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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is gearing up for his first foreign tour, with Panama on his itinerary, amid rising tensions over the Panama Canal.
What Happened: Rubio&#8217;s inaugural foreign trip as Secretary of State will also include Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. However, these plans are still tentative, according to officials privy to the matter, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/22/marco-rubio-panama-00200137">reported</a> Politico.
This visit, which could reportedly take place as early as next week, follows President Donald Trump&#8217;s controversial remarks hinting at the U.S. potentially reclaiming the Panama Canal. These comments have sparked a diplomatic spat with Panama. &#8220;The Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama,&#8221; asserted Panama&#8217;s President, José Raúl Mulino, at the World Economic Forum earlier this week.
During his tour, Rubio is expected to tackle two critical issues on the MAGA foreign policy agenda: illegal migration and the Panama Canal. The countries on Rubio&#8217;s travel list,&nbsp;including Guatemala and El Salvador,&nbsp;are key transit points for migrants heading to the U.S. southern border.
In a recent memo&nbsp;to State Department employees, Rubio&nbsp;underscored mass migration as &#8220;among&nbsp;the most consequential issues of&nbsp;our time&#8221; and committed to collaborating with Western Hemisphere nations to stem illegal immigration.
The State Department has not yet commented on Rubio&#8217;s impending travel.
Why It Matters: The controversy over the Panama Canal has been brewing for some time. In January, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42864556/trump-does-not-rule-out-military-force-to-acquire-panama-canal-greenland-we-need-them-for-economic-security">Trump refused to rule out the use of military force</a> to regain control of the canal, citing economic security. 
Trump&#8217;s comments sparked backlash from Panama&#8217;s President Mulino, who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639737/trumps-call-to-reclaim-panama-canal-sparks-backlash-every-square-meter-belongs-to-panama-says-president-mulino">asserted Panama&#8217;s ownership of the canal</a> in December. 
Trump&#8217;s threat to seize the canal, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/43036986/trumps-2-5-billion-power-play-what-seizing-the-panama-canal-would-cost">generates $2.5 billion in annual revenue for Panama</a> and handles 5% of global maritime trade, has raised concerns about potential disruption to international commerce.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Marco Rubio Reportedly Set To Visit Panama Amid Trump's Canal Rhetoric

Artificial intelligence and AI agents are changing the workforce and the job market, according to a report from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/search?q=World+Economic+Forum#:~:text=Adam%20Eckert,1%3A40%20PM">World Economic Forum.&nbsp;</a>
The Details: According to the WEF's The Future of Jobs Report 2025, 41% of employers surveyed expect to reduce the size of their workforces in the next five years, specifically in roles "where AI can replicate people's work." 
The survey's respondents expect the fastest-declining roles to include cashiers and ticket clerks, administrative assistants and executive secretaries, printing workers, accountants and auditors. The WEF primarily attributed the decline in demand for these clerical roles to AI and information processing technologies, robots and autonomous systems. 
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Growth in AI and information processing technology is expected to create 11 million jobs, while eliminating nine million others, more than any other technology trend. 
The WEF pointed to robotics and autonomous systems as the largest net job displacer, with a net decline of five million jobs.
"Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labor markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks," said Till Leopold, head of Work, Wages and Job Creation at WEF. 
"The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills, and build an equitable and resilient global workforce," Leopold added.&nbsp;
AI Agents: Some companies like Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) and Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>) are developing AI agents designed to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. These AI agents could contribute to some of the job displacement the WEF highlighted. 
Oracle offers more than 50 role-based AI agents within its Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite which can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ORCL#:~:text=Oracle%20AI%20Agents%20Help%20Sales%20Teams%20Create%20More%20Meaningful%20Customer%20Connections">perform tasks</a> in the areas of finance, sales, customer service and marketing. Salesforce's Agentforce is an AI platform that enables companies and organizations <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42917603/salesforce-empowers-retailers-with-ai-to-boost-efficiency-and-sales">to build</a> customized autonomous AI agents for various business functions.
Experts predict AI agents will grow to become commonplace in the near term. 
"Agents are the next step in putting AI to work in the real world. Consumers should expect almost every major business they interact with to create an agent. We'll see agents supporting customers in banking, insurance, healthcare and retail. By this time next year, agents will be a reality of our collective digital lives," Paul Drews, managing partner for Salesforce Ventures<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91254053/25-experts-predict-how-ai-will-change-business-and-life-in-2025"> told</a> Fast Company.&nbsp;
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Photo: Shutterstock

Global

Tech

ORCL

AI, AI Agents Will Create 'Unprecedented Opportunities And Profound Risks,' World Economic Forum Says

Social media followers of the president, first lady and vice president were surprised to learn that they now follow people they may not have wanted to after Donald Trump was inaugurated as<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43139381/how-many-people-watched-donald-trumps-2025-inauguration-spoiler-less-than-biden-four-years-ago"> president on Monday.</a>
What Happened: Users of Instagram and Facebook, which are owned by Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), have experienced several recent changes including CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing the end of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42851889/meta-ditches-fact-checking-for-community-notes-zuckerberg-says-opportunity-to-restore-free-expression">content moderation teams</a>.
Instagram and Facebook users who followed Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Jill Biden over the past several years were also surprised to find themselves now following Donald Trump, J.D. Vance and Melania Trump after Monday.
Users were quick to blame Meta Platforms and cite the potential influence of Zuckerberg, who has been cozying up to Trump in recent months. Zuckerberg attended the inauguration and Meta recently donated $1 million to the president's inauguration fund.
Some users reported they were unable to unfollow the accounts of the new political leaders, including singer Demi Lovato, as reported by <a href="https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/facebook-instagram-users-forced-trump-vance-follow-1236282155/">Variety</a>.
"I have unfollowed this guy twice today," Lovato said of the @vp account now belonging to Vance. "Shady f&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;ing business meta."
Meta contends they have done nothing wrong and this is the practice done in past presidential transitions. The official accounts for @potus, @vp and @flotus have been transferred over to the new people in those roles, while keeping the same followers and the content being wiped clean and archived to other accounts.
"People were not made to automatically follow any of the official Facebook or Instagram accounts for the president, vice president or first lady," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone <a href="https://www.threads.net/@andymstone/post/DFImiJsPblY">said </a>in a post on Threads. "Those accounts are managed by the White House so with a new administration, the content on those Pages changes."
Stone said the same changes took place when Biden took over as president for Trump in 2021. One potential difference is the ability to unfollow these particular accounts.
"It may take some time for follow and unfollow requests to go through as these accounts change hands," Stone added.
Users can follow and unfollow other accounts without any problem as of time of writing of this article.
Here are the current follower accounts for several mentioned Instagram accounts:
<ul>
<li>@potus (now Trump): 16.8 million</li>
<li>@realdonaldtrump (his existing account): 31.2 million</li>
<li>@potus46archive (Joe Biden's old account): 18.7 million</li>
<li>@flotus (now Melania Trump): 4.1 million</li>
<li>@flotus46archive (Jill Biden's old account): 4.1 million</li>
<li>@joebiden (Joe Biden's existing account): 17 million</li>
<li>@vp (now Vance): 15.7 million</li>
<li>@vp46archive (Harris's old account): 16.9 million</li>
<li>@kamalaharris (Kamala Harris's existing account): 19.6 million</li>
</ul>
The accounts had the same number of followers when they were archived as they did for the new account holder. This means that the VP and POTUS accounts have lost followers since the transition took place.
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X Does It A Little Differently: Social media accounts with the names POTUS, VP and FLOTUS belong to the people in those roles. The question is how to manage the transition.
With users upset, the question now becomes whether social media companies should have to alert users that they are now following new people or if the accounts should start over from 0.
Platform X, which is owned by Trump-ally Elon Musk, chooses to do the latter.
Followers of the @potus, @vp and @flotus accounts on X saw those accounts change names to archived accounts. Users were not forced to follow the @potus, @vp and @flotus accounts once again as they started from 0 with the new names and faces attached.
Here's a look at the current follower accounts on X:
<ul>
<li>@potus: 1.5 million</li>
<li>@potus46archive: 37 million</li>
<li>@potus45: 31.4 million</li>
<li>@potus44: 12.9 million</li>
<li>@flotus: 116.1 thousand</li>
<li>@flotus46archive: 4.4 million</li>
<li>@vp: 424.9 thousand</li>
<li>@vp46archive: 14.9 million</li>
</ul>
Many politicians have existing accounts and use the official White House accounts along with their own personal ones. This means outgoing parties like Biden and Harris have their own accounts they will now use. For reference, here are the followers on those accounts along with former President Barack Obama:
<ul>
<li>Biden: 38.2 million</li>
<li>Harris: 21.0 million</li>
<li>Trump: 99.1 million</li>
<li>Obama: 130.8 million</li>
</ul>
Obama is ranked as the second most-followed person on X, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/10/41168674/elon-musk-passes-200-million-followers-on-x-heres-the-top-10-accounts-and-where-barack-obama">trailing only Musk</a> (213.7 million). Trump's personal account ranks eighth currently.
According to data from <a href="https://socialblade.com/twitter/user/potus">SocialBlade</a>, the @potus account ended Jan. 20 with 702,038 followers.
Trump's personal account has added 2.7 million followers over the past 30 days, averaging a gain of 89,571 daily. Biden's personal account has lost 33,118 followers over the past 30 days, averaging a daily loss of 1,104 a day.
Social media users should be aware of these policies and know who they are following as it may have changed after Monday.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Government

Social Media

Follow Biden Or Harris On Instagram, Facebook? Chances Are You're Now Following Trump Or Vance

President Donald Trump's plan to add a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada by Feb. 1 has started a big argument about whether it's legal and how it could hurt the economy.&nbsp;
Former New York prosecutor Tristan Snell said there was &#8220;one small problem&#8221; with Trump&#8217;s announcement. &#8220;The president does NOT have unilateral power to change tariff rates,&#8221; he <a href="https://x.com/TristanSnell/status/1881525990863823231">said</a> on X on Tuesday and also raised a critical question: &#8220;Will GOP representatives and senators vote to destroy their local economies?&#8221; According to him, significant changes to trade policy require Congressional approval.
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<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">BREAKING: Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will begin February 1. One small problem. The president does NOT have unilateral power to change tariff rates. Trump needs Congress &#8211; and will GOP reps and senators vote to destroy their local economies?
&mdash; Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) <a href="https://twitter.com/TristanSnell/status/1881525990863823231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Can Trump Legally Impose These Tariffs?</h2>
While the president has some executive tools, like the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and sections of the Trade Acts of 1930 and 1974, these measures are subject to legal constraints per law firm Buchanan Ingersoll &amp; Rooney. For instance:
<ul>
<li>Although IEEPA permits tariffs in times of national emergency, it is unprecedented to use it to apply tariffs all at once and doing so would probably be challenged in court.</li>
<li>Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 permits a temporary 15% import surcharge to address balance-of-payment deficits, but it is limited in scope and duration.</li>
<li>Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the power to impose taxes and duties. While Trump could try to leverage a Republican majority, bypassing Congress altogether would be legally questionable.</li>
</ul>
Economists and trade experts question whether Trump will follow through with his tariff threats. Goldman Sachs economist <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43103527/mexican-peso-canadian-dollar-slide-as-trump-threatens-25-tariffs-expert-eyes-price-hikes-on-typical-us-breakfast">Alec Phillips noted</a> that similar proposals in Trump's first term often fizzled out before implementation.&nbsp;
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"Despite Trump&#8217;s comments, we continue to believe the odds of a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico are low at 20%. We are lowering our odds of a universal tariff this year to 25%," Phillips said in a note.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Could Tariffs Impact Neighboring States?</h2>
Trump&#8217;s proposal may greatly impact states in the United States that rely on commerce with Canada and Mexico. Supply chain interruptions could occur in border areas like Texas, California and Michigan, which depend on imports for sectors like the automobile industry.&nbsp;
Similarly, agricultural states such as Iowa, which export heavily to Mexico, might face retaliatory tariffs that harm farmers. Everyday goods, including groceries and beverages, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42344194/these-products-will-likely-see-price-hikes-due-to-trumps-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico-2">could become more expensive</a>, exacerbating inflation.&nbsp;
Furthermore, businesses involved in cross-border commerce may face difficulties due to rising production costs, which could lead to job losses in the retail, industrial and agricultural sectors.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canada and Mexico Push Back</h2>
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the tariff threat, promising that Canada would fight back with equal tariffs if necessary. "Canada will respond and everything is on the table," Trudeau said, emphasizing Canada&#8217;s critical role in providing resources like steel, aluminum and energy. He also warned that alienating Canada could force the U.S. to source goods from adversarial nations like China or Russia.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum took a calmer approach, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy while defending Mexico's independence. She pointed out that both countries would face economic harm if the tariffs were enforced.
President Donald Trump argues that the proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada are necessary to protect American workers and industries. He believes these measures will curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking, which he ties to cross-border trade issues. Trump has also stated that tariffs will generate revenue for the U.S. while encouraging domestic production, reducing reliance on foreign goods.
As Trump's administration doubles down on its aggressive trade agenda, all eyes are on Congress. Will GOP lawmakers back these tariffs, knowing the potential damage to local economies? With legal hurdles and economic risks mounting, the debate over Trump's tariff policy is far from over.
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Former NY Prosecutor Questions GOP: 'Will They Vote To Destroy Their Local Economies?' Says Trump Lacks Unilateral Power To Change Tariffs

Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLD#NASDAQ">STLD</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.36 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $1.42 by 4.23 percent. This is a 47.89 percent decrease over earnings of $2.61 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $3.87 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $3.95 billion by 2.07 percent. This is a 8.53 percent decrease over sales of $4.23 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

STLD

CORRECTION: Steel Dynamics Q4 EPS $1.36 Misses $1.42 Estimate, Sales $3.87B Miss $3.95B Estimate

As two people deeply impacted by cannabis, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mike-tyson">Mike Tyson</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weldon-angelos">Weldon Angelos</a>, a justice reform advocate, applauded President Donald Trump's recent commitment to cannabis reforms, in an opinion piece <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/mike-tyson-weldon-angelos-hope-trump-fight-awful-marijuana-laws-biden-wouldnt-bother">published</a> by Fox News. 
These include rescheduling cannabis, ensuring banking access for cannabis businesses and granting clemency to those serving federal sentences for marijuana offenses.
Angelos criticized the inadequacy of President Joe Biden's efforts. Despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/10/29175510/breaking-biden-announces-pardons-for-all-federal-marijuana-possession-convictions">numerous promises</a> to decriminalize marijuana and expunge records, Biden's widely publicized <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/12/36361671/biden-pardons-thousands-convicted-of-cannabis-possession-calls-on-governors-to-do-the-same">misdemeanor pardons</a> "freed no one, restored no civil rights, and expunged no records," Angelos wrote.
Even Biden's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/01/43054504/biden-commutes-sentences-of-nearly-2500-convicted-of-non-violent-drug-offenses-no-mention-of-cannabis-prisoners">last-minute clemency wave</a> largely bypassed marijuana offenders, with only a handful of cases benefiting from reforms. "This failure to prioritize marijuana clemency is bewildering," says Angelos. "Of all those impacted by harsh drug policies, individuals serving time for marijuana-related crimes are among the most deserving of relief."
Cannabis's continued classification as a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/controlled-substances-act">Schedule I drug </a>alongside heroin exacerbates the issue. This outdated designation prevents legitimate cannabis businesses from accessing banking services, forcing them to operate in cash, which invites crime and hampers growth. "Democrats had two years of controlling Congress and the presidency but failed to deliver meaningful cannabis reform," Angelos said.
Tyson echoes Angelos's concerns, underscoring cannabis's transformative potential. As the founder of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tyson-2-0">TYSON 2.0</a>, a global cannabis brand, Tyson has long viewed the industry as a platform for wellness, innovation and entrepreneurship. "The cannabis industry is a multi-billion-dollar market employing hundreds of thousands of Americans and generating significant tax revenue," he says. Yet federal prohibition stifles its growth and leaves thousands imprisoned for cannabis-related offenses, devastating families and communities.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Tyson and Angelos Commend Trump's History of Action</h1>
Angelos benefited directly from Trump when he received a full pardon in 2020 after serving 13 years of a 55-year sentence for marijuana. Tyson said he's known Trump for years and he's &#8220;a man of his word, willing to take bold and compassionate action."
Tyson added, "His recent support for cannabis rescheduling, banking reform and clemency underscores his understanding of what's at stake — for the economy, for justice and for the thousands of families torn apart by outdated cannabis laws.&#8221;
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Photo: Shutterstock

Cannabis

Legal

Trump's Cannabis Reform: Mike Tyson, Weldon Angelos Say President Can Get It Done

Strong winds have caused another wildfire in Los Angeles County following the devastation wrought by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43066552/celebrity-realtor-josh-altman-says-half-of-palisades-residents-wont-move-back-after-fire">fires in Pacific Palisades</a> and Altadena.
What Happened: The Hughes Fire broke out midday Wednesday during a period of high winds in the area. The fire is concentrated in Castaic, a city of around 19,000 <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/castaiccdpcalifornia/PST045224">residents</a> near the northernmost boundary of Los Angeles County.
Calfire <a href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/22/hughes-fire/updates/685154eb-f60a-4d8f-b8df-0d59dbf1899f">estimates</a> the fire to have burned over 5,000 acres as of 1:03 p.m. PST with none of the fire contained. The Palisades fire burned over 23,000 acres <a href="https://www.latimes.com/wildfires-map/">according</a> to the Los Angeles Times.
The fire&#8217;s epicenter is roughly 10 miles north of Santa Clarita, a city of <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/santaclaritacitycalifornia/PST045223">over</a> 224,000 residents, <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@34.4567708,-118.580079,12.51z/data=!5m1!1e8?hl=en-US&amp;entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D">according</a> to Google Maps.
Evacuations were <a href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/22/hughes-fire">ordered</a> near Castaic and other rural areas surrounding the fire. Authorities issued warnings for the nearby hamlets Castaic Junction, Sandberg and Three Points. There are thus far no warnings for Santa Clarita.
Several nearby roads were closed due to smoke emanating from the fire, CBS reported.
Two Stocks To Watch: Six Flags Entertainment Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUN#NYSE">FUN</a>) operates its Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia location in the area. The park <a href="https://www.scvedc.org/top-employers">employs</a> 3,000.
Edison International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EIX#NYSE">EIX</a>) is the parent company of Southern California Edison, which serves the Los Angeles County area. Wildfires can damage power lines, and utilities often face lawsuits if equipment is suspected to have caused the fire. The company&#8217;s exposure to previous fires led to a large market selloff.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Equities

New Fire Breaks Out In Los Angeles County

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 1.2% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.78%. Currently, Marathon Petroleum has a market capitalization of $47.49 billion. 
Buying $1000 In MPC: If an investor had bought $1000 of MPC stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $3,347.55 today based on a price of $147.75 for MPC at the time of writing.
<h3>Marathon Petroleum's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737589513_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Marathon Petroleum 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest individuals in history, has never shied away from sharing his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42364120/warren-buffett-was-married-to-one-woman-lived-with-another-and-sent-christmas-cards-signed-by-all-3-daughter-says-not-a-bad-thing">unorthodox views</a> on wealth and inheritance. Known for his financial genius and no-nonsense demeanor, Buffett has consistently rejected the idea of passing down unearned fortunes to his children. In his eyes, inherited wealth isn't a gift – it's a trap.
In a 1986 Fortune magazine interview, Buffett laid out his philosophy with striking clarity: "The perfect amount to leave your children is enough money so that they would feel they could do anything but not so much that they could do nothing." For him, leaving his kids a "lifetime supply of food stamps just because they came out of the right womb" was not only wasteful but harmful – an anti-social act. His stance was rooted in the belief that wealth without effort undermines character and fosters a dependency no better than the one critics of welfare programs often rail against.
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<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>
While some billionaires seek to control how their children spend inherited money through intricate trust structures, Buffett took a different approach. He emphasized giving them the tools to succeed, not a crutch to lean on indefinitely.
According to his biography, Buffett's disdain for unearned wealth runs deep. "Around country clubs, you hear people talking about the debilitating aspects of a welfare cycle … These same people are leaving their kids with a lifetime supply of food stamps and beyond," he remarked. The contradiction drove him crazy: "Instead of a welfare officer, they have a trust fund officer." Buffett's solution? You shouldn't consume more than you produce.
Still, Buffett hasn't left his children out of the picture entirely. He's entrusted them with overseeing charitable foundations, ensuring they have a role in shaping his philanthropic legacy. This choice transforms them into some of the world's most influential philanthropists, directing billions toward causes that matter to the family. A 2016 Atlantic article reported that Buffett's children will oversee charitable trusts tied to the family's foundations, including an Omaha-focused grant-making powerhouse.
See Also: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a>
For Buffett, the balance between support and independence is crucial. He wants his kids to feel empowered to pursue their passions but believes handing them too much wealth would strip them of purpose. As he told Fortune, "A few hundred thousand dollars sounds about right."
Peter, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41198368/warren-buffetts-son-who-famously-cashed-in-his-90-000-inheritance-at-19-spends-millions-in-buffe">who famously used his $90,000 inheritance</a> at just 19 to launch a music career, now leads the NoVo Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to empowering women and girls, advancing social and emotional learning and supporting Indigenous communities.
Howard, on the other hand, heads the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which tackles critical global issues like food security and conflict resolution. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40881429/warren-buffetts-daughter-asked-him-for-a-41-000-loan-to-remodel-her-kitchen-but-the-billionaire-">Susan</a> chairs initiatives that champion education and social justice, focusing on creating meaningful change in underserved communities.
Buffett's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">views on wealth and inheritance</a> challenge societal norms, particularly among the ultrarich. His philosophy forces us to ask: Is it really a gift to leave massive wealth to the next generation or does it hinder their potential? For Buffett, the answer is clear: Wealth should be a tool for doing good, not an excuse for doing nothing.
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<li>With 100+ historic trademark victories, this company holds IP for some of the highest-grossing characters in history. Now, they've propelled these icons into the future using next-gen patented AR, VR, and AI technology. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-1">There&#8217;s now a limited window for investors to claim shares at just $2/share with $980 minimum—but the clock is ticking.</a></li>
<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>
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Personal Finance

Warren Buffett Insists His 3 Kids Won't Get A 'Lifetime Supply Of Food Stamps Just Because They Came Out Of The Right Womb'

S&amp;P Global (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPGI#NYSE">SPGI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 7.2% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 18.78%. Currently, S&amp;P Global has a market capitalization of $158.55 billion. 
Buying $1000 In SPGI: If an investor had bought $1000 of SPGI stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $5,541.26 today based on a price of $510.96 for SPGI at the time of writing.
<h3>S&amp;P Global's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737588611_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

SPGI

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning S&P Global Stock In The Last 10 Years

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFS#NYSE">DFS</a>) reported fourth-quarter financial results Wednesday after the bell. Here&#8217;s a rundown <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/b43145255/discover-financial-services-reports-fourth-quarter-2024-net-income-of-1-3-billion-or-5-11-per-dilu">of the report</a>.
<ul>
<li>Q4 Revenue: $4.76 billion, versus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings">estimates</a> of $4.46 billion</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Q4 EPS: $5.11, versus estimates of $3.58</li>
</ul>
In the digital banking segment, Discover ended the period with total loans of $121.1 billion, down 6% year-over-year. Net interest income for the quarter grew by&nbsp;5%&nbsp;year-over-year, driven by net interest margin expansion. Non-interest income increased&nbsp;68% year-over-year and total operating expenses climbed 4% year-over-year.
Payment services pretax income increased 37% year-over-year primarily due to volume growth and timing of incentives. Payment services volume was up&nbsp;4%&nbsp;compared to the prior year&#8217;s quarter.
&#8220;Discover&#8217;s&nbsp;fourth quarter&nbsp;results capped off a successful 2024 as loan growth, margin expansion, and credit improvement led to strong financial performance,&#8221; said Michael Shepherd, Discover&#8217;s interim CEO and president. 
&#8220;It was a transformative year for our business as we announced our pending merger with Capital One, exited student lending, and enhanced our risk management and compliance programs. These actions position us well for the future.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43142623/happy-birthday-sp-500-spy-etf-if-you-invested-1000-in-spy-at-launch-heres-how-much-youd-have-today">Happy Birthday S&amp;P 500 SPY ETF! If You Invested $1,000 In SPY At Launch, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Today</a>
Discover&#8217;s board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 70 cents per share, payable on March 6 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 20. 
Management will further discuss the quarter on a conference call with analysts and investors slated for 8 a.m. ET Thursday morning.
DFS Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/dfs">Discover shares</a> were up 1.24% after-hours on Wednesday, trading at $199.95 at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Courtesy of Discover.

After-Hours Center

Discover Delivers Q4 Earnings Beat, Revenue Beat: The Details

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IR#NYSE">IR</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 8.35% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 21.51%. Currently, Ingersoll Rand has a market capitalization of $37.98 billion. 
Buying $1000 In IR: If an investor had bought $1000 of IR stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,729.72 today based on a price of $94.23 for IR at the time of writing.
<h3>Ingersoll Rand's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737587710_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In This Stock 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shares closed down Wednesday, due to a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43142275/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-reel-downwards-but-trader-hints-at-bitcoin-god-candle-loading"> decline in Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC/USD) price</a>, which dropped 1.73% to $104,313.65.
What To Know: Bitcoin transaction volume over $100,000 decreased by 15%, while netflows dropped 307%, signaling a possible cooling of market activity. Over $161 million in liquidations occurred in the past 24 hours, which put additional pressure on the market. 
While BlackRock clients facilitated the purchase of $600 million in Bitcoin via an ETF, market sentiment remains cautious due to the nature of these transactions.
Bitcoin's liquidity is concentrated between $96,000 and $111,000, with support levels between $88,000-$95,000. If these levels fail, Bitcoin could drop further, potentially impacting MicroStrategy's stock as well. 
Despite the short-term volatility, Bitcoin&#8217;s overall bullish trend remains intact as long as it stays above $58,000, which provides some stability for MicroStrategy.
Why It Matters: For MicroStrategy, the company's heavy exposure to Bitcoin potentially means its stock is especially sensitive to Bitcoin's price. The company also recently received shareholder approval for a proposal to increase its share count, which could lead to more Bitcoin purchases in the future. 
MSTR Price Action: Microstrategy shares closed Wednesday down 3.03% at $377.31, according to<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent072224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> Benzinga Pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent012225&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="521" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-1024x521.png" alt="" class="wp-image-745617" style="width:502px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-1024x521.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-768x391.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45.png 1437w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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Image Via Shutterstock.

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

Cryptocurrency

MSTR

MicroStrategy Shares Are Down With Bitcoin Today: What's Going On?

Wall Street has shown time and again that it's resilient enough to withstand a variety of challenging macroeconomic conditions.&nbsp;
From the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43001512/inflation-rises-to-29-in-december-core-slows-yet-rising-energy-costs-put-feds-target-at-risk">high inflation</a> barrage of 2022 to a 5.5% peak in interest rates beginning in 2023, the S&amp;P 500's recovery to new all-time highs is a bullish signal. But what impact could the prospect of fewer rate cuts in 2025 have on the overall health of the market?&nbsp;
January 2025 saw Fed officials indicate that they <a href="https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/258864/will-the-us-fed-raise-interest-rates-in-2025.aspx#:~:text=Fed%20officials%20indicated%20they%20now,cuts)%20in%20their%20September%20projections." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">now expect two rate cuts</a> amounting to a half point throughout the year ahead. The news compounded the S&amp;P 500's steady decline in what's set to be a period of economic uncertainty for markets as the unpredictable President-elect Donald Trump approaches his second term in the White House. 
As recently as September, officials were anticipating a full percentage point of cuts throughout 2025 at a crucial time for Wall Street firms seeking to take advantage of lower borrowing costs to embrace the ongoing AI boom surrounding key sectors.&nbsp;
Lower interest rates are generally bullish for US firms because the lower cost of borrowing helps to facilitate more spending, investing, and hiring strategies.&nbsp;
Although US Bank data suggests that equity investors appear to be <a href="https://www.usbank.com/investing/financial-perspectives/market-news/how-do-rising-interest-rates-affect-the-stock-market.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more focused</a> on factors like the wider economy and corporate earnings ahead of interest rates, a higher-for-longer environment could profoundly impact the growth of the most innovative players throughout US markets in 2025. This could have a domino effect on the growth of innovation throughout the AI sector and strong-performing markets in recent years. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Keeping the Good Times Rolling&nbsp;</h2>
Tech stocks populate around one-third of the S&amp;P 500 index, and recent advances in AI and the hype surrounding innovations throughout the sector have played a key role in enabling Wall Street to shake off jitters related to historically high inflation and interest rate hikes in recent years.&nbsp;
Shares in leading AI stocks like Nvidia and Broadcom, which rallied 171% and 108% respectively in 2024, have helped to sustain the S&amp;P 500's outperformance, with the index surging 23.31% throughout the year with 57 record closes.&nbsp;
However, in the 21st Century, the average gain of the S&amp;P 500 is closer to 10% per year. It's this contrast that underlines the importance of the AI boom to Wall Street's health.&nbsp;
JPMorgan data has laid bare the historical parallels between Federal Reserve rate cuts and bullish sentiment on Wall Street. Since 1980, <a href="https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/markets/top-market-takeaways/tmt-rate-cut-breakdown-what-you-need-to-know-now" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">five of the best 10 years</a> for the S&amp;P 500 happened when the Fed was cutting rates without a recession. Additionally, the Fed has cut rates 12 times when the index was within 1% of its all-time high, and in all 12 cases, the market was higher one year later–boasting a median return of 15%. 
Because the immediate effect of rate cuts involves a reduction in borrowing costs, these dovish reversions generally <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-fintech-industry-can-expect-from-rate-cut-later-year-oslgc#:~:text=Impact%20on%20Capital%20and%20Investment,wave%20of%20innovation%20and%20expansion.">improve consumer spending</a> as well as investment in innovation. This paves the way for cheaper access to capital and far stronger growth prospects.&nbsp;
At a time when the generative AI boom is moving from its hype phase to its implementation phase, this access to spending is imperative for the sustainability of Wall Street's brightest tech startups, and a more hawkish stance from the Fed could stifle the scaling up of artificial intelligence adoption.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Could Higher Rates Bring Growth?&nbsp;</h2>
Other high-growth industries like fintech could present solutions to consumers during a higher-for-longer interest rate environment that helps to keep stocks within the sector higher amid the uncertainty.&nbsp;
Although higher rates will stifle consumer appetite for borrowing, innovations <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/fintech/25/01/42818294/how-fintech-must-evolve-to-meet-the-needs-of-techs-new-wealth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">within fintech like open banking</a> and buy now pay later (BNPL) could empower consumers to navigate the challenging economic climate. 
While open banking can help to promote financial management and literacy across various banking, investing, and saving apps, the <a href="https://www.eposnow.com/us/resources/payment-trends/#buy-now-pay-later" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">emerging BNPL trend</a> paves the way for access to borrowing for essential purchases that are usually interest-free. 
With this in mind, we could see the fintech landscape continue to grow as a solution to high interest rates while other major tech industries are hampered by higher costs during their scaling process.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wall Street's Trump Card</h2>
Donald Trump's second term in the White House is sure to influence the performance of US markets alongside interest rates throughout 2025.&nbsp;
Concerns over the President-elect's tariffs and a stronger US Dollar, both of which could be inflationary, may significantly impact the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates throughout the year.&nbsp;
Should a strengthening dollar begin to <a href="https://www.ig.com/au/trading-strategies/Why-US-rate-cuts-in-2025-could-surpass-current-expectations-250108" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact the ability of US manufacturers</a> and exporters to trade internationally, we could see the Fed cut rates to maintain a level of competitiveness across global markets. 
On the flip side, Trump's stance on deregulation could be such a catalyst for growth that it <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/federal-reserve-fed-interest-rates-analyst-reaction-wall-street-stocks-2024-12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">pushes yields higher</a> and prompts a Federal Reserve intervention, according to Jochen Stanzl, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. It's for this reason that early inflation data surrounding Trump's Presidency will be crucial for the future of rate cuts. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Expect in 2025</h2>
The sheer power of the ongoing AI boom means that we're likely to see a high level of resilience in the S&amp;P 500 even in the most unpredictable of market circumstances. However, all bets are off when it comes to the rate cuts we're likely to see throughout the year.&nbsp;
While the Fed anticipates two cuts in 2025, Trump's arrival in the White House will be the deciding factor for the direction that both interest and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/inflation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inflation</a> take in the new year. 
As a hedge against the uncertainty, there may be more value in fintech moving forward, but the best approach for investors is to avoid resting on laurels and to continue to analyze emerging market and inflation data.&nbsp;

Macro Economic Events

Bonds

Measuring the Uneven Impact of Weakening Rate Cut Forecasts on Wall Street in 2025

AST SpaceMobile Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>) shares are falling in Wednesday&#8217;s after-hours session after the space-based cellular broadband network company announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/b43145116/ast-spacemobile-announces-proposed-private-offering-of-400-0-million-of-convertible-senior-notes-d">proposed private offering</a>.
What Happened: After the market close on Wednesday, AST SpaceMobile announced plans to offer $400 million worth of convertible senior notes due 2032 in a private offering to institutional investors. 
The company said it also intends to grant the initial purchasers a 13-day period to purchase up to an additional $60 million of the notes. 
AST SpaceMobile plans to use a portion of the net proceeds to pay the cost of capped call transactions. The remaining proceeds will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. 
AST SpaceMobile last reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/11/41994523/ast-spacemobile-misses-q3-earnings-expectations-announces-new-launch-service-agreements">earnings</a> in November, ending the period with $518.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
AST Price Action: AST SpaceMobile shares were down 13.74% in after-hours, trading at $19.41 at the time of publication Wednesday, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Photo: Courtesy of AST SpaceMobile.

SPACE

ASTS

AST SpaceMobile Stock Is Tumbling Wednesday: What's Going On?

CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 31.79% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 44.95%. Currently, CrowdStrike Holdings has a market capitalization of $93.11 billion. 
Buying $1000 In CRWD: If an investor had bought $1000 of CRWD stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $6,510.16 today based on a price of $378.00 for CRWD at the time of writing.
<h3>CrowdStrike Holdings's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737586813_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CRWD

$1000 Invested In CrowdStrike Holdings 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

UBS analyst John Hodulik maintains Netflix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $1040 to $1150.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

NFLX

UBS Maintains Buy on Netflix, Raises Price Target to $1150

KULR Technology Group Inc. (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KULR#AMEX">KULR</a>) shares are trading higher on Wednesday after announcing a groundbreaking <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43126655">pyrolytic carbon electrode</a> developed in collaboration with Scripps Research Institute&#8217;s Baran Lab.
The Details: The electrode is key for the synthetic organic electrochemistry field, a sector integral to the production of pharmaceuticals. Compared to traditional carbon materials, KULR described the electrode as more cost-effective, durable and reusable. 
&#8220;KULR&#8217;s expertise in carbon materials, combined with the innovative vision of Scripps Research&#8217;s Baran Lab, has resulted in a truly transformative material for synthetic chemistry,&#8221; said Michael Mo, CEO of KULR Technology. 
&#8220;We are excited to bring this technology to market, where it has the potential to redefine how we approach large-scale chemical synthesis.&#8221;
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy KULR Technology Stock</h1>
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for KULR Technology — be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy &#8220;fractional shares,&#8221; which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share. For example, some stock, such as Berkshire Hathaway, can cost thousands of dollars to own just one share. However, if you only want to invest a fraction of that, brokerages will allow you to do so.
In the the case of KULR Technology, which was trading at $2.65 at some point on Wednesday, $100 would buy 37.74 shares of stock.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to &#8220;go short&#8221; a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading — either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
KULR Price Action: KULR stock closed Wednesday up 6.89% at $2.56, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
See Also: • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43141388/people-buy-bitcoin-as-prayer-for-a-better-tomorrow-cnn-pundit-van-jones-says-as-former-harris-aide-slams-trump-as-grifter-in-chief">People Buy Bitcoin As &#8216;Prayer For A Better Tomorrow, CNN Pundit Van Jones Says As Former Harris Aide Slams Trump As &#8216;Grifter In Chief&#8217;</a>
Photo: Gorodenkoff via Shutterstock

Biotech

Health Care

KULR

What's Going On With KULR Technology Shares Wednesday?

Welcome, my friends, to what I am calling the Age of Uncertainty. This little catchphrase is going to be sticking around for at least the next four years. As I write this, Donald Trump has just taken office.
It's the first week of his Presidency and the start of his administration is just about what we expected with a few surprises thrown in for good measure: new takes on energy, trade, immigration, and much more.
Let us dive into what is happening and what it all means for your money.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump&#8217;s Opening Moves</h2>
Contrary to the predictions of many in the financial world, Trump came out of the gate a bit softer on China. No immediate tariffs or trade wars, just an announcement that the United States trade policy will be reviewed and some suggestion and indication of what is coming down the pike.
Trump has touched on familiar themes such as immigration and border security. One hot button issue was his executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. While the abuse of this system is real (indeed, even wealthy families use it to get dual citizenship for their kids), this fight will undoubtedly end up in the courts. Changing a constitutional clause is not exactly a walk in the park. But hey, I am sure Trump has got it all figured out.
On the border, his halt on catch and release policies is likely to boost business for companies such as GEO Group. They own jails on the United States Mexico border, and with Trump&#8217;s border policies in play, it is looking good for them.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Energy and Trade</h2>
Trump&#8217;s &#8220;drill, baby, drill&#8221; stance is music to the ears of those invested in oil and gas infrastructure. With plans to explore and produce energy on federal lands and waters, kill offshore wind leases, and remove restrictions on drilling in Alaska, the energy sector is poised for growth. We own energy royalties and non-operator ownership interests in oil wells, and every uptick in production is a win for us. Trump also promised a sweeping trade overhaul, with reviews of agreements with China, Canada, and Mexico. The potential for tariffs on our neighbors could shake things up, but it is all still uncertain.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Inflation, Debt, and the Economy</h2>
Let us address the elephant in the room: inflation.
It is still here, it is sticky, and it is not going anywhere soon. Sure, we have seen it drop from over 9% to around 3%, but do not expect a rollback on prices anytime soon. Food and energy costs remain stable for now, but any disruption could quickly change that.
As for government spending, we are on a never-ending roller coaster. Infrastructure, energy, semiconductors, and rehoming critical industries all require and you guessed it and government spending. Debt levels are troubling, but the United States can still sell its bonds easily, so a debt crisis is not imminent. Consumers and corporations, meanwhile, are in pretty good shape. Debt to service ratios and balance sheets look strong, which is good news as we enter this new administration.
[Our tools and insights highlight stocks set to move and pinpoint the biggest earnings catalysts. Get actionable alerts the moment earnings break – so you can act first. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge/?utm_source=WebRD-0123&amp;el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}">Get My Alerts.</a>]
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Asset Based Value Investing Works</h2>
In an environment like this, asset-based value investing shines. Here is why: when you invest in assets with intrinsic value, you are anchoring your portfolio to something tangible. Whether it is real estate, energy infrastructure, or even royalty streams, these investments are backed by physical or financial assets that generate real cash flow. This approach reduces reliance on market sentiment and speculative price movements.
For individual investors, this means you are not just betting on a hot stock or the latest trend. You are buying into assets where you can evaluate the downside risk with clarity. In uncertain times, this focus on tangible value and cash flow provides a much-needed margin of safety. Best of all, asset-based investments often come with the added bonus of inflation protection. Real assets such as property and energy infrastructure tend to appreciate over time, especially when inflation rears its head.
By prioritizing assets that are undervalued relative to their net asset value, you are setting yourself up for long term success. It is not flashy, but it works and it has worked for decades. In the Age of Uncertainty, asset-based value investing is a strategy that does not just survive; it thrives.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Buying Below Book Value is a Winning Strategy</h2>
Let us talk numbers. Historical data shows that buying stocks below book value often leads to extraordinary returns. Take a look at the annual returns for undervalued stocks. In years where investors focused on buying below book value, returns like 98.94% in 2003 and 95.19% in 2004 were achieved. Even in less spectacular years, returns consistently outperformed broader market indices.
Why does this work? Because buying below book value means you are acquiring assets at a discount. It is like buying a dollar for fifty cents. When market conditions normalize or improve, these undervalued stocks have the potential to surge, as their intrinsic value becomes recognized. This strategy aligns perfectly with asset-based value investing, where the focus is on tangible assets and strong fundamentals.
In volatile times, this approach gives investors a margin of safety. You are not just speculating on growth; you are investing in real, measurable value. And as history shows, the payoff can be remarkable. So, whether it is real estate, energy infrastructure, or beaten down stocks trading below book value, the principle remains the same: buy quality assets at a discount and watch them appreciate.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Using a Deep Value Approach to Real Estate Investing</h2>
Let us take a closer look at why a deep value approach to real estate investing is a game changer. The idea is simple but powerful: buy properties or real estate investment trusts (REITs) at prices well below their intrinsic or net asset value (NAV). This strategy works particularly well during times of market dislocation or uncertainty, when fear and volatility create opportunities to scoop up high quality assets at bargain prices.
By focusing on deep value, you are not just buying properties; you are buying into cash flow streams and tangible assets that are often mispriced by the market. For instance, Class A office properties or medical office buildings might be trading at discounts due to temporary concerns. However, their long-term fundamentals, such as high occupancy rates and reliable tenants, remain intact. By purchasing these properties below NAV, you set yourself up for both strong cash flow and significant capital appreciation as the market recovers.
This approach also aligns with the concept of a margin of safety. When you buy below NAV, you are essentially building in a cushion against potential risks or market downturns. Even if the broader real estate market faces headwinds, your investments are better positioned to weather the storm and deliver returns. And let us not forget: inflation is a friend to real estate. As the cost of goods and services rises, so do rents and property values, further enhancing the appeal of deeply discounted real estate assets.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Real Estate?</h2>
Publicly traded real estate has outperformed almost every other asset class over the long term. REITs have delivered stellar returns since the 1970s, even beating private equity (unless you have got millions to invest in those exclusive funds). Wall Street will not tell you this because there is no money in it for them. But I am here to tell you: buying high quality real estate at attractive prices is one of the smartest moves you can make.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2>
This Age of Uncertainty is going to be a wild ride. Trump&#8217;s policies could bring great opportunities or unforeseen challenges. What we do know is that investing in high quality real estate with strong cash flows and rock-solid financials is a strategy that works. It has weathered inflation, market crashes, and bad government policies before, and it will continue to do so.
If you are ready to grow your wealth or secure steady income, consider adding the Total Return or Income portfolios to your strategy. As always, we will be here, watching, monitoring, and most importantly, collecting cash.
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Opinion

Your Investing Playbook for the Next Four Years

Cigna (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 4.12% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.64%. Currently, Cigna has a market capitalization of $80.40 billion. 
Buying $1000 In CI: If an investor had bought $1000 of CI stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $11,032.06 today based on a price of $289.04 for CI at the time of writing.
<h3>Cigna's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737585918_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Cigna Stock In The Last 20 Years

ML Capital Group

Spear Point Capital Management, LLC (&quot;Spear Point&quot;) and Silverback United, Inc. (still trading under ML Capital Group, Inc. (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mlcg#OTC">MLCG</a>) pending FINRA approval of name and ticker symbol change) announced they will host a webinar to explain the terms of Spear Point&#39;s recent proposal to acquire Rite Aid Corporation in a take-private transaction valued at approximately $3.6 billion, including long-term debt, not including operating leases.

Fundamental to that proposal, Spear Point noted that its data valuation and monetization partner, Silverback, has made a preliminary determination that Rite Aid&#39;s data may have significant value that could exceed the equity value of the company. In its Term Sheet, Spear Point offered to enlist Silverback&#39;s services to value Rite Aid&#39;s data as part of its due diligence process. Furthermore, Spear Point offered to share that valuation with the board of Rite Aid and allow the company to seek a higher value after the data valuation had been presented. Rite Aid refused that offer.

Therefore, on April 28, 2022, Spear Point and Silverback will host a joint webinar in which the Spear Point team will walk webinar participants through its Term Sheet, and give insights into its strategic vision for Rite Aid. Silverback will present its data valuation methodology and monetization strategy that underpins the transaction&#39;s value proposition. Interested parties can register for the &quot;Twitter Spaces&quot; webinar at: <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=yifnRJwx3w0zW7q22dyOJK5s0iDN4X8V6uK3TdSD0ekTQ4iTFmI6rHZAmhfF_rbg4sb45kRI-EGqqJOzcwR9KnQG7LSqrwSNjVgY3ZkP7G1KqgpWZ4t2dYKnGdyazLCXLieLVOKRijgMweekI1clRPE-MdqVoYoTg6qaSPEff7mL0QPQn022BamtJWKogQ1IYlqesF3IqCtYo4VLnsPQitHSx_lwD0VBXd_98Nn6agE=" target="_blank">https://silverbackinc.com</a> or <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=yifnRJwx3w0zW7q22dyOJD1Qt6lPS39hlFH27bjgzKFbHg5QWz4izIL79mrquUq3r-ldnNSZaRJCjZOovc62R_gVqdorCyOIpRNC7aQg-pqNX-tH-esBCVeYhVXaHaGf8hw6rWPIoWwoR7LLBjE38mzePU05IRNjgUpt-Ite9jK_E0gxJsyppLUudd4UL82bd4dtc318Yqt2WZsCrbsUmiBQbcsttjKf7IshEUVrpG5mzr1bdaVJo6hymMG5-UcheT3zMUpa0uZDk5s_FLozzF0DmFbmvrkQyszK8dDLjEM=" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1YqGopapwzjJv</a>

&quot;We would like to invite Rite Aid&#39;s shareholders, stakeholders, and management to join us in a discussion about why we think Rite Aid is significantly undervalued and explore management&#39;s inability to unlock that value. We would also welcome Rite Aid CEO Heyward Donigan or any other member of the company&#39;s senior management to join us to explain the company&#39;s position on the proposed offer and how they expect to create significant shareholder value in the coming years. Because, obviously, the only logical reason to not even explore our proposal would be that they have a superior plan to create even greater shareholder value. I would love to hear it, as I suspect shareholders would. The shareholders deserve more and we have a plan to give them that.&quot;

Penny Stocks

Rite Aid Shares Tick Higher On Volume Following Press Release From Private-Equity Firm Spear Point It Will Provide Details Of Its Non-Binding Offer To Buy Rite Aid

<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/topic/viridian-capital-advisors">Viridian Capital Advisors</a>, one of the world&rsquo;s top financial and strategic advisory firms for the cannabis industry, publishes two reports every week. One tracks the performance of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/16/12/8803266/viridian-capital-advisors-shares-a-look-at-the-cannabis-stock-index-a-">Cannabis Stock Index</a>, and the other one traces the most recent <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/16/12/8836636/viridians-president-shares-an-update-on-marijuana-stocks-m-a-and-inves">investment and M&amp;A activity</a> in the marijuana space.
<h3>
	Deal Flow</h3>

	For the first week of the year, ended January 6, Viridian registered seven capital raises, six M&amp;A transactions and one dual-listing. &ldquo;Deal tracker was a little slow after New Year&#39;s, which was expected,&rdquo; analyst Harrison Phillips explained. &ldquo;We saw two raises close, both were small debt raises,&rdquo; he added, referencing KAYA HLDGS INC COM USD0.001 (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/kays#OTC">KAYS</a>)&rsquo;s $150,000 raise and United Cannabis Corp (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cnab#OTC">CNAB</a>)&rsquo;s $35,000 raise.

	&ldquo;What was good news is that there were numerous announcements related to M&amp;A deals that are currently in negotiation,&rdquo; the expert continued. On the one hand, Sylios Corp (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ungs#OTC">UNGS</a>) <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sylios-corp-announces-record-date-140500423.html">announced</a> the record date for the spinoff of its wholly owned subsidiary, the Greater Cannabis Company, LLC. In addition, ML Capital Group Inc (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mlcg#OTC">MLCG</a>) <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ml-capital-group-announces-letter-of-intent-to-acquire-spanish-peaks-scrumpdelicacies-entering-into-the-7-billion-dollar-cannabis-sector-609637085.html">said</a> it intended to acquire Spanish Peaks Scrumpdelicacies, &ldquo;a venture-backed producer of cannabis-infused edibles based in Colorado.&rdquo;

	&ldquo;There is continued deal flow and we [Viridian Capital Advisors] expect there to a slowdown in closing around New Years; but, the number of announcements was good,&rdquo; Phillips concluded.
<h3>
	The Stock Market</h3>

	Moving on to the equity market, the Viridian Cannabis Stock Index gained 3.8 percent in the first week of 2017.

	<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u82070/l7p4_hovkmt42jkvlnlmb5agpbqrijays0mpmk9rhjbfnvzj724heh7jqm5jmd6gas-es4qigqb4ry-ldjqq8hqraf9nhgsibz_clhruarjhl0fkfni3_msm-tocw0ahxvdilcakbzzeyjip4xojtx6xliekxeqdainpcois0-d-e1-ft.png"><img alt="" src="/files/u82070/l7p4_hovkmt42jkvlnlmb5agpbqrijays0mpmk9rhjbfnvzj724heh7jqm5jmd6gas-es4qigqb4ry-ldjqq8hqraf9nhgsibz_clhruarjhl0fkfni3_msm-tocw0ahxvdilcakbzzeyjip4xojtx6xliekxeqdainpcois0-d-e1-ft.png" style="width: 687px; height: 295px;" /></a>

	&ldquo;If you look at the Index chart, you see on January 3rd there was a lot more volume than the rest of the week. There&#39;s something called the January Effect, which is, particularly on small-cap stocks, people sell on the year-end, so they can take their tax losses on to the next year&#39;s tax payment. So, what they do is sell on the last trading day of the year, carry over that tax loss, and then re-buy on the first day of the year,&rdquo; Phillips expounded.

	&ldquo;There seems to be a little bit of selling on January 4, but the index kept going up either because people didn&#39;t re-buy entirely on the first day [of the year] or there was just continued movement upward in these cannabis stocks,&rdquo; he added.

	As per Viridian&rsquo;s report, the firm anticipates the Index will &ldquo;experience increased volatility in the coming week or two as the process for the appointment of Jeff Sessions for U.S. Attorney General proceeds.&rdquo;

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