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Rediff.com India Ltd is an India-based internet company, which delivers digital content and e-commerce marketplace services. The services are delivered through the source of websites, tablets, and mobile which includes news and information, enterprise e-mail services, online shopping marketplace and Internet-based local television advertising platform. The group's secure Internet platform provides a communication suite to businesses of all sizes.

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Volkswagen (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLKAF#OTC">VLKAF</a>) <a href="https://europeancapitalinsights.substack.com/p/volkswagen-gets-much-need-tech-rivian?r=3nmatg">has boosted its initial investment </a>in American electrical vehicle (EV) maker Rivian (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) to $5.8 billion, $800 million more than initially planned.
The German automaker decided to increase its initial investment, when the companies launched on November 13 the newly established company, Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC. The venture, announced in June, will be headquartered in Palo Alto, California, representing a cross-continent effort to advance EV technology.&nbsp;
"The collaboration with Rivian marks the next logical step in our software strategy," Volkswagen's CEO Oliver Blume <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/press-releases/faster-leaner-more-efficient-rivian-and-volkswagen-group-announce-the-launch-of-their-joint-venture-18828">said</a> on November 12. "By leveraging our complementary strengths, we aim to deliver cutting-edge EV solutions at a competitive cost while enhancing the customer experience with state-of-the-art technology."&nbsp;
The announcement provided a brief surge in Rivian&#8217;s stock price, with shares spiking nearly 10% to $12.03 before retracing the entire gain. Following its IPO, Rivian was valued at nearly $88 billion, but it has lost 92% of its market cap owing to the 2022 market downturn, persisting production challenges, and financial losses.
"This collaboration is a critical enabler for accelerating EV adoption," Rivian's CEO RJ Scaringe said. "Seeing our technology integrated into vehicles beyond Rivian is a pivotal moment for us and a testament to our innovative capabilities."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Volkswagen, Rivian Partnership Offers Synergies</h3>
For Volkswagen, the partnership offers immediate access to Rivian&#8217;s advanced software and zonal electrical hardware.&nbsp;
This expertise would help the German firm adjust to external pressures, including <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/metals/101424-chinas-ev-sales-output-hit-fresh-record-in-sep">growing Chinese competition</a> and weaker demand that prompted its rival, Ford, to <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.china.org.cn/business/2024-11/25/content_117566496.htm">cut 4,000 jobs</a> in Germany and the UK.
Blume said that although the initial focus will be on software development, the scope might expand to include hardware components like battery modules.&nbsp;
For Rivian, the deal brings a vital infusion of capital and manufacturing expertise. Volkswagen's scale and production capabilities—delivering as many vehicles weekly as Rivian produces annually—are expected to boost Rivian&#8217;s operational efficiency.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Venture's Structure And Objectives</h3>
The joint venture will pool expertise from both companies to develop software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and modular electrical architectures.&nbsp;
An initial $1 billion has already been allocated to the venture, with an additional $4.8 billion earmarked through 2027. Investments are tied to milestones, ensuring operational and technical feasibility according to <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/press-releases/faster-leaner-more-efficient-rivian-and-volkswagen-group-announce-the-launch-of-their-joint-venture-18828">the deal's terms</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The funding will also support the launch of Rivian's R2, a compact SUV priced at approximately $45,000, expected to debut in 2026. Volkswagen plans to integrate Rivian&#8217;s electrical architecture into its vehicles by 2027, benefiting its global brands, including Audi and Scout.
"The deal mutually benefits both parties: Young Rivian needs capital to offset ongoing free cash burn (around $6 billion in each of the last two years)," Demian Flowers, Financial Markets, S&amp;P Global Mobility, <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.spglobal.com/mobility/en/research-analysis/rivian-volkswagen-production-forecast.html">wrote </a>in June when the initial deal was announced. "By contrast, VW needs technology."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Helping Rivian Overcome Branding Challenges</h3>
Consumer Reports recently listed Rivian as <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.teslarati.com/rivian-consumer-reports-2024-worst-brands/">one of the worst car brands</a> for 2024, citing reliability concerns despite strong performance in road tests for its R1T pickup and R1S SUV. Moreover, Rivian is losing approximately $33,000 per vehicle sold, with prices starting at around $70,000.&nbsp;
The company has struggled to meet production targets, revising its 2024 guidance from 57,000 vehicles to 47,000-49,000 due to supply chain disruptions.
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe627da68-2e6d-4021-84c8-49227efed321_836x471.jpeg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe627da68-2e6d-4021-84c8-49227efed321_836x471.jpeg" alt="" style="width:624px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rivian production by quarter, Source: <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stockdividendscreener.com/auto-manufacturers/rivian-vehicle-production-and-delivery-numbers/">Stockdividendscreener</a></figcaption></figure>
Despite these setbacks, the management remains optimistic about achieving gross profitability by Q4 2024. The company is banking on higher sales volumes, improved manufacturing efficiency, and regulatory credit sales to offset its losses.&nbsp;
Following the Q3 earnings miss, Wedbush's analyst Daniel Ives noted that supply challenges "should be well sorted over the next few quarters as the company is still on track in terms of timing the R2 production launch." He maintained an Outperform rating with a <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41848846/rivian-stock-long-term-winner-in-gas-to-electric-transition-analyst">$20 price target</a>.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Volkswagen Faces Atypical Automotive Slowdown</h3>
Meanwhile, Volkswagen's shares dropped 27% year-to-date, and the company announced the <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://europeancapitalinsights.substack.com/p/volkswagen-considers-first-ever-closure">closure of multiple domestic factories</a> for the first time in company history.
Germany&#8217;s automotive sector, once a pillar of economic stability, has entered a paradoxical phase. The industry has recently shed approximately 60,000 jobs, yet profits have soared. While <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.car-newsdesk.net/artikel/detail/64035">vehicle production</a> in Germany has fallen dramatically, from 5.7 million units in 2016 to 4.1 million in 2023, the industry&#8217;s profit margins have climbed.
The shift toward luxury vehicles and SUVs, which yield higher returns per unit, has allowed Volkswagen to remain profitable despite selling fewer cars. In 2023 alone, the firm reported €22.5 billion in operating profits, up from €22.1 billion the previous year.
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><a href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7373893c-b513-4989-993e-2bd79096ab42_918x581.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7373893c-b513-4989-993e-2bd79096ab42_918x581.png" alt="" style="width:624px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Volkswagen's revenue, 2006- 2023, Source: <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/264349/sales-revenue-of-volkswagen-ag-since-2006/">Statista</a></figcaption></figure>
Since 2016, car demand in Europe, particularly Germany,&nbsp;has consistently declined. Geopolitical instability, tariffs, rising inflation, and the transition to electric vehicles have undermined confidence in <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://europeancapitalinsights.substack.com/p/confidence-in-german-economy-plunges">the German economy</a>.&nbsp;
In 2023, global car sales fell by 2 million units compared to 2018, equivalent to the combined output of Audi and Peugeot globally. Volkswagen, despite its claims of resilience, has not been immune. Excess capacity across its factories, including a now-canceled "Trinity" luxury EV plant, highlights the company&#8217;s structural challenges.
An assembly line worker <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/52713/volkswagens-crisis-is-germanys-crisis">described</a> the growing tension: &#8220;We've made nothing but concessions over the years. The assembly lines are so regimented that you can't even blow your nose without getting behind schedule. All this for €27 an hour while executives rake in millions.&#8221;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Volkswagen Is Too Big to Fail</h3>
Volkswagen's struggles are deeply intertwined with Germany's social and political fabric. In September, management scrapped key <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/10/volkswagen-vw-scraps-labor-agreements-as-standoff-with-unions-intensifies.html">collective bargaining agreements</a>, including those securing job stability and guaranteeing apprentice hiring. Although framed as cost-saving measures, these moves sparked outrage among workers and unions.
Union representative Daniela Cavallo <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/the-unusual-power-of-vws-union-boss-is-being-put-to-the-test-9e2703be">called out</a> the management. &#8220;Volkswagen doesn't just belong to its shareholders. It belongs to its staff, its history, and the regions it serves. This greed-driven &#8216;turbo capitalism&#8217; has no place here," she said.
Meanwhile, Union leader Carsten Büchling warned: &#8220;Operational layoffs and plant closures feed the far-right. If workers had more influence over production decisions, these crises could be mitigated.&#8221; Recent polls back his warning, showing <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://politpro.eu/en/germany/parties/afd">growing support for the far-right AfD</a> in car-manufacturing regions such as Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, where economic anxiety is high.
The state of Lower Saxony, Volkswagen's largest public shareholder, has urged management to present alternatives to mass layoffs. Yet executives, led by CEO Blume, have defended the cuts, citing declining demand in Europe and China as evidence of long-term structural issues.
As Germany looks toward the 2025 elections, the disgruntlement of workers at Volkswagen and other major employers could become a notable factor.
Disclaimer:
Any opinions expressed in this article are not to be considered investment advice and are solely those of the authors. European Capital Insights is not responsible for any financial decisions made based on the contents of this article. Readers may use this article for information and educational purposes only.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga&#8217;s reporting and has not been edited for content&nbsp;or&nbsp;accuracy.

Eurozone

Markets

Tech

General

RIVN

VLKAF

Volkswagen Gets Much-Need Tech, Rivian A Cash Infusion With New JV

Casella Waste Sys's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CWST#NYSE">CWST</a>) short percent of float has risen 11.72% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 2.00 million shares sold short, which is 3.24% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 6.2 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Casella Waste Sys Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732554920_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Casella Waste Sys has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Casella Waste Sys's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Casella Waste Sys's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.15%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

CWST

Looking Into Casella Waste Sys's Recent Short Interest

Masco's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAS#NYSE">MAS</a>) short percent of float has risen 12.5% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.25 million shares sold short, which is 1.71% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.79 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Masco Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732554915_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Masco has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Masco's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Masco's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.74%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Looking Into Masco's Recent Short Interest

Northern Trust's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTRS#NYSE">NTRS</a>) short percent of float has fallen 43.96% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.78 million shares sold short, which is 1.02% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.22 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Northern Trust Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732554910_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Northern Trust has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Northern Trust's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Northern Trust's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.27%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

NTRS

(NTRS) - Analyzing Northern Trust's Short Interest

HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Joseph Pantginis maintains BioLine Rx (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLRX#NASDAQ">BLRX</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $21 to $9.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

BLRX

HC Wainwright & Co. Maintains Buy on BioLine Rx, Lowers Price Target to $9

<h4>Key Takeaways:</h4>
<ul>
<li>NaaS Technology reported its first non-IFRS quarterly profit in the three months to September, as well as a record-high gross margin</li>
<li>As China&rsquo;s leading provider of services to EV charging station operators, NaaS has wound down its low margin offline business to focus on higher-margin platform-based management services</li>
</ul>
By Doug Young
For years Chinese companies operated on the view that bigger was better, no matter what the cost. Subsidies were a big part of that equation in the race for market share, and so was a focus on business that could generate big revenues, even if it meant selling at a loss.
That view is starting to shift as investors demand profits from companies &ndash; a new reality that was a primary driver leading EV charging services company&nbsp;NaaS Technology Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/naas#NASDAQ">NAAS</a>) to overhaul its business model to focus on its most profitable products and customers. That drive is yielding strong results this year, as NaaS last Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/naas-technology-inc-reports-unaudited-2024-third-quarter-financial-results-302311139.html">reported</a>&nbsp;its first-ever non-IFRS quarterly profit and its lowest-ever IFRS net loss.
The latest results also included a record-high gross margin for the company as it shifted focus to its asset-light business of supplying management services to operators of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. That meant giving up its other main business of helping customers design new charging infrastructure, which generated much larger revenues from the sale of infrastructure design but came with very low profit margins.
Following that shift, NaaS&rsquo; gross margin shot up to an all-time high of 57% in the third quarter from 38% in the previous quarter and just 29% a year earlier. At the same time, the company reported a non-IFRS quarterly profit of 21.2 million yuan ($2.9 million), which excludes certain non-operational costs like stock-based employee compensation. NaaS, whose backers include Bain Capital, continued to lose money on a net basis. But even so, its 7.7 million yuan net loss for the quarter was down sharply from a 367 million yuan loss a year earlier.
&ldquo;We have been deliberately transitioning away from lower-margin, capital-intensive energy solutions projects to concentrate on our core charging services business, which offers higher growth potential and profitability,&rdquo; CFO Steven Sim said on the company&rsquo;s earnings call to discuss the results. &ldquo;As a result, there was a substantial improvement in our gross profit margin, which reached a historical high.&rdquo;
NaaS shares edged down 1.5% in Wednesday trade on Nasdaq after the results were published. The stock began trading on the Nasdaq in June 2022, following a reverse merger with an existing listed company that also counted Bain as a major shareholder. The stock rallied 17% in the week before the announcement, though it is still down for the year as it charts its new direction.
From the broadest perspective, NaaS is focusing on its charging services, which is an asset-light business that helps customers maximize performance of their charging stations and enables EV car owners hassle-free and convenient charging services. Its proprietary technology system is its NaaS Energy Fintech system, introduced last year, which uses advanced AI algorithms to &ldquo;intelligently manage site selection for charging stations, revenue assessments, operational scheduling, maintenance and more,&rdquo; according to the company.
<h3>Changing Revenue Mix</h3>
The shift has brought some growing pains to NaaS in terms of overall revenue as it put more focus on income that could actually generate the most profits. The company&rsquo;s total revenue fell to 44.4 million yuan during the third quarter from 98.9 million a year earlier. But the drop was solely due to its exit from the asset-heavy infrastructure business, whose contribution tumbled to just 600,000 yuan in the latest reporting period after it made up the lion&rsquo;s share of total revenue a year earlier.
The wind-down of the energy solutions business left NaaS with charging services as its main revenue stream. Revenue from that business actually rose 36% year-on-year to 42.4 million yuan, accounting for 95% of the company&rsquo;s total.
While revenue from that business was up, it&rsquo;s also notable that the charging volume and number of transactions handled over NaaS&rsquo; platform both dropped during the quarter from year-ago levels. That reflects another trend for the company, namely its phasing out of subsidies since that start of this year. Such subsidies could quickly boost a company&rsquo;s user count and transaction volumes, but at a high cost as they often contributed to massive losses.
Reflecting the progress in its drive to end subsidies, NaaS said its charging service orders with a positive net take rate (NTR), a measure of profitability, rose to 73% in the third quarter from 70% in the previous quarter. Its sales and marketing expenses, which include such subsidies, also fell 81% year-on-year to 29.7 million yuan in the latest quarter.
NaaS is increasingly turning to partnerships with major players to boost its network. On that front, it announced its recent signing of new partnerships with a regional EV charging station operator in Fujian as well as with FAW-Volkswagen and IM Motors, an electric vehicle (EV) joint venture whose partners include leading car maker SAIC and e-commerce giant Alibaba.
NaaS is still a work in progress, though much of its overhaul now appears to be in the past with its new foundation focused on charging services in a China market that now accounts for more than half of global new energy vehicle (NEV) sales. That transformation may explain the company&rsquo;s relatively low price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of just 0.28. By comparison,&nbsp;ChargePoint&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/chpt#NYSE">CHPT</a>) and&nbsp;Blink Charging&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/blnk#NASDAQ">BLNK</a>) trade at higher ratios of just over 1.
Whether NaaS can catch up with those rivals will largely depend on how quickly it can show that its latest path is the right one in a fast-evolving global NEV market. A return to accelerating revenue growth would be a good start, which looks possible next year as the company turns its attention to revving up its new business formula.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

Penny Stocks

Small Cap

BLNK

CHPT

NAAS

NaaS Drives Into Third Quarter With First-Ever Quarterly Non-IFRS Profit

Planning for prosperity
With 2025 just around the corner, now is the perfect time to hit &ldquo;pause&rdquo; and take stock of your financial journey. Think about where your money went this year and how it aligned with your values and goals. Did your spending reflect what truly matters to you?
Maybe you tackled a home improvement project, splurged on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, or prioritized saving for your child&rsquo;s education. Were those choices part of the plan, or did they happen on the fly? Did you stick to your budget&mdash;or did it slip through your fingers?
This is also a moment to reflect on the big life changes that may have shifted your financial picture. A new baby, a career move, or retirement can reshape your priorities and demand a fresh look at your strategy.
If you don&rsquo;t have a plan yet, no worries&mdash;it&rsquo;s never too late to start. Whether you&rsquo;re stretching every dollar or enjoying a financial surplus, crafting a plan gives you clarity and control. It&rsquo;s about aligning your spending with your goals for the year ahead and your vision for the future.
Here&rsquo;s the thing: <a href="https://cosmodestefano.substack.com/p/true-financial-freedom-is-having">true financial freedom</a> isn&rsquo;t about chasing an ever-elusive number. It&rsquo;s about understanding and defining enough. And without clear goals and a thoughtful plan, figuring out what &ldquo;enough&rdquo; means for you is exponentially harder.
So, as the New Year approaches, why not take this opportunity to plan for your prosperity? The path to financial freedom starts with reflection, intention, and action. Just get started.
Check-in on your investments
&bull; Replenish your emergency fund
If you tapped into your emergency fund during the year, it is a good time to refill it, or if you don&rsquo;t have an emergency fund, start one. Having these funds at the ready can help you cover surprise expenses, such as car repairs or medical expenses, without relying on high-interest credit cards or selling long-term investments.
Is your cash working for you? Borrowing rates remain stubbornly high while savings rates have decreased slightly. But with today&rsquo;s money market funds and CDs still paying 4%+, your cash can provide not only an emergency cushion but a reasonable return as well.
&bull; Top off retirement contributions
If your financial situation allows, it may be a good idea to increase your contributions to your retirement account(s). This can be a good annual practice until you&rsquo;re contributing the maximum amount allowable to an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or their Roth counterparts.
For example, if you have access to a 401(k) through your employer, you&rsquo;ll have until the end of the year to contribute up to the $23,000 limit for 2024. People above the age of 50 can make additional catch-up contributions of up to $7,500 for a total of $30,500.
If you have a health savings account (HSA), consider maxing out that contribution as well--$4,150 for an individual ($5,150 if age 55 or older) and $8,300 for a family ($9,300 if age 55 or older).
Whether you use the HSA for long-term saving or near-term spending, it is triple tax-advantaged: Funding is tax deductible, growth isn&rsquo;t taxed, and withdrawals are tax-free if spent on qualified medical expenses.
[Pro-tip: If you are a prodigious accumulator of wealth, most HSA plans have investment alternatives, but research has found that only 12% of account holders invest in assets other than cash. Explore your options.]
Tax planning strategies for high-income earners
&bull; Consider a mega-backdoor Roth conversion&hellip;or its smaller cousin
This tax planning strategy potentially allows high-income earners to put away even more in a Roth account by sidestepping the income limits of a Roth IRA and the tax consequences of a regular Roth conversion. If permitted by your workplace retirement plan, you would first max out your normal 401(k) contributions then contribute after-tax dollars up to the 2024 overall account limit (including employer matches) of $69,000 ($76,500 if 50 or older). You&rsquo;ll want to rollover these funds (&ldquo;in-service distribution&rdquo;) as quickly as possible to a Roth 401(k) or to a Roth IRA to minimize any tax on investment returns.
If your employer-sponsored retirement plan doesn&rsquo;t allow both (a) after-tax contributions, and (b) &ldquo;in-service distributions&rdquo; for the mega-backdoor Roth, you could consider the smaller version, known simply as a backdoor Roth. With this strategy, you contribute after-tax dollars (up to $7,000; or $8,000 if age 50 or older) to your traditional IRA and then immediately convert it to a Roth IRA. (Caveat: if you have any traditional IRAs with a previous balance, this gets more complicated and could trigger a tax liability on the conversion.)
[Pro-tip: A little short of cash during the year-end holidays? Use the IRA extension. You can contribute to your IRA through the tax filing deadline next year and it will count towards the previous year. That is, up until April 15, 2025, you can designate an IRA contribution as counting against the limit for tax year 2024 or 2025.]
&bull; Tax-loss harvesting
As you are plotting year-end moves, you will inevitably hear about investors considering tax-loss harvesting in their taxable brokerage accounts. &ldquo;Harvesting&rdquo; refers to the selling of investments at a loss to offset capital gains from other investments. You then use the sale proceeds to buy a different investment so overall you stay invested in the market. The last point is critical&mdash;it&rsquo;s what distinguishes the harvesting strategy from market timing.
[Pro-tip: Harvesting can help minimize taxes but be mindful of something called a &ldquo;wash sale.&rdquo; The IRS is fine with you selling at a loss, but it doesn&rsquo;t like it when you sell at a loss and then quickly buy back the same investment (or a &lsquo;substantially identical&rsquo; investment). In fact, buying back the investment within 61-days (beginning 30 days before the sale and ending 30 days after the sale), can trigger a wash sale and defer the loss.]
It&rsquo;s also a good time to pause and reflect on the premise of this strategy. Harvesting implies you have losses to be harvested. With the markets once again approaching all-time highs, why do you have underwater investments in the first place?
Think about it. If you had been purchasing &ldquo;the market&rdquo; (e.g., an S&amp;P 500 ETF or similar broad-based index funds), then you would not have a significant loss on your fund shares since the market is approaching its highest level now!
This means that losses you do have are likely in your individual stock selections. This is just a friendly reminder that picking individual stock winners is difficult (even for professionals) and a humbling experience.
Charitable giving
&bull; Bunch your donations
If you plan to donate the same amount of money each year, consider &ldquo;bunching&rdquo; the donations into a single year. This could increase your potential itemized deduction for that year.
&bull; Donate appreciated assets
If you have large unrealized capital gains, rather than selling and donating the cash, consider donating the appreciated assets. If you itemize, you can deduct the full fair market value of the appreciated assets, and you won&rsquo;t need to report the gain as taxable income.
[Pro tip: For large gifts, consider using a donor-advised fund to spread out the giving while simultaneously taking advantage of &ldquo;bunching.&rdquo;]
Block out the noise
This month the &lsquo;news&rsquo; stories will start to appear touting the &ldquo;best-performing investments of 2024.&rdquo; Making portfolio decisions based on headlines is like buying a house based on the color of the front door.
Don&rsquo;t chase the hot hand, the hot stock, the hot story. Stay calm and remain cool. Have faith in your planning process.
Don&rsquo;t be too quick to jump into the high flyers or dump the underperforming ones. Twelve months seems like a long time but with investing, that&rsquo;s a short look. Often, today&rsquo;s shooting stars become tomorrow&rsquo;s laggards and vice versa. There are good reasons for changing between investments but chasing performance isn&rsquo;t one of them.
Some of the above strategies can be tricky, so consider speaking with a professional.
Above all, remember that investing is a tool, not a plan.
Review (or create) your financial plan, make any necessary adjustments, and then get back to living your best life now.
Want a Chance to Win Wealth Your Way? <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/398326-wealth-your-way-a-simple-path-to-financial-freedom">Click here to enter</a> the Goodreads Giveaway for a free Kindle copy of my book! Contest ends 11/30/24.
As always, invest often and wisely. Thank you for reading.
My book, Wealth Your Way is <a href="https://geni.us/wealthyourwaypb">available on Amazon</a>, and consider subscribing to <a href="https://cosmodestefano.substack.com/">my free newsletter</a>.
The content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be nor should it be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. It is merely my own random thoughts.
<a href="https://geni.us/wealthyourwaypb"><img alt="wyw_cover_with_award.png" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u1441852/wyw_cover_with_award.png" style="height:308px; width:200px" /></a>
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

Personal Finance

Finish Strong: Your 2024 Year-End Financial Tune-Up

Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Ryan Lynch maintains Crescent Capital BDC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCAP#NASDAQ">CCAP</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $19 to $20.

CCAP

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Maintains Outperform on Crescent Capital BDC, Raises Price Target to $20

<h4>Key Takeaways:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The company&rsquo;s net profit more than halved in the first half of the year, squeezed by price competition and weak consumer confidence</li>
<li>The dining chain is planning to scale back its network in mainland China and Singapore</li>
</ul>
By Lau Chi Hang&nbsp;
Hong Kong&rsquo;s restaurant industry is serving up an unsavory set of earnings in the latest results season.
The dining sector&rsquo;s struggles in the face of economic uncertainty and consumer caution are clear to see from the recent releases.
After profit warnings from fast food chain&nbsp;Fairwood&nbsp;(0052.HK)&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Caf&eacute; de Coral&nbsp;(0341.HK) restaurant group, Hong Kong&rsquo;s biggest rice noodle chain has added to the dismal picture with an unappetizing&nbsp;<a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/1113/2024111301386.pdf">performance</a>&nbsp;in the first half of the year.
Tam Jai International&nbsp;Co. Ltd.&nbsp;(2217.HK) tried to put a positive spin on the figures, saying it had battled through adversity to raise revenues by&nbsp;1.2% to HK$1.4 billion ($179.88 million) from the same period a year earlier.
However, there was no denying that the bottom line looked grim, and harder times could lie ahead. Profits slumped nearly 56% to HK$36.07 million, as the chain battled to attract customers in a challenging economic climate.
To maintain its position in the Hong Kong restaurant scene, Tam Jai was forced to shrink its profit margin, rolling out various promotions and aggressive discounts to entice diners through the door.
The Hong Kong market contributes nearly 94% of the company&rsquo;s revenue, but Tam Jai&rsquo;s operating profit in the city dropped 14.7% to HK$224 million from the corresponding period of last year.&nbsp;
The company said its operations in Hong Kong and other markets had been hit by economic slowdown, weak consumer sentiment and intensifying competition. Another factor was a trend for budget-conscious Hong Kong residents to head to the mainland for consumption purposes.
A series of promotion deals coupled with surging commissions paid to online takeout platforms took a big bite out of Tam Jai&rsquo;s gross margin, which fell 3.3 percentage points to just 2.6%.
No wonder the company said it was facing one of the most&nbsp;challenging times in its history.
<h3>New Taste Options</h3>
To offset the issues in the home market, the company has been expanding its network to mainland China and other parts of Asia, with a slogan of &ldquo;spreading the taste of Tam Jai to every corner of the world&rdquo;.
The company started to open mainland Chinese noodle shops several years ago and is already active in Singapore. This month the company opened a store in Melbourne with the aim of expanding to three Australian outlets in the second half of this financial year. Franchised restaurants are also planned in the Philippines and Malaysia.
At the same time, the company is trying to introduce Hong Kong diners to other food options from the brand portfolio of its Japanese parent company, Toridoll. In November Tam Jai paid Toridoll HK$12.5 million for&nbsp;the Hong Kong rights to the Japanese udon label &ldquo;Marugame Seimen&rsquo;&rsquo;, and has also launched the beef brand &ldquo;Yakiniku Yamagyu&rdquo; in the city this year.
<h3>Scaling Back Its Chain</h3>
The expansion strategy has hit a number of hurdles over the years and is now going into reverse in mainland China. The company said it had closed four struggling mainland stores during the first half of the year, and further consolidation was planned.
The situation in Singapore is even more fraught. Due to growing competition, elevated inflation and chronic staffing problems, revenues have been falling at its 11 shops in the city state, with losses widening further in the half-year period.&nbsp;&nbsp;The company said it would trim its business in Singapore, incurring one-off costs from closing dining outlets.
It is unclear whether the tactic of offering more parent brands will be a success. Newly acquired&nbsp;Marugame Seimen made a loss of&nbsp;HK$1 million in the financial year ending in March, while the Yakiniku Yamagyu outlet is struggling to survive in a neighborhood mall. The two brands combined will open only four branches in the second half of the year and are unlikely to contribute much to the company&rsquo;s revenue.&nbsp;
<h3>Inevitable Price Pressure</h3>
Restaurant operators in both Hong Kong and mainland China are grappling with the knock-on effects of a weak economy, as reflected in the earnings figures.
Per capita spending fell 1% in Hong Kong to HK$61 and dropped nearly 9% in Singapore to HK$81.2. The slippage in mainland China was even bigger, as spending per head sank almost 13% to HK$36.2, according to the earnings statement. As for per-day revenue, mainland&nbsp;China logged a fall of 24%, followed by&nbsp;Singapore with a drop of 16% and Hong Kong with 4.6%.
To attract cost-conscious customers, the company said would it would fortify &ldquo;the value-for-money positioning&rdquo; of its two flagship brands,&nbsp;TamJai and SamGor, and offer &ldquo;value offerings&rdquo; in its meal deals.
In other words, the chain may have to cut prices to hold its ground in the Hong Kong and mainland markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The restaurant business there is not likely to recover any time soon, and competition can only intensify. Expanding into overseas markets comes with its own set of challenges, as illustrated by the push into Singapore.
With the risk of global economic weakness adding to the troubling mix, relief for the restaurant industry may be some way off.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

Tam Jai Results Leave Sour Taste Of Dining Downturn

KULR Technology Group Inc (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KULR#AMEX">KULR</a>) shares are trading higher Monday after the company announced it won a U.S. Navy contract for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/g42162713/kulr-awarded-u-s-navy-contract-to-develop-high-temperature-internal-short-circuit-cells-for-enhanc">enhanced battery safety initiatives</a>.
What Happened: KULR Technology was awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy to advance its Internal Short Circuit (ISC) technology to activate at higher temperatures. The development will support a wide range of safety-critical uses.
KULR noted that its devices induce controlled thermal runaway in lithium-ion cells, offering safer and more accurate testing than conventional methods.
&#8220;Our work with the U.S. Navy on high-temperature ISC technology will enhance safety protocols and provide essential data as electric aviation moves closer to regulatory certification and market entry,&#8221; said Michael Mo, CEO of KULR Technology.
&#8220;With these advancements, KULR is well-positioned to support safer, more resilient battery systems across the aviation industry.&#8221;
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/42164927/cassava-sciences-controversial-alzheimers-drug-fails-to-hit-primary-goal-in-pivotal-study-halts-late-stage-studies#google_vignette">Cassava Sciences Alzheimer&#8217;s Drug Fails To Hit Primary Goal In Pivotal Study, Pharma Halts Late-Stage Studies</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Is KULR A Good Stock To Buy?</h3>
An investor can make a few decisions when deciding whether a stock is a good buy. In addition to valuation metrics and price action which you can find on Benzinga's quote pages &#8211; like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KULR">KULR</a>&#8216;s page for example &#8211; there are factors like whether or not a company pays a dividend or buys a large portion of its stock each quarter.
These are known as capital allocation programs. KULR does not pay a dividend, but obviously has a few ways it can return value to shareholders. Feel free to search Benzinga's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/dividends">dividend calendar</a> for the next company that is due to pay a dividend and determine what kind of yield you can earn for holding a share of the company.
Buyback programs are obviously different and highly variable. A company can approve a buyback program and purchase shares as it sees fit over the course of time in which the buyback was authorized. Looking through the latest news on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KULR">KULR Tech Gr</a> will often yield whether or not the company has approved a buyback program recently. Buyback programs usually serve as a support for share prices, serving as a backstop for demand.
KULR Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/KULR">KULR Technology shares</a> were up 75.2% at 78 cents at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Pixabay.

Movers

KULR

KULR Technology Stock Is Soaring Monday: What's Going On?

D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QBTS#NYSE">QBTS</a>), Quantum Computing Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NYSE">QUBT</a>) and IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IONQ#NYSE">IONQ</a>) shares are soaring on Monday. Here&#8217;s what <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/41984578">you need to know</a>.
What To Know: Amazon Web Services announced the Quantum Embark Program, which builds on Amazon Bracket.
The program consists of three service offerings. The Use Case Discovery helps customers identify potential business applications for quantum computing. The Technical Enablement workshop provides in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with quantum computing. Finally, the Deep Dive program focuses on exploring specific quantum computing applications.
Stocks in the quantum industry may be moving higher following Amazon Web Services&#8217; announcement as the expanded program helps businesses understand how quantum computing can address their problems, potentially driving up demand for quantum solutions.
Last week, IonQ <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42047774">showcased</a> a hybrid quantum computing workflow combining its quantum hardware with NVIDIA Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CUDA-Q platform. Additionally, several technology stocks across various sectors rose following Snowflake Inc.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>) better-than-expected third-quarter earnings for 2024.
Quantum stocks are buzzing on social media Monday morning. Quantum Computing shares have surged over 235%, D-Wave is up 115% and IonQ has climbed 28% in the past week. 
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42153356/is-warren-buffett-preparing-for-a-market-downturn-with-berkshire-hathaways-325b-cash-pile-analys">Is Warren Buffett Preparing For A Market Downturn With Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s $325B Cash Pile? Analyst Says Internet Bubble And 2008 Crash May Have Lessons</a>
Price Action: At the time of publication, D-Wave Quantum shares are moving 10.1% higher at $3.23, Quantum Computing stock is trading 35.3% higher at $8.3, IonQ stock is moving 3.57% higher at $32.96, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: Courtesy of IonQ, Inc.

IONQ

NVDA

QBTS

QUBT

SNOW

Quantum Industry Stocks Soar: What's Behind the D-Wave, Quantum Computing and IonQ Gains?

Good Morning Traders! In today&#39;s Market Clubhouse Morning Memo, we will discuss SPY, QQQ, AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META, and TSLA.
Our proprietary formula, exclusive to Market Clubhouse, dictates these price levels. This dynamic equation takes into account price, volume, and options flow. These levels are updated every day and shared with all Clubhouse Members, prior to the opening of the market.
We recommend closely monitoring these stocks, and be prepared to leverage potential breakouts or reversals. As always, stay alert and ready to adjust your tactics based on the market&#39;s pulse to optimize your trading gains. Now, let&#39;s dive into the stock analysis:
<h3>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust</h3>
The SPY (ARCA: SPY)&nbsp;is trading near our pivotal level of 598.04. For bullish momentum to take hold, we need to see a move above 599.24 with conviction. If buyers dominate at this level, we anticipate an upward drive to 600.51, which should act as a robust support level. Holding above 600.51 could ignite a further rally toward 604.45. In an optimistic scenario, strong demand may propel the price to our high bull target of 607.55 for the day.
Should 598.04 fail to hold as support, bearish momentum is expected to take over. Sellers will likely test 596.57, a crucial level to watch. A breach here could expose 593.73 to increased downside pressure. Should selling intensify further, we foresee a drop toward 592.00. If significant sell-side volume persists, our low bear target for SPY sits at 589.71.
<h3>Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1</h3>
The QQQ (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qqq#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) is currently hovering around 508.22, a key battleground for market participants. Bulls will aim to secure this level as support to drive prices upward. A hold above 508.22 could set the stage for a climb to 509.87. Continued strength would bring 511.53 into focus, and if the buying momentum accelerates, we could see a push toward 513.64. The high bull target for today stands at 515.00, provided bulls maintain control.
Conversely, a failure to sustain 508.22 could pave the way for bearish pressure to build. Bears would likely push the price down to 506.68. A breach here could lead to further downside exploration at 504.44. If sellers remain in control, the next significant test lies at 502.65. Failing this level, the QQQ may move toward the low bear target of 501.07.
<h3>Apple Inc.</h3>
Apple&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is consolidating near 230.25, a critical level for the day. Bulls will need to hold this level as support to propel the stock higher. If the price maintains strength above 230.25, we anticipate a rally to 231.76. Further bullish energy could see the stock targeting 233.28, with a potential extension to our high bull target at 234.20 if buyers dominate the session.
However, if 230.25 cannot hold during regular trading hours, bearish momentum is expected to emerge. Sellers could drive the price lower to test 229.03. Should selling intensify, the next downside targets are 227.82 and 226.90. A breakdown at 226.90 would likely bring the price closer to the low bear target for the day at 226.08.
<h3>Microsoft Corp. </h3>
Microsoft (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) is trading near the important level of 417.25. For bulls to maintain control, this level needs to act as solid support. A sustained move above 417.25 could lead to a test of 419.17. If this level holds as support, further upward momentum could take the stock to 420.26. Continued buying pressure may drive the price to our high bull target of 421.62.
On the other hand, if 417.25 is breached, sellers are likely to gain the upper hand. Bears may push the price down to 416.32 initially. A break below this level would open the door to a test of 414.56. If downward pressure continues, the next significant level is 413.14, with the low bear target resting at 411.72.
<h3>NVIDIA Corporation</h3>
NVIDIA&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nvda#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) is auctioning close to 142.35, a critical pivot point for the session. Bulls will aim to push the price toward 144.21 and establish it as a support level. If successful, further buying strength could drive the stock to 145.61. A strong rally could see the price testing 147.06, with 148.52 as the high bull target for the day.
If 142.35 cannot hold, bearish activity is likely to intensify. The first key level for the bears is 141.21. A break below this level may lead to additional selling pressure toward 140.28. Should weakness persist, a test of 139.42 could be in play, with the low bear target at 138.55.
<h3>Alphabet Inc Class A</h3>
Alphabet&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/googl#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) is trading near the level of 165.41, which bulls need to defend to maintain upward momentum. If this level holds as support, we anticipate a move to 167.04. Further buying could drive the auction to test 169.34, which is our high bull target for the day.
If the auction fails to sustain above 165.41, bears may take control. The first downside target is 163.79. If selling accelerates, the stock could revisit 161.79. With persistent selling, the price may drop toward the low bear target of 160.36.
<h3>Meta Platforms Inc</h3>
Meta&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/meta#NASDAQ">META</a>) is currently testing the level of 559.29, which is crucial for bulls to hold. If support is confirmed here, we expect a rally to 565.53. Sustained buying could bring 573.25 into play, and a continuation of bullish momentum might push the price to the high bull target of 580.17.
Should 559.29 fail as support, bearish momentum is likely to increase. Sellers may target 553.05 as the first downside level. Continued selling pressure could drive the stock to 548.44, and if this level is breached, we anticipate a move to the low bear target at 541.79.
<h3>Tesla Inc.</h3>
Tesla&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is trading near a pivotal level at 356.80, where bulls will aim to gain control. A move above this level could initiate a rally to 363.84. Continued bullish momentum may lead to a test of 370.22, with potential for an extended push to 384.07. If buyers remain dominant, the high bull target is 390.23.
However, if the auction struggles to maintain 356.80 as support, bears are likely to take charge. The first target for the downside is 350.87, with further selling pressure potentially driving the price to 346.64. A breakdown below this level could lead to a test of the low bear target at 340.97.
Final Word:&nbsp; As we enter a holiday-shortened trading week, today&#39;s focus will be on economic updates and potential market drivers. At 10:00 AM ET, the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index for November will be released, offering insights into regional economic activity. Later in the day, the Treasury&#39;s 2-Year Note Auction at 1:00 PM ET will be closely watched for implications on interest rates and market liquidity.
This week&#39;s tone may also be shaped by the selection of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary. His anticipated conservative policies and focus on tax reduction could influence investor sentiment. Market participants should be prepared for potential fluctuations in price, volume, and volatility due to the shortened week. Remember to adapt strategies to the evolving conditions and stay disciplined in managing risk. Trade wisely, and best of luck in today&rsquo;s session!
The Morning Memo is curated by RIPS, a pro trader with years of experience in equities, options, and futures trading. RIPS is at the heart of the exclusive Market Clubhouse community, offering his insights, expertise, and real-time mentorship.
Start your day with a live daily market analysis, a carefully selected watch list, early access to the Morning Memo, and exclusive Market Clubhouse price levels, providing precise support and resistance indicators. When you become a member of Market Clubhouse, you will gain early access to the Morning Memo, just like this one, every single day&mdash;hours before it&#39;s published. You will also have access to a live stream with zero latency and screen sharing, enabling you to witness Rips executing his trades in real-time and sharing his exclusive trading plans, strategies, and live decision-making.
For a limited time during our special promotion, you can join RIPS and get a full access pass to Market Clubhouse for 7 full days for just $7. Check it out at <a href="https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/" title="https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/">https://marketclubhouse.club/7Days/</a> where you can trade live with him and tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience. You can also catch Rips on his live day trading streams every Monday-Friday at 8 am EST on the Market Clubhouse YouTube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse" title="https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse">https://www.youtube.com/@MarketClubhouse</a>.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga&#39;s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

AAPL

GOOGL

MSFT

TSLA

Market Clubhouse Morning Memo - November 25th, 2024 (Trade Strategy For SPY, QQQ, AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META And TSLA)

Wolfe Research analyst Brad Hewitt initiates coverage on SPX Techs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPXC#NYSE">SPXC</a>) with a Outperform rating and announces Price Target of $199.

Initiation

SPXC

Wolfe Research Initiates Coverage On SPX Techs with Outperform Rating, Announces Price Target of $199

On Monday, Merck&nbsp;&amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) revealed topline results from the Phase 3 ZENITH study evaluating Winrevair (sotatercept-csrk) in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group 1) functional class (FC) III or IV at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/b42159674/merck-announces-pivotal-phase-3-zenith-trial-evaluating-winrevair-sotatercept-csrk-met-primary-end" rel="noreferrer noopener">high risk of mortality</a>.
PAH is high blood pressure in pulmonary arteries, which carry oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs.
ZENITH met its primary endpoint of time to first morbidity or mortality event (all-cause death, lung transplantation, or PAH worsening-related hospitalization of ≥ 24 hours).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41693101/mercks-gardasil-shot-challenges-to-continue-analysts-optimistic-for-newly-approved-" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merck&#8217;s Gardasil Shot Challenges To Continue, Analysts Optimistic For Newly Approved Sotatercept For Rare Lung Disease</a>
In the study, Winrevair demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of morbidity or mortality events compared to placebo, on top of background PAH therapy.
An independent data monitoring committee has recommended that ZENITH be stopped early and that all participants be offered the opportunity to receive Winrevair through the SOTERIA open-label extension study.
In the preliminary assessment, adverse events and serious adverse events were balanced between the treatment groups.
Winrevair is currently approved in the U.S. and 36 countries based on the Phase 3 STELLAR trial results.
In March, the FDA approved Winrevair for injection for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to increase exercise capacity, improve WHO functional class (FC), and reduce the risk of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37966217/the-most-important-catalyst-for-mercks-stock-in-2024-could-be-sotatercept-launch-an" rel="noreferrer noopener">clinical worsening events</a>.&nbsp;
Most recently, in November of this year, WINREVAIR was submitted for approval in Japan based on the STELLAR trial and results from an open-label Phase 3 study in Japanese patients.
Price Action: MRK stock is up 1.93% at $101.09&nbsp;at last check Monday.
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Biotech

Equities

Large Cap

Health Care

Why Is Merck Stock Trading Higher On Monday?

Susquehanna analyst Shyam Patil downgrades Baidu (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) from Positive to Neutral and lowers the price target from $105 to $85.

Downgrades

BIDU

Susquehanna Downgrades Baidu to Neutral, Lowers Price Target to $85

12 analysts have expressed a variety of opinions on Universal Health Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) over the past quarter, offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $248.58, a high estimate of $285.00, and a low estimate of $211.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 3.65% increase from the previous average price target of $239.83.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732554065_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Universal Health Servs is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Baxter</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Baxter</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
<td>$275.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ryan Langston</td>
<td>TD Cowen</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$275.00</td>
<td>$283.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Frank Morgan</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$211.00</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Mok</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$271.00</td>
<td>$256.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah James</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$219.00</td>
<td>$219.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Baxter</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$275.00</td>
<td>$255.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ryan Langston</td>
<td>TD Cowen</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$283.00</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah James</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$219.00</td>
<td>$219.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah James</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$219.00</td>
<td>$219.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ben Hendrix</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
<td>$189.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Ha</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$274.00</td>
<td>$236.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Universal Health Servs. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Universal Health Servs compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Universal Health Servs's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Universal Health Servs's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UHS/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Universal Health Servs analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About Universal Health Servs</h2>
Universal Health Services Inc owns and operates acute care hospitals, behavior health centers, surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and radiation oncology centers. The firm operates in two key segments: Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Services. The Acute Care Hospital Services segment includes the firm's acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals, and surgery and oncology centers.
<h3>Universal Health Servs's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization: Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.
Revenue Growth: Universal Health Servs displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 11.23%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.
Net Margin: Universal Health Servs's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 6.53%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Universal Health Servs's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 3.95% ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Universal Health Servs's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 1.82% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: Universal Health Servs's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.77, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Decoding 12 Analyst Evaluations For Universal Health Servs

WIIM

TMHC

Shares of homebuilders and housing-linked stocks are trading higher amid a drop in yields.

In the last three months, 5 analysts have published ratings on Latham Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWIM#NASDAQ">SWIM</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $6.8, a high estimate of $7.70, and a low estimate of $5.00. This current average reflects an increase of 25.69% from the previous average price target of $5.41. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732554055_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
A clear picture of Latham Group's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>W. Andrew Carter</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$7.70</td>
<td>$7.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Susan Maklari</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$3.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timothy Wojs</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$7.50</td>
<td>$5.50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>W. Andrew Carter</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$7.00</td>
<td>$6.80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>W. Andrew Carter</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$6.80</td>
<td>$4.75</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Latham Group. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Latham Group compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Latham Group's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Latham Group's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SWIM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Latham Group analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>About Latham Group</h2>
Latham Group Inc is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools, liners, and covers in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It derives a majority of its revenue from the United States.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: Latham Group's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company exhibits a lower market capitalization profile, positioning itself below industry averages. This suggests a smaller scale relative to peers.
Revenue Challenges: Latham Group's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 30 September, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -6.4%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Consumer Discretionary sector.
Net Margin: Latham Group's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 3.92%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 1.43%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 0.7%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: Latham Group's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 0.75. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

SWIM

A Closer Look at 5 Analyst Recommendations For Latham Group

In the latest quarter, 13 analysts provided ratings for Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKR#NASDAQ">BKR</a>), showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $44.15, a high estimate of $50.00, and a low estimate of $40.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $42.69, the current average has increased by 3.42%.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732554042_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
The perception of Baker Hughes by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Gengaro</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$48.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Gruber</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Minervino</td>
<td>Susquehanna</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Positive</td>
<td>$48.00</td>
<td>$46.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keith Mackey</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kurt Hallead</td>
<td>Benchmark</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Anderson</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$46.00</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Anderson</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Phillip Jungwirth</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Connor Lynagh</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Gruber</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$44.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Roger Read</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Silverstein</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Connor Lynagh</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Baker Hughes. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Baker Hughes compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Baker Hughes's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into Baker Hughes's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BKR/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Baker Hughes analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Baker Hughes Better</h2>
Baker Hughes is a global leader in oilfield services and oilfield equipment, with particularly strong presences in the artificial lift, specialty chemicals, and completions markets. It maintains modest exposure to offshore oil and gas production. The other half of its business focuses on industrial power generation, process solutions, and industrial asset management, with a high exposure to the liquid natural gas market specifically, as well as broader industrials end markets.
<h3>Breaking Down Baker Hughes's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Baker Hughes showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 4.02% as of 30 September, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Energy sector.
Net Margin: Baker Hughes's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 11.09%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Baker Hughes's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 4.82%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Baker Hughes's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 2.07%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.37.
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
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In-Depth Examination Of 13 Analyst Recommendations For Baker Hughes

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on C3.ai. Our analysis of options history for C3.ai (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AI#NYSE">AI</a>) revealed 22 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 50% of traders were bullish, while 45% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 6 were puts, with a value of $307,758, and 16 were calls, valued at $873,710.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $10.0 to $55.0 for C3.ai over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for C3.ai's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across C3.ai's significant trades, within a strike price range of $10.0 to $55.0, over the past month.
<h3>C3.ai Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732554035_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>AI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$2.14</td>
<td>$1.87</td>
<td>$1.9</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$152.0K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
<td align="right">856</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.25</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$126.4K</td>
<td>367</td>
<td align="right">332</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$29.05</td>
<td>$28.35</td>
<td>$28.88</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$115.5K</td>
<td>436</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$21.95</td>
<td>$21.4</td>
<td>$21.4</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$85.6K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td align="right">145</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$21.55</td>
<td>$21.2</td>
<td>$21.2</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$80.5K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About C3.ai</h3>
C3.ai Inc is an enterprise artificial intelligence company. The company provides software-as-a-service applications that enable customers to rapidly develop, deploy, and operate large-scale Enterprise AI applications across any infrastructure. It provides solutions under three divisions namely, The C3 AI Platform, which is an end-to-end application development and runtime environment for designing, developing, and deploying AI applications: C3 AI Applications, which is a portfolio of pre-built, extensible, industry-specific, and application-specific Enterprise AI applications: and C3 Generative AI, which combines the utility of large language models. Geographically the company derives revenue from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding C3.ai, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>C3.ai's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 5,276,663, with AI's price up by 5.29%, positioned at $39.4.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 14 days.</li>
</ul>
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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 C3.ai with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

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