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RF Acquisition Corp II is a blank check company.

RF Acquisition Corp II

The Trump administration's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43489967/the-trump-bitcoin-reserve-ushers-in-golden-age">pro-crypto shift</a> is setting the stage for major banks to enter the digital asset market, potentially revolutionizing traditional finance and accelerating crypto's mainstream adoption.
What Happened: A new Barron's <a href="https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/bitcoin-trump-crypto-banks-d6de3352">report</a> on Wednesday reveals that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) is considering revising its stance on crypto banking, which could allow financial institutions to engage in certain crypto operations without prior regulatory approval.
This marks a major departure from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42404610/peter-schiff-advises-biden-to-do-one-good-thing-before-his-term-ends-sell-all-the-bitcoin-held-by-the-us">Biden administration's approach</a>, which discouraged traditional banks from interacting with cryptocurrencies.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan acknowledged banks' interest in crypto, stating: &#8220;If the rules come in and make it a real thing that you can actually do business with, you&#8217;ll find that the banking system will come in hard on the transactional side of it.&#8221;
However, not everyone is on board. 
Shayna Olesiuk, director of banking policy at Better Markets, warns that regulators must remain cautious, citing past failures like Silvergate and Signature banks, where excessive crypto exposure led to major collapses.
On the flip side, Yale Program on Financial Stability&#8217;s Steven Kelly <a href="https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/bitcoin-trump-crypto-banks-d6de3352">believes</a> that allowing big banks to handle crypto deposits could reduce systemic risks by spreading out exposure instead of concentrating it within &#8220;crypto banks.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43505966/bitcoin-struggling-but-perfect-storm-will-take-it-to-500000-ethereum-to-20000-trader-predicts">Bitcoin Struggling But &#8216;Perfect Storm&#8217; Will Take It To $500,000, Ethereum To $20,000, Trader Predicts</a>
Why It Matters: The timing of this shift aligns with the booming success of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) ETFs, which have attracted over $120 billion in assets in just a year. 
With banks eager to capture their share of the crypto market, a Trump-led regulatory pivot could supercharge institutional adoption.
As Trump's pro-crypto agenda takes shape—including a proposed federal Bitcoin reserve and a crypto-focused working group—the banking industry appears ready to dive into digital assets like never before.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43494611/bitcoin-to-reach-500000-before-trump-leaves-office-standard-chartered">Bitcoin To Reach $500,000 Before Trump Leaves Office: Standard Chartered</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

News

$BTC

Pro-Crypto Trump Administration To Clear Path For Banks To Offer Crypto Services

WIIM

Diageo shares are trading lower. The company may be moving on continued weakness after reporting a year-over-year decline in H1 financial results yesterday. Additionally, the threat of tariffs may be weighing negatively on the stock.

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Spotify Technology (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in SPOT usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 49 extraordinary options activities for Spotify Technology. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 36% leaning bullish and 36% bearish. Among these notable options, 5 are puts, totaling $173,940, and 44 are calls, amounting to $2,408,973.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $360.0 to $840.0 for Spotify Technology over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Spotify Technology options trades today is 249.69 with a total volume of 3,673.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Spotify Technology's big money trades within a strike price range of $360.0 to $840.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Spotify Technology Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738784730_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$130.4</td>
<td>$127.5</td>
<td>$127.5</td>
<td>$520.00</td>
<td>$191.2K</td>
<td align="right">226</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$298.55</td>
<td>$292.2</td>
<td>$292.2</td>
<td>$390.00</td>
<td>$175.4K</td>
<td align="right">80</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$22.9</td>
<td>$22.1</td>
<td>$22.1</td>
<td>$640.00</td>
<td>$97.2K</td>
<td align="right">107</td>
<td align="right">69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$98.15</td>
<td>$94.45</td>
<td>$95.75</td>
<td>$540.00</td>
<td>$95.7K</td>
<td align="right">367</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$83.9</td>
<td>$80.8</td>
<td>$80.8</td>
<td>$550.00</td>
<td>$80.8K</td>
<td align="right">290</td>
<td align="right">192</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Spotify Technology</h3>
Spotify is the leading global music streaming service provider, with over 600 million monthly active users and 250 million paying subscribers, with the latter comprising the firm's premium segment. most of the firm's revenue and nearly all its gross profit come from the subscribers, who pay a monthly fee to access a very comprehensive music library that consists of most of the most popular songs ever recorded, including all from the major record labels. The firm also sells separate audiobook subscriptions and integrates podcasts within its standard music app. Podcast content is not exclusive and is typically free to access on other platforms. Ad-supported users can access a similar music catalog but cannot customize a similar on-demand experience.
<h3>Where Is Spotify Technology Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,086,054, the price of SPOT is down by -0.04%, reaching $621.54.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 76 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Spotify Technology</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $644.6.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Benchmark downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $520. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Rosenblatt downgraded its action to Neutral with a price target of $658. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Canaccord Genuity continues to hold a Buy rating for Spotify Technology, targeting a price of $700. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Keybanc continues to hold a Overweight rating for Spotify Technology, targeting a price of $675. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Overweight rating for Spotify Technology, targeting a price of $670. 
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 Spotify Technology with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

Markets

SPOT

Spotify Technology's Options: A Look at What the Big Money is Thinking

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Deere. Our analysis of options history for Deere (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DE#NYSE">DE</a>) revealed 8 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 37% of traders were bullish, while 50% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 5 were puts, with a value of $280,044, and 3 were calls, valued at $194,770.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $460.0 to $490.0 for Deere over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Deere's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Deere's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $460.0 to $490.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Deere Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738784725_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$10.9</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$490.00</td>
<td>$118.7K</td>
<td>356</td>
<td align="right">248</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$19.2</td>
<td>$18.95</td>
<td>$19.2</td>
<td>$470.00</td>
<td>$94.0K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">322</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$31.5</td>
<td>$30.8</td>
<td>$31.01</td>
<td>$450.00</td>
<td>$77.5K</td>
<td>366</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$25.45</td>
<td>$24.5</td>
<td>$24.5</td>
<td>$480.00</td>
<td>$51.4K</td>
<td>315</td>
<td align="right">24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$25.15</td>
<td>$24.25</td>
<td>$24.37</td>
<td>$480.00</td>
<td>$51.2K</td>
<td>315</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Deere</h3>
Deere is the world's leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment and a major producer of construction machinery. The company is divided into four reporting segments: production &amp; precision agriculture (PPA), small agriculture &amp; turf (SAT), construction &amp; forestry (CF), and financial services (FS), its captive finance subsidiary. The core PPA business is the largest contributor to sales and profits by far. Geographically, Deere sales are 60% US/Canada, 17% Europe, 14% Latin America, and 9% rest of world. Deere goes to market through a robust dealer network that includes over 2,000 dealer locations in North America with reach into over 100 countries. John Deere financial provides retail financing for machinery to its customers and wholesale financing for dealers.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Deere, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Deere's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 633,665, the price of DE is down by -1.02%, reaching $467.48.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 13 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Deere</h3>
In the last month, 3 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $469.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Oppenheimer has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Deere, which currently sits at a price target of $507. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup persists with their Neutral rating on Deere, maintaining a target price of $430. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from JP Morgan continues to hold a Neutral rating for Deere, targeting a price of $470. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Deere options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Deere's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Gold Fields (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GFI#NYSE">GFI</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether this is an institution or just a wealthy individual, we don't know. But when something this big happens with GFI, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 8 options trades for Gold Fields.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 25% bullish and 25%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, 7 are puts, for a total amount of $253,434, and there was 1 call, for a total amount of $33,156.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $13.0 to $22.0 for Gold Fields over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Gold Fields options trades today is 342.67 with a total volume of 6,475.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Gold Fields's big money trades within a strike price range of $13.0 to $22.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Gold Fields Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738784719_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>GFI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$1.7</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$18.00</td>
<td>$59.4K</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GFI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$0.75</td>
<td>$0.4</td>
<td>$0.4</td>
<td>$13.00</td>
<td>$41.7K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GFI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$1.7</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$18.00</td>
<td>$35.6K</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>664</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GFI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$1.75</td>
<td>$1.8</td>
<td>$18.00</td>
<td>$35.2K</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GFI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$0.95</td>
<td>$0.85</td>
<td>$0.9</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$33.1K</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Gold Fields</h3>
Gold Fields Ltd is a producer of gold and is a holder of gold reserves and resources in South Africa, Ghana, Australia and Peru. In Peru, the company also produces copper. The company is involved in underground and surface gold and surface copper mining and silver and related activities, including exploration, extraction, processing and smelting. It conducts underground and surface mining operations at St. Ives, underground-only operations at Agnew, Granny Smith and South Deep and surface-only open pit mining at Damang, Tarkwa and Cerro Corona. The company's revenues are derived from the sale of gold that it produces.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Gold Fields, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Gold Fields</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 2,032,161, the price of GFI is up by 2.44%, reaching $18.04.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 15 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Gold Fields</h3>
A total of 1 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $18.8.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from JP Morgan continues to hold a Neutral rating for Gold Fields, targeting a price of $18. 
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 Gold Fields with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

What the Options Market Tells Us About Gold Fields

Editor&#8217;s note: This story has been updated to correct Donald Trump&#8217;s title to current, not former, president. 
With President Donald Trump threatening 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada (though implementation of the tariffs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43443587/stocks-trim-losses-on-mexico-tariff-delay-gold-extends-records-tesla-sinks-6-whats-driving-markets-monday">has now been delayed</a>), and the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady, investors in Treasury ETFs are bracing for market shifts.
These developments could drive significant movements in bond yields, affecting ETFs that track long-term U.S. government bonds. More on that further on. First, here are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">three Treasury ETFs</a> to keep an eye on:
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43447999/vanguard-slashes-investing-fees-saving-investors-millions-the-larger-we-become-the-lower-it-goes">Vanguard Slashes Investing Fees, Saving Investors Millions: &#8216;The Larger We Become, The Lower It Goes&#8217;</a>
<ul>
<li>iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>): This is one of the most widely traded Treasury ETFs, tracking U.S. government bonds with maturities of 20 years or more. Because of its long duration, the ETF is highly sensitive to interest rate changes. Over the past 5 years, the price has fallen 6% to $87.39 as of writing.&nbsp; The expense ratio is 0.15%.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGLT#NASDAQ">VGLT</a>): VGLT provides exposure to U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities greater than 10 years. It tracks the the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Long Treasury Bond Index and offers a slightly broader range of long-term bonds than TLT, bringing in more stable government-backed returns. The expense ratio is also lower at 0.04% compared to TLT.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>SPDR Portfolio Long-Term Treasury ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPTL#NYSE">SPTL</a>): SPTL offers a cost-effective way to gain exposure to long-duration Treasuries, tracking the performance of long-term U.S. government bonds. Its low expense ratio makes it attractive for long-term investors. The expense ratio is even lower at 0.03%.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43442219/why-beer-tequila-avocados-cars-iphone-prices-could-rise-trumps-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-china-to-hurt-several-sectors">Why Beer, Tequila, Avocados, Cars, iPhone Prices Could Rise: Trump&#8217;s Tariffs On Canada, Mexico, China To Hurt Several Sectors</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Affect These ETFs</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada</a> could lead to higher import costs, potentially driving up inflation. 
If inflation expectations rise, bond yields will likely increase as investors demand higher returns. Higher yields push down the prices of existing long-term Treasuries, causing Treasury ETFs like TLT, VGLT, and EDV to decline.
On the other hand, tariffs could weaken trade, disrupt supply chains, and slow economic growth. If investors anticipate a downturn, they may flock to safe-haven assets like U.S. Treasuries, pushing bond prices up and yields down. This might benefit long-term Treasury ETFs.
Adding to the layers of complexity is the Federal Reserve&#8217;s hawkish decision to keep interest rates unchanged, as inflation still remains a concern. The bond market, according to ING THINK, is also expecting inflation to stay around 3%. Because of this, the Fed isn&#8217;t likely to cut interest rates back to a &#8220;neutral&#8221; level of 3%, and long-term Treasury bond yields (like the 10-year Treasury) remain above 4.5%.
The combination of Trump's tariffs and the Fed's policy stance creates both risks and opportunities for Treasury ETF investors. If inflation rises and yields increase, long-term bond ETFs may struggle. However, if tariffs slow the economy and push investors into safe-haven assets, these ETFs could benefit.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/02/43459251/simplify-launches-foxy-etf-to-navigate-fx-volatility-tariff-uncertainty">Simplify Launches FOXY ETF To Navigate FX Volatility, Tariff Uncertainty</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

ETFs

SPTL

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

VGLT

Treasury ETFs In Focus As Trump's Tariffs, Fed's Rate Decision Shake Bond Markets (CORRECTED)

UnitedHealth Confirms That Co Has Reached Out To The US Securities And Exchange Commission On Bill Ackman's Now Deleted Post That He Would Short Co's Stock

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43475015/spotifys-strong-subscriber-growth-and-rising-margins-keep-analysts-bullish" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">More Wall Street analysts</a> rerated Spotify Technology (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>) and raised their price targets after the company reported an upbeat quarterly print Tuesday.
Spotify reported an EPS of $1.88, below the&nbsp;analyst estimate of $2.06. The company reported sales of $4.53 billion (4.24 billion euros), up by 16%, topping the consensus estimate of $4.15 billion.
<ul>
<li>Rosenblatt analyst Barton Crockett downgraded Spotify from Buy to Neutral and raised the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPOT/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target from&nbsp;$473&nbsp;to&nbsp;$658</a>.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne maintained Spotify with an Overweight and raised the price target from&nbsp;$550&nbsp;to&nbsp;$670.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan reiterated a Buy on Spotify with a price target of $695, up from $550.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43473500/nintendo-q3-earnings-revenue-drops-cuts-outlook-and-dividend-switch-sales-slow-ahead-of-next-gen-console" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nintendo Q3 Revenue Drops, Cuts Outlook and Dividend, Switch Sales Slow Ahead of Next-Gen Console</a>
Rosenblatt: Spotify is executing very well, but revenue growth after an impressive step up in 2024 will likely decelerate in 2025. Explosive operating margin expansion is driven by headcount reductions and leverage on copyright royalties as a percentage of revenues normalizes to more regular levels. In this environment, there&#8217;s less scope for multiple expansion and earnings upside.
Crockett estimates that Spotify&#8217;s 2025 constant currency revenue growth can be 15.5%, 14.5% in 2026E, and 13% in 2027E, driven by normalized mid-single-digit effective ARPU growth, ~ 10% average subscriber growth trending towards 8%, and ad growth accelerating into the double digits. 
The analyst expects gross margin improvements to slow to 130 bps in 2025E and stick near that level of improvement Y/Y in subsequent periods. After 480 bps of operating margin improvement in 2025E versus 2024, he expects +260 bps in 2026E and +170 bps in 2027E. This drives a +20% FCF per share CAGR from 2025E to 2027E. Crockett noted the market would pay a premium price for the durability and visibility of Spotify&#8217;s subscriber model, its vast scale and market leadership, and successful execution, as the market does for Apple Inc.
Morgan Stanley: Spotify&#8217;s strong 2024 results were the most apparent manifestation, financially speaking, of nearly two decades of work. The combination of unique scale, technology leadership, and high levels of engagement suggest it will be challenging for the competition to keep up.
Swinburne raised 2025 revenues by ~2%, which, along with lower expected operating expenses, more than offsets lower expected gross margins and leads the analyst to increase fiscal 2025 EBIT by 1%-2% to €2.4 billion. This higher revenue reflects subscriber outperformance in the fourth quarter and slightly raised net adds expectations for fiscal 2025.
Lower-than-expected ARPU trends in the first half of 2025 are also more than offset by marginally higher assumed ARPU growth in the second half of 2025 to 4%-5%. The lower gross margins reflect incremental investments in video podcasts, music videos, and other innovations as Spotify &#8220;doubles down on the core&#8221; in fiscal 2025 – meaning music. 
Swinburne noted that over time, Spotify can and will look to invest prudently in new products and features for users, creators, and advertisers. He said those investments would increase Spotify&#8217;s value for all those stakeholders. 
The analyst noted that Spotify will then look to monetize that increased value over time, including recurring price increases. Swinburne said it could drive gross margins and remain highly disciplined in operating expense growth as it increases monetization. 
Finally, he noted that the competitive backdrop and shared incentives with the music labels will support these expectations. With 20% revenue CAGR as its long-term ambition, Swinburne now forecasts mid-teens top line in his base case through fiscal 2027, with gross margins reaching 34%-35% and operating margins approaching 20%. This should help deliver FCF per share exceeding $20 in the analyst&#8217;s base case.
Goldman Sachs: Spotify as the clear global leader in audio streaming. Sheridan expects this leadership to drive scaled, compounded user growth and rising engagement across multiple content formats, along with pricing power throughout his forecast period.
He also anticipates continued momentum in gross and operating margins, driven by favorable content costs, cost discipline, and returns from prior investment cycles. Additionally, he sees the potential for a more consistent shareholder return policy, bringing Spotify more in line with its global TMT peers in the coming years.
Price action: SPOT stock was up 0.02% at $621.91 at last check on Wednesday.
Also Read:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/02/43444183/chevron-exxon-and-shell-shift-focus-to-powering-ai-growth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chevron, Exxon And Shell Shift Focus To Powering AI Growth</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Downgrades

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

Spotify Analyst Draws Comparison To Apple On Scale, Pricing

<a href="https://www.chicagofed.org/events/2025/ais" title="https://www.chicagofed.org/events/2025/ais">https://www.chicagofed.org/events/2025/ais</a>

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Federal Reserve

Fed's Goolsbee Says Ignoring Potential Consequences Of New Threats To Supply Chains, Like Tariffs, Would Be A Mistake; Tariffs This Time May Be Broader, Higher Than In 2018; Impact Could Be Larger, Longer-lasting; Opinions Differ Widely On How Much Tariffs Would Get Passed Into Prices; Suppliers May Have To Eat The Cost

Fed's Goolsbee Says If Inflation Rises Or Progress Stalls, U.s. Central Bank Will Need To Figure Out If It's From Overheating Or Tariffs; Distinguishing The Cause Of Any Inflation Will Be Critical For Deciding When Or Even If The Fed Should Act; U.S. Has A Strong Economy And 'plausibly' Full Employment; Inflation Has Come Down, Is Approaching Fed's 2% Goal; Covid-19 Pandemic Experience Shows Supply Chain Disruptions Can Have A Material Impact On Inflation

Wingstop's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WING#NYSE">WING</a>) short percent of float has fallen 3.01% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.69 million shares sold short, which is 5.8% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.0 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>Wingstop Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738783824_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Wingstop 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 Wingstop'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>, Wingstop's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 9.77%, 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.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

WING

Peering Into Wingstop's Recent Short Interest

Netflix's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NYSE">NFLX</a>) short percent of float has fallen 7.36% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 6.39 million shares sold short, which is 1.51% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.09 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>Netflix Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738783818_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Netflix 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 Netflix'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>, Netflix's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 8.30%, 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.

NFLX

(NFLX) - Analyzing Netflix's Short Interest

Eversource Energy's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ES#NYSE">ES</a>) short percent of float has fallen 3.21% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 5.14 million shares sold short, which is 1.81% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.36 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>Eversource Energy Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738783812_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Eversource Energy 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 Eversource Energy'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>, Eversource Energy's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.24%, 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.

How Is The Market Feeling About Eversource Energy?

Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) analysts share thoughts about the company's latest CapEx estimate and provide sum-of-the-parts valuations of how much YouTube could be worth after the company reported a mixed fourth-quarter.
The Alphabet Analysts: Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak maintained an Overweight rating and lowered the price target from $215 to $210.
Needham analyst Laura Martin maintained a Buy rating with a $225 price target.
JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth maintained an Overweight rating and lowered the price target from $232 to $220.
BofA Securities analyst Justin Post reiterated a Buy rating with a $225 price target.
Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan reiterated a Buy rating and raised the price target from $215 to $220.
Morgan Stanley on GOOG: Higher spending to boost the company's GenAI could put a bigger emphasis on shipping new products and keeping return on invested capital in place, Nowak said in a new investor note.
The analyst said until Alphabet ships more GenAI-enabled products, investors will debate the uncertainties about incremental ROIC.
"In our view shipping products and proving that they will indeed provide incremental multi-year revenue and cash flow growth remains the proof point that GOOGL needs to show in order to break out of this 16-20x PE multiple,&#8221; Nowak said.
Nowak said Alphabet's comments signal free to use scaled agentic products could be farther out than expected.
Needham on GOOG: Google Search and YouTube were highlights in the quarterly results for Martin, who said the company's cloud platform is "capacity-constrained."
The analyst said CapEx guidance of $75 billion in 2025 is up 43% year-over-year and 25% above her estimate of $60 billion.
"We fear that this execution misstep allows competitors to take market share away from GCP in the LLM land-grab," Martin said.
Martin highlighted the strength of the company's ownership of YouTube, which saw advertising revenue up 14% year-over-year in the quarter. Martin also said YouTube has been the number-one streaming platform in the U.S. for the past two years.
Based on a sum-of-the-parts valuation, Martin estimates that YouTube is worth $666 billion, or around $54 per share if Alphabet spins off or separates the highly coveted asset. The valuation comes from several metrics including comparing the company's advertising revenue and subscription revenue to streaming company Netflix.
The analyst said Alphabet is worth more in pieces than together and welcomes regulators trying to break up the company.
Martin sees Alphabet with a strong long-term position based on digital advertising dominance, YouTube strength and GenAI.
"We believe that GOOGL's primary upside valuation driver over the next three to five years will be its proprietary large language models."
JPMorgan on GOOG: Capex guidance, cloud results and higher costs likely led to Alphabet stock selling off after earnings, Anmuth said in a new investor note.
The analyst said advertising growth was solid for search and YouTube, which were the highlights in the quarter.
"The bigger question is whether Google can continue to expand margins in 2025 given likely slower revenue growth and accelerating depreciation," Anmuth said.
The analyst said Alphabet stock sells off while Meta Platforms gets celebrated for higher CapEx guidance likely due to investors and analysts being able to see the return on AI investments clearer from Meta.
"We expect some near-term pressure as the Street adjusts to the heavier spending outlook, but we remain encouraged by Google's AI innovations &amp; solid advertising growth."
Bank of America on GOOG: Solid Google search results and investments to help boost AI and cloud demand are positives shared by Post in a new investor note.
"We remain constructive on growing AI benefits for advertising and Cloud business," Post said.
The analyst said Alphabet management emphasized growing Search volumes.
"We are encouraged to see another quarter of strong Search growth and think Street could be underestimating AI overview benefits for Search monetization in 2025."
The analyst said Alphabet is well-positioned with leading AI technology that can apply across its search, YouTube and Cloud businesses.
"We believe that Alphabet should trade at a premium to a media peer group given technology leadership, high margins, and strong cash flow generation for buybacks."
Goldman Sachs on GOOG: Sheridan said Alphabet's quarterly results were "solid" and the company now needs to "maintain investment levels" in a new note.
The analyst said search and YouTube were strong in the quarter.
"Google Cloud growth came in lighter than expected with management citing supply constraints limiting ability to serve strong AI-related demand," Sheridan said.
The analyst said the higher CapEx will prove to be the key debate for investors as they expect to see revenue growth to offset the higher costs.
"We continue to view Alphabet as well-positioned against both the current and potential future computing landscapes."
GOOG Price Action: Alphabet stock is down 7.39% to $192.37 on Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $131.55 to $208.70. Alphabet stock is up 1.1% year-to-date in 2025 and up 33% over the last year.
Read Next: •<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43503691/uber-stock-is-down-despite-reporting-strongest-quarter-ever-heres-why-investors-are-tapping-the-brakes"> Uber Stock Is Down Despite Reporting &#8216;Strongest Quarter Ever&#8217;: Here&#8217;s Why Investors Are Tapping The Brakes</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Earnings

Tech

GOOG

GOOGL

Alphabet Stock 'Should Trade At A Premium': 5 Analysts Highlight AI, CapEx, How Much YouTube Could Be Worth

Contracts

MGOL

MGO Global And Heidmar Announces SEC Approval For Business Combination Registration Effective February 4, 2025; Terms Not Disclosed

MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) has officially rebranded as Strategy, reflecting its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43276613/jim-cramer-endorses-bitcoin-as-a-great-thing-but-guess-what-he-had-to-say-about-microstrategy">sharpened focus on Bitcoin</a> (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and artificial intelligence. 
The company's new logo features a stylized "B", symbolizing its position as the largest Bitcoin Treasury Company.
It has also adopted orange as its primary brand color, aligning with Bitcoin's identity while representing energy and intelligence.
What Happened: As part of the transition, Strategy has launched new websites for its AI-powered business intelligence software at StrategySoftware.com and a new merchandise store at store.strategy.com.
Michael Saylor, founder and executive chairman of Strategy, described the change as a move toward simplification and clarity.
"Strategy is one of the most powerful and positive words in the human language. It represents a simplification of our company name to its most important, strategic core," he said.
Phong Le, President and CEO of Strategy, emphasized the company's role in two of the most transformative technologies today. 
"Our new name powerfully and simply conveys the universal and global appeal of our company, and the value we bring to the strategies of our shareholders, customers, partners, and employees," Le said.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43504042/blackrock-to-launch-bitcoin-investment-product-in-europe">BlackRock To Launch Bitcoin Investment Product In Europe</a>
Why It Matters: The rebrand comes as the company continues to expand its Bitcoin acquisition strategy.
Strategy recently announced a $563.4 million preferred stock offering, pricing 7.3 million shares of 8.00% Series A Perpetual Strike Preferred Stock at $80 per share, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43399688/microstrategy-prices-preferred-stock-offering-at-80-per-share-seeks-563m-to-buy-bitcoin#google_vignette'">settlement expected on Feb. 5</a>.
The company plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including further Bitcoin purchases and working capital.
Strategy's Bitcoin holdings have now grown to 471,107 BTC, following its latest acquisition of 10,107 Bitcoin at an average <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43231667/microstrategys-bitcoin-buying-spree-continues-accumulates-over-10000-btc">cost of $105,596 per BTC. </a>
This marks the company's twelfth consecutive week of Bitcoin accumulation, adjusting its total cost basis to $64,511 per Bitcoin.
The firm's aggressive approach has drawn both praise and skepticism. Mizuho recently initiated coverage on the company with an ‘outperform' rating and a $515 price target, calling Strategy a "Lever for the Believer" in Bitcoin. 
However, concerns remain about the sustainability of its premium valuation relative to its underlying Bitcoin holdings.
In a move that could enable further Bitcoin acquisitions, Strategy's shareholders recently approved an increase in authorized stock, giving the company greater <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43201211/microstrategy-to-redeem-105b-in-convertible-notes-settles-conversions-with-shares">flexibility in its capital structure.</a>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43500853/is-the-sec-making-peace-with-crypto-the-key-personnel-shifts-hinting-at-why-this-may-be-the-case">Is The SEC &#8216;Making Peace&#8217; With Crypto? The Key Personnel Shifts Hinting At Why This May Be The Case</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

MSTR

MicroStrategy Rebrands As Strategy, Unveils New Logo And Bitcoin-Focused Identity

Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman sent shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) lower with a tweet alleging overstated profits, which comes as the health insurance company faces more scrutiny after the death <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43195956/unitedhealth-announces-replacement-for-murdered-executive-heres-who-will-lead-insurance-unit">of an executive.</a>
What Happened: The health insurance sector faces pressure after the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42316904/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-fatally-shot-outside-nyc-hotel"> killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO</a> Brian Thompson put a bigger spotlight on potentially high claim denial rates, with the alleged murderer accusing the company of prioritizing profits over people.
Ackman stirred further concerns for UnitedHealth Group with a tweet on Tuesday night.
"I would not be surprised to find that the company's profitability is massively overstated due to its denial of medically necessary procedures and patient care," Ackman said in the since-deleted tweet.
Ackman suggested he would short the stock if he still shorted stocks.
The hedge funder called on the SEC to investigate UnitedHealth Group.
Now, Ackman himself could face an SEC probe. The insurance company said they contacted the SEC with concerns about Ackman's post, as reported by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-05/unitedhealth-raised-concerns-with-sec-on-ackman-post-on-profits?srnd=homepage-americas&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">Bloomberg</a>.
"Health insurance has long been subject to significant regulatory oversight and earnings caps," UnitedHealth said in a statement.
The company said that people like Ackman claiming that insurance companies "can somehow over-earn are grossly misinformed."
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/08/40423891/buffett-musk-wood-cuban-or-ackman-who-do-investors-trust-most-with-life-savings-poll-shows-it-isnt-e">Buffett, Musk, Wood, Cuban Or Ackman: Who Do Investors Trust Most With Life Savings? Poll Shows It Isn&#8217;t Even Close</a>
Why It's Important: Ackman's assertion that profitability was "massively overstated" follows the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/01/43025159/unitedhealth-q4-earnings-revenue-falls-short-medical-ratio-rises-to-85-5-stock-falls">Jan. 16 earnings report.</a>
The company has faced many questions about its profitability and its claims approval and denial process as alleged killer Luigi Mangione allegedly targeted Thompson and UnitedHealth due to the company's position in the health insurance sector.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest individual player in Medicare Advantage with 7.8 million members, the company&#8217;s latest earnings report revealed. The company also has 4.3 million members enrolled in Medicare supplement plans through UnitedHealthcare. It also has 3 million people enrolled in standalone Part D coverage.
Thompson&#8217;s death and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42605759/luigi-mangione-faces-death-penalty-details-show-attack-planned-for-months-the-target-is-insuranceit-checks-every-box" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the possible motive&nbsp;</a>behind his killing have drawn scrutiny to the health insurance sector, including reports of high claim denial rates by companies like UnitedHealth Group.
UnitedHealth CEO&nbsp;Andrew Witty&nbsp;acknowledged the pressure on the health insurance sector during the company&#8217;s earnings call. The industry needs to be &#8220;less confusing, less complex and less costly&#8221; for patients, he said.
Mangione faces New York state charges along&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42541669/luigi-mangione-indicted-on-first-degree-murder-charges-in-unitedhealthcare-ceos-death-senseless-act-of-violence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with federal charges</a>. He also faces the potential of the death penalty if found guilty of first-degree murder on federal charges.
Mangione&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42655562/luigi-mangione-suspected-ceo-assassin-pleads-not-guilty-in-new-york-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;in New York on Dec. 23. He is expected to appear in federal court on Feb. 21.
UNH, DIA Price Action:&nbsp;UnitedHealth stock is down 1.6% to $536.70 on Wednesday. Shares hit a daily low of $521.91 before recovering slightly. The stock has traded between $436.38 and $630.73 over the past year.
The quick drop in UnitedHealth stock to open Wednesday's trading session also saw ETFs that track the Dow Jones Industrial Average like the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) fall.
The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial ETF fell to start the day before recovering. The ETF is now up 0.3% on the day at the time of writing.
UnitedHealth is the second largest holding in the Dow Jones ETF and the second largest weighting of the index, which weighs stocks by stock price and not market capitalization.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42544499/luigi-mangione-documentaries-in-the-works-from-award-winning-creators-and-possibly-rapper-50-cent" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luigi Mangione Documentaries In The Works From Award-Winning Creators — And Possibly Rapper 50 Cent</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Bill Ackman Sends UnitedHealth Stock Lower With Deleted Tweet: Here's What He Said

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Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

UBER

Benzinga Market Summary: Alphabet And Uber Shares Fall On Earnings, Gold Rises On Trade Tensions And Dollar Weakness, PDD Stock Falls On Reports US Will Add Temu to 'Forced Labor' List.

Crypto analyst Michaёl van de Poppe urges investors to hold their crypto assets, emphasizing that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is fairly valued while altcoins <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-altcoins">remain heavily undervalued.</a> 
What Happened: Van de Poppe <a href="https://x.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1887169793322897758">highlighted</a> on Wednesday on X that the crypto market is currently experiencing one of the most extreme bearish sentiments in its history, following a prolonged period of capitulation. 
Many altcoin investors have suffered major losses over the past 6-12 months, but he believes the tide is turning.
Despite market skepticism, Bitcoin breaking past $150,000 is a realistic scenario, with many underestimating the potential for exponential growth. 
The fear of diminishing returns, a mindset shaped by previous bear markets, has caused many to doubt Bitcoin's long-term upside.
However, there are strong bullish tailwinds, particularly relating government adoption of Bitcoin, such as:
<ul>
<li>Discussions on adding <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43489967/the-trump-bitcoin-reserve-ushers-in-golden-age#:~:text=The%20Bitcoin%20Reserve%20Act%20requires,the%20course%20of%20criminal%20investigations.">BTC to national reserves</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43504042/blackrock-to-launch-bitcoin-investment-product-in-europe">Institutional capital</a> flowing into crypto</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43347567/institutional-bitcoin-buyer-boom-czech-national-bank-approves-reserve-proposal-norways-sovereign-wealth-fund-increases-exposure">Banks integrating Bitcoin</a> custody solutions</li>
</ul>
Van de Poppe draws comparisons to past market booms, such as the Dotcom bubble (1995-1999) and the 2017 crypto cycle, where Bitcoin hit $20,000 and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) peaked at $1,400. 
This time, he predicts a longer, more extended bull cycle that could propel BTC to $300,000-$500,000 this year, with a potential $1 million target in the coming years.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43494611/bitcoin-to-reach-500000-before-trump-leaves-office-standard-chartered">Bitcoin To Reach $500,000 Before Trump Leaves Office: Standard Chartered</a>
What's Next: As the global macro landscape shifts, especially with China's evolving policies, altcoins are poised for significant growth. 
Van de Poppe argues that the market remains deeply undervalued, and many traders stuck in "bear market PTSD" risk missing out on what could be the final, massive bull run of this cycle.
Additionally, decentralized finance (DeFi) is becoming more integrated with traditional banking, with financial institutions leveraging DeFi platforms to offer higher yields. 
This could further accelerate mainstream crypto adoption.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43492011/exclusive-crypto-czar-charm-offensive-welcomed-but-experts-wonder-will-us-policy-deliver">EXCLUSIVE: &#8216;Crypto Czar&#8217; Charm Offensive Welcomed, But Experts Wonder: Will US Policy Deliver?</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$ETH

Bitcoin Struggling But 'Perfect Storm' Will Take It To $500,000, Ethereum To $20,000, Trader Predicts

In the preceding three months, 4 analysts have released ratings for CVRx (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVRX#NASDAQ">CVRX</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous 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">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">1</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">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">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>3M 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>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $21.75, a high estimate of $23.00, and a low estimate of $20.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 16.0% from the previous average price target of $18.75.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738782061_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of CVRx by financial experts. 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>Matt O'Brien</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$16.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Plovanic</td>
<td>Canaccord Genuity</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Nowak</td>
<td>Craig-Hallum</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>William Plovanic</td>
<td>Canaccord Genuity</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to CVRx. This information offers 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 CVRx compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into CVRx's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CVRX/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on CVRx 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>Discovering CVRx: A Closer Look</h2>
CVRx Inc is a commercial-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing minimally invasive neuromodulation solutions for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Its proprietary platform technology, Barostim, is designed to leverage the power of the brain to address the imbalance of the Autonomic Nervous System, which causes heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. Barostim provides Baroreflex Activation Therapy which in turn triggers an autonomic response to the heart. The majority of revenue is derived from the USA market.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: CVRx's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, CVRx showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 27.23% as of 30 September, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Health Care sector.
Net Margin: CVRx's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching -97.95%. 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 -21.75%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -11.71%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: CVRx'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: Simplified</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
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.
If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover
Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/turning-point-trader-checkout-2/?t=Tu1tu3arja3be22tu36&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for urgent details</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CVRX

What 4 Analyst Ratings Have To Say About CVRx

IPOs

Press Releases

RF Acquisition Corp II Announces Pricing of $100 Million Initial Public Offering

RF Acquisition Corp II Announces the Separate Trading of its Ordinary Shares and Rights Commencing July 5, 2024

RF Acquisition Corp. Announces Updated Per Share Redemption Price in Connection With Upcoming Special Meeting

RFAI

RFAIR

RFAIU

RF Acquisition Corp

RF Acquisition Corp II (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RFAIU#NASDAQ">RFAIU</a>) (the &quot;Company&quot;) announced that, commencing July&nbsp;5, 2024, holders of the 11,500,000 units sold in the Company&#39;s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the ordinary shares and rights included in the units. Any units not separated will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Global Market (the &quot;Nasdaq&quot;) under the symbol &quot;RFAIU,&quot; and the separated ordinary shares and rights are expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols &quot;RFAI&quot; and &quot;RFAIR,&quot; respectively. Unitholders will need to have their brokers contact Continental Stock Transfer &amp; Trust Company, the Company&#39;s transfer agent, in order to separate the units into ordinary shares and rights. 
&nbsp;

The units were initially offered by the Company in an underwritten offering. EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. acted as the sole book-running manager of the offering. A registration statement relating to the units and the underlying securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &quot;SEC&quot;) on May&nbsp;16, 2024.

The offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus related to this offering may be obtained from EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. at Attn: Syndicate Department, 366 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

Reported Earlier, RF Acquisition Corp II Units to Trade Separately on Nasdaq, Effective July 5

Trading Halt: Halt status updated at 10:10:00 AM ET: Quotation Resumption: IPO Security - Released for Quotation

The units will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (&quot;Nasdaq&quot;) and trade under the ticker symbol &quot;RFAIU&quot; beginning on May 17, 2024. Each unit consists of one ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (&quot;ordinary share&quot;), and one right to receive one-twentieth of one ordinary share. After the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the ordinary shares and rights are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols &quot;RFAI&quot; and &quot;RFAIR,&quot; respectively. The offering is expected to close on May 21, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

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