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

Nican (OTC:NILTF) Stock, Option Chain

Nican Ltd engages in exploring, developing, operating, and financing mining assets. Its principal business activity is the exploration and evaluation of mineral properties. The company is focused on nickel-copper opportunities in stable jurisdictions on known mineral belts. Its project comprises of wine project and pipy project both located in well-established mining jurisdictions in Manitoba, Canada.

Nican Ltd

As we usher in the new year, the mobility sector has been buzzing with noteworthy developments. From&nbsp;Lucid Group Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>) rolling out its Gravity SUV to&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8216;s clarification on the Cybertruck incident, the weekend was anything but quiet. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories.
Lucid Motors Begins Deliveries of Gravity SUV
Over the last weekend, Lucid Motors began delivering its latest electric vehicle, the Gravity SUV. The first customers received their vehicles and left the factory in a convoy from the company&#8217;s Casa Grande, Arizona facility.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42736433/lucid-starts-deliveries-of-tesla-model-x-competitor-gravity-suv">Read the full article here.</a>
Musk Sheds Light on Cybertruck Incident
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Musk took to social media to clarify the recent explosion involving a Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel on New Year's Day. According to Musk, the explosion was caused by large fireworks or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented vehicle, not a design or functionality issue of the vehicle itself.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42757901/elon-musk-fireworks-or-explosive-device-caused-fatal-cybertruck-incident-at-las-vegas-trump-hotel-vehicle-was-rented">Read the full article here.</a>
MKBHD Sells Cybertruck, Endorses Rivian
Popular YouTuber and tech reviewer MKBHD, also known as Marques Brownlee, announced he has sold his Tesla Cybertruck and is now supporting rival automaker&nbsp;Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>).
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42731115/tesla-vs-rivian-mkbhd-sells-cybertruck-tells-elon-musk-tesla-could-crush-with-this-ev">Read the full article here.</a>
Tesla&#8217;s Sales Drop Divides Wall Street
After Tesla&#8217;s fourth-quarter delivery figures fell short of analyst consensus estimates, Wall Street is divided on the company&#8217;s outlook for 2025. Some analysts believe this could be a make-or-break year for the EV giant.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42777950/teslas-first-sales-drop-splits-wall-street-2025-will-be-the-prove-it-year">Read the full article here.</a>
Musk Envisions Reusable Heat Shield for SpaceX&#8217;s Starship
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is confident about developing a fully reusable heat shield for the Starship next year. He also envisions uncrewed Starships landing on Mars in about 2 years and crewed Starships heading there in about 4 years.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42718758/elon-musk-says-starship-will-get-fully-reusable-heat-shield-in-2025-i-am-confident">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42763048/powering-up-charging-tesla-to-deploy-first-v4-superchargers-in-china-by-2025?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla To Deploy First V4 Superchargers In China By 2025: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Tesla
 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/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

News

Tech

LCID

RIVN

TSLA

Lucid's Gravity SUV Rolls Out, Elon Musk On Tesla Cybertruck Blast Incident, And More: This Week In Mobility

President Joe Biden&#8216;s outgoing administration has proposed an $8 billion arms deal for Israel, marking one of the largest such deals since the Gaza war erupted in 2023.
What Happened: The proposed arms package encompasses thousands of bombs, missiles, and artillery shells. The deal, which was communicated to congressional officials last Friday, also includes the intended sale of precision munitions and air-to-air missiles.
The proposed sale is timed just weeks before Biden&#8217;s term ends and President-elect Donald Trump returns to office. This is the largest arms deal the U.S. government has proposed for Israel since the $20 billion weapons package approved earlier in August. The weapons are slated to start reaching Israel by 2025, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-plans-8-billion-sale-of-arms-including-bombs-to-israel-6f184397?mod=hp_lead_pos1">reports</a> The Wall Street Journal.
Despite the strategic importance of the deal, it might face resistance from Democrats who have previously voiced concerns over the civilian casualties in the Gaza war. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41703497/iran-flexes-nuclear-muscle-threatens-us-with-tooth-breaking-retaliation">Iran Flexes Nuclear Muscle, Threatens US With &#8216;Tooth-Breaking&#8217; Retaliation</a>
The Biden administration has been under pressure to limit weapons sales to Israel to decrease civilian deaths and exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire.
For the proposed sale to proceed, it still needs the green light from Congress. An&nbsp;administration official familiar with the&nbsp;deal stated, &#8220;We&nbsp;will continue to provide the&nbsp;capabilities necessary for Israel&#8217;s defense.&#8221;
Why It Matters: The proposed arms deal underscores the U.S.&#8217;s ongoing commitment to Israel&#8217;s defense, even amid international concerns over the Gaza conflict. 
The approval of this deal could significantly bolster Israel&#8217;s military capabilities, potentially altering the dynamics of the ongoing conflict. 
However, the deal&#8217;s potential impact on civilian casualties and the wider Middle East peace process will likely be a key consideration for Congress as it decides whether to approve the sale.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41196317/trump-urges-israel-to-target-iran-nuke-sites-hit-nuclear-first-and-worry-about-the-rest-later" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Urges Israel To Target Iran Nuke Sites: ‘Hit Nuclear First And Worry About The Rest Later'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Global

Biden Proposes Massive $8 Billion Arms Deal, Including Bombs, for Israel

These eight mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>) shares escalated 23.19% as the quantum computing sector saw increased interest.</li>
<li>VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VEON#NASDAQ">VEON</a>) stock surged 17.03%. The company announced that Kyivstar inked an agreement with Starlink to introduce groundbreaking direct-to-cell <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42717832" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite connectivity in Ukraine</a>.</li>
<li>NextDecade Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEXT#NASDAQ">NEXT</a>) stock jumped 16.90% on gains in crude oil and natural gas prices.</li>
<li>GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDS#NASDAQ">GDS</a>) stock increased 16.05% amid continued interest sparked by reports that the company is evaluating an initial public offering (IPO) for<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42710683" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> its data center assets in China</a>.</li>
<li>Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHC#NASDAQ">ACHC</a>) shares rose 14.79% on U.S. healthcare executives&#8217; bullish outlook for 2025.</li>
<li>Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUNR#NASDAQ">LUNR</a>) shares were up 13.89% last week. The stock was on the top ten trending list on WallStreetBets.</li>
<li>Banco BBVA Argentina (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBAR#NYSE">BBAR</a>) shares increased 11.81%, joining the ride in Argentina stocks.</li>
<li>Transportadora de Gas del Sur SA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGS#NYSE">TGS</a>) stock grew 11.93%, joining the ride in Argentina stocks.</li>
</ol>
Image via Shutterstock

Mid Cap

Movers

Trading Ideas

ACHC

BBAR

LUNR

RGTI

VEON

Rigetti Computing, VEON And Intuitive Machines Are Among Top Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (Dec 30-Jan 3): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

A recent forecast by Galaxy Research concludes that Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) will reach a significant milestone in 2025. The cryptocurrency is expected to surge by over 170% from its current value.
What Happened: Galaxy Research&#8217;s Alex Thorn predicts that Dogecoin, the world&#8217;s largest and oldest memecoin, will hit $1&nbsp;for the first time in&nbsp;its history. 
&#8220;Dogecoin&nbsp;will finally hit $1, with&nbsp;the world&#8217;s&nbsp;largest and oldest memecoin touching&nbsp;a $100 billion market cap,&#8221; Thorn stated in a post on X.
<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">Dogecoin will finally hit $1, with the world's largest and oldest memecoin touching a $100bn market cap. However, the Dogecoin market cap will be eclipsed by the Department of Government Efficiency, which will identify and successfully enact cuts in amounts exceeding Dogecoin's… <a href="https://t.co/xcwRHhpMTn">pic.twitter.com/xcwRHhpMTn</a>
&mdash; Galaxy (@galaxyhq) <a href="https://twitter.com/galaxyhq/status/1874843548585005177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
At the time of the report, DOGE was trading at $0.37, marking an 11.7% increase&nbsp;in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;With a market cap of&nbsp;$55.47 billion, DOGE ranks as the seventh-largest crypto project.
On a related note, Charles Yu, another analyst at Galaxy Research, anticipates a decrease in market dominance by Tether&#8217;s stablecoin USDT. Yu expects other stablecoins, such as Circle's USDC, to&nbsp;gain more market share due&nbsp;to their attractive yields. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40429878/dogecoins-active-users-on-the-rise-will-this-impact-doge-price">Dogecoin&#8217;s Active Users On The Rise, Will This Impact DOGE Price?</a>
He suggests that the revenue from USDT reserves will be used to fund portfolio investments and marketing spend by stablecoin issuers, leading to a shift away from Tether and towards yield-bearing solutions.
Why It Matters: The predicted surge in Dogecoin&#8217;s value signifies a potential shift in the cryptocurrency market. If Dogecoin reaches the $1 mark, it could influence the dynamics of the cryptocurrency market, possibly leading to increased interest and investment in memecoins. 
Additionally, the forecasted decrease in Tether&#8217;s market dominance could lead to a more diversified stablecoin market, with other stablecoins like Circle's USDC gaining more traction due to their attractive yields. 
This could potentially reshape the stablecoin landscape, with more investors turning towards yield-bearing solutions.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42497156/dogecoin-poised-for-85-surge-as-whales-accumulate-130-billion-doge">Dogecoin Poised For 85% Surge As Whales Accumulate 130 Billion DOGE</a>

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

Cryptocurrency

Markets

$DOGE

Dogecoin To Hit One Dollar Milestone This Year, Says This Analyst

The first weekend of 2025 has been a whirlwind in the world of finance, with cryptocurrencies making significant strides. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is inching closer to the $100,000 mark, while Dogecoin has seen a surge, possibly due to Elon Musk&#8217;s influence. Meanwhile, Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest has been making strategic trades. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.
Bitcoin Nears $100,000, Dogecoin Soars
The cryptocurrency market has started the year on a high note, with Bitcoin prices nearing the $100,000 mark despite record ETF outflows. Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) has also seen a significant increase in value.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42795194/bitcoin-reclaims-98000-dogecoin-explodes-xrp-ethereum-surge-nothing-more-bullish-than-btc-prices-going-up-trader-says">Read the full article here.</a>
Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million, Says Arthur Hayes
BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has suggested that a change in US banking regulations could propel Bitcoin to a $1 million valuation. Hayes believes that if US banks receive an exemption from the supplementary leverage ratio (SLR) rule, it could lead to increased market liquidity, significantly boosting Bitcoin's value.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42802338/bitcoin-to-hit-1-million-arthur-hayes-says-another-signpost-has-appeared-amid-us-debt-concerns">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42758665/peter-thiels-bubble-theory-gains-relevance-as-bitcoin-hovers-around-95k-extremely-hard-to-define?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Thiel&#8217;s Bubble Theory Gains Relevance As Bitcoin Hovers Around $95K: &#8216;Extremely Hard To Define&#8217;</a>
Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Makes Strategic Trades
Ark Invest, led by Cathie Wood, made significant trades involving Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>), Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKB#BATS">ARKB</a>), and Quantum-Si Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSI#NASDAQ">QSI</a>). Ark Invest sold 20,332 shares of Palantir, aligning with Ark's recent trend of reducing its position in the hot AI stock.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42801940/cathie-woods-ark-invest-books-profits-on-hot-ai-stock-palantir-sells-bitcoin-etf-shares-as-btc-starts-2025-on-a-positive-note">Read the full article here.</a>
Elon Musk&#8217;s Influence on Dogecoin
The price of Dogecoin has increased, possibly due to social media platform X getting closer to launching payments in 2025. Elon Musk, who acquired the platform (formerly known as Twitter) for $44 billion in 2022, could be a significant factor in this surge.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42794433/if-you-invested-1000-in-dogecoin-when-elon-musk-acquired-twitter-heres-how-much-youd-have-now">Read the full article here.</a>
Bitcoin Discussion at Mar-a-Lago
Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor met with Eric Trump at Mar-a-Lago, sparking speculation that Bitcoin could have been a topic of discussion between the two influential figures. Saylor shared a photo of the meeting with the caption, &#8220;Bitcoin is on the menu at Mar-a-Lago.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42785039/michael-saylor-meets-eric-trump-says-bitcoin-is-on-the-menu-at-mar-a-lago">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42749281/if-you-invested-1000-in-pepe-coin-when-elon-musk-shared-a-meme-earlier-this-year-heres-how-much-youd-have-today?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If You Invested $1,000 In Pepe Coin When Elon Musk Shared A Meme Earlier This Year, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

$BTC

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF

ARKB

PLTR

Bitcoin's Bullish Run, Cathie Wood's Trades, And Elon Musk's Dogecoin Influence: This Week In Crypto

These nine large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>) stock plummeted 20.93%. Short-seller Hindenburg Research&#8216;s critical report intensified bearish sentiment, describing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42784518" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carvana&#8217;s turnaround as a &#8220;mirage.</a>&#8221; </li>
<li>SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>) shares declined 10.60% after Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods downgraded the stock from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SOfi/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Market Perform to Underperform</a>.</li>
<li>Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUMC#NYSE">YUMC</a>) shares fell 10.40%.</li>
<li>Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares tumbled 9.62% after the company disclosed fourth-quarter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42766117" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production and delivery figures</a>. Analysts revised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42786667" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KNSL#NYSE">KNSL</a>) shares dipped 9.45% after JP Morgan cut its price forecast <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/knsl/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the stock from $415 to $412</a>.</li>
<li>Brown Forman Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BF#NYSE">BF</a>) shares decreased 8.20% last week after U.S. Surgeon General Murthy issued an advisory warning alcohol consumption could raise cancer risk.</li>
<li>Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCOM#NASDAQ">TCOM</a>) stock was down 7.47%. Citigroup raised its price forecast <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/tcom/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the stock from $73 to $78</a>.</li>
<li>Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMX#NYSE">FMX</a>) stock lost 7.47% last week after U.S. Surgeon General Murthy issued an advisory warning alcohol consumption could raise cancer risk.</li>
<li>Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AUR#NASDAQ">AUR</a>) stock fell 9.47%.</li>
</ol>
Image via Tesla

Large Cap

BF/A

BF/B

CVNA

Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. De C.V.

KNSL

SOFI

TCOM

YUMC

Tesla, SoFi Technologies And Alcohol Stocks Were Among Top Large Cap Losers Last Week (Dec 30-Jan 3): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

These ten large-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) shares escalated 17.45% after the company disclosed its production and delivery figures for the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42786671" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth quarter and full-year 2024</a>.</li>
<li>FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTAI#NASDAQ">FTAI</a>) stock surged 16.59% after the company launched a strategic capital initiative in partnership <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42739532" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with institutional investors</a>.</li>
<li>Vistra Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>) shares jumped 12.66% after UBS raised its price forecast on<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/vst/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the stock from $161 to $174</a>.</li>
<li>Mobileye Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBLY#NASDAQ">MBLY</a>) shares rose 11.45%.</li>
<li>Equinor ASA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQNR#NYSE">EQNR</a>) stock surged 11.06% after the company announced it had received $3B in financing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42766874" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for its U.S. Empire Wind 1 project</a>.</li>
<li>Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>) shares increased 10.39% after the company announced it won $1 billion in combined contracts from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42770600" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. General Services Administration</a>.</li>
<li>Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EC#NYSE">EC</a>) stock was up 9.40% after the company confirmed an agreement with Repsol to purchase its interest in the Exploration and Production Contract <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42750775" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(E&amp;P Contract) for Block CPO-09</a>.</li>
<li>Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PR#NYSE">PR</a>) shares upped 9.16%.</li>
<li>Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>) stock increased 9.06%.</li>
<li>Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) stock gained 8.78% last week, continuing the momentum of 2024&#8217;s rally.</li>
</ol>
Photo Courtesy of Rivian

COKE

EQNR

FTAI

MBLY

Rivian, Mobileye And Arm Are Among Top Large Cap Gainers Last Week (Dec 30-Jan 3): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

As we step into the new year, the tech world continues to be abuzz with artificial intelligence (AI) developments. From&nbsp;Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp;announcing a whopping $80 billion investment in AI data centers to the ongoing legal tussle between Elon Musk and OpenAI, the past week has been nothing short of eventful. Here&#8217;s a quick roundup of the top stories you might have missed.
Microsoft&#8217;s $80 Billion AI Investment
Microsoft is set to pump approximately $80 billion into the development of AI data centers in fiscal 2025. This move comes in the wake of the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in 2022, which has spurred companies to integrate AI into their offerings. The increasing demand for AI&#8217;s computing power necessitates specialized data centers, allowing tech firms to connect thousands of chips in clusters.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42801720/microsoft-to-invest-80-billion-in-ai-data-centers-for-fiscal-2025">Read the full article here.</a>
Microsoft&#8217;s Copilot Plus Targets Mini PCs
In another Microsoft-related development, the tech giant is expanding its AI hardware strategy with a new wave of compact desktop computers featuring dedicated Copilot capabilities. Asus has emerged as the first major manufacturer to unveil a Copilot Plus-compatible mini PC, signaling Microsoft&#8217;s push to expand its AI features beyond laptops.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42781607/microsofts-copilot-plus-set-to-expand-to-mini-pcs-at-ces-as-windows-maker-looks-to-take-on-apples-mac-mini">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42779998/6th-circuit-strikes-down-fcc-net-neutrality-rules-in-blow-to-biden-administrations-internet-regulation-agenda?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biden-Era Net Neutrality Rules Overturned By Federal Appeals Court: What It Means For Net Freedom</a>
Musk vs OpenAI: Geoffrey Hinton Weighs In
The ongoing battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over the new course of OpenAI has seen Geoffrey Hinton, the &#8220;Godfather of AI,&#8221; taking sides. Musk&#8217;s legal attempt to block OpenAI&#8217;s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure is far from over.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42778778/elon-musk-gets-support-from-godfather-of-ai-geoffrey-hinton-in-battle-against-openai">Read the full article here.</a>
Nvidia&#8217;s Billion-Dollar Investment Spree
NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) invested $1 billion across 50 startup funding rounds in 2024, consolidating its position in the AI segment. The company&#8217;s investment surge represents a 15% increase from its $872 million spending in 2023.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42758502/nvidias-investments-in-elon-musks-xai-perplexity-openai-and-other-startups-crossed-1-billion-mark-in-2024">Read the full article here.</a>
Nvidia Supplier Considers Expansion Amid AI Demand
Ibiden Co., a significant supplier for Nvidia, is contemplating accelerating its production capacity expansion to meet the growing demand for AI chip package substrates. The company is currently building a new substrate factory in Gifu, Japan, which is expected to commence operations at 25% capacity by late 2025.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42718022/days-after-key-nvidia-supplier-warned-of-ai-spending-slowdown-another-nvda-partner-considers-accelerating-expansion-to-meet-growing-demand">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42779753/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-replaces-global-affairs-chief-nick-clegg-with-republican-joel-kaplan-ahead-of-trump-inauguration?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta Replaces Global Affairs Chief Nick Clegg With Republican Joel Kaplan Ahead Of Trump Inauguration</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

MSFT

NVDA

Microsoft's $80 Billion Investment Outlay, Musk's Battle With OpenAI, And Nvidia's Billion-Dollar Bet: This Week In Artificial Intelligence

Esteemed investor Peter Lynch, celebrated for his extraordinary 13-year tenure managing the Fidelity Magellan fund has shared his investment insights and views on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/stock-split/24/12/42635790/investment-guru-peter-lynch-often-great-investments-are-the-ones-where-everyone-else-will-think-you-are-crazy">evolving stock market landscape</a>.
What Happened:&nbsp;Lynch, whose impressive&nbsp;29% annualized return from 1977&nbsp;to 1990 still stands, discussed his investment tactics and the transformation of the stock market. He stressed the significance of investing in sectors and companies that investors are familiar with, advising, &#8220;Invest in what you know.&#8221;
Lynch&#8217;s successful career has had a profound impact on American investment practices, with 55% of Americans now holding stocks, either directly or through retirement accounts and mutual funds. 
Despite the significant shifts in the investment world since Lynch&#8217;s era at Magellan, his legacy endures. He continues to guide stock analysts at&nbsp;Fidelity, the prominent investment firm based in Boston.
However, Lynch recognized the hurdles confronting today&#8217;s investors. With over 5,000 stock indexes&nbsp;and thousands of passive funds&nbsp;based on these, he pondered whether stock pickers can still offer unique insights into large corporations.
According to a report <a href="https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/master-stockpicker-peter-lynch-if-you-only-invest-in-an-index-youll-never-beat-it-51576874071">by</a> Barron&#8217;s, Lynch maintains a positive outlook on the U.S. stock market, encouraging investors to purchase stocks irrespective of market conditions. He also underscored the importance of company fundamentals, such as earnings growth, inventory growth rates, and debt-to-equity ratios.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42499608/investment-guru-peter-lynch-if-you-cant-explain-to-an-11-year-old-in-2-minutes-or-less-why-you-own-t">Investment Guru Peter Lynch: &#8216;If You Can&#8217;t Explain To An 11-Year-Old In 2 Minutes Or Less Why You Own The Stock, You Shouldn&#8217;t Own It&#8217;</a>
Lynch says that, &#8220;if you invest only in an index, you'll never beat it. If you buy today's widespread notion that stock market returns will be generally lower in the future, brushing up on your stock-picking skills is wise.&#8221;
Despite his numerous triumphs, Lynch also confessed to making errors, notably in the technology sector. However, he is of the view that these mistakes have been counterbalanced by his profitable investments.
Why It Matters:&nbsp;Lynch&#8217;s advice to &#8220;invest in what you know&#8221; underscores the importance of familiarity and understanding in investment decisions. 
His successful career and enduring influence on American investment habits highlight the potential benefits of this approach. However, the evolving investment landscape, with its increasing complexity and the rise of passive funds, poses new challenges for investors. 
Lynch&#8217;s insights provide valuable guidance for navigating these challenges, emphasizing the importance of company fundamentals and a positive, long-term outlook.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/stock-split/24/12/42716205/peter-lynchs-timeless-investment-rules-you-can-always-lose-what-you-have-invested-even-if-a-stock-is-cheap">Peter Lynch&#8217;s Timeless Investment Rules: &#8216;You Can Always Lose What You Have Invested, Even if a Stock Is Cheap&#8217;</a>

Stock Split

AAPL

AMZN

Investment Guru Peter Lynch: 'If You Invest Only in an Index, You'll Never Beat It. Brushing Up on Stock-Picking Skills Is Wise'

The past week was a rollercoaster ride for&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). From leaks about the iPhone 17&#8217;s display upgrade to CEO Tim Cook&#8217;s hefty donation to Trump&#8217;s inauguration, the tech giant was in the limelight for various reasons. China&#8217;s decision to subsidize smartphones could pose a new challenge, while the halt of iPhone 14 and iPhone SE sales in the EU raised eyebrows. However, a bullish prediction for Apple&#8217;s stock offered a silver lining. Let&#8217;s delve into these stories.
iPhone 17 Display Upgrade
A new leak suggests that Apple is set to enhance the display technology in its upcoming iPhone 17 series. The Weibo-based Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, stated that supply chain materials support the rumors of a higher refresh rate for the standard iPhone 17. While the exact refresh rate wasn&#8217;t specified, earlier reports hint at a 120Hz ProMotion rate, previously exclusive to Pro models, being implemented.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42736353/iphone-17-to-get-display-upgrade-as-apple-finally-ditches-60hz-technology-new-leak-reiterates-possibility">Read the full article here.</a>
Tim Cook&#8217;s $1 Million Donation
Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural committee, joining the ranks of other major tech leaders like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman. Cook&#8217;s donation follows several meetings between him and Trump during the latter&#8217;s first term and a recent dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Cook views the inauguration as an important American tradition and is contributing to the spirit of unity.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42801809/apple-ceo-tim-cook-reportedly-donates-1-million-to-trump-inauguration-joins-ranks-of-mark-zuckerberg-jeff-bezos-and-sam-altman">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42759975/squid-game-season-3-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-thrilling-finale-coming-in-2025?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Squid Game Season 3: Everything You Need To Know About The Thrilling Finale Coming In 2025</a>
China&#8217;s Smartphone Subsidies
China is extending consumption subsidies to include smartphones and other electronics, potentially giving companies like Huawei an upper hand. The national trade-in program, which currently covers home appliances and vehicles, will now extend to personal devices such as phones, tablets, and smartwatches. This announcement was made during a briefing on Friday.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42780776/is-apple-ready-for-a-new-challenge-chinas-smartphone-subsidies-aim-to-boost-domestic-demand-giving-companies-like-huawei-the-upper-hand">Read the full article here.</a>
Apple Halts Sales in EU
Apple has stopped selling its iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation iPhone SE models across most European Union countries. This decision is a response to new EU regulations requiring USB-C ports for smartphones with wired charging capabilities. The affected iPhone models have been removed from Apple's online store in several countries.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712752/apple-halts-iphone-14-iphone-se-sales-in-eu-heres-why">Read the full article here.</a>
Bullish Prediction for Apple Stock
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives predicts a 26% upside for Apple stock, foreseeing a &#8220;golden era of growth&#8221; for Cupertino with an AI-driven iPhone upgrade cycle. Ives believes that Apple&#8217;s iPhone sales could witness a boost thanks to AI and has raised the price target on Apple to $325.
<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">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42775636/ces-2025-preview-nvidia-amd-in-spotlight-other-trends-and-stocks-to-watch?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CES 2025 Preview: Nvidia And AMD Grab Spotlight, Other Trends And Stocks To Watch</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
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/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

iPhone 17 Leak, Tim Cook's Donation To Trump Inauguration, And China's Subsidies To Homegrown Players: This Week In Appleverse

Businessman and author of &#8216;Rich Dad, Poor Dad&#8217; Robert Kiyosaki has predicted a colossal market crash and advised investing in gold, silver, and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), criticizing the financial authorities for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40147003/rich-dad-poor-dad-author-robert-kiyosaki-sees-wealth-accumulation-in-market-declines-markets-are-cra">their money printing policies.</a>
What Happened: On Saturday, Kiyosaki took X to express his views on the current economic situation. He predicted a &#8220;GIANT MARKET CRASH&#8221; and questioned the policies of the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, Banks, and Wall Street.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">GIANT MARKET CRASH here. Q: How can I be so bullish on gold, silver, and Bitcoin? A: Because the idiots running the Fed, Treasury, Banks, and Wall Strret only know how to print money, which makes things worse. FYI: When fake money is printed the rich, who own real assets get…
&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1875329849419821320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
&#8220;GIANT MARKET CRASH here. Q: How can I be so bullish on gold, silver, and Bitcoin? A: Because the idiots running the Fed, Treasury, Banks, and Wall Street only know how to print money, which makes things worse. FYI: When fake money is printed the rich, who own real assets get richer…. while the poor and middle class, who save fake money, get poorer due to inflation and taxes. Let inflation make you richer, not poorer. Save gold, silver, and Bitcoin. Take care. Crash is here,&#8221; Kiyosaki wrote in the post. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42638862/kiyosaki-warns-of-global-financial-crisis-protect-your-wealth-by-investing-in-real-assets">Kiyosaki Warns of Global Financial Crisis: &#8216;Protect Your Wealth by Investing in Real Assets&#8217;</a>
He criticized these institutions for their excessive money printing, which he believes exacerbates economic issues. Kiyosaki argued that this practice benefits the wealthy, who possess tangible assets, while harming the poor and middle class, who save &#8220;fake money.&#8221;
Why It Matters:&nbsp;Kiyosaki&#8217;s comments reflect his long-standing criticism of traditional financial institutions and their policies. He has consistently advocated for financial education and investment in tangible assets like gold, silver, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
His tweet underscores his belief that these assets can provide a hedge against inflation and the devaluation of fiat currencies, a view shared by many in the cryptocurrency community. Kiyosaki&#8217;s advice to &#8220;Let inflation make you richer,&nbsp;not poorer&#8221; resonates with his followers, who value his insights on financial matters.
As the market navigates uncertain times, Kiyosaki&#8217;s words serve as a reminder of the importance of financial literacy and the potential benefits of diversifying one&#8217;s investment portfolio.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42255036/kiyosaki-on-bitcoin-100000-almost-impossible-for-the-poor-and-middle-class-to-catch-up" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiyosaki on Bitcoin $100,000: ‘Almost Impossible for the Poor and Middle Class to Catch Up'</a>

Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Massive Market Crash: 'Save Gold, Silver, & Bitcoin, Crash Is Here'

The past week has been a whirlwind of political news. From Senator Bernie Sanders backing President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s proposal for a credit card interest rate cap to the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, the news cycle has been nothing short of eventful. Let&#8217;s delve into the top stories of the week.
Bernie Sanders Supports Trump&#8217;s Credit Cap Proposal
Senator Bernie Sanders announced his intention to introduce legislation supporting President-elect Trump&#8217;s proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%. This comes as credit card defaults hit their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis. Major credit card companies such as Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>), Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), and American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) saw their stocks decline.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42737402/bernie-sanders-supports-trumps-credit-card-interest-rate-cap-at-10-amid-highest-defaults-since-2008-visa-and-mastercard-trade-in-the-red">Read the full article here.</a>
Jimmy Carter&#8217;s Passing Mourned by Biden and Trump
President Joe Biden and President-elect Trump expressed their condolences over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. Biden paid tribute to Carter&#8217;s extraordinary contributions over six decades, referring to him as a dear friend of the nation and the world.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42716729/jimmy-carter-to-receive-state-funeral-trump-calls-him-truly-a-good-man-biden-mourns-loss-of-extraordinary-leader">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump Accuses Black Celebrities of Paid Endorsements
Trump accused several Black celebrities of receiving payments for endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this year. Trump voiced his allegations on Truth Social, claiming that Democrats paid significant sums to secure endorsements from celebrities such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42716303/donald-trump-claims-black-celebrities-were-paid-for-kamala-harris-endorsements">Read the full article here.</a>
Billionaires&#8217; Influence in Trump&#8217;s White House Warned by Robert Reich
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich warned of a network of powerful billionaires, including venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, exerting unparalleled influence over the U.S. government in Trump&#8217;s second term. Reich refers to this as a "billionaire brain trust" poised to shape key aspects of policy and governance.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42722137/elon-musk-peter-thiel-and-billionaires-influence-in-trumps-white-house-former-labor-secretary-robert-reichs-warning">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump&#8217;s Response to NOLA Attack
Trump used the deadly New Orleans attack to call for a crackdown on immigration and to criticize the FBI, the Department of Justice, and other agencies. Despite the attacker being born and raised in the U.S., Trump referred to the incident as a good reason to tighten immigration policies.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42776979/trump-calls-fbi-doj-incompetent-and-corrupt-us-a-laughing-stock-biden-calls-nola-attack-despicable-expresses-sympathy-for-victims-families">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42779624/bernie-sanders-says-elon-musk-wrong-on-tech-guest-worker-program-h1-b-visa-purpose-is-to-replace-good-paying-american-jobs?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bernie Sanders Says Elon Musk Wrong On Tech Guest Worker Program: H1-B Visa Purpose Is To &#8216;Replace Good-Paying American Jobs&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Flickr
 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/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

Politics

Sanders Backs Trump's Credit Cap, Carter's Passing, Trump's Response To NOLA Attack And More: This Week In Politics

In a recent post on Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump criticized the Manhattan judge who presided over his criminal trial and writer E. Jean Carroll.
What Happened: On Saturday, Trump took to the social media <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113770089280713901">platform</a> to express his dissatisfaction with Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, whom he labeled as &#8220;corrupt&#8221;.
Trump was convicted in May&nbsp;on&nbsp;34 felony counts of falsifying&nbsp;business records related to payments to Stormy Daniels. He denounced the charges as &#8220;fake&#8221; and &#8220;made up&#8221;.
Additionally, Trump criticized&nbsp;Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur&nbsp;F. Engoron, who presided over his civil fraud trial. Trump was&nbsp;ordered to pay half a&nbsp;billion dollars in fines in this case, which is currently under appeal. He accused Engoron of undervaluing his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida.
&#8220;I never falsified business records. It is a fake, made up charge by a corrupt judge who is just doing the work of the Biden/Harris Injustice Department, an attack on their political opponent, ME! He created a case where there was none. Keeps a "gag order" on me so that I can't talk about how crooked he is. The Fake News knows all about it, but they refuse to talk,&#8221; Trump wrote. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36814846/trumps-niece-says-verdict-in-e-jean-carroll-defamation-trial-is-one-of-the-worst-days-in-his-life-do">Trump&#8217;s Niece Says Verdict In E. Jean Carroll Defamation Trial &#8216;Is One Of The Worst Days&#8217; In His Life: &#8216;Donald Is Finally Facing The Consequences&#8217;</a>
&#8220;He may be the most conflicted judge in New York State history. The accountant testified, with total corroboration, that the records were perfect &amp; totally above board. A legal expense was called, on the books, a legal expense. There was nothing else it could have been called. This was the so-called falsifying of records. I was hiding nothing, everything was out in the open for all to see. Every legal scholar of note said there IS NO CASE AGAINST ME,&#8221; Trump added in his post. 
In the same post, Trump referred to E. Jean Carroll as &#8220;the woman I never met&#8221;. Carroll&nbsp;was awarded nearly $100 million&nbsp;in damages after accusing Trump&nbsp;of sexual assault, a claim he has consistently denied.
&#8220;And then we have, also in New York, the woman I never met (celebrity photo lines from 30 years ago don't count!), who was awarded almost $100,000,000. A totally out of control, Trump hating judge, presided. The Biden/Harris DOJ was involved, directly or indirectly, in each of these cases. I won against Deranged Jack Smith!&#8221; Trump wrote in the Truth Social post. 
Why It Matters: This recent outburst from Trump on Truth Social marks another chapter in his ongoing legal battles. His criticism of the judges and Carroll comes at a time when he is facing significant legal challenges, including a criminal conviction and a hefty fine in a civil fraud case. 
His comments also highlight his continued denial of the sexual assault allegations made by Carroll. This situation underscores the tension between Trump and the judicial system, as well as his contentious relationship with his accusers.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38240111/unlike-his-behavior-in-e-jean-carroll-case-donald-trump-is-going-to-have-sit-there-in-upcoming-crimi">Unlike His Behavior In E. Jean Carroll Case, Donald Trump Is &#8216;Going To Have Sit There&#8217; In Upcoming Criminal Case, Says Ex-Prosecutor</a>
Image: MidJourney

Trump Targets NYC Judges and E. Jean Carroll Ahead of Hush Money Case Sentencing

The week was filled with stories that kept the business world buzzing. From Elon Musk&#8217;s controversial involvement in German politics to the surge in natural gas prices due to freezing US temperatures, there was no shortage of news. Let&#8217;s dive into the key stories that shaped the weekend.
Elon Musk Accused of Meddling in German Elections
Tesla Inc. CEO Musk has been accused by the German government of attempting to influence the upcoming federal elections. Musk&#8217;s endorsements of the far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), have been deemed &#8220;intrusive and presumptuous&#8221; by Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's largest opposition party.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42732904/elon-musk-blasted-as-intrusive-and-presumptuous-for-trying-to-influence-german-elections-toward-far-right-party">Read the full article here.</a>
US Freeze Drives Natural Gas Prices Up
An arctic blast across the US has led to a surge in heating demand, resulting in volatile conditions in energy markets. Natural gas futures saw a significant bounce back, with February contracts climbing by over 2%. The National Weather Center (NWC) predicts continued heavy coastal rains and higher-elevation snow for much of the northwestern U.S.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/01/42769181/natural-gas-prices-surge-as-arctic-blast-freezes-us-3-stocks-on-the-move">Read the full article here.</a>
Mortgage Rates Hit Six-Month High
The new year has brought little relief for prospective US homebuyers as mortgage rates have soared to their highest level in six months. The average interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages climbed to 6.97% in the week ending Dec. 27, 2024, marking the steepest rates since early July.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42764583/mortgage-rates-soar-to-697-applications-crash-jobless-claims-fall-thursdays-econ-data">Read the full article here.</a>
El-Erian Highlights Economic Disparity in the US
Influential economist Mohamed El-Erian pointed out the stark contrast between US "economic exceptionalism" and the struggles of lower-income households in what he calls a "K economy." El-Erian highlighted the growing economic disparity in the United States, noting the significant and increasing challenges faced by lower-income households.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735416/el-erian-warns-of-hidden-crisis-in-exceptional-us-economy-as-lower-income-households-face-considerable-challenges">Read the full article here.</a>
El-Erian Cautions Federal Reserve Against Overly Restrictive Policies
El-Erian has raised concerns over the Federal Reserve's potential policy direction for 2025. El-Erian emphasized the importance of the Fed avoiding an overly restrictive stance in the coming year, cautioning that excessively stringent monetary policies could jeopardize the US economy&#8217;s resilience.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42738682/mohamed-el-erian-warns-federal-reserve-needs-to-refrain-from-being-overly-restrictive-in-2025">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42779711/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-lift-as-traders-anticipate-golden-crypto-era-under-trump-top-analyst-says-2025-will-see-bull-market-peak?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Lift As Traders Anticipate &#8216;Golden Crypto Era&#8217; Under Trump</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
 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/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

Economics

Elon Musk's German Election 'Meddling,' Natural Gas Price Surge, And More: This Week In Economics

CORRECTION: Citigroup analyst Christian Wetherbee maintains FTAI Aviation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTAI#NASDAQ">FTAI</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $64.5 to $67 - Retracting this headline, as its incorrect which was published on 3rd Jan 2025.

CORRECTION: Citigroup Maintains Buy on FTAI Aviation, Raises Price Target to $67 (Originally Published on 3rd Jan 2025 - Retracting This Headline, As Its Incorrect)

While America is undoubtedly the place to make money and become famous, its invasive celebrity culture, divisive politics or the need for another type of creative inspiration is causing celebrities to flee and relocate to Europe.
Here are some well-known names who have departed the U.S. for foreign climes and their reasons why:
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Eva Longoria&nbsp;</h2>
Former Desperate Housewives actress turned producer and political activist Eva Longoria is still a major name in Hollywood. Her new movie, &#8220;Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip&#8221; (see the EW feature), is due out in March 2025. However, she no longer calls the U.S. home, deciding to split her time between Spain – where she often works – and her husband José Bastón&#8217;s homeland of Mexico.
Don't Miss:
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<li>If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/arrived-private-credit-yf">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?</li>
<li>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-y2"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a></li>
</ul>
The multi-hyphenate star told Marie Claire her reason for living outside the U.S.:
&#8220;I had my whole adult life here. But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then COVID happened and it pushed it over the edge. Whether it&#8217;s the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to shit on California – it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;m privileged,&#8221; the nine-generation Texan later added. &#8220;I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans aren&#8217;t so lucky. They&#8217;re going to be stuck in this dystopian country and my anxiety and sadness is for them.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Britney Spears</h2>
After years of conservatorship and intense paparazzi scrutiny of her life, Britney Spears now calls Mexico home.&nbsp;
According to Variety: &#8220;It really kind of hurts my feelings that the paparazzi make my face look like I&#8217;m wearing like a white Jason mask,&#8221; Spears said. &#8220;It doesn&#8217;t even look like me. They&#8217;ve always been incredibly cruel to me, the paparazzi and pictures and the way they&#8217;ve illustrated me to be in some of it.&#8221; Because the treatment has been &#8220;extremely mean and cruel,&#8221; Spears explained, &#8220;That&#8217;s why I&#8217;ve moved to Mexico.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lindsay Lohan</h2>
There was a time just over a decade ago when actress Lindsay Lohan was hardly out of the headlines for bad behavior, as a recent CNN story illustrated. Since then, Lohan has kept a fairly low profile, recently coming back in several <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42342303/netflix-stock-reaches-new-all-time-high-this-week-whats-driving-the-surge">Netflix</a> projects, including the just-released Christmas movie, &#8220;Our Little Secret.&#8221; The reason for Lohan&#8217;s absence from the headlines is because, since 2014, she has called the tabloid-averse Dubai home, telling Flaunt of her adopted home city:
&#8220;It&#8217;s still a city. So it&#8217;s pretty similar. I mean, I do anything that anyone else does in their daily life. I&#8217;m up with my son in the mornings, I do breakfast with him, go to my pilates, come home for lunch and go to the park, the same things that any normal mom would do in their daily life. Or you would do it in LA. I think the only difference is the time zone shift. There&#8217;s a big disconnect between when work starts for me and other places. I can do my work calls with New York at like three or four, around this time and then LA picks up later.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ellen DeGeneres</h2>
Comedian, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/10/41148149/inside-ellen-degeneress-real-estate-side-hustle-as-she-reflects-on-life-after-comedy">house flipper</a> and former chat show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have moved to England&#8217;s bucolic Cotswolds. Their move was definitely not career- or palazzi-motivated but rather a response to Donald Trump&#8217;s 2024 election win.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell</h2>
Best known for the series &#8220;Emily In Paris,&#8221; Lily Collins and her husband, Charlie McDowell, relocated to Copenhagen in 2023 after honeymooning there two years earlier. They co-own the media production and real estate company Case Study Copenhagen. Lily, the daughter of Brit-pop/rock legend <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42451185/phil-collins-reflects-on-life-and-drumming-in-new-drumeo-documentary">Phil Collins</a>, has dual British and U.S. citizenship.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Janet Jackson</h2>
Being a Jackson means never being out of the spotlight. Perhaps influenced by how the media harangued her brother Michael, Janet Jackson has lived in London since 2016. According to the Guardian, the &#8220;Control&#8221; singer stayed in the UK after her divorce from fashion billionaire Wissam Al Mana, who is from Qatar but lives in London, because they co-parent their son.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Richard Gere</h2>
Richard Gere, who currently stars alongside Michael Fassbender and Jeffrey Wright in the political drama The Agency on Paramount+, recently spoke to Vanity Fair Spain about his desire to move to Spain, where his wife Alejandra Silva is from.
&#8220;For me, going to Madrid is going to be a great adventure because I have never lived full-time outside the United States. And I think it will be very interesting for my children as well. For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends and her culture. She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so I think it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers.&#8221;
Gere added, &#8220;In any case, I love Spain and I think your lifestyle is fabulous. Also, your ability to live, transmitting joy and happiness. It is a beautiful place, the food is extraordinary and the people exude sensitivity and generosity, as well as a strong will to laugh and enjoy. So I&#8217;m looking forward to going there.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">George and Amal Clooney</h2>
The Clooneys own homes worldwide but have decided that they will raise their children primarily in a château in Brignoles, France, in a home purchased in 2021, according to a story in<a href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/705577/george-and-amal-clooney-set-to-leave-83m-french-chateau-behind-report/"> Hello.</a> The couple&#8217;s search for a &#8220;peaceful life&#8221; was said to have inspired the decision. Their home is a 25-minute drive from Château Miraval, formerly co-owned by George&#8217;s close friend, fellow actor Brad Pitt and ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Christina Milian</h2>
Singer-actress Christina Milian, seen most recently as Detective Maria LaGuerta in the Dexter prequel, told the Jennifer Hudson Show, &#8220;My husband is French and we&#8217;ve been together for over seven or eight years and for like the last three or four years, we were commuting back and forth every six months. And then we decided to commit to it last year because our kids were going to go to school.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton</h2>
Actor Josh Hartnett, seen most recently in M. Night Shyamalan's<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJiPAJKjUVg"> &#8220;Trap&#8221;</a> has called the beatific English countryside home for the last several years, where he lives with his British wife, actor Tamsin Egerton. In 2024, he told the<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jul/28/i-didnt-want-to-be-swallowed-up-actor-josh-hartnett-on-swapping-hollywood-for-hampshire"> </a>Guardian, &#8220;I didn&#8217;t want to be swallowed up,&#8221; regarding his move from Hollywood to Hampshire.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Antonio Banderas</h2>
Spanish actor Antonio Banderas may not have been a Hollywood native but had called LA home for many decades while starring in a slew of blockbuster films such as &#8220;Interview with the Vampire&#8221; and &#8220;Evita.&#8221; However, five years ago, the actor decided to trade sun-soaked California for rain-soaked England – Cobham, Surrey, to be precise, where he moved with his partner, Dutch-German financial consultant Nicole Kimpel.
&#8220;I find Surrey completely magical,&#8221; the actor said in an interview with<a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/zorro-swaps-swashbuckling-for-surrey-banderas-my-stockbroker-belt-magic-m56wstw9p"> </a>The Sunday Times the year following his 2019 purchase. &#8220;I am not a party person anymore, so I have the space and peace to write and really get inside my own head – I am working on several of my own scripts.&#8221;&nbsp;
Banderas added, &#8220;I go cycling in the woods and everyone in Cobham, Weybridge and Esher is incredibly friendly. Above all, I am surrounded by nature. I love watching the deer and foxes that come to my garden.&#8221;
Clearly, the British weather got the best of him because, in 2021, Banderas put his Surrey mansion on the market and moved back to his home city of Malaga in coastal Spain, where, among other projects, he is very involved with the city&#8217;s Soho Theatre.
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Real Estate

These 11 Celebs Have Quietly Moved Out Of The U.S. To Regain Privacy and Political Stability

Despite a generally lackluster year in New York City real estate, the ultrarich sent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/09/40977423/44-of-luxury-homes-bought-with-cash-but-this-0-5-fed-rate-cut-could-raise-luxury-home-prices-by-110k">superluxury</a> sales soaring as high as the skyscrapers in which their new homes are housed.&nbsp;
Proving the saying "there's one rule for the rich and another for everyone else," more than $11 billion went into contract for luxury homes priced over $4 million, Bloomberg reported – an 8.5% increase from last year.&nbsp;
&#8220;In terms of the $10 million and above market, what I call the trophy market, it&#8217;s the second-biggest year ever,&#8221; broker Donna Olshan, who compiled a report of the city&#8217;s biggest sales in 2024, said. Specifically, at least 278 contracts were signed at prices of $10 million and above. Olshan added: &#8220;It&#8217;s looking like the same old; the rich get richer and everybody else doesn&#8217;t do as well.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Record Breaking Prices</h2>
Big spending has lifted luxury Manhattan pricing to new heights. The average asking price for condominiums within that exclusive category is now just over $3,000 a square foot, a record, Olshan said.
The story behind the staggering sales is hardly new. It adheres to the trusted adage "build it and they will come."&nbsp;
&#8220;Here&#8217;s the story,&#8221; Olshan explained. &#8220;That number was completely fueled by new-development sales. People want new. They want freedom of ownership they get with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/42232442/8-billion-deal-luxe-apartments-and-a-central-park-condo-the-property-portfolio-of-jersey-mikes-founder">condos</a>, they want new infrastructure, they want amenities and so that&#8217;s where they&#8217;re going.&#8221;
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=jeffbezos100"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $100.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Co-op Sales Are Flagging</h2>
By contrast, co-op sales in the city were down and town house sales stagnated. &#8220;One big problem is that the huge gap between condos and co-ops continues to grow,&#8221; Olshan continued, referring to the $4 million-plus category. &#8220;Condos outsold co-ops 879 to 265.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Biggest Deals Of The Year</h2>
Most of Manhattan&#8217;s biggest sales were condos, many in some of the city&#8217;s most celebrated new developments. Three, in fact, were in the same building.
500 W. 18th St. East Penthouse 26 – $47 million: Designed by envelope-pushing starchitect Bjarke Ingels, the penthouse is located in the West Tower of the One High Line development. The full-floor 7,000 square-foot apartment has six bedrooms and seven-and-a-half baths.
4 E. 79th St – $56 million: This is not a new condo but a mammoth 15,000-square-foot 22-room town house steps from Central Park. Old-school New York glamor with a priceless location, the 130-year-old home is rare, 35 feet wide and entirely renovated.
730 Fifth Ave., 24A – $61.6 million: Located in the coveted condo/hotel Aman in Midtown Manhattan, the buyer, Terence Chan, a private equity executive based in Hong Kong, went into contract six years ago before construction. The 6,300-square-foot apartment contains four bedrooms and five bathrooms.&nbsp;
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730 Fifth Ave., 23A – $64 million: What&#8217;s interesting about this 6,300-square-foot condo in the Aman is that the second sale was a flip. The first closed for $50.6 million – in March, likely a pre-construction price agreed years earlier – then sold again for $64 million.
138 W. 11th St.– $72.5 million: A new town house record, this 45-foot wide, 11,000 square foot home comprises two side-by-side homes combined into one. The Wall Street Journal reported that the seller was tied to Dexter Goei, former CEO of Altice USA, who purchased it for roughly $31 million in 2016.
520 Park Ave., Duplex Penthouse 63 – $79 million: One of the most famous luxury condo buildings in Manhattan is 520 Park Avenue, designed by famed architect <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42474776/stunning-robert-a-m-stern-designed-estate-on-georgias-saint-simons-island-to-auction-via-sothebys-co">Robert A.M. Stern</a>. This 8,310-square-foot duplex enjoys an expansive curving central staircase and five bedrooms. The original asking price was $100 million.
220 Central Park South, 18A &amp; 63 – $81.5 million: One sale for two units near the top of Central Park Tower. This unique arrangement included 15 rooms, seven bedrooms and 10 baths.
730 Fifth Ave., 26A – $135 million: The most expensive sale of the year (at the time of writing) was purchased in the Aman in an unfinished state by the building&#8217;s developer Vlad Doronin. No doubt he got a good deal for his investment.
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<li>The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/equitymultiple-yf"> Ascent Income Fund</a> from EquityMultiple targets stable income from senior commercial real estate debt positions and has a historical distribution yield of 12.1% backed by real assets.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/go/equitymultiple-yf"> Earn a 1% return boost on your first EquityMultiple investment when you sign up here (accredited investors only)</a>.</li>
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The Super Rich Go Crazy For New York's Luxury Real Estate As $11 Billion Changes Hands

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) listed six AI trends in a December blog post that it expects to shine in 2025. Here's a look at what one of the most influential AI hyperscalers sees in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735573/two-magnificent-7-giants-snubbed-in-dan-ives-top-10-tech-winners-for-the-ai-revolution-into-2025-but-palantir-salesforce-and-snowflake-made-the-cut">the year ahead</a>.
AI Models: Microsoft expects AI models to become <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/ai/6-ai-trends-youll-see-more-of-in-2025/">more capable</a> and more useful in 2025 and pointed to models with advanced reasoning capabilities, such as <a href="https://openai.com/index/introducing-openai-o1-preview/">OpenAI o1</a>. Microsoft said the models will continue to advance and will create new and more useful AI experiences in 2025.&nbsp;
AI Agents: The company listed AI-powered agents, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, as an example of AI becoming more useful with advancements in memory and reasoning in 2025.&nbsp;
"Think of agents as the apps of the AI era," says Charles Lamanna, Microsoft's corporate vice president of business and industry Copilot.&nbsp;
"Just as we use different apps for various tasks, agents will begin to transform every business process, revolutionizing the way we work and manage our organizations,"&nbsp; Lamanna added.&nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42743937/natural-gas-prices-spike-as-bone-chilling-arctic-blast-approaches">Natural Gas Prices Spike As &#8216;Bone-Chilling&#8217; Arctic Blast Approaches</a>
AI Companions: Microsoft also touted Copilot as an "AI companion" that will assist users in their daily lives. The company said Copilot will evolve over the coming year to allow users to be more connected and can simply prioritize tasks outside of the workplace.&nbsp;
Scientific Advancements: AI will also enable huge advancements in scientific research, Microsoft said. The company highlighted natural sciences, sustainable materials, drug discovery and human health as areas where AI has the potential to make breakthroughs in 2025.&nbsp;
Energy Efficiency: The AI giant sees a focus on improved energy efficiency in data centers becoming standardized across the industry in 2025. Microsoft reiterated its goal of becoming "a carbon negative, water positive, zero waste company by 2030."&nbsp;
"In 2025 and beyond we're going to increasingly have a holistic view of data centers, energy and resources, so that we can maximize the efficiency of our entire infrastructure," said Mark Russinovich, Azure's chief technology officer, deputy chief information security officer and technical fellow.&nbsp;
AI Safety: Microsoft also revealed that a focus on building AI safely will be an industry trend in 2025.&nbsp;
"One of the biggest developments this coming year can be summarized in two words: testing and customization," Microsoft's blog stated.&nbsp;
The company said it will continue to work to build safe AI applications by developing tough and comprehensive testing.&nbsp;
"Even as models get safer, we need to bring testing and measurement up to the worst of the worst threats that we see — testing that represents a sophisticated adversarial user and what they're able to do," said Sarah Bird, Microsoft's chief product officer of Responsible AI.
"We have the foundation, and we're going to continue to iterate on it moving forward."&nbsp;
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Photo: Shutterstock

Microsoft Highlights 6 AI Trends For 2025

Mark Cuban, the long-standing&nbsp;face of the Dallas Mavericks, has sold his&nbsp;majority stake in the franchise. The sale, which took place in late 2023, marks the end of Cuban&#8217;s 23-year tenure as the team&#8217;s majority owner.
What Happened: Cuban sold his majority stake for a staggering $3.5 billion. This significant move represents a new chapter for both the Mavericks and Cuban, who played a pivotal role in elevating the team from mediocrity to one of the most respected organizations in the NBA.
In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppxI5B-M_SI">video</a> interaction, Cuban cited new business ventures and family considerations as the primary reasons for the sale.
&#8220;In&nbsp;a social media world today,&nbsp;the critics of the ownership&nbsp;of any professional sports team&nbsp;can be brutal,&#8221; Cuban said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t&nbsp;want my kids potentially feeling&nbsp;the pressure to walk into&nbsp;my spot as owner and&nbsp;try to deal with that.&#8221;
The majority stake was purchased by Miriam Adelson, widow of late casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson, and her son-in-law, Patrick Dumont, who assumed the role of the team&#8217;s governor.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41703723/mark-cubans-million-dollar-advice-to-teens-if-i-were-16-again-id-start-this-lucrative-side-hustle">Mark Cuban&#8217;s Million-Dollar Advice To Teens: &#8216;If I Were 16 Again, I&#8217;d Start This Lucrative Side Hustle&#8217;</a>
Despite the sale, Cuban will retain&nbsp;a 27 percent stake and&nbsp;continue to oversee basketball operations,&nbsp;ensuring the team&#8217;s future remains closely linked to its Dallas roots.
Why It Matters: Under Cuban&#8217;s leadership, the Mavericks underwent a significant transformation, evolving from a struggling team to NBA champions in 2011.&nbsp;His passion for the game&nbsp;and investment in state-of-the-art facilities set a new standard for other franchises. 
&#8220;When&nbsp;I bought the Mavs, it&nbsp;wasn&#8217;t a financial investment,&#8221; Cuban said. &#8220;And honestly, selling it wasn&#8217;t&nbsp;something I was excited to&nbsp;do, but I thought it&nbsp;was the right time to&nbsp;do it. None of this&nbsp;was about economics; it was&nbsp;and is about matters of&nbsp;the heart.&#8221;
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Sports

Success Stories

Mark Cuban on Selling Dallas Mavericks Stake: 'I Didn't Want My Kids Feeling the Pressure of Walking Into My Spot'

VeriSign (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>), the largest internet stock held by Berkshire Hathaway, has been spotlighted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42714309/warren-buffetts-stock-market-advice-ignore-neighbors-whispers-on-stock-tips-focus-on-long-term-value">as a &#8220;top pick&#8221; for 2025 by Citi analysts</a>.
What Happened: In the closing days of 2024,&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway, under the leadership of&nbsp;Warren Buffett, augmented its stake in VeriSign. With a $2.7 billion stake, Berkshire Hathaway has emerged as the largest shareholder of VeriSign, boasting nearly 14% ownership.
VeriSign, established in 1995, offers&nbsp;domain registration and listing services&nbsp;and is a key player in operating internet infrastructure. It holds the exclusive&nbsp;registry for .com and .net&nbsp;domains and runs&nbsp;two of the 13 global&nbsp;internet root servers.
According to a report <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/warren-buffett-favorite-internet-stock-called-top-pick-berkshire-hathaway-2025-1?_gl=1&#x2A;1czjvp&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTg0NzY4ODM4Mi4xNjg2OTgyMzcy&#x2A;_ga_E21CV80ZCZ&#x2A;MTczNTk3OTk5OC43MDIuMS4xNzM1OTgwMTk4LjIzLjAuMA..">by</a> Business Insider, Citi analysts have projected a promising 2025 for VeriSign, setting a $238 price target, which indicates a potential upside of 16% from the current levels. In an optimistic scenario, Citi predicts the stock could escalate to $312, suggesting a potential upside of over 50%.
&#8220;We view Verisign as being one of the safer plays in Internet with a narrower range of outcomes given its almost utility-like nature as a domain registry, ability to pass on regular price increases that leads to a resiliant top-line, and best in class EBITDA margins, providing what we believe to be an attractive risk/reward for investors,&#8221; the Citi analyst told the outlet.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/stock-split/24/12/42716194/how-warren-buffett-decides-when-to-sell-a-stock-if-the-competitive-advantage-disappears-we-sell">How Warren Buffett Decides When To Sell a Stock: &#8216;If the Competitive Advantage Disappears&#8230;We Sell&#8217;</a>
VeriSign ranks among the top five&nbsp;most profitable companies in the&nbsp;S&amp;P 500, securing the fifth position for the highest profit margin and third for operating margin. Citi has expressed positivity regarding the&nbsp;recent month-over-month growth in .com&nbsp;domain registrations, which could signify year-over-year growth in 2025.
Despite&nbsp;a tough year, with the&nbsp;stock experiencing a mere 2% rise&nbsp;compared to a 23% gain&nbsp;for the S&amp;P 500, Citi maintains that VeriSign&#8217;s current valuation positions it as&nbsp;a top stock pick for&nbsp;2025.
Why It Matters: The endorsement from Citi comes as a significant development for VeriSign. 
The company&#8217;s performance and Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s increased stake in it underline its potential for growth. With the internet domain industry expected to expand, VeriSign&#8217;s exclusive rights to .com and .net domains could further bolster its position. 
The company&#8217;s high profitability and Citi&#8217;s optimistic projections make it a stock to watch in 2025.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42638957/warren-buffetts-timeless-advice-if-youre-gonna-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-you-shouldnt-own-a-stock-at-all" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Timeless Advice For Investing $10,000: ‘If You&#8217;re Gonna Do Dumb Things Because Your Your Stock Goes Down, You Shouldn't Own A Stock At All'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

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