumes of data, optimize campaigns, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations—key factors for success in the competitive and regulated sectors Coeptis serves.
Also Read:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42686387/sealsq-launches-sealquantumcom-lab-to-help-businesses-transition-to-quantum-safe-encryption" rel="noreferrer noopener"> SEALSQ Launches SEALQUANTUM.com Lab To Help Businesses Transition To Quantum-Safe Encryption</a>
Dave Mehalick, President and CEO of Coeptis, highlighted that integrating these AI-driven tools will be crucial for optimizing marketing strategies and driving measurable results in industries where competition and regulatory challenges are intense.
Anshuman Dash, Lead Advisor behind the NexGenAI platform, emphasized that this acquisition aligns with Coeptis&#8217; mission to revolutionize marketing and operational efficiency in the biopharmaceutical sector.
By leveraging advanced AI and RPA technologies, Coeptis aims to enhance its service offerings and provide innovative solutions to overcome marketing challenges in the biotech, pharma, and MLM sectors, setting the stage for future growth.
Price Action: COEP shares are trading higher by 45.8% to $0.2070 at last check Thursday.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42682230/tech-bull-predicts-26-upside-for-apple-stock-sees-golden-era-of-growth-for-cupertino-due-to-multi-year-ai-driven-iphone-upgrade-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tech Bull Predicts 26% Upside For Apple Stock, Sees &#8216;Golden Era Of Growth&#8217; For Cupertino Due To Multi-Year AI-Driven iPhone Upgrade Cycle</a></li>
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Photo via Shutterstock.

COEP

Why Is Penny Stock Coeptis Therapeutics Gaining Today?

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on KULR Tech Gr (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KULR#AMEX">KULR</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the positions 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 KULR, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 8 options trades for KULR Tech Gr.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 37% bullish and 50%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $29,250, and 7, calls, for a total amount of $484,110.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $0.5 to $7.5 for KULR Tech Gr during the past quarter. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of KULR Tech Gr stands at 5317.0, with a total volume reaching 11,309.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in KULR Tech Gr, situated within the strike price corridor from $0.5 to $7.5, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>KULR Tech Gr Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735228836_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</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>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>KULR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$0.50</td>
<td>$180.0K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KULR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$1.0</td>
<td>$0.95</td>
<td>$1.05</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$60.7K</td>
<td>11.3K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KULR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$1.2</td>
<td>$1.05</td>
<td>$1.09</td>
<td>$4.00</td>
<td>$55.3K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>504</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KULR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.85</td>
<td>$1.55</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$7.50</td>
<td>$54.0K</td>
<td>7.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KULR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$4.1</td>
<td>$4.2</td>
<td>$0.50</td>
<td>$49.9K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About KULR Tech Gr</h3>
KULR Technology Group Inc develops and commercializes high-performance thermal management technologies for electronics, batteries, and other components. The company is focused on targeting the following applications: electric vehicles and autonomous driving systems; artificial intelligence and Cloud computing; energy storage; and 5G communication technologies.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding KULR Tech Gr, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>KULR Tech Gr's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 53,166,158, the price of KULR is up by 31.88%, reaching $4.51.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 106 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About KULR Tech Gr</h3>
1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $5.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Benchmark has elevated its stance to Buy, setting a new price target at $5. 
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 KULR Tech Gr with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

KULR

Spotlight on KULR Tech Gr: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in CVS usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 11 extraordinary options activities for CVS Health. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 45% leaning bullish and 54% bearish. Among these notable options, 8 are puts, totaling $587,869, and 3 are calls, amounting to $211,402.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $40.0 and $55.0 for CVS Health, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for CVS Health's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across CVS Health's significant trades, within a strike price range of $40.0 to $55.0, over the past month.
<h3>CVS Health Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735228831_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>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$13.85</td>
<td>$13.7</td>
<td>$13.85</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$191.1K</td>
<td>18.5K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$14.75</td>
<td>$13.85</td>
<td>$14.42</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$181.6K</td>
<td>18.5K</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$5.85</td>
<td>$5.75</td>
<td>$5.75</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$108.6K</td>
<td>261</td>
<td>302</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$6.6</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$47.50</td>
<td>$69.5K</td>
<td>812</td>
<td>94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$5.85</td>
<td>$5.75</td>
<td>$5.75</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$63.8K</td>
<td>261</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About CVS Health</h3>
CVS Health offers a diverse set of healthcare services. Its roots are in its retail pharmacy operations, where it operates over 9,000 stores primarily in the us. CVS is also a large pharmacy benefit manager (acquired through Caremark), processing about 2 billion adjusted claims annually. It also operates a top-tier health insurer (acquired through Aetna) where it serves about 26 million medical members. The company's recent acquisition of Oak Street adds primary care services to the mix, which could have significant synergies with all its existing business lines.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding CVS Health, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Current Position of CVS Health</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,561,563, with CVS's price up by 2.01%, positioned at $45.14.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 41 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for CVS Health</h3>
A total of 1 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $66.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; In a positive move, an analyst from Deutsche Bank has upgraded their rating to Buy and adjusted the price target to $66. 
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 CVS Health, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on CVS Options

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Celsius Holdings.
Looking at options history for Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>) we detected 8 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 25% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 50% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $302,702 and 3, calls, for a total amount of $152,625.
<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 $20.0 and $60.0 for Celsius Holdings, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</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 Celsius Holdings'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 Celsius Holdings's whale activity within a strike price range from $20.0 to $60.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Celsius Holdings Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735228826_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</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 align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CELH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$33.75</td>
<td>$32.3</td>
<td>$32.9</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$164.5K</td>
<td>802</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CELH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$8.0</td>
<td>$7.4</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$78.0K</td>
<td>15.5K</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CELH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$33.15</td>
<td>$32.45</td>
<td>$32.91</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$42.7K</td>
<td>802</td>
<td align="right">64</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CELH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$11.45</td>
<td>$11.15</td>
<td>$11.3</td>
<td>$27.50</td>
<td>$38.4K</td>
<td>361</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CELH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$33.15</td>
<td>$32.45</td>
<td>$32.93</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$36.2K</td>
<td>802</td>
<td align="right">75</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Celsius Holdings</h3>
Celsius Holdings plays in the energy drink subsegment of the global nonalcoholic beverage market, with 96% of revenue concentrated in North America. Celsius' products contain natural ingredients and a metabolism-enhancing formulation, appealing to fitness and active lifestyle enthusiasts. The firm's portfolio includes its namesake Celsius Originals beverages, Celsius Essentials line (containing aminos), and Celsius On-the-Go powder packets. Celsius dedicates its efforts to branding and innovation, while it utilizes third parties for the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of its products. In 2022, Celsius forged a 20-year distribution agreement with PepsiCo, which holds an 8.5% stake in the business.
<h3>Current Position of Celsius Holdings</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,083,259, with CELH's price down by -0.18%, positioned at $27.31.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 63 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Celsius Holdings</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $37.4.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Needham downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $38. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Celsius Holdings, maintaining a target price of $42. 
&#x2A; An analyst from JP Morgan downgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $37. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Deutsche Bank downgraded its action to Hold with a price target of $32. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Roth MKM continues to hold a Buy rating for Celsius Holdings, targeting a price of $38. 
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 Celsius Holdings options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

CELH

Spotlight on Celsius Holdings: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

The statistics aren&#8217;t kind. Eighty percent of pro athletes go broke soon after retiring. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/11/41918005/super-bowl-lix-betting-odds-kansas-city-chiefs-favorite-to-three-peat-can-detroit-lions-spoil-the-party-make-team-history">Kansas City Chiefs</a>&#8216; Marquise &#8220;Hollywood&#8221; Brown will not be among them. Despite NFL stars&#8217; eight-figure contracts, in most cases, their financial literacy does not match their salaries. Brown wants to change that.&nbsp;
&#8220;Players often leave their finances up to financial advisers who tend to invest in more traditional avenues, like stocks, because those methods also earn money for the advisers,&#8221; Brown told Mansion Global.
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&#8220;It hurts, seeing the stories of these guys who end up with nothing,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a problem within the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42512587/netflix-analyst-say-its-only-investable-media-stock-projects-150-million-nfl-christmas-day-boost">NFL</a>, specifically for guys like myself who come from a background without a lot of money. We&#8217;re not educated on how to handle finances,&#8221; Brown, who has earned $25 million during a five-year career, continued.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Private Equity Real Estate Firm</h2>
The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, who was first drafted to the NFL in 2019 – first playing for the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens before signing with the Chiefs this year – has cofounded Platinum Pro Capital, a private equity real estate firm with his wife, real estate influencer Zoei Brown. The firm has joined Jason Caraway of Island Sky Investments to educate professional athletes on the advantages of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42484255/seven-of-the-nations-top-10-luxury-listings-are-in-florida-but-trouble-brews-for-landlords">luxury real estate</a> investing – in their case – in the Caribbean and other resort areas.&nbsp;
See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Resort Investing With Added Advantages</h2>
According to Bloomberg, the company has backed an oceanfront luxury condo development in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is renovating a resort in Grand Bahama Island and is planning other projects in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42532810/61st-coconut-grove-arts-festival-returns-presidents-day-weekend-2025-with-first-horizon-bank-as-pres">South Florida</a> and Costa Rica.
Player investors are not urged to buy high-end rental properties from Brown&#8217;s company. Rather, they invest in his fund passively for returns on their money and the option to stay in vacation properties for free during the off-season.&nbsp;
&#8220;A lot of guys in our field, they like luxurious things, they are drawn to attractive places,&#8221; Brown said. &#8220;And a lot of us travel in the offseason, so instead of having a traditional house, they are drawn to places that feel like a vacation. That&#8217;s appealing to guys. I feel like it creates a sense of unity. So, owning property on Caribbean islands saves money in the long term because that&#8217;s where everybody wants to travel in the offseason. It really caught the eye of a lot of people.&#8221;
Trending: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/marcus-millichap-backed-platform-makes-it-easy-to-invest-in-real-estate"> This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brown&#8217;s Kansas Teammate Is Also An Avid Real Estate Investor</h2>
Of course, Marquise Brown isn&#8217;t the only NFL player with a penchant for real estate investing. Many players invest individually or as a group with other players. In fact, Brown&#8217;s teammate at Kansas, Justin Watson, is an investor in Teal Henderson&#8217;s Bones Investment Group, which, as of 2023, had 78 active investors, 97% of them athletes in the NFL. Bones Investment Group&#8217;s strategy is different from Brown&#8217;s, however. They invest in commercial buildings with tenants such as Publix, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/news/24/12/42492211/heres-how-much-1000-invested-in-home-depot-15-years-ago-would-be-worth-today">Home Depot</a>, Target, Burger King, CVS and Walmart.
&#8220;If I can expand these athletes&#8217; horizons and kind of put them out there, you know their work ethic and their drive and their desire,&#8221; Henderson, whose husband is a former college football player and NFL agent, told ESPN, &#8220;they&#8217;re gonna dominate, right? And they&#8217;re just not in the commercial space because no one has given them the exposure and the access to it.&#8221;
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<li>During market downturns, investors are learning that unlike equities, these<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/connect-invest-real-estate-notes"> high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% &#8211; 9% are protected by resilient assets, buffering against losses.</a></li>
<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
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Real Estate

Kansas City Chief's Hollywood Brown Has A Real Estate Investment Company And Wants to Empower Other Athletes To Invest

Following his basketball career, NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant turned to investing in companies like BodyArmor and may have been helped on this new career path by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/06/39547388/happy-birthday-elon-musk-53-facts-and-figures-about-tesla-spacex-ceo-on-his-53rd-birthday"> billionaire Elon Musk.</a>
What Happened: Bryant spoke highly of Musk during an appearance at a 2017 convenience store trade show promoting BodyArmor, a beverage brand <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/11/23794643/kobe-bryant-bought-10-of-bodyarmor-in-2014-heres-how-much-that-investment-is-worth-now">he invested in</a> back in 2014.
"Elon Musk is I think a genius by all accounts," Bryant said in the interview, as shared by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSVdxhTEJP4">CNBC</a>.
Bryant praised the commitment and work that Musk put into his companies during the interview. The former NBA star said that he asked Musk one time about how he continues learning.
"The amount of research and the amount of study that he does is unheard of."
Bryant said that Musk shared an important investment lesson with him.
"He will always say the most important thing is imagination."
Bryant shared with the interviewer that imagination could be the key to elevating great ideas beyond merely reading books and studying.
"If you don't have the imagination to then take it to another level, it doesn't mean anything."
Bryant said his conversation with Musk was great and a joy.
The interviewer asked Bryant if this meant he would buy Tesla stock, prompting a great sound bite from the NBA star.
"I'll buy into Elon," Bryant answered.
You may not be a billionaire like Elon Musk, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42490690/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
Why It's Important: Bryant died tragically in<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/20/01/15186099/nba-legend-kobe-bryant-41-dies-in-helicopter-crash"> a helicopter crash</a> in January 2020 at the age of 41.
In the NBA, Bryant spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, the second-most seasons with a single team in league history.
Bryant's 33,643 points rank fourth all-time and the NBA Hall of Famer holds several records and ranks among the top players of all time. Bryant won five NBA championships during his career and took home four NBA MVP awards and two NBA Finals MVP awards.
After his basketball career, Bryant became an investor in several companies, including BodyArmor. In 2014, Bryant invested $6 million for a 10% stake in the beverage company.
Coca-Cola later acquired full control of BodyArmor in 2021, increasing its existing minority stake in the company. The beverage giant paid $5.6 billion to acquire the remainder of the company valuing BodyArmor at $8 billion.
This meant that Bryant's early stake went from $6 million to $800 million, representing one of the best returns on an investment ever achieved by a former athlete.
Musk's advice for Bryant may have shaped the way he looked at the BodyArmor and other investments.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/09/34983022/this-man-helped-make-kobe-bryant-nearly-500m-now-hes-working-with-travis-kelce">This Man Helped Make Kobe Bryant Nearly $500M — Now He&#8217;s Working With Travis Kelce</a></li>
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Photo: photoyh/Shutterstock.com

Education

Sports

Success Stories

Elon Musk Gave Kobe Bryant 'Genius' Investment Advice In 2017: 'The Most Important Thing Is...'

RPM International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RPM#NYSE">RPM</a>) will release its second-quarter financial results, before the opening bell, on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RPM/earnings">Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.</a>
Analysts expect the Medina, Ohio-based company to report quarterly earnings at $1.34 per share, up from $1.22 per share in the year-ago period. RPM International projects quarterly revenue of $1.79 billion, compared to $1.79 billion a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Oct. 2, RPM International reported first-quarter results. Sales declined 2.1% Y/Y to $1.97 billion, missing the consensus of $2.015 billion.
RPM International shares fell 0.6% to close at $125.35 on Tuesday.
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/RPM/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Sinisi maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $107 to $125 on Oct. 4. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 73%.</li>
<li>Seaport Global analyst Michael Harrison maintained a Buy rating and increased the price target from $140 to $150 on Oct. 3. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 69%.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst Michael Sison maintained an Equal-Weight rating and increased the price target from $125 to $134 on Oct. 3. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $120 to $126 on Oct. 3. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>BMO Capital analyst John McNulty reiterated an Outperform rating and increased the price target from $139 to $149 on Oct. 3. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying RPM stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think:
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Earnings

Price Target

RPM International Gears Up For Q2 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts

SMX (Security Matters) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMX#NASDAQ">SMX</a>) shares are surging after the company unveiled a groundbreaking integration of its technology <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/ac42681455/smx-integrates-its-proprietary-coating-and-digital-platform-technology-for-nfc-rfid-chip-markings" rel="noreferrer noopener">to mark and protect NFC and RFID chips</a>.
This innovation aims to reduce risks of counterfeiting, tampering, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
The company has embedded its unique markers into the coating of standard NFC and RFID chips, enabling precise authentication and verification throughout their lifecycle.
The proprietary coating not only works with off-the-shelf chips but also enhances durability, performance, and resilience to environmental stressors, potentially extending the lifespan and reliability of the chips.
Additionally, the coating can store data and withstand high temperatures (up to 150°C), providing extra protection against the elements.
SMX envisions its technology benefiting the growing market for wearable and flexible electronics, including smartwatches, fitness trackers, and medical devices, where secure, lightweight, and durable components are essential.
The technology is also well-suited for use in fashion, sports, and activewear, where components need to endure tough conditions like washing, flexing, and exposure to sweat and corrosion.
This month, SMX and Ybyra Capital formed a partnership. This deal positions Brazil to fully leverage its vast resources while implementing advanced technology for supply chain traceability, accountability, and sustainability, showcasing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/ac42386164/combining-assets-smx-and-ybyr-capital-adds-the-once-missing-link-to-brazils-manufacturing-evoluti" rel="noreferrer noopener">the country&#8217;s commitment to leading global change</a>.
Price Action: SMX shares are up 31.5% at $0.2867 at the last check Thursday.
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SMX Shares Soar On NFC/RFID Chip Protection Tech Integration: Details

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Merck KGaA 2024 Q3 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation

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