iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NASDAQ: SLQD)

Latest news for iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NASDAQ:SLQD)

iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade 0-5 Index (the Underlying Index). The fund generally will invest at least 90% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and may invest up to 10% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents. The index is designed to reflect the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade corporate debt.

Blackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares

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iShares Expands High-Yield Bond ETF Lineup

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is on track to become the first company to reach a $4 trillion market capitalization by &#8220;early 2025,&#8221; driven by strong iPhone sales and artificial intelligence innovations, according to Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.
What Happened: The tech giant&#8217;s shares have surged nearly 40% since January, closing at $255 per share on Monday with a market cap of $3.86 trillion. This performance puts Apple ahead of rivals NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) at $3.35 trillion and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) at $3.22 trillion.
Recent supply chain checks in Asia indicate robust iPhone 16 upgrade trends heading into the Christmas season. &#8220;We believe the success of iPhone 16 with a strong holiday season ahead over the next week will be the launchpad for a renaissance of growth in Cupertino over the next 12 to 18 months,&#8221; Ives wrote in a weekend report, according <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/12/23/business/apple-poised-to-hit-4t-valuation-thanks-to-iphone-sales/">to</a> New York Post.
Apple&#8217;s recent iOS 18.2 update showcases its AI ambitions, introducing features like Visual Intelligence for text summarization and Image Playground for generating original images. These enhancements are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 users.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://t.co/TozS00Mqgy">https://t.co/TozS00Mqgy</a> Dan Ives forecast that Apple's stock will eclipse the $300 per share plateau within the next 12 months and that the company's market capitalization will blow past $4 trillion "by early 2025." <a href="https://twitter.com/nypost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nypost</a> &#x1f525;&#x1f3c6;&#x1f402;&#x1f37f;&#x1f384;&#x1f34f;&#x1f34e;
&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1871277919118496164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42660092/microstrategy-sinks-after-nasdaq-100-inclusion-bitcoin-bet-under-fire">MicroStrategy Sinks After Nasdaq 100 Inclusion: Bitcoin Bet Under Fire?</a>
Why It Matters: The company&#8217;s renewed focus on AI appears to be paying off. Apple reported iPhone sales of $46.22 billion in its fiscal fourth quarter, marking a 6% year-over-year increase and reversing two consecutive quarters of decline.
Despite its strong position, Apple faces industry challenges. The company&#8217;s revenue growth of 6.07% lags behind the technology hardware sector average of 21.95%, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/news/24/12/42592861/in-depth-analysis-apple-versus-competitors-in-technology-hardware-storage-amp-peripherals-industry">according to Benzinga data</a>. However, Apple maintains superior profitability metrics, with its EBITDA of $32.5 billion significantly exceeding industry averages.
The stock&#8217;s current price-to-earnings ratio of 40.8 suggests potential undervaluation compared to industry peers, even as the company strengthens its AI capabilities through partnerships, including a recent collaboration with NVIDIA to enhance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42568204/nvidia-and-apple-team-up-to-supercharge-llms-with-redrafter-technique">large language model performance</a>.
Price Action: Apple stock closed at $255.27 on Monday, up 0.31% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock edged down 0.13%. Year to date, Apple shares have surged by 37.51%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Apple has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> of $242.26 from 31 analysts, with a high of $300 by Wedbush and a low of $180 by DZ Bank. The most recent ratings from Morgan Stanley, Needham, and Wedbush set an average target of $277.67, implying an 8.91% upside for the stock.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23202742/Screenshot-2024-12-24-at-6.57.03%E2%80%AFAM-1024x376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-705096" style="width:695px;height:auto" /></figure>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42659876/stanley-druckenmiller-pours-funds-into-1-trillion-company-already-trading-up-100">Druckenmiller Bets Big On Semiconductor Stock Just Before It Spikes To $1 Trillion</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

AAPL

MSFT

NVDA

Apple's Near Term Success Will Be Driven By Strong Holiday Season, iPhone 16, Says Dan Ives — Analyst Sees Stock Hitting $300, Cupertino Hitting $4 Trillion Marketcap

The U.S. stock market ended in the green on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite gained over 100 points, reflecting a nearly 1% increase to 19,764.88. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an increase of 0.2%, closing at 42,906.95. The S&amp;P 500 also experienced a rise, gaining 0.7% to reach 5,974.07.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
NVIDIA Corporation
NVIDIA shares rose by 3.69%, closing at $139.67. The stock reached an intraday high of $139.79 and a low of $135.12, with a 52-week range between $47.32 and $152.89. The increase follows the Biden administration&#8217;s announcement of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42660079/nvidia-shares-are-on-the-rise-today-whats-going-on">trade investigation</a>&nbsp;into China&#8217;s semiconductor industry, focusing on &#8220;legacy&#8221; semiconductors, which could result in higher U.S. tariffs.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42638957/warren-buffetts-timeless-advice-if-youre-gonna-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-you-shouldnt-own-a-stock-at-all?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett's Timeless Advice For Investing $10,000: &#8216;If You're Gonna Do Dumb Things Because Your Stoc</a>
Taiwan Semiconductor&#8217;s stock climbed 5.15% to close at $207.36, with an intraday high of $208.05 and a low of $200.91. The 52-week range is $98.8 to $212.6. The stock&#8217;s rise is attributed to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42661821/taiwan-semiconductor-shares-are-up-today-whats-going-on">trade probe</a>&nbsp;into China&#8217;s semiconductor policies, potentially leading to increased tariffs on Chinese components.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
AMD shares increased by 4.52%, ending the day at $124.60. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $126.34, with a low of $120.47, and a 52-week range of $117.91 to $227.30. Analysts, including Steve Frankel, have maintained a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42657620/amd-and-micron-top-analyst-picks-for-ai-and-next-gen-tech-growth">positive outlook</a> on AMD, citing its potential in AI and next-gen tech growth.
Rumble Inc.
Rumble&#8217;s stock surged by 81.22%, closing at $13.03, with a high of $14.63 and a low of $9.66. The 52-week range is $3.33 to $14.63. The significant rise follows Rumble&#8217;s announcement of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42650642/rumble-stock-is-ripping-higher-monday-whats-going-on">strategic investment</a> from Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>), amounting to $775 million.
Tesla Inc.
Tesla shares rose by 2.27%, closing at $430.60. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $434.51, with a low of $415.41, and a 52-week range of $138.8 to $488.54. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the cancellation of the $7,500 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42641207/researcher-says-cancelation-of-7500-ev-tax-credit-could-impact-teslas-deliveries-despite-ceo-elon-musk-claiming-otherwise">EV tax credit</a> on Tesla&#8217;s U.S. deliveries.
Image via Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading&nbsp;<a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a>&nbsp;by Benzinga.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42642808/americas-fatal-flaw-is-its-sharply-increasing-addiction-to-government-debt-says-expert-and-the-mother-of-all-bubbles-is-ready-to-pop?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">America&#8217;s &#8216;Fatal Flaw&#8217; Is Its &#8216;Sharply Increasing Addiction&#8217; To Government Debt, Says Expert And The &#8216;Mother Of All Bubbles&#8217; Is Ready To Pop</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

$USDT

TSLA

Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor, AMD, Rumble, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) is reportedly planning to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42428505/google-asks-ftc-to-kill-microsofts-monopoly-over-hosting-openai-technology-on-its-cloud-servers-report">reduce its dependence</a> on ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.
What Happened: Microsoft has been working on integrating internal and third-party artificial intelligence models into its AI product, Microsoft 365 Copilot, reported Reuters, citing sources familiar with the effort.
This move is a strategic step to diversify from the current underlying technology of OpenAI and reduce costs.
The Satya Nadella-led company is also decreasing 365 Copilot&#8217;s dependence on OpenAI due to concerns about cost and speed for enterprise users, the report noted, citing the sources.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42642020/steve-ballmers-bold-investment-strategy-80-of-his-portfolio-is-in-microsoft-stock-heres-why-his-keep-it-simple-approach-is-winning-big?itm_source=parsely-api">Steve Ballmer&#8217;s Winning Investment Strategy: Billionaire Says &#8216;Keep It Simple&#8217; As His Microsoft Bet Pays Off Thanks To AI Boom</a>
A Microsoft spokesperson was quoted in the report saying that OpenAI continues to be the company&#8217;s partner on frontier models. &#8220;We incorporate various models from OpenAI and Microsoft depending on the product and experience.&#8221;
OpenAI and Microsoft did not immediately respond to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga's</a> request for comments.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is reportedly yet to prove its return on investment to enterprises. The tech giant has not shared specific sales data on the number of licenses sold.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: This move mirrors those of other Microsoft business units which have altered the ways they use OpenAI models. For instance, GitHub, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35623886/microsofts-github-poised-for-growth-with-ai-tools-analyst-sees-5b-arr-potential">acquired by Microsoft</a> in 2018, added models from Anthropic and Alphabet Inc.'s (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>) Google in October as alternatives to OpenAI's GPT-4.
Previously it was reported that company insiders were concerned about Microsoft&#8217;s AI strategy being <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37605368/is-microsoft-turning-into-it-for-openai-insiders-say-tech-giants-ai-strategy-is-overly-reliant-on-ch">heavily reliant on its partnership</a> with OpenAI.
In October, the two companies engaged in talks to decide how Microsoft's $14 billion investment in OpenAI would be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41407196/openais-for-profit-structure-adds-valuation-complexity-to-microsoft-and-other-equity-investors-repor">converted into equity</a> in the AI firm.
OpenAI plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42382569/elon-musk-asks-was-it-ever-not-a-lie-as-he-accuses-openai-of-selling-out-to-microsoft-and-betraying-its-founding-mission">remove a clause that restricts</a> Microsoft&#8217;s access to its most advanced AI models upon achieving artificial general intelligence, according to a report published in December.
Price Action: Microsoft&#8217;s stock fell 0.31% on Monday, closing at $435.25. However, year-to-date, the shares have risen by 17.36%, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Photo via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42633922/qualcomm-bags-win-in-chips-licensing-trial-against-arm-but-the-battle-is-not-over-yet?itm_source=parsely-api">Qualcomm Bags Win In Chips Licensing Trial Against Arm, But The Battle Is Not Over Yet</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

Media

GOOG

GOOGL

Microsoft Invested Nearly $14 Billion In OpenAI But Now Its Reducing Its Dependence On The ChatGPT-Parent: Report

Bitcoin moved sideways while the altcoin market rallied significantly on Monday as traders pivoted away from the leading cryptocurrency ahead of Christmas.
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<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-0.37%</td>
<td>$94,282.97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+4.35%</td>
<td>$3,405.60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+4.51%</td>
<td>$0.3227</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin remained choppy, oscillating between the $92,000-$96,000 zone. The sideways movement comes a day after the apex cryptocurrency<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42640293/trump-congratulates-bitcoiners-on-new-all-time-highs-as-apex-crypto-suffers-first-weekly-loss-since-election-triumph"> closed at a weekly loss for the first time</a> since Donald Trump's election victory last month.
Investors shifted their capital to Ethereum and the rest of the altcoin market. The world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency rose 4.35% to nearly $3,400.
Bitcoin's dominance fell by 1.53%, while Ethereum and altcoin saw increases in their respective market shares.
Over $278 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with nearly equal proportions of long and short liquidations.
Bitcoin's Open Interest rose 2.49% in the last 24 hours. An increase in Open Interest, coming alongside a sideways price action, indicated a potential upside move.&nbsp;
More than 66% of traders on Binance were leveraged long on Bitcoin, according to the Long/Short Ratio.
The market remained in the "Greed" zone, according to the Cryptocurrency Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL)</td>
<td>+29.76%</td>
<td>$2.99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aave (AAVE)</td>
<td>+22.56%</td>
<td>$385.47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XDC Network (XDC)</td>
<td>+15.14%</td>
<td>$0.08652</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.32 trillion, following an increase of 2.04% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks began the holiday week high on spirits. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 66.69 points, or 0.16%, to close at 42,906.95. The S&amp;P 500 added 0.73%, ending at 5,974.07, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite spiked 0.98% to 19,764.88.
Data released Monday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42657230/us-consumer-confidence-drops-in-december-expectations-signal-potential-economic-weakness-in-2025">indicated a sharp fall in U.S. consumer morale</a>, with the Conference Board&#8217;s Consumer Confidence Index falling to 104.7 in December, returning to mid-range levels seen during the previous two years.
The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will close early on Christmas Eve, and the markets will be shut on Christmas Day.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: In a note to Benzinga, Arthur Azizov, CEO of cryptocurrency payment provider B2BINPAY attributed the market's ongoing correction to Bitcoin's growing dominance.
"Naturally, we can now anticipate a decline in Bitcoin's dominance, which should create room for altcoins to pick up momentum again," Azizov predicted. "Overall, this is all playing out as expected, with most assets returning to the 50% retracement zone of their recent impulse moves."
Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez drew attention to Ethereum's "most significant" support level of $3,030 &#8211; $3,130 and the "most significant" resistance level of $3,640 &#8211; $3,740.
"A sustained close outside of this no-trade zone will determine the direction of ETH&#8217;s trend," Martinez remarked.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The most significant support level for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ethereum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ethereum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> is between $3,030 &#8211; $3,130, and the most significant resistance wall is $3,640 &#8211; $3,740. A sustained close outside of this no-trade zone will determine the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ETH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ETH</a>&#39;s trend. <a href="https://t.co/YCGKucGvjt">pic.twitter.com/YCGKucGvjt</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1871280113209266444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42660092/microstrategy-sinks-after-nasdaq-100-inclusion-bitcoin-bet-under-fire">MicroStrategy Sinks After Nasdaq 100 Inclusion: Bitcoin Bet Under Fire?</a></li>
</ul>

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

Cryptocurrency

Movers

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin Flat, Ethereum, Dogecoin Spike Ahead Of Christmas: Analyst Says Decline In BTC Dominance Leaves 'Room For Altcoins To Pick Up'

On Monday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest executed notable trades involving Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>).
The Tesla Trade
Ark Invest made a significant move by selling 13,040 shares of Tesla Inc. through its ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE: ARKK). This transaction, valued at approximately $5.6 million, comes as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42641207/researcher-says-cancelation-of-7500-ev-tax-credit-could-impact-teslas-deliveries-despite-ceo-elon-musk-claiming-otherwise">Tesla faces potential challenges</a> related to the possible cancellation of the $7,500 EV tax credit in the U.S. Researcher Troy Teslike has highlighted that similar tax credit cancellations in Europe have previously led to a decline in Tesla&#8217;s sales. Despite these concerns, Tesla&#8217;s stock closed at $430.60, marking a 2.27% increase.
The Palantir Trade
Ark Invest sold shares of the Alex Karp-led company on Monday. Palantir, which closed at $80.69, has been actively expanding its footprint in the defense sector. Ark sold 22,807 Palantir shares through the flagship ARKK ETF. The transaction was valued at $1.84 million.
The company, alongside Anduril Industries, is leading a consortium to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42640010/palantir-and-anduril-reportedly-lead-consortium-partner-with-spacex-and-openai-to-compete-against-traditional-defense-contractors-in-850-billion-us-military-market">challenge traditional defense contractors</a>, according to a previous report. This move positions Palantir as a formidable player in the $850 billion U.S. military market.
The Amazon.com Trade
Ark Invest&#8217;s trade activity on Amazon was also noteworthy. The firm purchased 7,499 of the e-commerce giant&#8217;s shares through Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>). The transaction was valued at nearly $1.7 million. The company&#8217;s stock, which closed at $225.06 with a slight 0.06% uptick, has been the subject of optimistic projections. An analyst with an 86% accuracy rate has predicted a 24% upside for Amazon, as detailed in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/12/42646865/this-analyst-with-86-accuracy-rate-sees-around-24-upside-in-amazon-com-here-are-5-stock-picks-for-last-week-from-wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts">recent analysis</a>. This forecast aligns with Ark&#8217;s strategic interests in high-growth potential stocks.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42638957/warren-buffetts-timeless-advice-if-youre-gonna-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-you-shouldnt-own-a-stock-at-all?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett's Timeless Advice For Investing $10,000: &#8216;If You're Gonna Do Dumb Things Because Your Stoc</a>
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Bought stock of 10X Genomics Inc. via ARKK and ARKG. </li>
<li>Bought shares of Gitlab Inc. through ARKK.</li>
</ul>
Image via Benzinga YouTube and Unsplash
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42635671/analyst-bullish-on-shiba-inu-sees-235-surge-despite-recent-fall?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analyst Bullish on Shiba Inu, Sees 235% Surge Despite Recent Fall</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

AMZN

ARKF

ARKK

PLTR

Cathie Wood-Led Ark Invest's Monday Moves: Dumps Tesla, Palantir Stock, Adds Amazon

GOEVW

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

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What if a pimple patch wasn't something to hide? What if it could be a fun, bold accessory? That&#8217;s precisely the concept behind Starface World, the business that turned a basic skincare item into a symbol of self-expression. Since starting in 2019, Starface has grown into a $90 million-a-year business by mixing creative ideas with strong social media skills. Here's how they did it.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A New Take on Acne Care</h2>
People have always tried to conceal acne, but Starface took a completely different approach. As a recent CNBC Make It video explains, founders Julie Schott and Brian Bordainick wanted to make growing up – and dealing with acne – a more positive experience. Instead of hiding blemishes, Starface's pimple patches encourage people to embrace them with pride.
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Their first product, the yellow Hydro-Star, wasn't just a skincare tool but a fashion statement. These star-shaped patches came in bright, fun packaging and even had a mascot, Big Yellow, who &#8220;came from outer space&#8221; to help people feel better about acne. Starface soon added new colors, special ingredients and even a clear patch for people who wanted something less flashy.
Starface's success lies in its branding. Everything about the company – from its products to its messaging – is designed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42533696/gen-z-is-redefining-brand-purpose">appeal to Gen Z</a> and Gen Alpha. The brand's playful tone, vibrant visuals and inclusive message have made it incredibly popular on social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are filled with people proudly showing off their Hydro Stars.
This unique approach has created a sense of community, as owning a Starface product is about more than skincare. The company's message is that it's okay to have acne and to have fun with it.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Hype to Profits</h2>
Starface's focus on self-expression and inclusivity resonated, especially during the pandemic. The brand gained massive traction as people spent more time on Zoom and experimented with self-care. By 2023, Starface had become profitable and sold its products at major retailers like Target, Walmart and CVS.
Today, they sell patches with extra ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid. They've also expanded to Canada and the UK. Despite competing with brands like Hero Cosmetics and Alba Botanica, Starface has built a strong moat around its business by focusing on fun and individuality.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mixed Reviews but Lasting Impact</h2>
Not everyone loves Starface patches as an acne fix. As the CNBC video showed, some customers rave about how they help heal pimples, while others see them as a fun accessory. Either way, the brand's connection with its fans and its message of confidence make it unforgettable.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
The market for pimple patches is booming. According to recent research from Spherical Insights, the market valuation is expected to grow from about $500 million to nearly $1 billion by 2033. This shows how much people love these products and how brands like Starface can keep developing new ideas.
With new product launches, including a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/options/24/12/42515847/check-out-what-whales-are-doing-with-ulta">partnership with Ulta</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>) in 2025, Starface shows no signs of slowing down. As long as they keep innovating and staying connected to their audience, their playful and empowering approach to skincare will continue to stand out in the beauty industry.
Starface's rise reminds us of the power of unconventional thinking. Turning a basic skincare product into a lifestyle brand has shown that creativity, strong branding and social media can transform a simple idea into a thriving business.
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ULTA

Thinking Out-Of-The-Box Turned Into A $90 Million/Year Business And Showed The Power Of Strong Branding And Social Media

Ex-President Bill Clinton has been hospitalized in Washington due to a fever on Monday, according to a report.
Clinton was admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in the afternoon for tests and observation after he developed a fever. Deputy Chief of Staff for the former President, Angel Ureña, shared this news on X. The post was first <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5054369-bill-clinton-hospitalized-fever/">noted</a> on The Hill.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">President Clinton was admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital this afternoon for testing and observation after developing a fever. He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving.
&mdash; Angel Ureña (@angelurena) <a href="https://twitter.com/angelurena/status/1871326214096372135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Ureña said, &#8220;He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving.&#8221;
It is worth mentioning that Clinton was previously hospitalized for five days in 2021 due to sepsis caused by an infection, according to The Hill.
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Clinton had been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/08/40513316/bill-clinton-contrasts-harris-trump-in-fiery-dnc-speech-we-have-a-clear-choice-we-the-people-ver">actively campaigning</a> for Vice President Kamala Harris throughout the fall. Clinton had made a strong case for Harris during his speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Politics

General

Bill Clinton Admitted To Hospital Due To Fever In Washington

Linde (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIN#NASDAQ">LIN</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 1.29% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.39%. Currently, Linde has a market capitalization of $201.03 billion. 
Buying $1000 In LIN: If an investor had bought $1000 of LIN stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $3,191.73 today based on a price of $421.00 for LIN at the time of writing.
<h3>Linde's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734997509_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Linde 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEM#NYSE">AEM</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 1.05% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.15%. Currently, Agnico Eagle Mines has a market capitalization of $39.61 billion. 
Buying $100 In AEM: If an investor had bought $100 of AEM stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $330.84 today based on a price of $78.99 for AEM at the time of writing.
<h3>Agnico Eagle Mines's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734996621_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In Agnico Eagle Mines 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Goldman Sachs Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 6.87% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 19.87%. Currently, Goldman Sachs Gr has a market capitalization of $180.39 billion. 
Buying $100 In GS: If an investor had bought $100 of GS stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $246.87 today based on a price of $571.21 for GS at the time of writing.
<h3>Goldman Sachs Gr's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734994828_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $100 Invested In Goldman Sachs Gr 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

WIIM

NEUE

NeueHealth shares are trading higher after the company announced it has entered into an definitive merger to be acquired for $7.33 per share.

NeueHealth, Inc. ("NeueHealth" or the "Company") (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEUE#NYSE">NEUE</a>), the value-driven healthcare company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of New Enterprise Associates ("NEA") at an enterprise value of approximately $1.3 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, NeueHealth will become a privately held company with the flexibility and resources to continue advancing its value-driven, consumer-centric care model.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, holders of NeueHealth common stock (other than shares that will be rolled over and certain excluded shares) will receive $7.33 per share in cash, which represents a premium of approximately 70% over the closing price of NeueHealth common stock on December 23, 2024. Certain stockholders of NeueHeath, including NEA and 12 existing NeueHealth investors (which collectively hold all of the outstanding shares of NeueHealth preferred stock), have entered into rollover agreements pursuant to which such stockholders will continue their investments by exchanging their shares of NeueHealth common stock and/or preferred stock for newly issued equity interests in the privately held company, and the Company's existing secured loan facility with Hercules Capital, Inc. will remain in place.
NeueHealth's executive leadership team will continue in their roles upon completion of the transaction and intends to roll over 100% of their equity interests for newly issued equity interests in the privately held company.

NeueHealth  Entered Into A Definitive Merger Agreement To Be Acquired By An Affiliate Of New Enterprise Associates At An Enterprise Value Of ~$1.3B, Or $7.33/Share In Cash

INSW

International Seaways shares are trading higher after it was announced that the company will join the S&P SmallCap 600 on December 30, 2024.

International Seaways Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INSW#NYSE">INSW</a>) will replace Consolidated Communications Holdings (NASD: CNSL) in the S&amp;P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Monday, December 30. Searchlight Capital Partners and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) are acquiring Consolidated Communications in a deal expected to be completed soon, pending final closing conditions.

International Seaways To Join S&P SmallCap 600 On Monday, December 30, 2024

CBRE Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CBRE#NYSE">CBRE</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 3.45% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 16.45%. Currently, CBRE Group has a market capitalization of $39.94 billion. 
Buying $100 In CBRE: If an investor had bought $100 of CBRE stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $212.97 today based on a price of $130.51 for CBRE at the time of writing.
<h3>CBRE Group's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734993914_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CBRE

$100 Invested In This Stock 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

CREV

Carbon Revolution shares are trading higher after the company announced it has reached an agreement with OIC for a further $25 million in financing to support the ongoing liquidity of the business.