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Reconnaissance Energy (OTC:RECAF) Stock, Option Chain

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd is a junior oil and gas company engaged in the exploration and development of oil and gas in Namibia and Botswana. It holds a substantial interest in a petroleum exploration license in northeast Namibia which covers the entire Kavango sedimentary basin. The Company's operating segments are: the exploration and evaluation of its African assets; the oil and gas operations in Mexico; and the corporate segment. The Mexico segment derives its revenues solely from the production and sale of oil and natural gas from one customer. The corporate segment majorly aggregates costs incurred at the Company's head office in Vancouver and the operations office in Calgary.

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RECONNAISSANCE EGY AFRICA by Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd.

RECAF

ReconAfrica&#39;s Wild Ride: Promises Of &#39;Billions Of Barrels&#39; And The Fracking Controversy

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Grayson Anderson, Head of Capital Markets at ReconAfrica (OTCMKTS: RECAF), was a guest speaker at Benzinga’s All Access on June 24th, 2022. 

ReconAfrica is a Canadian oil and gas company engaging in the exploration and development of oil and gas throughout Namibia and Botswana.

Watch the full interview

ReconAfrica Collaborates Local Governments Throughout Africa For Oil And Gas Exploration And Development

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd

Renowned investor and author&nbsp;Robert Kiyosaki on Monday predicted a major stock market crash in February and advised investors to focus on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), gold, and silver.
What Happened: Kiyosaki discussed the prophecy on X, predicting billions in outflows from the stock and bond markets to Bitcoin.
&#8220;Bitcoin will boom, boom, boom. Get on board while you can. Get out of fake and into cryptocurrency, as well as gold and silver,&#8221; the author of the best-selling book "Rich Dad Poor Dad&#8221; wrote.
Emphasizing the bullish prediction for the apex cryptocurrency, Kiyosaki said, &#8220;Even one Satoshi will make you rich, while millions lose everything.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">In RICH DADs PROPHECY-2013 I warned the buggiest stock market crash in history was coming. That crash will be in February 2025. Good news because in a crash everything goes on sale. Cars and houses on sale now. Better news billions will leave the stock and bond markets and…
&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1883716408636559722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43219929/musks-doge-department-reportedly-eyeing-blockchain-technology-to-slash-federal-spendingjustin-sun-pitches-tron">Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Department Reportedly Eyes Blockchain To Slash Federal Spending—Justin Sun Says Tron A Good Option</a>
Why It Matters: This was not the first time Kiyosaki prophesized about market declines.
He talked about a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41305328/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-stock-market-crash-says-invest-in-gold-silver-and-bitcoin">&#8220;major&#8221; market crash</a> in October 2024 when stocks were experiencing a bull run. Interestingly, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&amp;P 500 have risen 4.31% and 2.6%, respectively, since the prediction.
Earlier this month, he warned of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42804530/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-massive-market-crash-save-gold-silver-bitcoin-crash-is-here">&#8220;giant market crash&#8221;</a>&nbsp;and advised allocation toward Bitcoin, gold, and silver. 
Kiyosaki, a staunch advocate of Bitcoin, has been known to make outlandish price predictions. Last year, he projected Bitcoin to hit $100,000 in June 2024. The leading cryptocurrency eventually reached the historic milestone in December. He even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39198509/rich-dad-poor-dad-author-robert-kiyosaki-comes-up-with-another-bold-projection-bitcoin-wil">forecast a $350,000 price target</a> by August. 
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was exchanging hands at $101,804.30, up 0.49% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43219158/trumps-world-liberty-financial-crypto-venture-amasses-over-388-million-in-digital-assets">Trump&#8217;s World Liberty Financial Crypto Venture Amasses Over $388 Million in Digital Assets</a></li>
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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$BTC

Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Yet Another Stock Market Crash, Pitches Bitcoin Investments — Here's What The 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author Said

On Monday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest executed significant trades involving major companies such as Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) , Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>).
The Tesla Trade
On Monday, Ark Invest made a notable move by selling 20,392 shares of Tesla Inc. through ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>). The sale was valued at approximately $8.1 million. This decision comes amid growing concerns over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43219987/tesla-could-drop-over-13-due-to-trumps-potential-ev-tax-credit-cuts-fsd-and-delivery-concerns-says-gary-black">potential cuts to electric vehicle tax credits</a> under the Trump administration, as highlighted by Gary Black, Managing Partner at Future Fund LLC. Tesla&#8217;s stock faced a 2.32% decline, closing at $397.15, as investors reacted to these uncertainties and diverging forecasts for Tesla&#8217;s 2025 delivery growth.
The Advanced Micro Devices Trade
Ark Invest also increased its stake in AMD. by purchasing 42,554 shares through the ARKW ETF, amounting to a transaction worth approximately $4.89 million. AMD&#8217;s stock experienced a significant drop of 6.37%, closing at $115.01, following a broader selloff in the tech sector. This decline was triggered by reports of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43221806/nvidia-amd-broadcom-smci-tsmc-and-other-tech-giants-lead-monday-pre-market-selloff-as-nasdaq-100-futures-plummet-over-650-points-amid-reports-of-chinese-ai-startup-deepseek-overtaking-chatgpt">Chinese AI startup DeepSeek unveiling a competitive AI model</a>, which impacted major technology stocks, including AMD.
The Palantir Trade
Ark Invest sold 60,375 shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. via the ARKW ETF, with the sale valued at around $4.55 million. Palantir&#8217;s shares fell by 4.48%, closing at $75.44, amid <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43234047/palantir-stock-is-falling-monday-whats-going-on">heightened competition</a> concerns from DeepSeek&#8217;s AI advancements. The tech-heavy Nasdaq faced heavy selling pressure, contributing to Palantir&#8217;s stock decline.
The Amazon Trade
Ark Invest bolstered its position in Amazon.com Inc. by purchasing a total of 7,461 shares across the ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>) and ARKW ETFs. The combined purchase was valued at approximately $1.76 million, based on Amazon&#8217;s closing price of $235.42. Amazon&#8217;s stock saw a modest increase of 0.24% on the day. Wood has been loading up on Amazon stock, she <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42835519/cathie-woods-monday-moves-dumps-15m-worth-of-hot-stock-palantir-loads-up-amazon-com">purchased $8.9 million worth of shares</a> in early January. 
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Purchased 31,548 shares of Cameco Corp through ARKQ.Sold 53,234 shares of Rocket Lab USA Inc. via ARKQ.</li>
<li>Bought 52,490 shares of Salesforce Inc. through ARKW.Sold 808,859 shares of Nu Holdings Ltd via ARKW.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43256560/nvidia-faces-investor-panic-as-chinas-deepseek-emerges-but-top-analyst-predicts-higher-ai-infrastructure-demand-despite-market-jitters-the-market-is-overreacting-to-deepseeks-success">Amid Nvidia And Chinese AI Anxieties, Top Analyst Predicts Higher AI Infrastructure Demand Despite Market Jitters: &#8216;The Market Is Overreacting To DeepSeek&#8217;s Success&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Equities

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AMZN

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PLTR

TSLA

Cathie Wood Swoops In To Buy AMD Shares Amid DeepSeek Tech Upheaval, Dumps Tesla Stock Worth $8.1 Million

Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) on Monday experienced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43232316/deepseek-jitters-shatter-us-tech-stocks-wipe-out-12-trillion-on-wall-street-analyst-eyes-four-chinese-giants-set-to-benefit">significant investor anxiety</a> following the emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI firm. Despite the market&#8217;s reaction, a top analyst suggests that the demand for AI infrastructure will continue to rise.
What Happened: Deepwater Asset Management's managing partner, Gene Munster took to X, formerly Twitter, and said, "I believe the market is overreacting to DeepSeek's success."&nbsp;
He suggested that DeepSeek's achievement likely reflects progress in chip architecture but noted its impact remains uncertain. &#8220;It's unclear if it's a 5% or 500% improvement,&#8221; Munster said.
Munster also pointed out an overlooked angle in the conversation: &#8220;What's being missed today is if there is a more efficient way to train models, it could increase the level of investment to build AI infrastructure given the prospects of reaching artificial general intelligence are more achievable.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43256073/jensen-huangs-biggest-fear-isnt-ai-competitionits-the-stage-why-public-speaking-terrifies-silicon-valleys-coolest-leaders-including-musk-zuckerberg-and-buffett">Jensen Huang&#8217;s Biggest Fear Isn&#8217;t AI Competition—It&#8217;s Pre-Show Butterflies: How Silicon Valley&#8217;s Coolest Leaders Like Mark Zuckerberg And Elon Musk Are Gripped With Stage Fright</a>
The analyst said that the market will remain on edge until the earnings reports from major tech companies like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>).
Nvidia&#8217;s earnings are anticipated on Feb. 26, with a focus on model training costs.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I believe the market is overreacting to DeepSeek's success because despite any architectural breakthrough, the need for AI infrastructure is continuing at a higher rater than most investors anticipate. Most likely, the DeepSeek "breakthrough" represents some step forward in chip…
&mdash; Gene Munster (@munster_gene) <a href="https://twitter.com/munster_gene/status/1883900564439699784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43220297/nvidia-stock-slide-as-chinas-deepseek-ai-sparks-doubts-over-gpu-spending-frenzy-what-tech-experts-are-saying">paper published last month</a>, DeepSeek researchers revealed that training the DeepSeek-V3 model used Nvidia&#8217;s H800 chips, with costs totaling under $6 million.
Why It Matters: On Monday, Nvidia also acknowledged DeepSeek&#8217;s model performance, underscoring the ongoing demand for its advanced chips.
&#8220;DeepSeek's work illustrates how new models can be created using that technique, leveraging widely-available models and compute that is fully export control compliant,&#8221; the company stated.
DeepSeek&#8217;s R1 model, described as a ChatGPT killer, has outperformed OpenAI with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43223228/satya-nadella-said-we-should-take-development-out-of-china-very-very-seriously-now-deepseeks-r1-has-emerged-as-chatgpt-killer-outperforming-openai-with-50x-cheaper-prices-heres-more">significantly lower costs</a>.
Nvidia&#8217;s stock has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43250480/nvidia-sinks-below-200-day-average-for-first-time-in-2-years-deepseek-technical-reset">sunk below its 200-day moving average</a> for the first time in two years, marking a historic technical reset. The company lost about $600 billion in market capitalization, setting a record for the largest single-day loss in U.S. stock market history.
Price Action: During the regular hours on Monday, Nvidia's shares plunged approximately 17% to $118.58. However, in the after-hours trading, the shares witnessed a 1.35% gain, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43221770/apples-ipad-turns-15-today-heres-a-throwback-to-when-steve-jobs-explained-called-it-the-third-category-after-phones-and-notebooks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple's iPad Turns 15 Today: Here's A Throwback To When Steve Jobs Explained Called It The ‘Third Category' After Phones And Notebooks</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

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Amid Nvidia And Chinese AI Anxieties, Top Analyst Predicts Higher AI Infrastructure Demand Despite Market Jitters: 'The Market Is Overreacting To DeepSeek's Success'

Leading cryptocurrencies pared early losses on Monday as DeepSeek concerns weighed on risk-on markets.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>–0.22%</td>
<td>$102,161.99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-1.72%</td>
<td>$3,173.62</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-0.03%</td>
<td>$0.3339</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin slipped below $98,000 in the early morning hours before reclaiming the $102,000 level by evening. The leading cryptocurrency navigated choppy waters for most of the day.
Ethereum rose from $3,024 to $3,230 but fell back to the upper $3,100 range late in the evening.
Nearly $700 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market over the last 24 hours, with long positions accounting for $537 million.
About $900 million in upside bets risked liquidation if Bitcoin drops to $95,000.
That said, around 58% of traders on Binance were positioned for Bitcoin's price increases, according to the Long/Short ratio, signaling expectations of a rebound.
Bitcoin's Open Interest rose marginally by 0.15% in the last 24 hours.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DeXe (DEXE)</td>
<td>+10.03%</td>
<td>$21.58</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hyperliquid (HYPE)</td>
<td>+6.77%</td>
<td>$23.53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jupiter (JUP)</td>
<td>+6.26%</td>
<td>$1.12</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.49 trillion, falling 0.29% in the last 24 hours.
Major stock averages tanked on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite slid 3.07% to end at 19,341.83. The S&amp;P 500 fell 1.46% to 6,012.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was the outlier, gaining 0.65% to close at 44,713.58.
Tech stocks were battered, with AI juggernaut Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shedding 17% of its market value on Monday, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43244872/tech-stocks-tumble-on-ai-nightmare-nvidia-eyes-worst-day-since-march-2020-bitcoin-drops-below-100000-whats-driving-markets-monday">its worst single-day loss</a> ever.
The slump was precipitated by the rise of China's cost-effective DeepSeek AI model, challenging the high-cost strategies employed by U.S. tech giants.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency analyst Rekt Capital noted that Bitcoin completed its first price discovery uptrend and its first price discovery correction.
"History suggests over the next two weeks&#8230; Bitcoin should be able to embark on its second price discovery uptrend to new highs," the analyst projected.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin has competed its 1st Price Discovery Uptrend BTC has most likely completed its 1st Price Discovery Correction History suggests over the next two weeks&#8230; Bitcoin should be able to embark on its second Price Discovery Uptrend to new highs<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crypto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1883984912816206283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
On-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant highlighted a strong correlation between Bitcoin and U.S. stocks.
"In 2024, BTC and the Nasdaq exhibited a historically strong correlation, which has reached unprecedented high levels today. A similar trend can be observed with the S&amp;P 500, although there have been brief periods of decoupling," CryptoQuant noted.
The increasing correlation suggested Bitcoin's appeal more as a traditional asset class than a hedge of inflation.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Bitcoin maintains a strong correlation with the U.S. Stock Market "Correlation suggests that institutional investors may view Bitcoin more like a traditional asset class, aligning its performance with the US market trends." – By <a href="https://twitter.com/Darkfost_Coc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Darkfost_Coc</a> Link &#x1f447;<a href="https://t.co/c25TfJIxnE">https://t.co/c25TfJIxnE</a> <a href="https://t.co/fiNbW8Y8YS">pic.twitter.com/fiNbW8Y8YS</a>
&mdash; CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/cryptoquant_com/status/1884037205490032933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43244653/bitcoin-ethereum-solana-crash-heres-why-chinas-low-cost-ai-model-deepseek-may-be-to-blame">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana Crash — Here&#8217;s Why China&#8217;s Low-Cost AI Model DeepSeek May Be To Blame</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by Avi Rozen on Shutterstock

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$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Recover As DeepSeek Troubles Mount For US Tech Stocks: Analyst Suggests BTC Could Hit Fresh Highs Over Upcoming Two Weeks

Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) has acknowledged China&#8217;s DeepSeek R1 artificial intelligence model. The startup&#8217;s emergence <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43221806/nvidia-amd-broadcom-smci-tsmc-and-other-tech-giants-lead-monday-pre-market-selloff-as-nasdaq-100-futures-plummet-over-650-points-amid-reports-of-chinese-ai-startup-deepseek-overtaking-chatgpt">coincided with a $600 billion decline</a> in Nvidia&#8217;s market value on Monday.
What Happened: The endorsement came as DeepSeek&#8217;s open-source AI model, developed for under $6 million, reportedly outperformed leading U.S. models like those from OpenAI. The achievement sparked a broader tech selloff, with Nvidia shares falling 17% and AI infrastructure stocks tumbling over 20%.
&#8220;DeepSeek&#8217;s work illustrates how new models can be created using test time scaling, leveraging widely-available models and compute that is fully export control compliant,&#8221; an Nvidia spokesperson <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/27/nvidia-calls-chinas-deepseek-r1-model-an-excellent-ai-advancement.html">told</a> CNBC. 
DeepSeeks &#8220;inference requires significant numbers of Nvidia GPUs and high-performance networking,&#8221; Nvidia said according to Reuters.
The company emphasized that DeepSeek used approved GPU versions designed for the Chinese market, countering claims about potential export violations.
The market reaction highlighted growing concerns about AI infrastructure spending after DeepSeek demonstrated comparable performance to U.S. models at a fraction of the cost. Major tech companies have committed massive capital to AI development, with Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42801720/microsoft-to-invest-80-billion-in-ai-data-centers-for-fiscal-2025">planning $80 billion in AI infrastructure spending</a> for 2025 and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) projecting $60-65 billion.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43251316/tesla-faces-boycott-call-in-poland-over-musks-wwii-comments">Tesla Faces Boycott Call In Poland Over Musk&#8217;s WWII Comments: &#8216;No Normal Pole Should Buy&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Wedbush analyst Dan Ives <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43223228/satya-nadella-said-we-should-take-development-out-of-china-very-very-seriously-now-deepseeks-r1-has-emerged-as-chatgpt-killer-outperforming-openai-with-50x-cheaper-prices-heres-more">called the selloff a</a> &#8220;golden buying opportunity,&#8221; arguing that &#8220;No US Global 2000 is going to use a Chinese startup DeepSeek to launch their AI infrastructure.&#8221;
The development aligns with recent discussions by industry leaders about &#8220;test-time scaling,&#8221; a concept championed by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. This approach suggests AI models can achieve better results by using additional computing power during inference rather than just during training.
DeepSeek&#8217;s rapid rise &#8211; becoming the most downloaded app on Apple Inc.&#8216;s U.S. App Store &#8211; has sparked debate about the sustainability of massive AI investments and their impact on data center infrastructure providers like Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRT#NYSE">VRT</a>) and Vistra Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>), which saw their shares plummet by nearly 30% on Monday.
Price Action: Nvidia&#8217;s stock closed at $118.58 on Monday, down 16.86% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock edged up 1.35%. Over the past year, Nvidia&#8217;s stock surged 89.81%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43256073/jensen-huangs-biggest-fear-isnt-ai-competitionits-the-stage-why-public-speaking-terrifies-silicon-valleys-coolest-leaders-including-musk-zuckerberg-and-buffett">Jensen Huang&#8217;s Biggest Fear Isn&#8217;t AI Competition—It&#8217;s Pre-Show Butterflies: How Silicon Valley&#8217;s Coolest Leaders Like Mark Zuckerberg And Elon Musk Are Gripped With Stage Fright</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Nvidia Says DeepSeek An 'Illustration' Of How New AI Models Can Be Created While Being Export-Control Compliant Amid $600 Billion Market Value Plunge

Monday&#8217;s trading session saw mixed results in the U.S. stock market. The S&amp;P 500 dropped by 1.5% to 6,012.28, shedding nearly 90 points, while the NASDAQ fell 3.07% to 19,341.83. On the other hand, the Dow managed to trade up by 0.65% to 44,713.58. 
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Nvidia Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)
Nvidia shares fell by 16.86% to close at $118.58, with an intraday high and low of $128.40 and $116.70, respectively. The 52-week high and low stand at $153.13 and $60.70. The company&#8217;s shares took a hit after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43220297/nvidia-stock-slide-as-chinas-deepseek-ai-sparks-doubts-over-gpu-spending-frenzy-what-tech-experts-are-saying">China&#8217;s DeepSeek unveiled an AI model</a> that offers cutting-edge performance at a fraction of the cost, sparking doubts about the need for massive GPU investments.
Broadcom Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>)
Broadcom shares dropped by 17.40% to $202.13, with an intraday high and low of $218.43 and $196.23, respectively. The 52-week high and low are $251.87 and $117.43. The company&#8217;s shares, along with other U.S. tech stocks,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43239042/magnificent-seven-broadcom-lose-nearly-900-billion-in-value-as-deepseek-sparks-ai-carnage-why-this-expert-is-still-bullish-on-us-tech">plummeted due to concerns over lower-cost Chinese AI models</a>&nbsp;threatening America&#8217;s top tech giants.
Nebius Group N.V.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NBIS#NASDAQ">NBIS</a>)
Nebius Group shares fell by 37.44% to $26.08, with an intraday high and low of $33.59 and $24.41, respectively. The 52-week high and low are $43.66 and $14.11. The company&#8217;s shares&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/43253237/whats-going-on-with-nebius-group-stock-monday">traded lower amid weakness in AI stocks</a>&nbsp;due to concerns over competition from Chinese startup DeepSeek's new AI model.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>)
Taiwan Semiconductor shares fell by 13.33% to $192.31, with an intraday high and low of $207 and $187.67, respectively. The 52-week high and low are $226.40 and $112.61. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43247387/taiwan-semiconductor-partners-with-mtr-to-tackle-carbon-emissions">partnered with MTR Carbon Capture</a> to supply a Polaris membrane carbon capture system to treat emissions from a Taiwan Semiconductor solvent incineration facility in Taiwan.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla shares dropped by 2.32% to $397.15, with an intraday high and low of $406.69 and $389, respectively. The 52-week high and low are $488.54 and $138.80. The company&#8217;s shares <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43219987/tesla-could-drop-over-13-due-to-trumps-potential-ev-tax-credit-cuts-fsd-and-delivery-concerns-says-gary-black">faced diverging forecasts for its 2025 delivery growth</a>, with Wall Street's expectations clashing with independent analysts' predictions amid uncertainty over new vehicle launches and potential policy changes.
Image via Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

AVGO

NBIS

Nvidia, Broadcom, Nebius Group, Taiwan Semiconductor, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Public speaking might look effortless for tech titans, but Nvidia Corporation CEO Jensen Huang and other Silicon Valley leaders, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Warren Buffett, have all admitted to struggling with stage fright.
What Happened: Last year in December, Huang, known for his cool demeanor and signature leather jacket, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-nvida-ceo-jensen-huang-company-powering-ai-today-60-minutes-transcript/">revealed</a> in a &#8220;CBS 60 Minutes&#8221; interview that public speaking terrifies him.
Despite leading Nvidia—a company valued at $2.9 trillion—Huang admitted that stepping onto the stage at the GTC AI Conference was a nerve-wracking experience.
&#8220;I&#8217;m an engineer, I'm not a performer,&#8221; Huang said. &#8220;When I walked out there – and all of the people going crazy, it took the breath outta me. And so I was the scariest I&#8217;ve ever been. I&#8217;m still scared&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43220499/despite-peter-thiel-ties-jd-vance-warns-of-big-tech-billionaires-excessive-clout-theyve-got-too-much-power">Despite Peter Thiel Ties, JD Vance Warns Of Big Tech Billionaires&#8217; Excessive Clout: They&#8217;ve Got &#8216;Too Much Power&#8217;</a>
Warren Buffett: Conquering Stage Fright&nbsp;
The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett has also spoken about his fear of public speaking, calling it potentially detrimental to his career. In the documentary "Becoming Warren Buffett," he shared that he enrolled in a public speaking course after graduating from business school in 1951. Decades later, Buffett still credits the course with transforming his confidence and career.
This news was first <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-jensen-huang-elon-musk-others-struggle-with-public-speaking-2025-1">covered</a> by Business Insider.
Steve Jobs: Perfected, Not Effortless&nbsp;&nbsp;
Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs might have appeared natural on stage during iconic product launches, but his performances were meticulously rehearsed. According to the book "Becoming Steve Jobs," he would spend months planning and entire days perfecting a presentation.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Microsoft Corporation founder Bill Gates, who admired Jobs&#8217; stage presence, once said, "I'll never achieve that level," <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/10/41457050/bill-gates-once-said-he-was-so-jealous-of-apples-steve-jobs-and-labeled-him-a-genius-and-wizard-no-o">during an episode</a> of the Armchair Expert podcast.
Elon Musk: A Self-Admitted Weakness&nbsp;&nbsp;
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, one of the most outspoken tech leaders today, is known for his frequent and often controversial posts on X, formerly Twitter.
Despite his public persona, Musk has openly admitted his discomfort with public speaking. In 2019, he posted, "I'm such a bad public speaker! Damn."
<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">I'm such a bad public speaker! Damn.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1144447020708483073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Mark Zuckerberg: Growth Over Time
Meta Platforms, Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also come a long way since founding Facebook as a college student. In a Threads post marking his 40th birthday, Zuckerberg admitted that he "didn't know anything about running a company, communicating publicly, etc." Over the years, he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34949713/from-evil-mark-to-great-philanthropist-meta-ceo-zuckerberg-opts-for-a-bill-gates-style-metamorphosis">credited age and experience</a> for making him more confident and comfortable speaking in public.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/27193306/Screenshot-2025-01-28-at-6.02.59%E2%80%AFAM-1024x353.png" alt="" class="wp-image-752367" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Threads</figcaption></figure>
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43221770/apples-ipad-turns-15-today-heres-a-throwback-to-when-steve-jobs-explained-called-it-the-third-category-after-phones-and-notebooks">Apple&#8217;s iPad Turns 15 Today: Here&#8217;s A Throwback To When Steve Jobs Explained Called It The &#8216;Third Category&#8217; After Phones And Notebooks</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

Jensen Huang's Biggest Fear Isn't AI Competition—It's Pre-Show Butterflies: How Silicon Valley's Coolest Leaders Like Mark Zuckerberg And Elon Musk Are Gripped With Stage Fright

Shares of Fannie Mae (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FNMA#OTC">FNMA</a>) and Freddie Mac (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMCC#OTC">FMCC</a>) fell Monday after Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analysts downgraded the stocks to Underperform. Here's a look at the latest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42734220/bill-ackman-sends-fannie-mae-freddie-mac-stocks-soaring-trump-likes-big-deals">developments for the mortgage giants. </a>
What To Know: The Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analysts, led by Tommy McJoynt, said that though the odds of a privatization attempt have grown lately, they see "considerable risk" to the stocks at their current levels. Shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are up 333% and 343%, respectively, since the day before the election of President Donald Trump. 
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43254018/sofi-stock-falls-on-soft-guidance-despite-strong-quarter-with-record-member-growth-loan-originations-analyst"> SoFi Stock Falls On Soft Guidance Despite &#8216;Strong Quarter&#8217; With Record Member Growth, Loan Originations: Analyst&nbsp;</a>
The analysts increased the probability of the senior preferred shares being forgiven to 10% from 5%, but said they see a failed attempt at privatization or a successful privatization with dilution of senior preferred shares to common as more likely outcomes.&nbsp;
However, the firm did raise the price target for Fannie Mae from $3 to $4 and raised Freddie Mac from $4 to $4.50 based on the higher probability of forgiveness of the senior preferred shares.&nbsp;
What Else: Trump recently announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/43040244/trump-taps-bill-pulte-to-lead-the-federal-housing-finance-agency">plans to nominate</a> private equity CEO Bill Pulte as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which is expected to oversee efforts to return Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the private sector, according to Reuters.
FNMA, FMCC Price Action:  According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Fannie Mae shares closed Monday down 4.88% at $5.46 and Freddie Mac shares closed down 3.25% at $5.06.
Read Next: • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43242938/royal-caribbean-earnings">Royal Caribbean Q4 Earnings Preview: Can Cruise Line Stay Afloat Despite FX, Oil Headwinds?</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Government

Downgrades

Analyst Ratings

Real Estate

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Stock A 'Considerable Risk,' Say Analysts Who Downgrade Both To Underperform

Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 20.69% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 29.1%. Currently, Apple has a market capitalization of $3.44 trillion. 
Buying $100 In AAPL: If an investor had bought $100 of AAPL stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $16,164.96 today based on a price of $228.90 for AAPL at the time of writing.
<h3>Apple's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738021535_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.

AAPL

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

Meme coin Official Trump (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>), associated with President Donald Trump, launched ahead of the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43139381/how-many-people-watched-donald-trumps-2025-inauguration-spoiler-less-than-biden-four-years-ago"> Jan. 20 inauguration day</a> and took the cryptocurrency sector by storm.
A new poll shows readers are split on whether they would consider buying the meme coin.
What Happened: Posts made on X and Truth Social announced the official<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43140514/what-comes-next-after-donald-trumps-meme-coin-launch"> launch of the Trump coin</a>, with some users believing the incoming president of the U.S. had been hacked.
Instead, the launch was done before Trump officially became president and he later confirmed his involvement with the cryptocurrency.
A large portion of the coin&#8217;s supply is controlled by Trump-affiliated companies, but retail investors also bought up supply of the coin. This and other factors may be keeping people from accumulating the cryptocurrency.
"Would you consider buying the Trump meme coin?" Benzinga recently asked its readers.
The results were:
<ul>
<li>No: 58%</li>
<li>Yes: 42%</li>
</ul>
The poll, which was conducted between Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, saw a mixed reaction from readers with the majority favoring not buying the coin. At the time the poll was conducted, TRUMP traded between prices of around $36 and $48.
At the time of writing, the coin trades at $27.02, continuing a drop since Trump's inauguration.
Ark Invest CEO and founder Cathie Wood is no stranger to cryptocurrency as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/08/34028505/exclusive-why-does-cathie-wood-think-bitcoin-is-going-to-1-million-what-does-she-know-that">a big believer </a>in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and investor in both BTC and companies associated with cryptocurrency.
In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43151588/cathie-wood-was-asked-if-she-would-buy-trump-coin-heres-what-she-said">a recent interview</a>, Wood said the Official Trump coin was part of the "meme coin moment" and that Ark has avoided meme coins.
"I mean there is speculation that you'll get to meet President Trump as one of the utilities of owning this coin. I don't know if that's the case or not. But so far, we don't know of much utility for this coin, except that it is a meme coin of President Trump," Wood said.
Wood said that Ark Invest stays away from buying meme coins like Trump, choosing instead to invest in the "Big Three" cryptocurrencies, which are Bitcoin, Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), according to the fund manager.
The Ark Invest CEO <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39449163/cathie-wood-endorses-trump-over-biden-for-2024-elections-says-i-am-a-voter-when-it-comes-to-economic">endorsed Trump </a>in the 2024 presidential election. 
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42399353/heres-how-much-100-in-bitcoin-could-be-worth-in-2030-if-cathie-woods-price-target-is-reached">Here&#8217;s How Much $100 In Bitcoin Could Be Worth In 2030 If Cathie Wood&#8217;s Price Target Is Reached</a>
Why It's Important: While Trump coin has fallen 26% over the past seven days, the cryptocurrency connected to the sitting president has attracted plenty of attention and 42% saying they would consider buying the coin shows the potential lasting power of the coin.
Benzinga <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43216599/elon-musk-tucker-carlson-ron-desantis-joe-rogan-or-marjorie-taylor-greene-poll-finds-this-figure-most-likely-to-buy-trump-coin">also recently asked </a>which famous person connected with Trump would be the first to disclose that they own Trump coin. Elon Musk won the poll with 61% of the vote. The Tesla CEO would likely share his ownership in a tweet or interview and has not done so to date.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) finished second in the poll at 20%. Greene would need to disclose the purchase within 45 days as part of the STOCK Act.
Follow the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent012725" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Benzinga Government Trades page</a>&nbsp;to see disclosures of stocks, options and cryptocurrencies bought by members of Congress.
Trump coin hit an all-time high of $75.35 on Jan. 19 and has fallen since. The coin has traded between $6.24 and $75.35 since launching.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43218851/mark-cuban-proposes-national-debt-meme-coin-70-take-clear-side">Mark Cuban Proposes National Debt Meme Coin, 70% Take Clear Side</a></li>
</ul>

The study was conducted by Benzinga from Jan. 21, 2025, through Jan. 22, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 116 adults.
Photos: Wood, Courtesy ArkInvest; crypto coin and Donald Trump, Shutterstock

Exclusives

$SOL

$TRUMP

Cathie Wood Passes On Trump Meme Coin, Poll Shows Investors Split With 58% Saying This

Back in 2017 – long before ChatGPT became a household name and artificial intelligence started raising existential questions – Bill Gates floated a bold idea: tax the robots. The Microsoft cofounder suggested that companies deploying automation to replace human workers should pay taxes on those machines, just as they do on human wages. At the time, it was a strikingly simple yet provocative proposal aimed at tackling an issue most people didn't even realize was coming.
Fast-forward to today when fears about AI replacing jobs are no longer sci-fi speculation but a looming reality. Gates' idea now seems eerily prophetic. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/43196923/ai-can-write-the-code-zuckerberg-says-metas-midlevel-engineers-earning-six-figures-may-soon-be-replaced">Automation has made massive inroads</a> into industries ranging from manufacturing to logistics, and the resulting economic implications have sparked a global debate. Suddenly, the idea of taxing robots has gone from a hypothetical thought experiment to a serious policy consideration.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-annuity-adv">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a></li>
</ul>
The Case for a Robot Tax
In a 2017 interview with Quartz, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42802980/bill-gates-is-so-frugal-he-wears-a-10-watch-but-spent-42000-in-fines-for-manure-bins-at-his-daughters-8-7-million-florida-horse-farm">Gates explained his rationale</a> in clear terms: If a human worker earning $50,000 annually is taxed, why wouldn't a robot performing the same job face a similar levy? He proposed using the revenue generated from such taxes to fund social programs, retrain displaced workers and create new jobs in fields requiring human empathy like elder care and education.
"You cross the threshold of job replacement all at once," Gates explained, referencing industries like warehouse work and driving already on the brink of automation. His argument wasn't about punishing innovation but rather managing its societal impacts. By slowing automation "just a bit," Gates believed communities and governments could better adapt to the economic disruption. He placed the responsibility squarely on governments, stating that businesses alone couldn't address rising inequities.
Trending: The Biggest Disruption To IP Since Disney — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-1">Get in now as they monetize a $2 Trillion market by building content around the most profitable Character IP in history and combining it with the Patented Technology IP of the future.</a>
Universal Basic Income: A Logical Next Step?
Although Gates didn't explicitly tie his robot tax proposal to universal basic income (UBI), the idea has often been linked to his vision. During a 2017 Reddit AMA, Gates acknowledged that the U.S. wasn't yet "rich enough" to implement UBI but suggested it might be possible. His recent commentary on UBI has evolved. In his 2024 Netflix series What's Next? The Future With Bill Gates, he notes that addressing poverty through measures like UBI could save money in the long run. He pointed to statistics showing that child poverty alone costs over $1 trillion annually in the U.S.
Others have built on the idea of linking a robot tax to UBI. French presidential candidate Benoit Hamon proposed partially funding a UBI through such a tax. At the same time, prominent tech leaders like Elon Musk and Richard Branson have suggested that automation will make UBI inevitable. Musk, in particular, has warned that large-scale job losses due to AI and robotics will require governments to provide a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/07/39619831/elon-musk-predicts-jobs-will-become-obsolete-but-he-foresees-a-high-universal-income-that-acts-as-an">safety net for displaced workers</a>.
Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a>
Stanford lecturer Kartik Gada has taken a more optimistic approach, arguing that technological deflation – where goods and services become cheaper as technology advances – could fund UBI without increasing individual taxes. His ATOM publication even suggests that deflationary pressures created by automation might naturally offset the costs of a universal income program.
The Criticism: Innovation vs. Regulation
Not everyone is on board with taxing robots. Critics argue that such a tax could stifle innovation by discouraging companies from investing in automation. They contend that slowing technological progress would put countries at a competitive disadvantage globally. Others propose alternative solutions like universal basic dividends funded by the profits of tech companies as a less intrusive way to redistribute wealth.
Despite these critiques, automation is accelerating. Industrial robot orders have reached record highs, and AI is creeping into more job sectors than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic supercharged the trend, with companies like Amazon doubling down on robotics to keep warehouses operational during labor shortages.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
A Debate That's Far From Over
As automation continues to reshape industries, Gates' robot tax remains one of the most intriguing and polarizing ideas. While some see it as a way to balance innovation with societal needs, others fear it could hinder progress. What's clear is that the conversation Gates started in 2017 is more relevant than ever.
The question isn't just whether robots should be taxed but how society can navigate a future where machines increasingly take on roles once held by humans. Whether through robot taxes, UBI or some yet-to-be-discovered solution, one thing is certain: how we think about work, taxation and social safety nets will have to change.
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<li>They're saying this is the biggest breakthrough in Next-Gen Tech since the iPhone. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-1">There&#8217;s now a limited window for investors to claim shares at just $2/share with $980 minimum—but the clock is ticking.</a></li>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
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Personal Finance

Bill Gates Wants To 'Tax The Robots' That Take Your Job – And Some Say It Could Fund Universal Basic Income To Replace Lost Wages

Travelers Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRV#NYSE">TRV</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 1.43% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 9.84%. Currently, Travelers Companies has a market capitalization of $56.88 billion. 
Buying $100 In TRV: If an investor had bought $100 of TRV stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $661.07 today based on a price of $251.01 for TRV at the time of writing.
<h3>Travelers Companies's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738020622_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $100 Invested In Travelers Companies 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

The AI boom that fueled a historic rally in semiconductor and infrastructure stocks over the past two years came to a screeching halt Monday, as a wave of selling swept through the market following the launch of DeepSeek, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/01/43243584/deepseek-r1-vs-openai-what-consumers-need-to-know-about-ais-latest-challenger">China's open-source AI model.</a>
While NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) grabbed the top of headlines for its $600 billion market-cap wipeout — the largest single-day loss in U.S. market history — and triggered a 7.8% fall in the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>), the pain was even more severe in AI infrastructure stocks, which have soared on expectations of an arms race in AI-driven capital expenditures.
Power, cooling and data center giants that once rode the AI euphoria saw single-day losses exceeding 20%, as investors reassessed the sustainability of relentless spending in the sector.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>2023 Return</td>
<td>2024 Return</td>
<td> % Change on Jan. 27, 2025 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRT#NYSE">VRT</a>)</td>
<td>+251%</td>
<td>+136%</td>
<td>-29.87%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vistra Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>)</td>
<td>+66%</td>
<td>+257%</td>
<td>-28.31%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Astera Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALAB#NASDAQ">ALAB</a>)</td>
<td>N/A</td>
<td>+154%</td>
<td>-28.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIX#NYSE">FIX</a>)</td>
<td>+79%</td>
<td>+106%</td>
<td>-25.65%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arista Networks Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANET#NYSE">ANET</a>)</td>
<td>+94%</td>
<td>+87%</td>
<td>-22.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>)</td>
<td>N/A</td>
<td>+185%</td>
<td>-21.55%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Constellation Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NYSE">CEG</a>)</td>
<td>+36%</td>
<td>+91%</td>
<td>-21.00%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
&#8220;What makes Monday&#8217;s tech sell-off so jarring is that the valuations of many of these AI and tech companies offer no margin of error. Excessive valuation always becomes a problem, eventually, but fundamental news becomes a heightened problem when it is combined with excessive valuation,&#8221; said David Bahnsen, chief investment officer at The Bahnsen Group.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Why These AI Infrastructure Stocks Soared, Why They're Crashing Now</h1>
Stocks tied to data centers, power and networking, some of the biggest winners of the AI boom over the past two years, were hammered Monday as investors started questioning whether the relentless spending on AI infrastructure is truly sustainable.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">1. Vertiv Holdings Co</h1>
Vertiv, a leader in data center cooling, surged 251% in 2023 and another 136% in 2024 as AI-driven computing loads pushed cooling demand through the roof. Yet, with concerns that data center expansion could slow, shares plunged nearly 30% on Monday, marking the worst day since Feb. 2022. 
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">2. Vistra Corp. </h1>
Vistra, one of the biggest power suppliers, had been riding the AI energy boom on bets that AI-driven electricity demand would continue to soar. Monday's sell-off crushed that narrative, sending shares down 28%, the worst single-day decline since the company went public in 2017.
In 2024, Vistra returned 257% to shareholders, recording the second-strongest performance among S&amp;P 500 stocks behind Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>). 
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">3. Astera Labs </h1>
Astera Labs, which specializes in connectivity chips for AI workloads, went public in 2024 and quickly gained 154% as its products became critical for AI data centers. However, Monday's rout saw the stock plummet nearly 30%, the worst drop since the company&#8217;s IPO last March, as investors feared a pullback in AI server deployments.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">4. Comfort Systems USA</h1>
Comfort Systems, a HVAC and engineering solutions provider for commercial buildings and data centers, surged on AI-related construction demand. Yet, with AI firms now potentially reining in expansion, shares fell 26%. This represented the worst one-day drop since October 1999. 
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">5. Arista Networks </h1>
Arista Networks, a leading supplier of high-speed networking equipment for cloud providers, nearly doubled in 2023 as AI-driven upgrades boosted orders. Yet, with DeepSeek's efficiency raising questions about demand for high-end AI networking, the stock slid 22%.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">6. GE Vernova </h1>
GE Vernova, the energy spin-off from General Electric, had benefited from AI-driven electrification trends, posting a 185% gain in 2024. However, with data center demand expectations cooling, shares slumped 21.5%.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">7. Constellation Energy</h1>
Constellation, a nuclear energy leader, had been a key bet for long-term AI power needs, rallying 91% in 2024. On Monday, CEG shares tumbled 21% — the largest drop since the company&#8217;s IPO in 2022 — amid investor doubts creeping in over AI's real energy demand.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43250480/nvidia-sinks-below-200-day-average-for-first-time-in-2-years-deepseek-technical-reset">Nvidia Sinks Below 200-Day Moving Average For First Time In 2 Years As DeepSeek Sparks Historic Technical Reset</a></li>
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Photo: Pathdoc on Shutterstock.

Analyst Color

Asia

Large Cap

Mid Cap

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ALAB

ANET

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

7 AI Infrastructure Stocks Plunge Over 20%, Outpace Semiconductor Rout As DeepSeek Upends Investment Landscape

AstraZeneca And Daiichi Sankyo's ENHERTU Approved In US As First HER2-directed Therapy For Patients With HER2-low Or HER2-ultralow Metastatic Breast Cancer Following Disease Progression After One Or More Endocrine Therapies

Subject to certain closing adjustments, the aggregate enterprise value of the sale is approximately $2.4 billion, which includes approximately $1.6 billion in cash and $800 million of net debt that will be extinguished at closing.&nbsp;
The proceeds from the sale will enable Eversource to pay down parent company debt while efficiently reinvesting capital into its core electric and natural gas businesses, enabling additional investments in reliability for customers and strengthening Eversource's financial position.
&nbsp;As a result of this transaction, Eversource expects to record a loss on the planned sale of Aquarion of approximately $300 million in its results for the fourth quarter of 2024. This loss on sale includes approximately $140 million of estimated income tax expense. Eversource reaffirms its long-term EPS growth target of between 5% and 7% through 2028.

Asset Sales

Eversource Energy Enters Definitive Agreement To Sell Aquarion Water Company; Aggregate Enterprise Value Of Sale Is  $2.4B

Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPK#NYSE">GPK</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 3.03% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 14.97%. Currently, Graphic Packaging Holding has a market capitalization of $8.34 billion. 
Buying $100 In GPK: If an investor had bought $100 of GPK stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $810.20 today based on a price of $27.79 for GPK at the time of writing.
<h3>Graphic Packaging Holding's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738018864_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 This Stock 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Tariq will stay on to support the transition through most of the first quarter. Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald's Canada, will return to the US business and step into the role of Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer of McDonald's USA on February 15.

Management

McDonald's USA Says Tariq Hassan, Its Chief Marketing And Customer Experience Officer, Plans To Step Down From His Role

Alterity Therapeutics Limited - American Depositary Shares

ATHE

Trading Halt: Halted at 5:51:32 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

Transaction Summary:
<ul>
<li>Access to additional equity capital and liquidity with discount fees of 3% and 4%</li>
<li>Limited initially to 1.15 million shares, remainder requires shareholder approval</li>
<li>Three years to access full amount with 100% at Company's discretion</li>
<li>Covenant relief during the process to reduce its debt</li>
</ul>

QMCO

Quantum Enters Standby Equity Purchase Agreement With Investment Fund Managed By Yorkville

Illumina (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 9.5% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 17.91%. Currently, Illumina has a market capitalization of $21.89 billion. 
Buying $100 In ILMN: If an investor had bought $100 of ILMN stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $2,715.56 today based on a price of $138.05 for ILMN at the time of writing.
<h3>Illumina's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738017928_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.

ILMN

$100 Invested In This Stock 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Earnings

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RECONAFRICA ANNOUNCES AN OPERATIONS UPDATE, FILING OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTS AND FIRST SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Presenting on the Emerging Growth Conference 75 Day 1 on September 25 Register Now

Presenting on the Emerging Growth Conference 75 Day 2 on September 26

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RECONAFRICA ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF DRILLING OPERATIONS ON THE NAINGOPO EXPLORATION WELL

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