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Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, reportedly reached a valuation of $50 billion just 16 months after its founding in July 2023. It is now worth more than what the billionaire paid for Twitter. Arguably the most well-known name in the AI space, OpenAI, last valued at $157 billion, needed over nine years to achieve the same milestone.&nbsp;
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According to Business Insider, xAI is gaining traction in the competitive AI sector and is now valued higher than other AI startups, such as Anthropic (valued at $19 billion) and Perplexity (at $2.8 billion).&nbsp;
xAI's journey has been marked by significant milestones, including raising $5 billion in its latest funding round to purchase 100,000 Nvidia chips. These chips will power the Memphis supercomputer, a facility designed to enhance the company's AI capabilities and support Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. According to WSJ and other outlets, the funding included $5 billion from Valor Equity Partners, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Qatar Investment Authority.
The Memphis supercomputer, awaiting final approval, is a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42022077/elon-musks-xai-seeks-6b-at-50b-valuation-to-acquire-100k-nvidia-chips-for-memphis-data-center">key part of xAI&#8217;s strategy</a>. It was built in less time than is customary for projects of this kind and is situated on a former manufacturing site. In a recent podcast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang mentioned that xAI finished building the supercluster in 19 days, although the procedure usually takes more than a year.&nbsp;
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&#8220;Just to put in perspective, 100,000 GPUs are easily the fastest supercomputer on the planet as one cluster. A supercomputer that you would build would normally take three years to plan,&#8221; Huang said, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41307824/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-praises-elon-musk-for-achieving-something-with-xai-in-19-days-that-usually-t">stressing the role of xAI's engineering</a> and infrastructure teams and crediting them with the system's rapid deployment.&nbsp;
xAI has most notably developed the AI chatbot Grok, inspired by the sci-fi novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Grok is positioned as a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. The chatbot uses xAI's proprietary large language model, Grok-2 and has been a notable part of the company's portfolio.
Elon Musk has openly said that his social media platform, X, is<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39979855/elon-musks-x-shares-your-posts-on-his-social-media-platform-with-grok-for-training-heres-how-you-can"> being used to help train xAI's Grok chatbot</a>. By tapping into the conversations and posts on X, the chatbot can learn to respond more naturally and relevantly.
In just 16 months, xAI has achieved a notable valuation and infrastructure development within the industry. The company is preparing for further advancements with plans to double the number of AI chips at the Memphis facility.
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Startups

In Just 16 Months, Elon Musk Achieved With xAI What Took OpenAI Nearly Nine Years To Accomplish

In the current market session, Lennox Intl Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LII#NYSE">LII</a>) stock price is at $660.04, after a 0.93% decrease. However, over the past month, the company's stock increased by 9.54%, and in the past year, by 57.79%. Shareholders might be interested in knowing whether the stock is overvalued, even if the company is not performing up to par in the current session. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732818630_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>A Look at Lennox Intl P/E Relative to Its Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 32.16 in the Building Products industry, Lennox Intl Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 31.65. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732818630_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

A Look Into Lennox Intl Inc's Price Over Earnings

The incoming Donald Trump administration's ambitious energy plans, including a 3 million barrels per oil equivalent a day (mboe/d) production boost, a potential 25% tariff on Canadian oil and gas imports, and accelerated liquified natural gas (LNG) export approvals, could reshape U.S. energy markets — but not <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42225506/canada-prepares-retaliatory-tariffs-as-trumps-threat-looms-analysts-warn-of-further-loonie-weakness">without winners and losers</a>.
In note to clients on Thursday, Goldman Sachs crunched the numbers on what could be seismic changes in U.S. energy markets under a Trump's second term. 
Let's break it down: what's realistic, what's speculative, and who bears the cost in this evolving energy landscape.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Can The US Really Pump An Extra 3M Barrels a Day?</h3>
Trump's vision of ramping U.S. energy production by 3mboe/d from 2025 to 2028 is ambitious but not entirely unrealistic, according to Goldman.
It can be &#8220;achievable&#8221; by 2028, provided natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) are included in the mix, according to analyst Callum Bruce, CFA. 
Between 2018 and 2023, U.S. energy production grew at an annual pace of 1.8mboe/d — more than double the 0.75mboe/d pace needed to hit that 3mboe/d goal. For 2025-2026, Goldman forecasts growth of 2.0mboe/d, achieving two-thirds of the target in the first two years of a possible Trump second term.
"Rising LNG demand, capital discipline, and energy prices are the key drivers behind this growth," Bruce said. However, policy changes are expected to have limited short-term effects on production.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What A 25% Tariff On Canadian Oil Could Mean</h3>
The administration&#8217;s other attention-grabbing idea — a 25% tariff on Canadian oil imports—has raised some eyebrows.
Canada is the U.S.'s largest crude oil supplier, exporting 4.0 million barrels per day (mb/d) to the U.S. over the past year — about 25% of total U.S. refinery inputs.
Most of that oil (2.8mb/d) heads to the Midwest, where refiners rely heavily on Canadian crude.
Key players in this market include Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>), Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>), and Exxon Mobile Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>). 
Goldman's analysis suggests a 25% tariff on Canadian oil imports would hit U.S. consumers in the short term through higher gas prices at the pump. However, over time, the burden could shift. 
At a later stage, Canadian producers could bear the brunt as they offer steep discounts to keep their oil flowing south. Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude, currently priced just under $60/barrel, could face a tariff-induced discount of $15/barrel to compete with U.S. alternatives.
Currently, WCS trades at just under $60 per barrel. A 25% tariff would add roughly $15 per barrel to costs, pressuring Canadian producers to cut prices and incentivizing U.S. refiners to seek cheaper alternatives.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs On Canadian Gas: Who Pays?</h3>
A 25% tariff on Canadian natural gas would tell a slightly different story.
Canadian gas exports to the U.S. average 5-6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), accounting for 5% of U.S. supply. A 25% tariff on these imports would likely squeeze Canadian producers in the short term, 
According to Goldman Sachs, a 25% tariff could slash U.S. imports by approximately 200 million cubic feet per day, based on current price differentials.
Goldman projects that, in the short term, Canadian producers would shoulder most of the tariff burden due to oversupply and low prices. But tighter U.S. gas balances from 2026 onward — driven by higher LNG exports — could allow more of the cost to be passed on to American consumers.
"Canadian gas producers would likely bear the bulk of the burden until U.S. balances tighten from 2026," he said. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">LNG Exports: Speeding Up Approvals Won't Move the Needle (Yet)</h3>
The report is skeptical that accelerating U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) approvals for LNG export projects will have any material impact on global or domestic gas balances before 2027.
"DOE approval is necessary, but not sufficient, for new LNG projects to move forward," Bruce said. Long-term capacity contracts and the time-intensive construction process remain the bigger hurdles.
That said, U.S. LNG exports are still on track to more than double by 2030, reaching 25 Bcf/d and increasing the U.S.'s global market share from 22% to 31%.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bottom Line: Winners And Losers</h3>
Goldman's analysis offers a clear takeaway: while the energy boom may lift U.S. production, tariffs and policy changes could ripple through markets in ways that aren't always predictable.
Trump's proposed energy policies could reshape North American energy markets, but the impact varies depending on the player:
<ul>
<li>U.S. Consumers: Likely to face higher gas prices in the short term if Canadian tariffs are imposed.</li>
<li>Canadian Producers: Under pressure from lower prices for both oil and natural gas.</li>
<li>U.S. Producers: Positioned to capitalize on higher domestic production targets and rising LNG exports.</li>
<li>Midwest Refiners: Will face margin pressure but may offset costs by negotiating deeper discounts on Canadian crude.</li>
</ul>
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Image: Shutterstock

Commodities

Trump's Energy Policies Poised To Reshape Oil & Gas Market: Winners And Losers Revealed

Compass CEO Robert Reffkin said in a CNBC interview last week that homebuyers are adapting to higher mortgage rates amid signs the housing market may have bottomed out. His comments follow October&#8217;s existing home sales data, which showed the annual increase in over three years, up 2.9% year over year.
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Despite the uptick, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/41977845/with-interest-rates-soaring-weekly-mortgage-demand-nosedives-11-a-warning-sign-for-the-real-estate-market">transaction volume remains well below normal levels</a>. &#8220;The average transaction volume in the last two years has been just above four million when it should be above five million,&#8221; Reffkin said, pointing to about three million transactions of pent-up demand. &#8220;I think there are a lot of reasons we go higher,&#8221; he said, adding that &#8220;you can only hold back life events for so long.&#8221;
While current 7% mortgage rates exceed comfortable buying levels, Reffkin sees improvement from last year&#8217;s 8.2% peak. He told CNBC that rates below 6% would signal a return to normal market conditions, though even a brief period at that level could catalyze significant activity. &#8220;Give me 5.999% for not a day but for a couple of months and we will be very close to mid-cycle,&#8221; he said.
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Looking ahead, Reffkin cited historical patterns suggesting potential market improvement. &#8220;The year following 10 of the last 11 presidential elections, transaction volume and prices increased,&#8221; he explained, attributing it to buyers postponing purchases during election years.
He said housing inventory has increased 20% year-over-year nationwide, though it still requires another 30% growth to reach pre-pandemic levels. Luxury markets show particular strength, with Reffkin noting wealthy buyers benefit from higher interest rates through investment income while remaining insulated from mortgage costs.
First-time buyers face continuing challenges, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/41876775/u-s-homebuyers-are-now-56-on-average-as-younger-generations-struggle-with-wildly-unaffordable-market-housing-expert-warns">the average buyer age now 56 </a>compared to previous averages in the 20s. &#8220;First-time buyers are getting hit because of affordability. And affordability is an issue because there&#8217;s not enough inventory,&#8221; Reffkin explained.
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today. </a>In response, Compass has launched several initiatives to increase inventory, including programs that eliminate concerns about days-on-market statistics and price reduction histories. His outlook aligns with that of other industry leaders, including Home Depot and Lowe&#8217;s executives, who believe housing turnover has likely decreased. &#8220;I think that we can&#8217;t go much lower,&#8221; Reffkin said. &#8220;There&#8217;s no sign in recent history of going much below four million and we&#8217;ve been at that level now for the last two years.&#8221;
Regarding recent industry changes around broker fees, Reffkin expressed some optimism. &#8220;Of all the reports that are out there, no one is saying that there&#8217;s a significant change in commissions,&#8221; he told CNBC, indicating minimal market impact so far.
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Real Estate

'We Can't Go Much Lower': Compass CEO Says Home Buyers Are Coming Around To Accepting 7% Mortgage Rates

Union Pacific's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNP#NYSE">UNP</a>) short percent of float has fallen 6.02% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 4.72 million shares sold short, which is 0.78% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.74 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>Union Pacific Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732815920_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Union Pacific 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 Union Pacific'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>, Union Pacific's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 7.53%, 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

Looking Into Union Pacific's Recent Short Interest

Pure Storage's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSTG#NYSE">PSTG</a>) short percent of float has risen 3.22% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 9.26 million shares sold short, which is 3.53% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.9 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>Pure Storage Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732815915_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Pure Storage has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Pure Storage'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>, Pure Storage's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.99%, 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.

PSTG

How Is The Market Feeling About Pure Storage?

Vaxcyte's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PCVX#NYSE">PCVX</a>) short percent of float has risen 8.49% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 9.69 million shares sold short, which is 8.82% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 5.14 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>Vaxcyte Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732815910_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Vaxcyte has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Vaxcyte'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>, Vaxcyte's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.85%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

PCVX

(PCVX) - Analyzing Vaxcyte's Short Interest

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Consumer Discretionary sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$330.00</td>
<td>$41.2K</td>
<td>12.1K</td>
<td>94.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$49.7K</td>
<td>26.5K</td>
<td>3.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$257.50</td>
<td>$29.7K</td>
<td>264</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MCD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$290.00</td>
<td>$83.0K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>701</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDD</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$114.00</td>
<td>$48.8K</td>
<td>227</td>
<td>203</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$4750.00</td>
<td>$63.9K</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $330.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $41.2K, with a price of $206.0 per contract. There were 12190 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 94278 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 22 day(s) on December 20, 2024. Parties traded 51 contract(s) at a $200.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $49.7K, with a price of $976.0 per contract. There were 26529 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3617 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CVNA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 85 contract(s) at a $257.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 16 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.7K, with a price of $350.0 per contract. There were 264 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1079 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MCD (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 50 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 191 contract(s) at a $290.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $83.0K, with a price of $435.0 per contract. There were 1518 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 701 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PDD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 22 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 32 contract(s) at a $114.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 21 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $48.8K, with a price of $1525.0 per contract. There were 227 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 203 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For BKNG (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 113 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1 contract(s) at a $4750.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $63.9K, with a price of $63940.0 per contract. There were 11 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

AMZN

BKNG

CVNA

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

TSLA

6 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>GEO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$55.0K</td>
<td>6.7K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UBER</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$47.1K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>930</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RKLB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$28.0K</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>330</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LUV</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$36.0K</td>
<td>15.2K</td>
<td>228</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$480.00</td>
<td>$43.0K</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>136</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZTO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$15.00</td>
<td>$32.5K</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$30.5K</td>
<td>806</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FTAI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$26.7K</td>
<td>432</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding GEO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEO#NYSE">GEO</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 50 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 250 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 40 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $55.0K, with a price of $220.0 per contract. There were 6722 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2424 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For UBER (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 85 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 72 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $47.1K, with a price of $655.0 per contract. There were 1108 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 930 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding RKLB (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKLB#NASDAQ">RKLB</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 204 day(s) on June 20, 2025. Parties traded 20 contract(s) at a $35.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.0K, with a price of $1400.0 per contract. There were 27 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 330 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For LUV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 50 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 120 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.0K, with a price of $300.0 per contract. There were 15200 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 228 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding DE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DE#NYSE">DE</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 50 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 20 contract(s) at a $480.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 12 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $43.0K, with a price of $2205.0 per contract. There were 44 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 136 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ZTO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZTO#NYSE">ZTO</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be neutral, expiring in 386 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 60 contract(s) at a $15.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 13 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.5K, with a price of $548.0 per contract. There were 1 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 60 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UPS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 414 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 10 contract(s) at a $110.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.5K, with a price of $3050.0 per contract. There were 806 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 24 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding FTAI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTAI#NASDAQ">FTAI</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 85 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 15 contract(s) at a $160.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.7K, with a price of $1780.0 per contract. There were 432 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 19 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

FTAI

RKLB

UBER

8 Industrials Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NVDA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$28.6K</td>
<td>16.4K</td>
<td>226.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAPL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$235.00</td>
<td>$31.1K</td>
<td>25.7K</td>
<td>68.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$422.50</td>
<td>$35.7K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>8.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CRM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$335.00</td>
<td>$205.4K</td>
<td>7.8K</td>
<td>7.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSTR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$380.00</td>
<td>$55.0K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>5.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KC</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$7.50</td>
<td>$62.5K</td>
<td>139</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALAB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$94.8K</td>
<td>7.5K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PLTR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$42.8K</td>
<td>19.3K</td>
<td>3.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MARA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/13/24</td>
<td>$26.50</td>
<td>$26.8K</td>
<td>405</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ORCL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/29/24</td>
<td>$187.50</td>
<td>$35.6K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. Parties traded 286 contract(s) at a $135.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 24 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.6K, with a price of $100.0 per contract. There were 16414 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 226512 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AAPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 385 contract(s) at a $235.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $31.1K, with a price of $81.0 per contract. There were 25746 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 68772 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MSFT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 259 contract(s) at a $422.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.7K, with a price of $139.0 per contract. There were 2576 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 8922 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding CRM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. Parties traded 403 contract(s) at a $335.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 43 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $205.4K, with a price of $506.0 per contract. There were 7836 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 7593 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MSTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. Parties traded 55 contract(s) at a $380.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $55.0K, with a price of $1000.0 per contract. There were 2604 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5450 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding KC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KC#NASDAQ">KC</a>), we observe a put option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 22 day(s) on December 20, 2024. Parties traded 611 contract(s) at a $7.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $62.5K, with a price of $103.0 per contract. There were 139 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4054 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ALAB (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALAB#NASDAQ">ALAB</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 22 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 95 contract(s) at a $105.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $94.8K, with a price of $998.0 per contract. There were 7510 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4020 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PLTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 22 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $42.8K, with a price of $214.0 per contract. There were 19339 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 3834 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MARA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 15 day(s) on December 13, 2024. Parties traded 84 contract(s) at a $26.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.8K, with a price of $320.0 per contract. There were 405 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2435 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ORCL (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on November 29, 2024. This event was a transfer of 78 contract(s) at a $187.50 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 18 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.6K, with a price of $458.0 per contract. There were 1959 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1436 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

AAPL

ALAB

MARA

MSFT

MSTR

NVDA

ORCL

PLTR

10 Information Technology Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

As the formal review process for rescheduling cannabis unfolds, industry players are closely watching its potential to transform the sector. With the DEA hearing delayed until early 2025 and a possible Trump presidency adding uncertainty, cannabis businesses are preparing for what rescheduling to Schedule III could mean.&nbsp;
From FDA oversight to interstate commerce and pharmaceutical-grade standards, these changes could fundamentally reshape the landscape—and investors and businesses need to be ready.
<ul>
<li>Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. You can&#8217;t afford to miss out if you're serious about the business.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rescheduling: A Door To Big-Box Pharmacies?</h2>
Denise Pollicella, a cannabis attorney and head of Omnus Law&#8216;s cannabis practice, points out that rescheduling cannabis isn't just about new retail partnerships but about overhauling how cannabis businesses operate.&nbsp;
"It's about transforming how cannabis businesses operate—adapting to FDA oversight, meeting pharmaceutical-grade standards, and navigating stricter compliance requirements," she told Benzinga Cannabis in an exclusive interview.
Rescheduling to Schedule III could allow major pharmaceutical retailers like CVS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) and Walgreens (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) to carry cannabis. But is the pathway straightforward? 
Pollicella anticipates a system similar to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42068539/billion-dollar-strike-farm-bill-amendment-could-change-the-hemp-industry">2018 hemp legalization framework</a>, where states submit regulatory schemes to meet federal guidelines. "Most states prefer to regulate these things themselves, particularly from a financial and tax point of view," she said, noting states' interest in retaining control of fees and fines.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" height="500" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/28053734/Denise-Pollicella-Square-Website-Image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-668972" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/28053734/Denise-Pollicella-Square-Website-Image.png 500w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/28053734/Denise-Pollicella-Square-Website-Image-300x300.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/28053734/Denise-Pollicella-Square-Website-Image-150x150.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denise Pollicella </figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FDA Oversight: Stricter Standards Ahead</h3>
If cannabis becomes a pharmaceutical-grade product, compliance with<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/08/33482140/rescheduling-cannabis-what-are-the-implications-for-msos-tax-rule-280e-fda-and-phar"> FDA standards will significantly change how businesses operate</a>. Pollicella explained that the cannabis industry has historically focused on ensuring safety and avoiding contaminants, with minimal emphasis on seed traceability. "Most of the testing and analysis has revolved around making sure that it's safe and doesn't have contaminants, and then around THC and CBD levels," she noted.
Pollicella added that transitioning to pharmaceutical-grade products would require stricter production standards and significantly more testing, which could drive up costs in an already expensive industry. Pollicella noted the likely challenges: "When it goes to a more pharmaceutical-grade product, not only will the production standards have to become more strict, but you'll also have significantly more testing."
Read Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39720968/is-big-pharma-poised-to-take-over-cannabis-3-companies-already-manage-8-in-10-drug-prescriptions"> Is Big Pharma Poised To Take Over Cannabis? 3 Companies Already Manage 8 In 10 Drug Prescriptions In The US</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Interstate Commerce</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41502695/exclusive-tilray-ceo-irwin-simon-on-why-us-cannabis-rescheduling-wont-change-a-billion-dollar-pl">Rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III </a>could pave the way for interstate trade, a shift that would fundamentally reshape supply chains and market dynamics. By lowering cannabis&#8217;s federal regulatory classification, rescheduling would enable cannabis to be treated more like other pharmaceutical products, potentially allowing producers in one state to sell to buyers in another. However, this transition would introduce new regulatory complexities.
Pollicella thinks that cannabis crossing state lines will require permissions, excise taxes, and strict identification as medical marijuana, and noted that states with mature medical markets, such as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/michigan-cannabis">Michigan</a>, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/pennsylvania-cannabis">Pennsylvania</a>, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/florida-cannabis">Florida</a>, could dominate the wholesale market. 
MSOs operating in these states include TerrAscend (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRSSF#OTC">TRSSF</a>), Cresco Labs Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRLBF#OTC">CRLBF</a>) in Michigan; Green Thumb Industries Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GTBIF#OTC">GTBIF</a>), Curaleaf (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CURLF#OTC">CURLF</a>), and Verano Holdings Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRNOF#OTC">VRNOF</a>) in Pennsylvania; and Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCNNF#OTC">TCNNF</a>) and Ayr Wellness Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYRWF#OTC">AYRWF</a>) in Florida.
These companies have heavily invested in CapEx for pharmaceutical-grade cannabis to meet stringent standards aligned with FDA requirements, positioning them to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39609582/europe-is-turning-cash-flow-positive-well-see-what-happens-in-the-u-s-largest-canna">supply pharmacies and other large-scale buyers</a>. "Michigan has tried to position itself as being nearly equal to FDA standards," Pollicella explained, highlighting the state's competitive advantage.&nbsp;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">M&amp;A Activity: A Rescheduled Catalyst? </h3>
The prospect of federal rescheduling is already sparking discussions about mergers and acquisitions. Pollicella foresees significant consolidation as businesses struggle to meet pharmaceutical-grade compliance. "Companies that have grown thoughtfully and in a measured way are going to knock it out of the park," she said, emphasizing the Darwinian nature of the cannabis business.
Midwest markets, like Michigan and Illinois, are expected to play pivotal roles in<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/deals"> M&amp;A activity</a>. Pollicella highlighted Michigan's readiness, citing its strict testing standards and proactive lobbying efforts. &#8220;Michigan has tried to position itself as being nearly equal to FDA standards,&#8221; she explained, adding that the state could become a major producer for the Midwest.
Read Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38881456/bidens-greenlight-what-to-know-about-fed-regulated-marijuana-markets-legal-circuits-and-complian"> Biden&#8217;s Greenlight: What To Know About Fed-Regulated Marijuana, Markets, Legal Circuits And Compliance</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will A Trump Presidency Delay Progress?</h2>
Pollicella warns that<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/11/42143770/trumps-pick-for-attorney-general-is-no-matt-gaetz-when-it-comes-to-cannabis-reform"> rescheduling is far from guaranteed.</a> "Anybody counting on the rescheduling of marijuana down to Schedule III in the new administration is making an assumption that's not necessarily based on anything we've seen yet," she cautioned.
While some industry advocates hope the promise of tax revenue and economic growth will sway federal policymakers, Pollicella remains skeptical. "It's not a priority for this administration," she said, adding that substantial lobbying will likely be needed to make progress.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2025</h3>
Despite the challenges, Pollicella is optimistic about the industry's potential under a rescheduled framework. She believes businesses with scalable production capabilities and strategic foresight will thrive. However, she also underscores the need for readiness.&nbsp;
Despite the significant political and economic discussions surrounding cannabis rescheduling, the process itself is more straightforward than many assume. Pollicella explains that the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 placed cannabis on Schedule I through political and legislative decisions, rather than medical consensus. "None of the criteria for Schedule I—no known medical use, no known safe use, and a high probability of addictiveness—really apply to marijuana," she said. As with its initial classification, rescheduling will require bipartisan consensus and can follow one of two paths.
Congress could pass legislation to amend the Controlled Substances Act, or the Attorney General could direct the FDA and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42144540/dea-slammed-over-unlawful-talks-with-cannabis-opponents-the-plot-thickens">DEA to conduct a review</a> and implement rescheduling through administrative rule-making.&nbsp;
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42220254/dea-sets-stage-for-marijuana-rescheduling-with-december-2-hearing">DEA Sets Stage For Marijuana Rescheduling With December 2 Hearing</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Political Will </h3>
"Once there's political will, it can happen like this," Pollicella said, snapping her fingers metaphorically to illustrate how quickly the process could move once initiated.
This swift <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/08/40632193/marijuana-rescheduling-is-not-solution-to-industrys-banking-issues-congressional-researchers-say">rescheduling would require states to align their regulatory schemes with federal guidelines</a>. Pollicella anticipates that it might follow a model similar to the 2018 hemp rollout:&nbsp;
"The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41936736/fda-commissioner-califf-candid-on-trumps-impact-we-just-dont-know-whats-going-to-happen">FDA</a> could give states with existing regulatory structures a timeline, say six to nine months, to refine their programs<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/09/40820581/want-organic-cannabis-operators-are-turning-to-this-tech-to-save-millions-and-get-certified"> to meet federal standards</a>. States that comply could maintain control, while those that don't might see federal intervention."
However, the question remains whether the upcoming administration will prioritize this process. "The real challenge isn't the steps—it's the political will to move forward," she noted.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/retail-sales/24/11/42193387/federal-policy-could-add-3-billion-to-cannabis-industry-on-track-to-reach-55-billion-by-2030">Federal Policy Could Add $3 Billion To Cannabis Industry: On Track To Reach $55 Billion By 2030</a>

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Pharma-Grade Cannabis Could Hit Walgreens & CVS—But Can The Industry Survive The FDA?

In the current session, the stock is trading at $39.60, after a 2.22% spike. Over the past month, Western Midstream Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WES#NYSE">WES</a>) stock increased by 7.53%, and in the past year, by 32.67%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732815008_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Evaluating Western Midstream P/E in Comparison to Its Peers</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
Western Midstream has a lower P/E than the aggregate P/E of 19.03 of the Oil, Gas &amp; Consumable Fuels industry. Ideally, one might believe that the stock might perform worse than its peers, but it's also probable that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732815008_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

A Look Into Western Midstream Inc's Price Over Earnings

Cognizant Tech Solns's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTSH#NYSE">CTSH</a>) short percent of float has risen 4.01% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 16.09 million shares sold short, which is 4.15% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 4.22 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Cognizant Tech Solns Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732814121_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Cognizant Tech Solns has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Cognizant Tech Solns'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>, Cognizant Tech Solns's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.89%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

CTSH

Looking Into Cognizant Tech Solns's Recent Short Interest

CDW's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDW#NYSE">CDW</a>) short percent of float has fallen 35.09% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 2.45 million shares sold short, which is 2.09% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.46 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>CDW Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732814116_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for CDW 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 CDW'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>, CDW's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.66%, 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.

Peering Into CDW's Recent Short Interest

As U.S. markets paused for Thanksgiving, European equities staged a rebound on Thursday, snapping a three-day losing streak. Lower-than-expected consumer inflation data from Germany rekindled optimism for more aggressive rate cuts by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">the European Central Bank (ECB)</a>.
Germany&#8217;s annual inflation rate edged higher, rising from 2.0% in October to 2.2% in November , but came in just below market expectations of 2.3%. On a monthly basis, Germany&#8217;s consumer price index (CPI) fell 0.2%, marking the sharpest decline in over a year. The unexpected contraction in monthly CPI added to speculation that the ECB could accelerate monetary easing to support the region&#8217;s economy.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">European Equities Post Gains</h3>
The Euro STOXX 50, a key benchmark for the eurozone's 50 largest blue-chip stocks, closed up 0.5%, buoyed by gains in industrials and energy stocks. Among the biggest winners were:
<ul>
<li>Airbus SE (OTCPK: AEDSY): +4.2%</li>
<li>RWE AG (OTCPK: RWEOY): +2.7%</li>
<li>ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>): +2.3%</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dollar Rebounds, Yen Slips After Wednesday&#8217;s Rally</h3>
Meanwhile, the euro slipped 0.2%, trading at $1.0550 against the U.S. dollar. A currency weighted measure of the greenback – tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) – was also up by 0.2%. 
The yen was the underperformer among major currencies, falling by 0.3% following a 1.3% rally on Wednesday. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Commodities: Gold Shines, Oil Sees Volatility</h3>
Commodities were mixed in Thursday&#8217;s session:
<ul>
<li>Gold futures edged up 0.2%, eyeing their sixth gain in the last seven trading days. </li>
<li>Natural gas futures climbed 2.3%, recovering some ground after an 8.5% drop on Wednesday. Thus far in November, natural gas prices are up by 20%. </li>
<li>Oil prices had a choppy session, initially rising on reports of Israeli forces citing violations of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement. However, as tensions eased, oil pared gains to trade flat.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Crypto Struggles To Maintain Momentum</h3>
Cryptocurrencies saw a pullback after recent gains:
<ul>
<li>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) fell 0.9% to around $95,000, failing to sustain momentum from Wednesday's 4.6% rally.</li>
<li>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) dropped 3%, erasing part of its 10% surge the previous day. The pullback highlighted a weaker appetite for risk-on assets within the crypto space.</li>
</ul>
Read now: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42234954/will-apple-or-nvidia-be-the-worlds-most-valuable-company-by-the-end-of-2024-polymarket-traders-have-a-clear-favorite">Will Apple Or NVIDIA Be The World&#8217;s Most Valuable Company By The End Of 2024? Polymarket Traders Have A Clear Favorite</a></li>
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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European Stocks Close Higher, Dollar Gains, Bitcoin Eases To $95,000: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

EOG Resources's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EOG#NYSE">EOG</a>) short percent of float has risen 10.9% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 13.28 million shares sold short, which is 2.34% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 4.49 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>EOG Resources Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732814111_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for EOG Resources has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing EOG Resources'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>, EOG Resources's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.96%, 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.

(EOG) - Analyzing EOG Resources's Short Interest

Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) has outperformed Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/ethereum-eth-price-predictions">several key metrics</a> over the past week, signaling a potential shift in market dynamics, according to a Bybit and Block Scholes report.
What Happened: This trend comes amid the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42131449/with-gary-gensler-preparing-to-quit-in-2025-secs-crypto-cases-likely-to-quietly-go-away-amid-trumps-pro-bitcoin-stance-says-pantera-capitals-katrina-paglia">announcement of SEC Chair</a> Gary Gensler's planned departure in January 2025, which has boosted sentiment <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42120607/gary-gensler-to-step-down-as-sec-chair-on-trumps-inauguration-day">around Ethereum and other altcoins.</a>
The report highlights Ethereum&#8217;s strength in futures and perpetual markets. Bitcoin futures open interest has declined, while Ethereum futures have seen growth. 
Short-dated ETH futures contracts are trading at a steep premium, with one-week contracts showing nearly 25% annualized yields over spot prices. 
This development reflects growing trader optimism toward Ethereum. 
"ETH has sustained its outperformance over the week," the report states, emphasizing the stark contrast in sentiment and positioning between the two largest cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum perpetual contracts also saw rising open interest, while Bitcoin perpetuals recorded declines. 
These trends suggest traders are increasingly shifting their focus toward Ethereum. 
Options market activity further supports this narrative, with Ethereum's options term structure showing inversion, indicating higher demand for short-term bullish bets. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42234487/coinbases-armstrong-warren-was-involved-in-one-of-the-most-unethical-un-american-things-in-the-biden-administration">Coinbase&#8217;s Armstrong: Warren Was Involved In &#8216;One Of The Most Unethical, Un-American Things In The Biden Administration&#8217;</a>
By contrast, Bitcoin's term structure has flattened, suggesting cooling speculative interest.
The report connects these developments to broader market conditions, including regulatory tailwinds. 
Gensler, known for his stringent stance on crypto regulation, is set to step down as SEC Chair early next year. Many assets, particularly altcoins like Ethereum, faced scrutiny during his tenure. 
The announcement of his departure is seen as a positive signal for the crypto market, boosting confidence in Ethereum's longer-term prospects.
"Ethereum's outperformance this week reflects not just favorable market conditions but also a broader shift in sentiment as regulatory pressures ease," an analyst from the report commented. 
The report further notes Ethereum's growing potential to attract institutional inflows, a trend observed with Bitcoin during its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42165734/bitcoin-etfs-registered-record-312-billion-net-inflows-last-week">ETF-related surges</a>.
However, it cautions against extrapolating short-term trends too far, as both Ethereum and Bitcoin remain sensitive to macroeconomic factors <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42214467/bitcoins-2020-thanksgiving-massacre-to-repeat-or-is-the-holiday-a-turning-point-for-new-highs">and market volatility</a>.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42232116/dogecoin-to-hit-69-cents-by-inauguration-day-polymarket-traders-are-not-convinced">Dogecoin To Hit 69 Cents By Inauguration Day? Polymarket Traders Are Not Convinced</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Ethereum Outperformed Bitcoin This Week As Key Indicators Shift: Report

A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRVx4hVfu2Y">recent episode</a> of The Ramsey Show revealed a concerning situation for a caller named Liz from Mobile, Alabama. Liz shared her dilemma with hosts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42095012/according-to-dave-ramsey-answering-these-two-questions-could-be-the-difference-between-living-wealthy-or-struggling-financially">Dave Ramsey</a> and Ken Coleman: her fiancé hasn't filed taxes in 20 years. While taxes have been withheld from his paycheck, he has avoided filing returns, leaving Liz seeking advice about their future together.
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Ramsey wasted no time pointing out the gravity of the situation. "How do you feel about planning your future with someone in jail?" he asked Liz. While not everyone who fails to file goes to jail, Ramsey noted that thousands are incarcerated for this offense each year.
The financial and legal risks tied to her fiancé's actions are significant for Liz, who is still 10 years away from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/41918104/are-you-on-track-to-retire-rich-heres-the-nest-egg-you-need-to-be-considered-a-wealthy-retiree">retirement</a>. Ramsey warned that the consequences could also affect Liz if she remains committed to the relationship, saying, "To the extent you're connected to him, you're gonna have a serious problem."
When Ramsey pressed Liz about her fiancé's reasoning, she admitted she wasn't entirely sure. She speculated that a history of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40760261/biden-administration-says-unemployment-is-low-but-do-americans-see-it-that-way">unemployment</a> may have played a role, but she couldn't explain why he continued to avoid filing once he started working again. Ramsey described this behavior as "slothful" and lacking integrity.
See Also: Many are using this retirement income calculator to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>
Ken Coleman added to the concern by questioning the level of trust in their relationship. "If he's willing to withhold information from the federal government, what pray to tell is he willing to withhold from you?" Coleman asked. He suggested that Liz reconsider her commitment until her fiancé addresses his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42153139/costs-have-escalated-drastically-warns-kevin-oleary-hopeful-elon-and-vivek-can-simplify-tax-and-deregulate-the-economy">tax issues</a>.
Despite the strong warnings, Ramsey offered a solution for Liz's fiancé to resolve his tax issues. He advised proactively contacting the IRS through a tax professional. He said that individuals can file the past three to four years of returns in many cases to avoid criminal charges.
Ramsey says the IRS tends to be lenient with those who come forward voluntarily. However, penalties and interest on unpaid taxes could still be significant. "If he's going to get current and not go to jail, I can actually walk him through that," Ramsey said. He also directed Liz to Ramsey Solutions' tax-endorsed local providers for help.
Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
According to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/failure-to-file-penalty">the IRS</a>, the penalty for failure to file taxes is 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that a tax return is late, but it won't exceed 25% of unpaid taxes.&nbsp;
Beyond the legal and financial risks, Ramsey and Coleman emphasized the broader relationship implications. Coleman highlighted that the fiancé's lack of transparency and insistence on moving for retirement – against Liz's wishes – are red flags. "This relationship is really jacked up," Coleman said, suggesting Liz pause and reassess her commitment.
Ramsey summed up his advice bluntly: unless Liz's fiancé takes immediate action to resolve his tax issues and prove his reliability, he wouldn't advise her to continue the relationship. "I don't want my little sister Liz married to a jailbird," Ramsey said.
For Liz, the decision involves more than love – protecting her financial and emotional future. Ramsey and Coleman's advice underscores the importance of integrity and trust in any partnership, especially when major financial and legal risks are involved.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider contacting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-online-financial-advisors">financial advisor</a> or tax professional to help you get back on track.&nbsp;
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Studies show 50% of consumers think Financial Advisors cost much more than they do —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/money-pickle"> to debunk this, this company provides matching for free and a complimentary first call with the matched advisor.</a></li>
<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Caller's Fiance Hasn't Filed Taxes In 20 Years – Dave Ramsey Says To Rethink Your Future With This Slothful Man

Chris Burniske, a prominent voice in the crypto space and partner at Placeholder VC, dismissed the idea of a Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) "supercycle," labeling it a &#8220;collective delusion.&#8221; 
What Happened: In a detailed <a href="https://x.com/cburniske/status/1861901539658355173">thread</a> on X on Wednesday, Burniske warned investors against the belief that Bitcoin&#8217;s bull markets will eliminate future bear markets, despite new factors such as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42165734/bitcoin-etfs-registered-record-312-billion-net-inflows-last-week">Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs)</a> and potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42220158/donald-trump-to-establish-a-national-bitcoin-reserve-pros-vs-cons-compared">sovereign adoption</a>.
"Every bull, people come up with reasons for why we're going stupid high or won't have a bear," Burniske wrote, reflecting on over a decade of market cycles in crypto. 
"While the ETFs and potential sovereign buying could mean we don't have as brutal a bear in the future for BTC, &#8216;supercycle&#8217; is without fail a collective delusion,&#8221; he added.
Burniske highlighted that the current bull market, which he dates back to November 2022, has propelled Bitcoin to close to $100,000—a more than sixfold increase since the bottom of the last cycle.
Other assets like Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) have also seen <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42139601/solana-hits-264-record-high-as-etf-filings-regulatory-optimism-drive-market-momentum">exponential gains</a>, up over 4x and 30x, respectively, during the same period.
However, he cautioned investors against late entries during such bullish periods, emphasizing that the more attention crypto receives, the worse the timing often is for new buyers. 
"The painful reality is as crypto prices go up, that draws more attention, and that attention converts into buying flows," he explained. 
Burniske pointed out that the best entry points are typically when few are paying attention, as was the case two years ago.
Burniske also criticized the notion that structural changes in the market, such as institutional involvement or sovereign interest, could end the boom-and-bust nature of crypto cycles. 
"Anything that goes 100x quickly is prone to at least an 80-90% crash at some point, structurally—too many people sitting on profit," he noted.
While acknowledging that factors like ETFs could soften future bear markets, Burniske made it clear that crashes are part of the natural evolution of crypto markets. 
He also questioned recent chatter about a shortened cycle, calling it "bear market PTSD talking."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42232116/dogecoin-to-hit-69-cents-by-inauguration-day-polymarket-traders-are-not-convinced">Dogecoin To Hit 69 Cents By Inauguration Day? Polymarket Traders Are Not Convinced</a>
Why It Matters: For those new to crypto, Burniske advised a simple portfolio allocation focused on quality assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana (50/25/25%).
He cautioned against speculative investments in smaller assets without adequate research and suggested a disciplined <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42168169/bitcoin-below-100000-veteran-trader-shares-profit-taking-strategy">approach to profit-taking</a>.
"From current entry prices, if they 2x, encourage them to take half out at that point, leaving their initial cost allocated," he suggested, highlighting the importance of preparing for volatility.
As for those banking on outsized returns in the current market, Burniske warned, "No one is getting rich or crazy multiples from these prices… but they're gonna see people making good money, so it's hard to resist."
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42221726/crypto-dad-chris-giancarlo-advocates-for-passing-crypto-regulation-from-the-sec-to-another-commission-heres-why">&#8216;Crypto Dad&#8217; Chris Giancarlo Advocates For Passing Crypto Regulation From The SEC To Another Commission — Here&#8217;s Why</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Wikimedia Commons

$SOL

Bitcoin 'Supercycle' Narrative Is A 'Collective Delusion,' Influential Crypto Venture Capitalist Says

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) are seen as the top contenders for the title of the world's largest company by the end of 2024, according <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42189225/trump-threatens-25-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-until-invasion-is-stopped-but-polymarket-traders-arent-convinced">to Polymarket traders</a>.
Apple <a href="https://polymarket.com/event/largest-company-eoy?tid=1732725661447">leads</a> with a 55% probability of holding the top spot, while NVIDIA trails at 40%.
Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), once a dominant force, has only a 4.5% chance, and other companies have less than 1%.
With $119,473 in total betting volume on the market, the data showcases investor sentiment about the dominance of these technology giants. 
Here's a closer look at the frontrunners, their industries, and current market valuations:
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Apple: Leading The Pack With 55%</h3>
Apple Inc., currently the most valuable company globally, has a market capitalization exceeding $3.47 trillion. 
The company's strength lies in its ecosystem of consumer products, including the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch, combined with a growing services segment featuring Apple Pay, Apple Music and iCloud.
Recent innovations, such as the Vision Pro headset and advancements in AI-powered features, continue to solidify Apple's position as a market leader. 
Its high probability on Polymarket reflects confidence in its ability to maintain its dominance in the face of strong competition.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42232116/dogecoin-to-hit-69-cents-by-inauguration-day-polymarket-traders-are-not-convinced">Dogecoin To Hit 69 Cents By Inauguration Day? Polymarket Traders Are Not Convinced</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NVIDIA: Gaining Ground With 40%</h3>
NVIDIA, a leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI), has surged in market value amid the AI boom. 
With a market cap of $3.44 trillion, NVIDIA has become a critical supplier for generative AI technologies and data center processors. 
The company's revenue has skyrocketed in 2024, driven by demand for its cutting-edge chips used in AI model training and deployment. 
Bettors view NVIDIA's innovative technology and increasing relevance in the AI-driven economy as a strong case for challenging Apple's top spot.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Microsoft: A Fading Contender At 4.5%</h3>
Microsoft, with a market cap of about $3.06 trillion, remains a powerhouse in enterprise software, cloud computing, and productivity tools. 
Its Azure cloud platform and integration of AI tools, such as Copilot in Microsoft Office, have kept it competitive. 
However, its relatively low probability on Polymarket suggests that investors view it as unlikely to overtake Apple or NVIDIA by the year's end.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Contenders: Less Than 1%</h3>
The &#8220;Other&#8221; category, representing all remaining global companies, has less than a 1% chance of ending 2024 as the largest, reflecting the dominance of tech giants in the global economy and the high barriers for other industries to compete at this scale.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42221726/crypto-dad-chris-giancarlo-advocates-for-passing-crypto-regulation-from-the-sec-to-another-commission-heres-why">&#8216;Crypto Dad&#8217; Chris Giancarlo Advocates For Passing Crypto Regulation From The SEC To Another Commission — Here&#8217;s Why</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Will Apple Or NVIDIA Be The World's Most Valuable Company By The End Of 2024? Polymarket Traders Have A Clear Favorite

Australian Competition Tribunal gives nod for ANZ's $3.2B takeover of Suncorp Bank

Suncorp Group ADR (SNMCY) stock has risen 16.84% over the last 12 months. InvestorsObserverâ€&#x2122;s proprietary ranking system, gives SNMCY stock a score of  0 out of a possible 100. That rank is  influenced by a short-term technical score of 0. SNMCY's rank also includes a long-term technical score of 0.  SNMCY has an Overall S

Should You Buy Suncorp Group ADR (SNMCY) Stock Wednesday?

Suncorp Group Limited goes ex dividend tomorrow

ANZGF

ANZGY

SNMYF

Suncorp Gr

The following post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga&rsquo;s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga.

Nine international companies recently made their pitch to investors at the Deutsche Bank Depositary Receipts Virtual Investor Conference, held in conjunction with OTC Markets November 13-14. Here are the highlights (to watch a replay of the investor presentations at the conference, <a href="https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI%3A4%3BF%3AAPIUTILS!51004&amp;PageID=41FD63B1-2CF7-42A0-9EE2-9A3B72307647&amp;utm=&amp;utm_source=OTC%20Markets%20Email&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=Nov%20dbVIC">click here</a>).&nbsp;

Heineken (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HEINY#OTCQX">HEINY</a>)

Heineken&rsquo;s big initiative, according to Investor Relations Director Federico Castillo, is continuing its global diversification and limiting reliance on individual markets.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We used to be a very European-centric business 10-15 years ago,&rdquo; Castillo said. &ldquo;Heineken was concerned that it was overly exposed to markets that at that point in time were showing a frank decline.&rdquo;

Today, Heineken owns over 160 breweries in over 70 countries. Only two countries, Mexico and Vietnam, account for more than 10% of profits, and 56% of profits come from developing markets.&nbsp;

Hugo Boss (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BOSSY#OTCQX">BOSSY</a>)

Hugo Boss, the German fashion company fell short of expectations in its most recent quarter, missing estimates on both earnings and sales. The company cited macroeconomic uncertainties that weighed on consumer demand.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In North America, sales were down 8% on a year-over-year basis, impacted by general softness in local demand and a double-digit decline in the U.S. wholesale business. In Asia, sales were up 2% year-over-year despite the Hong Kong protests weighing on sales growth. Europe sales also rose 2% in the quarter, led by record same-store sales growth in France (though sales in home market Germany declined).&nbsp;

Looking further out the company is focused on the expansion of its footprint in mainland China, expanding online sales and growing its travel retail business.

Fresenius SE (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSNUY#OTCQX">FSNUY</a>)

Fresenius is a global operator of hospitals and other health care facilities and is the world&#39;s largest provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases as well as Europe&#39;s leading private hospital operator.&nbsp;

According to Senior Vice President and Head of Investor Relations, Markus Georgi, 42% of Fresenius&rsquo; business comes from North America, while 43% comes from Europe, and 15% comes from the rest of the world, particularly China.&nbsp;

Georgi cited two key trends in healthcare that are driving the growth of the business: demographics and health care spending. Over 2 billion people will be over the age of 60 by 2050, according to the World Health Organization. And by 2022, one-third of all global health expenditure will occur in emerging economies, according to the World Economic Forum.&nbsp;

Hutchison China MediTech (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCM#NASDAQ">HCM</a>)

Hutchinson China MediTech, known as Chi-Med, is a Hong Kong-based pharma company focused on developing drugs for oncology and autoimmune diseases. Chi-Med currently has a portfolio of eight cancer drug candidates in clinical studies around the world, five of which are in the U.S. and EU.&nbsp;

Christian Hogg, executive director and CEO of Chi-Med, singled out the company&rsquo;s pipeline and the changing regulatory landscape as key catalysts going forward. In 2018, the company launched Elunate, a treatment for colorectal cancer. The drug is commercialized by Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and was the first-ever home-grown cancer drug launched in China.&nbsp;

&ldquo;What we&rsquo;re seeing is enormous regulatory reform in China, driving down the price of generic drugs, increasing access to innovating therapies, and that&rsquo;s where our portfolio fits in very nicely,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re seeing a terrific evolution of the Chinese biotech and pharma market towards helping patients with innovative therapies.&rdquo;

Suncorp Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNMCY#OTC">SNMCY</a>)

Suncorp is an Australian financial services provider with over 9.5 million customers and $96 billion in assets under management. The bank has three business lines: insurance in Australia, banking &amp; wealth, and insurance in New Zealand.&nbsp;

Suncorp has a 27% market share in Australia&rsquo;s personal lines markets and is Australia&rsquo;s largest personal injury insurer. In the banking and wealth segment, 81% of the bank&rsquo;s lending portfolio consists of retail mortgages, while commercial loans make up 11% and agricultural business loans make up the remaining 8%.&nbsp;

The key priorities for the firm, according to Kelly Hibbins, executive general manager, investor relations, are to increase investment in the bank&rsquo;s digital platform, increase growth in home and motor loans and continuing to target a net stable funding ratio comfortably above 105%.&nbsp;

Nordea Bank (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NRDBY#OTC">NRDBY</a>)

Nordea, the largest financial services firm in the four Nordic countries with around 10 million customers, also provided a quarterly update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Though net interest income improved compared to the previous quarter, third-quarter results were defined by negative one-time events, according to Senior Investor Relations Officer Maria Caneman. A divestment, impairment charge, restructuring provision, and loan loss provision led to negative charges of 1.3 billion Euros.&nbsp;

Going forward, the company has a new CEO, business plan, financial targets, and dividend policy. As part of that plan, Nordea is aiming to cut costs by between 700-800 million Euros by 2022.&nbsp;

Telstra (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLSYY#OTC">TLSYY</a>)

Telstra, Australia&rsquo;s leading telecommunications provider, reported third-quarter results in-line with previously issued guidance.&nbsp;

Leading the way for Telstra is its 5G developments. In the past year, Telestra became the first operator to launch 5G in the southern hemisphere, providing access to over 4 million Australians. By the end of 2020, they expect to increase 5G coverage almost five-fold to reach at least 35 Australian cities.&nbsp;

&ldquo;FY19 has been pivotal. Notwithstanding the intense competition we have faced and the challenging structural dynamics of our industry, it is a year in which we started to see the turning point in the fortunes of the company,&rdquo; said Head off Investor Relations Ross Moffat.&nbsp;

Serco Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCGPY#OTC">SCGPY</a>)

Serco is a British provider of public services that operates in five main sectors: defense, justice &amp; immigration, transportation, health, and citizen services. The company most notably recently closed its $225 million acquisition of Naval Systems Base Unit, which it hopes will make it a top-tier supplier to the U.S. Navy as the Navy plans to expand its fleet from around 280 ships to 355 by 2034.&nbsp;

2019 will be the third year in a row that Serco order intake exceeds revenue, according to Head of Investor Relations Stuart Ford. The company received orders worth 14 billion pounds in the first half of 2019, up from 11 billion pounds on a year-over-year basis. In terms of revenue, Serco is guiding for 5-7% revenue growth in 2019.&nbsp;

Continental AG (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTTAY#OTC">CTTAY</a>)

Continental is one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world. 60% of Continental&rsquo;s revenue comes from its automotive group, while the remaining comes from rubber products.&nbsp;

In terms of the overall market situation, the company is assuming no material recovery in the next five years. Continental is projecting live vehicle production in 2020 to be at the same level as in 2019, at best&mdash;if not decline for the third consecutive year. They&rsquo;re also seeing increasing headwinds in tire markets.&nbsp;

Continental&rsquo;s plan to weather the storm is to reduce costs by 500 million Euros by 2023 via a 5% headcount reduction and reductions in capex. They&rsquo;re also planning a complete spinoff of the powertrain business&mdash;for which it was previously planning on pursuing a partial IPO&mdash;and re-focusing on growth areas; specifically, the interior and tires divisions.&nbsp;

Photo by&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/@sebastiano_piazzi?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Sebastiano Piazzi</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/flags?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga&rsquo;s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.

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