SHL Telemedicine Ltd PGIM Laddered Fund of Buffer 20 ETF (BATS: PBFR)

Latest news for SHL Telemedicine Ltd PGIM Laddered Fund of Buffer 20 ETF (BATS:PBFR)

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by providing investors with U.S. large-cap equity market exposure through a laddered portfolio of twelve PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 20 ETFs (the Underlying ETFs), each of which attempt to limit downside risk. The Underlying ETFs seek to provide investors with limited protection against a decline in the U.S. large-cap equity market, with an upside cap on capital appreciation in that market, over a specific period

PGIM Laddered Fund of Buffer 20 ETF

SHL Telemedicine Ltd PGIM Laddered Fund of Buffer 20 ETF

Here's how we look at 2025 priorities:
<ul>
<li>First, we're laser focused on moving ahead with the potential acquisition anchored by the LOI. The next step is a definitive agreement to acquire that business.</li>
<li>We'll continue to market, distribute, install and sell both CLMBR and FORME to businesses and consumers worldwide continuing on the path we have demonstrated in Q3 and guided in Q4</li>
<li>We also expect to further strengthen our balance sheet to reinforce our ability to execute scaled M&amp;A more opportunistically.</li>
<li>We are already discussing additional, scaled acquisitions beyond the announced LOI, and will continue to identify and conduct due diligence on such opportunities.
<ul>
<li>We'll also continue to ramp up and improve our direct communications with all of our shareholders – everyone should sign up for direct emails from us; contact us; and visit not just our news page, but also <a href="https://interactivestrength.com/insights/">our new Insights page</a> – where we'll offer commentary on both TRNR and our markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

News

Guidance

TRNR

Interactive Strength Shares 2025 Priorities, To Focus On Potential Acquisition, CLMBR And FORME Global Marketing Continuation, Balance Sheet Strengthening For Scaled M&A, Additional Acquisition Discussions Beyond LOI

In the current market session, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) stock price is at $254.02, after a 0.18% drop. However, over the past month, the company's stock spiked by 8.07%, and in the past year, by 31.58%. Shareholders might be interested in knowing whether the stock is overvalued, even if the company is not performing up to par in the current session. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734984018_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Apple P/E Compared to Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
Apple has a better P/E ratio of 41.86 than the aggregate P/E ratio of 34.77 of the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry. Ideally, one might believe that Apple Inc. might perform better in the future than it's industry group, but it's probable that the stock is overvalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734984018_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

Markets

AAPL

A Look Into Apple Inc's Price Over Earnings

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) shares are trading higher Monday. The upward momentum in the stock comes after the FDA approved the company&#8217;s Zepbound, a weight loss drug designed to treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42637278/eli-lillys-zepbound-receives-fda-approval-for-obesity-linked-sleep-apnea-drug">in adults with obesity.</a>
What To Know: After the market close on Friday, Eli Lilly announced FDA approval of Zepbound (tirzepatide) as the first prescription medicine for adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.
Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect 50 million to 80 million people in the U.S., with an estimated 20 million suffering from moderate-to-severe forms. Clinical trials demonstrated the drug's efficacy, with nearly half of patients on the highest dose showing significant improvement in their apnea-hypopnea index, a primary diagnostic metric.
&#8220;Today, many cases of OSA go undiagnosed and untreated, leaving millions at risk for serious health consequences,&#8221; said Patrik Jonsson, executive vice president, and president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health and Lilly USA. &#8220;Zepbound is the first medication that significantly improves moderate-to-severe OSA and aids in long-term weight loss in adults with obesity.&#8221;
The approval is expected to impact insurance coverage for Zepbound, potentially expanding Medicare benefits for obesity-related treatments. In addition to improved obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, adults on Zepbound lost an average of 45 lbs (18%) of their body weight in Phase 3 trials.
The approval also positions Eli Lilly ahead of competitors like Novo Nordisk, whose Wegovy lacks approval for sleep apnea. The company's ongoing $3 billion investment in manufacturing capacity underscores its focus on meeting demand for its diabetes and obesity treatments.
Eli Lilly reported third-quarter revenue of $11.44 billion in October, reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase. Zepbound accounted for approximately $1.26 billion in total revenue during the quarter.
LLY Price Action: Eli Lilly shares were up 3.11% at $791.63 at the time of writing, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://benzinga.slack.com/archives/D072651PB4K/p1733167806337199"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="527" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23132849/tydh-1024x527.png" alt="" class="wp-image-704740" style="width:610px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23132849/tydh-1024x527.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23132849/tydh-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23132849/tydh-768x396.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23132849/tydh.png 1161w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42656283/pfizers-progress-on-c-diff-vaccine-and-pneumococcal-shot-wins-analyst-conviction">Pfizer&#8217;s Progress on C. diff Vaccine and Pneumococcal Shot Wins Analyst Conviction</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock.

Movers

Eli Lilly Stock Is Rising Monday: What's Going On?

Trading Ideas

CHEK

Check-Cap Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Up 386.4%

The semiconductor sector has had an electrifying run in recent years, but 2024 proved to be more selective. While some chipmakers soared to triple-digit gains, others <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/chipmakers">struggled to stay afloat. </a>
As traders look forward to2025, a fresh question emerges: Should you chase the winners, pick the laggards, or focus on undervalued opportunities with high analyst backing?
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NYSE">SOXX</a>) delivered a 15.2% year-to-date gain as of Dec. 23, cooling off after a massive 65% surge in 2023. Within the group, performance varied wildly:
<ul>
<li>Top Performers: Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) rose 180%, while Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) gained 109%.</li>
<li>Biggest Laggards: Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) sank 60%, Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHP#NASDAQ">MCHP</a>) fell 36%, and ON Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ON#NASDAQ">ON</a>) dropped 20%.</li>
</ul>
The key takeaway? The semiconductor market is far from homogenous, with companies diverging sharply based on their ability to capitalize on emerging trends like AI.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">5 Chip Stocks Analysts Are Betting On for 2025</h3>
Rather than chasing laggards or jumping on already overheated names, traders might want to focus on undervalued semiconductor stocks that align with analysts' bullish forecasts. 
Here are five potential winners for 2025:
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5. Applied Materials (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Median Price Target (upside vs. current market price) : 32.02%</li>
<li>2024 YTD Performance: +3.29%</li>
<li>2023 Total Return: 67.97%</li>
<li>Market Cap: $136.21 billion</li>
<li>P/E Ratio (Next 12 Months): 17.7x</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">4. Monolithic Power Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPWR#NASDAQ">MPWR</a>)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Median Price Target (upside vs. current market price): 33.08%</li>
<li>2024 YTD Performance: -2.20%</li>
<li>2023 Total Return: 79.78%</li>
<li>Market Cap: $30.09 billion</li>
<li>P/E Ratio (Next 12 Months): 38.6x</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Micron Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Median Price Target (upside vs. current market price): 43.12%</li>
<li>2024 YTD Performance: +4.80%</li>
<li>2023 Total Return: 71.93%</li>
<li>Market Cap: $99.64 billion</li>
<li>P/E Ratio (Next 12 Months): 11.4x</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. </h4>
<ul>
<li>Median Price Target (upside vs. current market price): 45.83%</li>
<li>2024 YTD Performance: -15.34%</li>
<li>2023 Total Return: 127.59%</li>
<li>Market Cap: $202.53 billion</li>
<li>P/E Ratio (Next 12 Months): 27.7x</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. Microchip Technology</h4>
<ul>
<li>Median Price Target (upside vs. current market price): 49.26%</li>
<li>2024 YTD Performance: -36.11%</li>
<li>2023 Total Return: 30.90%</li>
<li>Market Cap: $30.94 billion</li>
<li>P/E Ratio (Next 12 Months): 34.9x</li>
</ul>
Now Read: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42657620/amd-and-micron-top-analyst-picks-for-ai-and-next-gen-tech-growth">AMD and Micron Are Top Analyst Picks for AI and Next-Gen Tech Growth</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Equities

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Sector ETFs

Economics

Tech

ETFs

AMAT

AVGO

INTC

MCHP

MPWR

NVDA

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

5 Semiconductor Stocks Wall Street Analysts Predict Could Soar In 2025

Video games and video game consoles have remained popular gift ideas for the Christmas holiday for many years, with the holiday helping to provide a boost to the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming"> overall gaming sector.</a>
Here's a look at whether parents and loved ones would have been better off buying a video game or stock in leading video game retailer GameStop Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) last Christmas and over the last five Christmas holidays.
What Happened: GameStop is one of the most popular retail destinations for people looking for video game gifts during the holidays. The company has also had one of the most popular stocks in recent years thanks to a historic short squeeze in 2021 and the notoriety of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/01/30412695/gamestop-short-squeeze-anniversary-a-look-back-at-david-vs-goliath-battle-and-whats-next">being a meme stock.</a>
A visit to GameStop around the holidays would find many new release games carrying a $69.99 retail price.
While children likely prefer an item like a video game that carries the instant gratification of being able to play it on Christmas Day and in the subsequent days, there are other gifts that might hold their value longer.
Video games often lose value over time as new versions of sports games come out or sequels to video game franchises. The release of new consoles over time often diminishes the value of older video games as well.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-give-stock-as-a-gift">Another gift idea</a> is giving the stock of public companies, but most kids or younger relatives might not understand the value of an investment and potential gains over the years.
Here's a look at the comparison between buying a video game versus buying stock.
Read Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/12/42425015/gamestop-q3-earnings-revenue-miss-4b-cash-no-more-offerings-planned-in-fiscal-year"> GameStop Q3 Earnings: Revenue Miss, $4B+ Cash, No More Offerings Planned In Fiscal Year</a>
 Stock Instead of Game: While many kids would have been happy with the latest video game last Christmas, it turns out they might be wishing that they got GameStop stock instead.
A new video game cost $69.99 last Christmas, while GameStop stock traded at a high of $17.20 on Dec. 22 last year, the last trading day before Christmas.
The same $69.99 used for a video game could have bought 4.07 GME shares. Based on a price of $30.80 at the time of writing, the GameStop shares would be worth $125.36 today, up 79.1%.
While the GameStop stock rose in value, chances are the $69.99 video game is now worth less than half of its original value due to being opened, used, and somewhat outdated.
Going back to past years, here's a look at how the same $69.99 invested in GameStop stock would have performed.
<ul>
<li>2019: Price on Dec. 23 $1.52, 46.05 shares with $69.99 investment, $1,418.34 today, +1,926.5%</li>
<li>2020: Price on Dec. 23 $5.59, 12.52 shares with $69.99 investment, $385.62 today, +451.0%</li>
<li>2021: Price on Dec. 23 $38.75, 1.81 shares with $69.99 investment, $55.75 today, -20.3%</li>
<li>2022: Price on Dec. 23 $20.62, 3.39 shares with $69.99 investment, $104.41 today, +34.4%</li>
</ul>
Add in the 2023 investment and over the past five Christmas shopping seasons, the investment would look like this:
<ul>
<li>$349.95 invested in GameStop instead of video games = $2,089.48 today, +497.1%</li>
</ul>
It's hard to predict if GameStop stock will trade higher in 2025 and if investing in the stock this Christmas will perform better than a video game. With a price of $30.80 today, the $69.99 investment used for stock instead of video games could buy 2.27 GME shares.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42349100/gamestop-rockets-as-roaring-kitty-returns-to-x-what-does-his-tweet-signal-ahead-of-q3-earnings">GameStop Rockets As Roaring Kitty Returns To X: What Does His Tweet Signal Ahead Of Q3 Earnings?</a></li>
</ul>
This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.
Photo: Shutterstock

Gaming

Education

Better Christmas Gift: GameStop Stock Or Latest Video Game?

Check-Cap Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Up 332.2%

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Agnico Eagle Mines.
Looking at options history for Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEM#NYSE">AEM</a>) we detected 8 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 25% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 50% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $192,460 and 5, calls, for a total amount of $149,604.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $75.0 to $90.0 for Agnico Eagle Mines during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Agnico Eagle Mines options trades today is 721.5 with a total volume of 1,016.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Agnico Eagle Mines's big money trades within a strike price range of $75.0 to $90.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Agnico Eagle Mines 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734983128_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>AEM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$14.8</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$126.0K</td>
<td align="right">129</td>
<td align="right">85</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AEM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$2.6</td>
<td>$2.5</td>
<td>$2.55</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$38.2K</td>
<td align="right">883</td>
<td align="right">235</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AEM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.28</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$32.8K</td>
<td align="right">576</td>
<td align="right">199</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AEM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.22</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$32.4K</td>
<td align="right">576</td>
<td align="right">280</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AEM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$5.2</td>
<td>$4.9</td>
<td>$5.01</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td align="right">875</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Agnico Eagle Mines</h3>
Agnico Eagle is a gold miner with mines in Canada, Mexico, Finland, and Australia. Agnico operated just one mine, LaRonde, as recently as 2008 before bringing its other mines online in rapid succession in the following years. It merged with Kirkland Lake Gold in 2022, acquiring the Detour Lake and Macassa mines in Canada along with the high-grade, low-cost Fosterville mine in Australia. It produced more than 3.4 million gold ounces in 2023 and had about 15 years of gold reserves at end 2023. Agnico Eagle is focused on increasing gold production in lower-risk jurisdictions and bought the remaining 50% of its Canadian Malartic mine along with the Wasamac project and other assets from Yamana Gold in 2023.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Agnico Eagle Mines, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Present Market Standing of Agnico Eagle Mines</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 1,279,367, the AEM's price is up by 0.61%, now at $78.64. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 52 days.</li>
</ul>
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Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
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Options

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Agnico Eagle Mines

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on 3M.
Looking at options history for 3M (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MMM#NYSE">MMM</a>) we detected 11 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 27% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 45% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $71,510 and 9, calls, for a total amount of $2,033,285.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $100.0 to $175.0 for 3M during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for 3M's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of 3M's whale activity within a strike price range from $100.0 to $175.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>3M 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734983122_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MMM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/21/25</td>
<td>$31.3</td>
<td>$29.85</td>
<td>$29.9</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$741.5K</td>
<td align="right">27</td>
<td>248</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MMM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$29.7</td>
<td>$29.2</td>
<td>$29.2</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$432.1K</td>
<td align="right">582</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MMM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$29.4</td>
<td>$29.0</td>
<td>$29.0</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$287.1K</td>
<td align="right">582</td>
<td>248</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MMM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$35.3</td>
<td>$34.05</td>
<td>$34.65</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$263.3K</td>
<td align="right">68</td>
<td>100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MMM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$0.27</td>
<td>$0.21</td>
<td>$0.24</td>
<td>$141.00</td>
<td>$102.4K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td>8.4K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About 3M</h3>
3M, a multinational conglomerate founded in 1902, sells tens of thousands of products ranging from sponges to respirators. The firm is well known for its extensive research and development capabilities, and it is a pioneer in inventing new use cases for its proprietary technologies. 3M is organized across three business segments: safety and industrial (representing around 44% of revenue), transportation and electronics (36%), and consumer (20%). The firm recently spun off its healthcare business, now known as Solventum. Nearly half of 3M's revenue comes from outside the Americas.
Having examined the options trading patterns of 3M, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is 3M Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,139,548, the price of MMM is down -0.45% at $128.7. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 29 days.</li>
</ul>
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
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Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in 3M

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Monolithic Power Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPWR#NASDAQ">MPWR</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in MPWR usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 14 extraordinary options activities for Monolithic Power Systems. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 42% leaning bullish and 21% bearish. Among these notable options, 8 are puts, totaling $879,810, and 6 are calls, amounting to $591,900.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $520.0 to $640.0 for Monolithic Power Systems during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Monolithic Power Systems's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Monolithic Power Systems's significant trades, within a strike price range of $520.0 to $640.0, over the past month.
<h3>Monolithic Power Systems 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734983118_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MPWR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$57.6</td>
<td>$53.0</td>
<td>$55.54</td>
<td>$640.00</td>
<td>$277.7K</td>
<td align="right">155</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MPWR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$32.6</td>
<td>$30.6</td>
<td>$30.8</td>
<td>$560.00</td>
<td>$166.3K</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MPWR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$19.9</td>
<td>$18.4</td>
<td>$18.4</td>
<td>$520.00</td>
<td>$149.0K</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MPWR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$30.0</td>
<td>$28.0</td>
<td>$29.22</td>
<td>$610.00</td>
<td>$146.1K</td>
<td align="right">361</td>
<td align="right">54</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MPWR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$19.7</td>
<td>$18.3</td>
<td>$18.3</td>
<td>$520.00</td>
<td>$135.4K</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">189</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Monolithic Power Systems</h3>
Monolithic Power Systems is an analog and mixed-signal chipmaker, specializing in power management solutions. The firm's mission is to reduce total energy consumption in end systems, and it serves the computing, automotive, industrial, communications, and consumer end markets. MPS uses a fabless manufacturing model, partnering with third-party chip foundries to host its proprietary BCD process technology.
In light of the recent options history for Monolithic Power Systems, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Monolithic Power Systems</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 308,419, the price of MPWR is up 3.95% at $616.65. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 44 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Monolithic Power Systems</h3>
Over the past month, 1 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $700.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Citigroup downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $700. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Monolithic Power Systems options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Monolithic Power Systems Unusual Options Activity

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) shares are trading lower on Monday. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against the company and Branch Messenger over concerns regarding junk fees. Here&#8217;s what <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42656254/tech-stocks-eye-christmas-gains-microstrategy-tumbles-as-bitcoin-dips-to-93000-whats-driving-markets-monday">you need to know</a>.
The Details: The CFPB has <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-sues-walmart-and-branch-messenger-for-illegally-opening-deposit-accounts-for-more-than-one-million-delivery-drivers/#:~:text=WASHINTON%2C%20D.C.%20%E2%80%93%20Today%2C%20the,they%20could%20access%20their%20earnings">alleged</a> that Walmart and Branch Messenger forced drivers to open deposit accounts filled with junk fees. The regulator sued Walmart and Branch Messenger on Monday for requiring drivers to use costly deposit accounts to get paid and deceiving drivers about how they could access earnings.
The suit claims that Walmart opened accounts for &#8220;last mile&#8221; drivers in its Spark Driver program and told workers that they would be fired if they did not use the specific accounts. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that Walmart misled drivers about the availability of same-day access to earnings. 
"Walmart made false promises, illegally opened accounts, and took advantage of more than a million delivery drivers," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. "Companies cannot force workers into getting paid through accounts that drain their earnings with junk fees."
Benzinga has reached out to Walmart for comment.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/24/12/42655698/assessing-winnebago-industries-insights-from-6-financial-analysts">Assessing Winnebago Industries: Insights From 6 Financial Analysts</a>
The lawsuit claims that drivers were forced to navigate a complicated process to access their funds, and then encountered additional delays or fees when they opted to transfer the money to an account of their choice.
The government oversight agency stated that Spark Drivers paid over $10 million in junk fees to Branch Messenger in order to instantly transfer their earnings to a different account. 
The CFPB also claimed that Branch engaged in other illegal practices including failing to investigate errors, honor stop payment requests, maintain records and provide required disclosures.
According to Reuters, Branch Messenger representatives rejected the claims and accused the CFPB of &#8220;rushing&#8221; to file a lawsuit in an attempt to gain media traction. 
&#8220;Branch stands behind its model and services and we will defend this action vigorously,&#8221; the company reportedly said. 
WMT Price Action: At the time of writing, Walmart stock was down 2.01% at $90.39, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image via Shutterstock.

Legal

What's Going On With Walmart Stock Monday?

Check-Cap Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Up 272.9%

Check-Cap Shares Resumed Trade

Analyst Ratings

LOAR

SRAD

Watching Loar Holdings, Sportradar Group; Shares Spike Higher Amid CNBC Mentions Of The Stocks Under Segment Titled "Small Cap Strategy In 2025"

Rosenblatt analyst Steve Frankel maintained a Buy rating on Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target of $811</a>.
The stock is currently featured among the best ideas for the first half of 2025, reflecting key themes across Rosenblatt&#8217;s research universe.
Meta is in the midst of an impressive and durable artificial intelligence-driven growth renaissance, he says.
Revenues rose 22% in the first nine months of 2024 after growing 16% in 2023 and dipping 1% in 2022.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42560942/instagrams-ad-revenue-could-hit-32-billion-by-2025-driving-metas-growth-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram&#8217;s Ad Revenue Could Hit $32 Billion by 2025, Driving Meta&#8217;s Growth: Report</a>
The growth is principally advertising, which accounts for 98% of sales, and AI-driven. AI is driving up daily usage on Facebook and Instagram, bolstering reel traction and improving ad efficiency.
Meta uses AI to adjust ad loads better, improve action sequences tied to targeting and executing ads, and help advertisers create and manage campaigns, Rosenblatt explained.
Ad revenue rose 19% in the third quarter of 2024, only 300 bps slower than the 22% growth of the second quarter of 2024, despite an 11.5 percentage point stiffer comparison.
From here, comparisons are steadier, suggesting recent traction can continue.
Frankel estimates 19% revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, within the 12% to 20% guidance. We sustain that growth estimate into 2025.
With this revenue growth, Meta has room to absorb more investment.
The analyst assumes capex would increase 20% in 2025 to $46.6 billion, nearly flat as a percentage of sales. Hea also expects expense growth of 14% in 2025, accelerating from an 11% rise in 2024, and has adjusted EBITDA margins rising 110 bps to 62.6%.
Meta has nearly 3.3 billion people using its family of services daily. Its revenue growth affords more AI investment growth than others, a backdrop allowing AI-driven marketing services to improve more than others. With its business primarily performance marketing, a better marketing mousetrap supports share gains, the analyst says.
One risk is global trade volatility. Out-of-region revenue (mainly China and Asia marketers buying ads in the US) was 7% of Meta ad revenue in 2023 and dropped to 5% in the third quarter of 2024.
One could imagine a trade war generating disruption once President-elect Trump officially takes office. However, it is not clear that Trump wants that. He may be threatening tariffs to seek concessions. In a trade war, Chinese and Asian marketers like Temu and Shein could also react by sourcing more locally, supporting continued marketing.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meta And TikTok</h2>
TikTok could be a hedge.
If the Supreme Court allows the law requiring a TikTok sale or ban to stand, then TikTok&#8217;s fate would rest in Trump&#8217;s hands, and he would have the ability to interpret and enforce legislation or push for new legislation.
His recent statements of support for TikTok suggest that he believes trade concessions from China could be won in return for keeping the app.
Alternatively, a whole-out trade war could result in Trump allowing a TikTok ban to come into effect.
Price Action: META stock is up 2.55% at $600.15 at last check Monday.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42560428/consumer-finance-watchdog-cracks-down-on-credit-card-sneaky-fees-and-false-promises" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Consumer Finance Watchdog Cracks Down on Credit Card Sneaky Fees and False Promises</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Social Media

Price Target

Reiteration

Meta User Base, AI-Powered Ad Growth Drive Analyst Optimism

AMPS

Altus Power Shares Resume Trade

Check-Cap Shares Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Up 223.7%

Looking into the current session, LendingClub Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LC#NYSE">LC</a>) shares are trading at $16.15, after a 1.88% decrease. Over the past month, the stock decreased by 1.16%, but over the past year, it actually increased by 81.26%. With questionable short-term performance like this, and great long-term performance, long-term shareholders might want to start looking into the company's price-to-earnings ratio. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734982208_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Comparing LendingClub P/E Against Its Peers</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
LendingClub has a better P/E ratio of 35.78 than the aggregate P/E ratio of 34.53 of the Consumer Finance industry. Ideally, one might believe that LendingClub Inc. might perform better in the future than it's industry group, but it's probable that the stock is overvalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734982208_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In conclusion, the price-to-earnings ratio is a useful metric for analyzing a company's market performance, but it has its limitations. While a lower P/E can indicate that a company is undervalued, it can also suggest that shareholders do not expect future growth. Additionally, the P/E ratio should not be used in isolation, as other factors such as industry trends and business cycles can also impact a company's stock price. Therefore, investors should use the P/E ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and qualitative analysis to make informed investment decisions.

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