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The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by allocating its assets generally among the components of the S&P 500 Dynamic VEQTOR Index (the Benchmark). The Benchmark is composed of up to three types of components: (i) an equity component, represented by the S&P 500 Index; (ii) a volatility hedge component, represented by the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index (VIX Futures Index); and (iii) cash.

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OCC Restates Prior Financials Due To GAAP Reclassification Of Revolver Balance As Current Liability

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Microsoft.
Looking at options history for Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) we detected 47 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 42% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 38% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 14 are puts, for a total amount of $1,088,476 and 33, calls, for a total amount of $2,506,458.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $110.0 to $490.0 for Microsoft over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Microsoft'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 Microsoft's whale trades within a strike price range from $110.0 to $490.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Microsoft Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734971448_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>MSFT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$78.2</td>
<td>$77.0</td>
<td>$78.2</td>
<td>$440.00</td>
<td>$484.8K</td>
<td align="right">669</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$325.0</td>
<td>$324.2</td>
<td>$324.58</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$324.5K</td>
<td align="right">191</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$41.65</td>
<td>$41.05</td>
<td>$41.26</td>
<td>$440.00</td>
<td>$259.9K</td>
<td align="right">660</td>
<td align="right">87</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$78.05</td>
<td>$77.1</td>
<td>$78.05</td>
<td>$440.00</td>
<td>$257.5K</td>
<td align="right">669</td>
<td align="right">158</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$12.25</td>
<td>$12.15</td>
<td>$12.25</td>
<td>$445.00</td>
<td>$245.0K</td>
<td align="right">490</td>
<td align="right">531</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Microsoft</h3>
Microsoft develops and licenses consumer and enterprise software. It is known for its Windows operating systems and Office productivity suite. The company is organized into three equally sized broad segments: productivity and business processes (legacy Microsoft Office, cloud-based Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype, LinkedIn, Dynamics), intelligence cloud (infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service offerings Azure, Windows Server OS, SQL Server), and more personal computing (Windows Client, Xbox, Bing search, display advertising, and Surface laptops, tablets, and desktops).
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Microsoft, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Microsoft's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,505,627, the price of MSFT is down by -0.65%, reaching $433.76.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 36 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Microsoft</h3>
Over the past month, 4 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $525.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Stifel persists with their Buy rating on Microsoft, maintaining a target price of $515. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS persists with their Buy rating on Microsoft, maintaining a target price of $525. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Loop Capital keeps a Buy rating on Microsoft with a target price of $550. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Mizuho continues to hold a Outperform rating for Microsoft, targeting a price of $510. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Microsoft with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

MSFT

A Closer Look at Microsoft's Options Market Dynamics

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Netflix. Our analysis of options history for Netflix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) revealed 45 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 44% of traders were bullish, while 35% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 15 were puts, with a value of $706,031, and 30 were calls, valued at $4,090,636.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $5.0 and $1200.0 for Netflix, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Netflix options trades today is 291.21 with a total volume of 2,826.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Netflix's big money trades within a strike price range of $5.0 to $1200.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Netflix Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734971442_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NFLX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$135.35</td>
<td>$134.0</td>
<td>$135.0</td>
<td>$800.00</td>
<td>$1.3M</td>
<td>705</td>
<td align="right">107</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NFLX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$898.75</td>
<td>$897.15</td>
<td>$897.72</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$897.9K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NFLX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$111.4</td>
<td>$111.15</td>
<td>$111.15</td>
<td>$940.00</td>
<td>$155.6K</td>
<td>89</td>
<td align="right">14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NFLX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/31/25</td>
<td>$142.0</td>
<td>$139.65</td>
<td>$142.0</td>
<td>$775.00</td>
<td>$142.0K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NFLX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$28.3</td>
<td>$27.85</td>
<td>$28.3</td>
<td>$650.00</td>
<td>$141.5K</td>
<td>208</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Netflix</h3>
Netflix's relatively simple business model involves only one business, its streaming service. It has the biggest television entertainment subscriber base in both the United States and the collective international market, with more than 280 million subscribers globally. Netflix has exposure to nearly the entire global population outside of China. The firm has traditionally avoided live programming or sports content, instead focusing on on-demand access to episodic television, movies, and documentaries. The firm recently began introducing ad-supported subscription plans, giving the firm exposure to the advertising market in addition to the subscription fees that have historically accounted for nearly all its revenue.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Netflix, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Netflix Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 563,510, the NFLX's price is down by -0.42%, now at $905.19. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 29 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Netflix</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $978.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from UBS keeps a Buy rating on Netflix with a target price of $1040. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Canaccord Genuity has decided to maintain their Hold rating on Netflix, which currently sits at a price target of $940. 
&#x2A; An analyst from JP Morgan has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Netflix, which currently sits at a price target of $1010. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group keeps a Outperform rating on Netflix with a target price of $950. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Loop Capital lowers its rating to Hold with a new price target of $950.
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Netflix with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

NFLX

Netflix's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on IREN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IREN#NASDAQ">IREN</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the positions showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with IREN, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 23 options trades for IREN.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 43% bullish and 56%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $48,960, and 22, calls, for a total amount of $2,504,110.
<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 $9.0 to $30.0 for IREN during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for IREN options trades today is 5805.15 with a total volume of 68,544.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for IREN's big money trades within a strike price range of $9.0 to $30.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>IREN Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734971436_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>IREN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.7</td>
<td>$1.6</td>
<td>$1.7</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
<td>$566.6K</td>
<td>10.2K</td>
<td>3.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IREN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$1.7</td>
<td>$1.75</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
<td>$291.3K</td>
<td>10.2K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IREN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$4.8</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$4.75</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$201.8K</td>
<td>28.2K</td>
<td>441</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IREN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.75</td>
<td>$1.65</td>
<td>$1.75</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
<td>$174.3K</td>
<td>10.2K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IREN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$1.7</td>
<td>$1.75</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
<td>$153.3K</td>
<td>10.2K</td>
<td>8.8K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About IREN</h3>
IREN Ltd is engaged in data center business powering the future of Bitcoin, AI and beyond utilizing renewable energy.
Having examined the options trading patterns of IREN, 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 IREN</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 6,213,149, the IREN's price is down by -1.19%, now at $11.67. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 52 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About IREN</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $18.0.
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; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from HC Wainwright &amp; Co. keeps a Buy rating on IREN with a target price of $16. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald continues to hold a Overweight rating for IREN, targeting a price of $23. 
&#x2A; An analyst from JP Morgan downgraded its action to Neutral with a price target of $15. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Macquarie continues to hold a Outperform rating for IREN, targeting a price of $19. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Canaccord Genuity keeps a Buy rating on IREN with a target price of $17. 
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 IREN options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

IREN

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With IREN

Warren Buffett Says He'd Be ‘Very Happy' To Have This One Word On His Tombstone Describing Him – And It's Not Related To Family Or Investing
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42558080/warren-buffett-says-the-poorest-2-of-earners-live-better-than-john-d-rockefeller-richest-man-in-the-world-people-have-more-money-now">Warren Buffett</a>, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, isn't just about stocks and dollar signs. In fact, if you asked him how he'd like to be remembered, his answer might surprise you.&nbsp;
According to a 2017 CNBC article, Buffett said in a Forbes 100th anniversary magazine issue he'd be "very happy" if just one word appeared on his tombstone: Teacher. That's it. Not "Billionaire," not "Investor," not even "Philanthropist." Just Teacher.
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This sentiment gets to the heart of who Buffett really is. Sure, he's built one of the largest fortunes in history, but he's spent just as much time sharing what he knows with others. Whether he's writing his iconic shareholder letters, giving candid interviews or mentoring young investors, Buffett's always been more about giving wisdom than hoarding secrets.
According to the article, Buffett credits much of his success to the people who taught him – and it's a pretty remarkable list.&nbsp;
His father, Howard H. Buffett, wasn't just the one who introduced him to investing – he was also the source of some of the best advice Buffett ever received: "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 20 minutes to lose it. If you remember that, you'll do things differently." Howard's influence ran deep in Buffett's life. In fact, Buffett credits him with being the reason he even attended college. As he told Forbes, "If he'd been a shoe salesperson, I might be a shoe salesperson now."
See Also: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a>
Then there's Benjamin Graham, the so-called "Father of Value Investing," whose book The Intelligent Investor Buffett read at age 19 and calls life-changing.&nbsp;
And of course, there was his late wife, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39963533/warren-buffett-says-the-most-important-decision-of-your-life-is-who-you-marry-his-biggest-mistak">Susan Buffett</a>, who he says taught him how to open up emotionally and connect with the world. He often credits Susan as the driving force behind his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/41866296/with-warren-buffett-donating-99-of-his-fortune-whats-left-for-his-three-children-well-its-complicated">philanthropic efforts</a>.&nbsp;
But for Buffett, teaching isn't just about business. He's often talked about living by your "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/01/36680376/warren-buffetts-first-wife-said-she-believed-he-viewed-accumulating-wealth-as-a-scorecard-of-success">inner scorecard</a>" – doing what's right and meaningful, regardless of what others think. "The true measure of wealth is how many people love you," he's said, adding that honesty and treating people well have been more valuable to his success than any financial strategy.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
It's this philosophy that defines Buffett's legacy. His annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are famous for their investing advice and the life lessons they offer. He also strongly believes in philanthropy, pledging to give away the bulk of his wealth and inspiring others to do the same. As co-director of the HBO documentary Becoming Warren Buffett, Peter Kunhardt put it: "Warren believes that honesty has paid off much more than being sleazy or dishonest ever could."
So, when Buffett says he wants to be remembered as a teacher, it's not just about passing on investing tips. It's about making a lasting impact, shaping people&#8217;s thinking and improving the world – one lesson at a time.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li>Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Warren Buffett Says He'd Be 'Very Happy' To Have This One Word On His Tombstone Describing Him – And It's Not Related To Investing

Encompass Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EHC#NYSE">EHC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 1.04% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.72%. Currently, Encompass Health has a market capitalization of $9.67 billion. 
Buying $100 In EHC: If an investor had bought $100 of EHC stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $590.16 today based on a price of $96.00 for EHC at the time of writing.
<h3>Encompass Health's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734971411_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In Encompass Health 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Mike Ippolito of Blockworks sees a resurging Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), an evolution for Solana&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) and the expanding role of stablecoins and AI as key trends in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42638493/crypto-analyst-2025-will-continue-to-be-a-great-year-for-bitcoin">crypto in 2025</a>.
What Happened: In a <a href="https://x.com/MikeIppolito_/status/1870938950396731667">thread</a> on X on Sunday, Ippolito said he believes the U.S. will dominate the global crypto scene, with domestic conferences surpassing Asian counterparts in size and influence. 
He further predicted Ethereum dissenters to diminish, boosting sentiment and price recovery. 
Efforts to scale Ethereum's Layer-1 will remain minimal and stablecoins will outnumber Ethereum 2:1 on Layer-2 solutions, with valuations exceeding $450 billion.
Solana's cycle will continue, but inflation concerns will prompt changes to its issuance policy, while AI-focused tokens and use cases will gain momentum despite early challenges. 
Crypto VC funding is projected to reach $20–$25 billion, with multiple raises exceeding $50–$100 million.
Layer-1 blockchains like Sui (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">SUI</a>) and Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE) will be the fastest-growing chains, according to Ippolito, and by year-end, Robinhood will rival Coinbase as the top U.S. crypto exchange.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42638493/crypto-analyst-2025-will-continue-to-be-a-great-year-for-bitcoin">Crypto Analyst: &#8216;2025 Will Continue To Be a Great Year for Bitcoin&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Santiment data <a href="https://x.com/santimentfeed/status/1870993979782963500">shows</a> an increase in cryptocurrency holders for the top coins: Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) saw a 27% spike, while Ethereum posted a 47% increase. 
Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>) and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) registered a 66% and 28% surge, respectively.
In another post, the data firm showed a sharp sentiment shift from bullish to bearish, with altcoin market caps declining and attention returning to Bitcoin. 
This crowd-driven fear may create opportunities for patient traders to capitalize on market pessimism.
<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">&#x1f631; The crypto majority has flipped their moods from bullish to bearish in an alarming fashion these past 2 weeks. As market caps have corrected (particularly altcoins), there is far less interest in meme coins and far more interest back on Bitcoin. This crowd FUD is a healthy… <a href="https://t.co/9ByahlY7MZ">pic.twitter.com/9ByahlY7MZ</a>
&mdash; Santiment (@santimentfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed/status/1871091109063020911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42512673/ai-cryptocurrencies-surge-208-to-61-5-billion-market-cap-in-2024-these-were-the-top-performers">AI Cryptocurrencies Surge 208% To $61.5 Billion Market Cap In 2024: These Were The Top Performers</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$ETH

$SOL

$SUI

$USDT

$XRP

Ethereum, Solana Outfox Bitcoin, XRP In Industry Expert's 205 Crypto Predictions

WIIM

INSP

Inspire Medical shares are trading lower after rival Eli Lilly received approval for Zepbound as an obstructive sleep apnea treatment for obese adults.

BMO Capital analyst Fadi Chamoun maintains CAE (TSX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAE#TSX">CAE</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from C$33 to C$38.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

TSX:CAE

BMO Capital Maintains Outperform on CAE, Raises Price Target to C$38

ResMed shares are trading lower after rival Eli Lilly received approval for Zepbound as an obstructive sleep apnea treatment for obese adults.

TeraWulf Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WULF#NASDAQ">WULF</a>) shares are trading lower Monday after initially jumping after the company announced a deal to expand into AI-driven <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/g42644398/terawulf-to-deliver-over-70-mw-of-data-center-infrastructure-for-g42s-us-operations">high performance computing hosting</a>.
What Happened: TeraWulf announced it signed long-term data center lease agreements with cloud and AI services company Core42. 
Under the agreements, TeraWulf will deliver over 70 megawatts (MW)&nbsp;of data center infrastructure to host Core42&#8217;s deployment at the Lake Mariner facility. The infrastructure is expected to be released in phases between the first and third quarters of 2025.
TeraWulf noted that the move represents a strategic push into AI-driven computing, which it believes will complement its profitable Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) mining operations, aligning with its mission to leverage scalable energy to power the digital economy. 
&#8220;Our strategic relationship with G42, and most specifically with Core42, positions TeraWulf at the intersection of two of today&#8217;s most transformative computational networks: AI compute and Bitcoin mining,&#8221; said Paul Prager, CEO of TeraWulf. 
&#8220;This agreement not only diversifies our revenue streams but also significantly enhances our long-term earnings potential.&#8221;
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42646398/rumble-stock-soars-44-pre-market-crypto-meets-free-speech-game-changer-or-hype">Rumble Stock Soars 44% Pre-Market: Crypto Meets Free Speech — Game-Changer Or Hype?</a>
The data center leases include two five-year renewal options, as well as provisions for expanding near-term hosting capacity for Core42 by an additional 135 MW. 
TeraWulf noted that Core42&#8217;s GPU clusters will feature Dell Integrated Rack Scalable Solutions,&nbsp;including direct liquid cooled Dell PowerEdge XE9680L GPU servers.
WULF Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/wulf">TeraWulf shares</a> were down 13.3% at $5.715 at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Pixabay.

Contracts

Movers

WULF

What's Going On With TeraWulf Stock Today?

Health In Tech Shares Resume Trade, Then Halted Again, This Time To The Downside

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Citigroup.
Looking at options history for Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) we detected 22 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 40% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 59% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 17 are puts, for a total amount of $1,338,929 and 5, calls, for a total amount of $403,959.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $57.5 to $77.5 for Citigroup over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Citigroup stands at 9225.15, with a total volume reaching 24,043.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Citigroup, situated within the strike price corridor from $57.5 to $77.5, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Citigroup 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734970537_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$2.34</td>
<td>$2.22</td>
<td>$2.3</td>
<td>$77.50</td>
<td>$230.0K</td>
<td>4.4K</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$2.58</td>
<td>$2.57</td>
<td>$2.58</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$184.0K</td>
<td>26.1K</td>
<td>718</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/27/24</td>
<td>$1.2</td>
<td>$1.16</td>
<td>$1.19</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$154.8K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$2.7</td>
<td>$2.69</td>
<td>$2.7</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$153.1K</td>
<td>770</td>
<td>567</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$2.72</td>
<td>$2.71</td>
<td>$2.72</td>
<td>$62.50</td>
<td>$136.5K</td>
<td>770</td>
<td>567</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Citigroup</h3>
Citigroup is a global financial-services company doing business in more than 100 countries and jurisdictions. Citigroup's operations are organized into five primary segments: services, markets, banking, US personal banking, and wealth management. The bank's primary services include cross-border banking needs for multinational corporates, investment banking and trading, and credit card services in the United States.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Citigroup, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Citigroup's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,896,254, the price of C is down -0.26% at $69.01. </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 23 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Citigroup</h3>
Over the past month, 4 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $83.25.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from B of A Securities keeps a Buy rating on Citigroup with a target price of $90. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Piper Sandler continues to hold a Overweight rating for Citigroup, targeting a price of $80. 
&#x2A; Showing optimism, an analyst from Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods upgrades its rating to Outperform with a revised price target of $82. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Goldman Sachs has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Citigroup, which currently sits at a price target of $81. 
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 Citigroup options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

A Closer Look at Citigroup's Options Market Dynamics

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Spotify Technology (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with SPOT, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 16 uncommon options trades for Spotify Technology.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 25% bullish and 43%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 8 are puts, for a total amount of $684,088, and 8 are calls, for a total amount of $845,005.
<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 $340.0 to $490.0 for Spotify Technology during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Spotify Technology'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 Spotify Technology's whale trades within a strike price range from $340.0 to $490.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Spotify Technology 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734970532_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>SPOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$40.75</td>
<td>$39.65</td>
<td>$40.28</td>
<td>$460.00</td>
<td>$402.8K</td>
<td align="right">909</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$71.1</td>
<td>$70.0</td>
<td>$71.1</td>
<td>$490.00</td>
<td>$156.4K</td>
<td align="right">19</td>
<td align="right">57</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$132.75</td>
<td>$126.5</td>
<td>$130.75</td>
<td>$340.00</td>
<td>$130.7K</td>
<td align="right">55</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$31.4</td>
<td>$30.3</td>
<td>$30.3</td>
<td>$480.00</td>
<td>$106.0K</td>
<td align="right">497</td>
<td align="right">123</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$27.15</td>
<td>$26.05</td>
<td>$27.15</td>
<td>$480.00</td>
<td>$86.8K</td>
<td align="right">497</td>
<td align="right">78</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Spotify Technology</h3>
Spotify is the leading global music streaming service provider, with over 600 million monthly active users and 250 million paying subscribers, with the latter comprising the firm's premium segment. most of the firm's revenue and nearly all its gross profit come from the subscribers, who pay a monthly fee to access a very comprehensive music library that consists of most of the most popular songs ever recorded, including all from the major record labels. The firm also sells separate audiobook subscriptions and integrates podcasts within its standard music app. Podcast content is not exclusive and is typically free to access on other platforms. Ad-supported users can access a similar music catalog but cannot customize a similar on-demand experience.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Spotify Technology, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Spotify Technology's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 392,062, the SPOT's price is down by -1.31%, now at $454.83. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 43 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Spotify Technology</h3>
In the last month, 1 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $560.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Canaccord Genuity has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Spotify Technology, which currently sits at a price target of $560. 
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 Spotify Technology options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

SPOT

A Closer Look at Spotify Technology's Options Market Dynamics

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Snowflake. Our analysis of options history for Snowflake (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>) revealed 21 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 23% of traders were bullish, while 47% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 4 were puts, with a value of $149,740, and 17 were calls, valued at $1,233,994.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $65.0 to $210.0 for Snowflake over the recent three months. 
<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 Snowflake's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Snowflake's significant trades, within a strike price range of $65.0 to $210.0, over the past month.
<h3>Snowflake Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734970527_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SNOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$25.6</td>
<td>$25.15</td>
<td>$25.35</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$134.3K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td>114</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$25.65</td>
<td>$25.1</td>
<td>$25.28</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$128.9K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td>61</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$59.5</td>
<td>$54.1</td>
<td>$56.9</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$113.8K</td>
<td>395</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$22.25</td>
<td>$21.3</td>
<td>$21.39</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$106.9K</td>
<td>4.5K</td>
<td>59</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$0.69</td>
<td>$0.68</td>
<td>$0.69</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$105.7K</td>
<td>8.6K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Snowflake</h3>
Founded in 2012, Snowflake is a data lake, warehousing, and sharing company that went public in 2020. To date, the company has over 3,000 customers, including nearly 30% of the Fortune 500. Snowflake's data lake stores unstructured and semistructured data that can then be used in analytics to create insights stored in its data warehouse. Snowflake's data sharing capability allows enterprises to buy and ingest data, while its data solutions can be hosted on various public clouds.
In light of the recent options history for Snowflake, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Snowflake</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,475,165, with SNOW's price down by -2.92%, positioned at $161.43.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 65 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Snowflake</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $195.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wedbush has elevated its stance to Outperform, setting a new price target at $190. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from JMP Securities downgraded its rating to Market Outperform, setting a price target of $190. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Loop Capital persists with their Buy rating on Snowflake, maintaining a target price of $205. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Snowflake, maintaining a target price of $190. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Jefferies has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Snowflake, which currently sits at a price target of $200. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Snowflake, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

SNOW

A Closer Look at Snowflake's Options Market Dynamics

DRCT

Direct Digital Shares Resume Trade Then Again Halted On Circuit Breaker To The Upside, Stock Now Up 290.9%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRTX#NASDAQ">VRTX</a>) last week announced that the Phase 2 study of suzetrigine for painful lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR) had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42599745/why-is-vertex-pharmaceuticals-stock-trading-on-thursday-lower-after-back-pain-trial-data">met its primary endpoint</a>.
The company announced that the FDA had approved Alyftrek (or vanzacaftor triple) in cystic fibroris (CF) six years and older, in-line with expectations, according to Goldman Sachs.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/587781dc5064ed0001730067/salveen-richter">Analyst Salveen Richter</a> maintained a Buy rating for Vertex Pharmaceuticals and price target of $602.
The Vertex Pharmaceuticals Thesis: During the initial launch of Alyftrek, the company is likely to target those patients who had previously started on one of its CFTR modulators but have discontinued over time, Richter said in the note.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
Alyftrek expands the company's CF franchise to address around 6,000 such patients, he added.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals could also target patients who are currently on one of its other CF therapies, the analyst stated.
"Importantly, in addition to serving as a top-line growth opportunity, vanzacaftor enables higher margins and is dosed once daily, which provides incentive for switching notably in younger age groups," Richter wrote. This means Alyftrek provides the company with an "accretive opportunity" on both the top- and bottom-lines, he further said.
VRTX Price Action: Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals had declined by 0.38% to $395.75 at the time of publication on Monday late morning.
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/12/42638379/novo-nordisk-super-micro-computer-and-arm-are-among-top-large-cap-losers-last-week-december-16-20-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio">Novo Nordisk, Super Micro Computer And Arm Are Among Top Large Cap Losers Last Week (December 16-20): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a>

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Reiteration

VRTX

Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Alyftrek Is An 'Accretive Opportunity' On Top- And Bottom-Lines, Says Bullish Analyst

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The annual Oscar awards for the ETF industry were held last week and the big winner was a unique product from Invesco PowerShares.

	The associate editors of the Journal of Indexing chose the winner of several awards in the world of ETFs and indexing.

	The 2013 William F. Sharpe Award for ETF Product of the Year went to the PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bkln#NYSE">BKLN</a>). This is the equivalent of winner best movie of the year at the Oscars. The ETF was the first floating-rate senior loan ETF in the market and is now the largest with over $6.2 billion in assets under management.

	The ETF was recognized as the ETF vehicle that has had the biggest impact on the industry over the last 12 months. The ETF tracks an index that invests in the largest institutional leverage loans based on market weighting, spreads, and interest payments. A monthly dividend payment that equates to a 30-day SEC yield of 4.14 percent make the ETF an attractive investment option for income investors.

	See also: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/13/12/4166655/fed-tapers-etfs-on-the-move-spy-gld-tlt-uup#">Fed Tapers, ETFs On The Move (SPY, GLD, TLT, UUP)</a>

	Because the ETF invests in floating rate loans, a rise in interest rates will not have the same negative affect as they will on government and corporate bonds. That being said, 2013 was not a great year for BKLN based on performance versus the equities market. The ETF is currently down 0.7 percent, not including the dividends. When compared to other fixed income products, BKLN does stand out as one of the few ETFs not to suffer big losses this year.

	The other big winner for Invesco was the PowerShares S&amp;P 500 Hedged Portfolio ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/phdg#NYSE">PHDG</a>). The ETF is an actively managed fund that attempts to achieve positive returns in both bull and bear markets without tracking the overall stock or fixed income market. The strategy to achieve such returns includes investments in equities with an implied volatility hedge and dynamically allocating between equity, volatility, and cash.

	The ETF has achieved its goal of a positive return with a gain of 10.5 percent in 2013. The only issue is that it is less than half the return of the S&amp;P 500. Over time, PHDG should outperform the market if it can achieve its goal, but the ETF will underperform during strong bull markets. The expense ratio is a reasonable 0.39 percent and the 30-day SEC yield is 1.38 percent.

Invesco's (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ivz#NYSE">IVZ</a>) PowerShares unit, the fourth-largest U.S. ETF issuer, said it today it expects to introduce the PowerShares S&P 500 Downside Hedged Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/phdg#NYSE">PHDG</a>) on Thursday, December 6, 2012. The new ETF, which will feature an annual expense ratio of 0.39 percent, "will be a liquid alternative solution providing investors broad US equity market exposure with a downside hedge by dynamically allocating to VIX futures and cash depending on market volatility trends," according to PowerShares.

The PowerShares S&P 500 Downside Hedged Portfolio will be an actively managed product. PowerShares currently offers several actively managed ETFs, including the PowerShares Active Mega Cap Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pma#NYSE">PMA</a>) and the PowerShares Active Low Duration Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/plk#NYSE">PLK</a>).

The PowerShares S&P 500® Downside Hedged Portfolio "will use a rules-based approach to dynamically shift its exposure among the S&P 500 Index, VIX futures and cash, depending on market volatility," the firm said in a statement.

PHDG will be the seventh new ETF introduced this year by PowerShares. The most recent new addition to the firm's lineup is the PowerShares S&P 500 High Dividend Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sphd#NYSE">SPHD</a>). SPHD is less than two months old and already has nearly $26 million in assets under management.

For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Invesco's (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ivz#NYSE">IVZ</a>) PowerShares unit, the fourth-largest U.S. ETF issuer, has filed plans with the Securities and Exchange Commission to possibly introduce the PowerShares S&P 500 Downside Hedged Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/phdg#NYSE">PHDG</a>). 

The new ETF will track the S&P 500 Dynamic VEQTOR Index and invest in S&P 500 stocks as well as CBOE Volatility Index instruments such as the VIX. PHDG will also invest in money market instruments, cash and cash equivalents.

An <a href="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1418144/000110465912057479/a12-6781_1485bpos.htm">SEC filing for the new fund</a> did not include an expense ratio. PHDG will be actively managed. 

PowerShares has introduced five new ETFs in 2012 with the most recent being the PowerShares DWA SmallCap Technical Leaders Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dwas#NYSE">DWAS</a>), which debuted in July.

PowerShares May Introduce Downside Hedged S&P 500 ETF

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