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As President Donald Trump pushes forward with <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-orders-plan-for-a-united-states-sovereign-wealth-fund/">plans</a> to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43447339/trump-announces-us-sovereign-wealth-fund-hints-at-tiktok-ownership">create the United States' first-ever sovereign wealth fund</a>, he should be taking a look at some of the world's most successful funds for inspiration. One of the best examples of how a sovereign wealth fund can succeed is Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, which is worth $1.7 trillion.
This fund is considered one of the best examples of how to manage national wealth for the long term. So, what can Trump—and the U.S.—learn from Norway's success?&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Is a Sovereign Wealth Fund, and Why Does It Matter?</h2>
A sovereign wealth fund is a government-run investment fund designed to manage the country's assets, whether they're from natural resources, budget surpluses, or other sources. These funds can be used to stabilize the economy, finance national infrastructure projects, or save for future generations.
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In Norway, the government set up its fund back in the 1990s to invest the country's oil revenue. The intention was to prevent the nation&#8217;s economy from collapsing when the oil supply ran out. Over time, it's become a powerhouse, invested in global stocks, bonds, and real estate and at the same time <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/02/43424874/ceo-of-norways-sovereign-wealth-fund-advises-investors-to-dump-tech-stocks">providing long-term financial stability</a> for Norway's citizens.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Norway's Fund Became a Model</h2>
Norway's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40796101/i-hate-the-idea-of-a-sovereign-wealth-fund-says-mark-cuban-still-thinks-it-might-work-in-one-spe">sovereign wealth fund</a> is often praised for being transparent, well-managed, and focused on long-term results.&nbsp;
Norway doesn't put all its eggs in one basket. While its fund started with oil money, it has since expanded into a wide range of global assets. This helps shield the country's economy from the volatility of any single market or resource. Trump's U.S. fund should learn from this and invest in many different areas.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
The fund is overseen by an independent board, making decisions free from political pressure. This transparency helps avoid accusations of corruption or favoritism. Trump will need to set up a solid governance structure for his sovereign wealth fund to ensure it operates fairly and in the best interest of all Americans.
Norway's fund focuses on the long-term benefits, with an eye toward sustainability. The U.S. could easily fall into the trap of short-term thinking, where funds are used to address immediate issues instead of planning for the future.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Can the U.S. Learn from Norway?</h2>
With plans to create a similar sovereign wealth fund in the U.S., Trump has an opportunity to follow in Norway's footsteps. However, he'll need to be careful with a few key aspects to make sure the fund doesn't go off track.
Norway's fund is known for its openness. If the U.S. fund is to succeed, it needs a clear strategy for how assets will be invested and how funds will be allocated. The public needs to know that the fund is being managed well and in their best interest.
See Also: According to Juniper Research, the total value of B2B cross-border payments stored on the blockchain is projected to exceed $4.4 trillion — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-future-of-enterprise-transactions">Join the first company to bring blockchain payments to Salesforce early with just $100.</a>
While immediate issues like infrastructure and national security concerns may tempt Trump to use the fund for short-term goals, Norway's success lies in focusing on long-term economic growth. The U.S. fund should aim for sustainable wealth that will benefit future generations.
One of the best things about Norway's fund is that it's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43465260/elon-musk-clashes-with-ceo-of-1-7-trillion-norway-wealth-fund-and-tesla-shareholder-who-voted-against-his-56-billion-compensation-deal">not controlled by political interests</a>. If the U.S. wants its fund to be successful, it will need to focus on what's best for the country, not for any one person or political party.
The question now is whether the U.S. will heed the lessons from Norway's massive success. A well-managed sovereign wealth fund could provide stability, reduce the tax burden, and create long-term economic security for the country.
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The World's Largest $1.7 Trillion Sovereign Wealth Fund Holds Key Lessons For Trump And The U.S.—Will They Listen?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump&#8217;s Health and Human Services Secretary-designate, has revealed in financial disclosures that he carries up <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43468887/robert-f-kennedy-nomination-advances-to-full-senate-vaccine-stocks-drop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to $1.2 million in credit card debt</a>.
His balances, ranging between $610,000 and $1.2 million, are charged at high interest rates of 23.24% to 23.49%, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/07/what-rfk-jrs-financial-disclosures-may-teach-us-about-managing-debt.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> CNBC.
While Kennedy&#8217;s financial situation may seem extraordinary, experts reportedly say high credit card debt is not limited to the wealthy.
Credit card balances across the U.S. have surged to a record $1.17 trillion in 2024, with many consumers, including high-income individuals, relying on credit to manage expenses amid rising prices, CNBC adds.
Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree, points out to CNBC that credit cards have become a &#8220;de facto emergency fund&#8221; for many Americans as inflation squeezes their budgets.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/02/43577521/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-to-begin-mass-layoffs-next-week-speeds-up-hiring-of-machine-learning-engineers-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta To Begin Mass Layoffs Next Week, Speeds Up Hiring Of Machine Learning Engineers: Report</a>
Financial experts emphasize that carrying high credit card balances is costly, CNBC writes. If Kennedy were to pay off his debt at $50,000 per month, it could take up to 33 months to pay off the $1.2 million balance, incurring approximately $434,000 in interest.
In an interview to CNBC, Ted Rossman, senior analyst at Bankrate, calls Kennedy&#8217;s debt &#8220;truly massive&#8221; but also highlights that with significant income, such debt is puzzling.
For average consumers, the average credit card debt per borrower stood at $6,380 in 2024, with an interest rate of 20.13%, CNBC adds.
Experts suggest accelerating debt repayment to reduce the burden of interest, which can quickly accumulate.
Reducing credit card debt, they advise, is crucial to financial health — for both the wealthy and everyday Americans.
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Image: Shutterstock

Politics

RFK Jr. Reveals Shocking $1.2 Million Credit Card Debt – Glimpse into Americans' Worsening Debt Crisis?

Nike Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) has decided to return to Super Bowl advertising after a 27-year break, in an effort to revive its dwindling sales.
What Happened: The news of Nike&#8217;s return was disclosed by JPMorgan analysts in a research note, following a meeting with Nike&#8217;s CEO and CFO. The company has yet to make a public statement on the matter.
This decision comes at a critical time&nbsp;for Nike, which has been&nbsp;battling falling sales. The company is taking a high-stakes risk, as a 30-second Super Bowl ad spot can cost more than $8 million.
As per the report <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nike-returns-super-bowl-commercial-reverse-sales-slump-2025-2">by </a>Insider, newly appointed CEO, Elliott Hill, who returned to the company&nbsp;in October after a four-year&nbsp;hiatus, had presented a recovery plan in December. Hill has been critical of some of Nike&#8217;s previous strategies, such as heavy discounting and neglecting relationships with wholesalers.
The sportswear behemoth is also trying to reignite interest in its&nbsp;iconic sneaker brands like Jordans&nbsp;and Air Force 1s by limiting supply to stimulate demand.
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Over the past year, Nike&#8217;s shares have dropped approximately 30%, and the company reported an 8% year-over-year decrease in revenue to $12.4 billion for the quarter ending November 30.
In recent months, Nike has restructured its marketing department, promoting several company veterans,&nbsp;including former vice president Nicole&nbsp;Hubbard Graham, who was appointed as marketing chief.
The company seems to be leveraging significant cultural events to rejuvenate its brand, as seen by a new ad launched during the Grammy Awards this month, celebrating the 40-year legacy of its Jordan Brand.
Why It Matters: Nike&#8217;s return to Super Bowl advertising signifies a major shift in its marketing strategy. This move could potentially attract a larger audience and boost sales, which is crucial for the company given its recent financial performance. 
However, the high cost of Super Bowl advertising also adds a significant risk to this strategy. 
The success of this move will largely depend on how effectively the company can leverage this platform to connect with its target audience and rekindle interest in its products.
Image: Shutterstock

Sports

Nike Returns to Super Bowl Advertising To Revive Sales After 27-Year Gap

The Kansas City Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls and are attempting to be the first NFL team to win three in a row <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/02/43480342/chiefs-chase-historic-super-bowl-three-peat-and-nba-legend-stands-to-gain">in Super Bowl LIX</a>.
While fans of the team will shell out thousands of dollars to attend the game in New Orleans, millions will watch the game from the comfort of their home or a Super Bowl viewing party. Here's a look at what would have happened if a person invested the amount they would have spent on Super Bowl tickets for the last 14 seasons on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) instead.
What Happened: Bitcoin was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42789566/happy-birthday-bitcoin-16-fun-facts-about-leading-cryptocurrency">launched in January 2009</a> with the first 50 BTC mined. The launch of the cryptocurrency, which today is the largest by market capitalization, followed a whitepaper that was released in October 2008.
It took several years for Bitcoin transactions to reach mainstream and it to become easier for users to buy and sell the cryptocurrency on major exchanges.
One of the first-ever recognized Bitcoin transactions happened in October 2009 when a Finnish computer student sold 5,050 Bitcoin for $5.02. Less than a year later, in May 2010, one of the most famous Bitcoin transactions of all-time took place when programmer&nbsp;Laszlo Hanyecz&nbsp;sought out a person to buy him pizza in exchange for Bitcoin.
A person in England spent around $41 to buy pizza from&nbsp;Papa John&#8217;s&nbsp;for Hayecz in what is widely believed to be the first retail transaction using Bitcoin.
Today, investors can buy and sell Bitcoin across many cryptocurrency platforms and stock brokerages. Bitcoin is also an acceptable payment form several places.
Mark Yusko, who is the founder of&nbsp;Morgan Creek Capital&nbsp;and Managing Partner of&nbsp;Morgan Creek Digital,&nbsp;shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that investing in Bitcoin over Super Bowl tickets is his advice.
&#8220;Every year, I advise people to take the money they would have spent on Super Bowl tickets and buy Bitcoin instead,&#8221; Yusko&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MarkYusko/status/1752433893238583299" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>.
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Investing in Bitcoin Over Super Bowl Tickets:&nbsp;The price of Super Bowl tickets has risen almost every year and continues to be one of the most expensive sporting events annually.
Sometimes fans shell out thousands to go and support their team and other times fans of the National Football League go to celebrate the potential once in a lifetime opportunity or because the Super Bowl is in a city near where they live.
Here&#8217;s a look at how much a ticket to the Super Bowl cost each year since 2012 using data from various sources, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/entertainment/cost-super-bowl-tickets-year-you-were-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GoBanking&nbsp;</a>and how much Bitcoin a person could buy with the ticket money instead. The value of Bitcoin today is based on a price of $95,922.53 at the time of writing.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Super Bowl Ticket Price</td>
<td>Bitcoin Price</td>
<td>#BTC Could Buy</td>
<td>Value Today</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012</td>
<td>$1,200</td>
<td>$5.18</td>
<td>231.6602</td>
<td>$22,221,432.48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013</td>
<td>$1,250</td>
<td>$20.65</td>
<td>60.532.7</td>
<td>$5,806,449.73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2014</td>
<td>$1,500</td>
<td>$699.57</td>
<td>2.1442</td>
<td>$205,677.09</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2015</td>
<td>$2,000</td>
<td>$231.57</td>
<td>8.6367</td>
<td>$828,454.11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>$2,500</td>
<td>$380.87</td>
<td>6.5639</td>
<td>$629,625.89</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2017</td>
<td>$2,500</td>
<td>$1,043.63</td>
<td>2.3955</td>
<td>$229,782.42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2018</td>
<td>$2,500</td>
<td>$9,334.87</td>
<td>0.2678</td>
<td>$25,688.05</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2019</td>
<td>$2,900</td>
<td>$3,521.39</td>
<td>0.8235</td>
<td>$78,992.20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2020</td>
<td>$4,300</td>
<td>$9,468.80</td>
<td>0.4541</td>
<td>$43,558.42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021</td>
<td>$8,609</td>
<td>$39,621.84</td>
<td>0.2173</td>
<td>$20,843.97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022</td>
<td>$8,869</td>
<td>$42,693.05</td>
<td>0.2077</td>
<td>$19,923.11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023</td>
<td>$6,800</td>
<td>$22,060.99</td>
<td>0.3082</td>
<td>$29,563.32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2024</td>
<td>$8,600</td>
<td>$48,535.94</td>
<td>0.1772</td>
<td>$16,997.47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2025</td>
<td>$4,232</td>
<td>$96,922.53</td>
<td>0.0441</td>
<td>$4,232.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
In total, buying Super Bowl tickets the last 14 seasons would have a cost of $57,760 per person. This amount invested each year in Bitcoin instead could have generated a sizable return.
In total, the person would have over 314 Bitcoin and have turned their investment of $57,760 into $30,161,220.26.
For comparison, investing the amount of the Super Bowl ticket in the&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust, which tracks the S&amp;P 500,&nbsp;would have generated much smaller returns.
A trip to a Super Bowl can be a once in a lifetime experience, but for many the cost of tickets, airfare and travel outweighs the experience. Fans of teams in the big game or the NFL in general can watch the game free at home, with the game airing on Fox this year. 
Last year&#8217;s Super Bowl set a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/02/37109382/super-bowl-lviii-sets-modern-day-viewership-record-how-did-nfl-championship-compare-to-apollo-11-mo">record for viewership</a> with 123.4 million viewers on average with 202.4 million people watching at least a portion of the game. 
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This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.
Image: Shutterstock

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If You Invested in Bitcoin Instead of Buying Super Bowl Tickets Each Year Since 2012, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

Bill Gates earlier this week disclosed that the late Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) co-founder Steve Jobs once suggested that he should have experimented with hallucinogenic drugs to make Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) products more appealing.
What Happened: Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, shared this anecdote in an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/money/property-price-slow-drop-fall-affordable-b2010005.html">The Independent</a>. Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), was known for his innovative product designs, which he partially attributed to his use of LSD.
"Steve Jobs once said that&nbsp;he wished I'd take acid&nbsp;because then maybe I would&nbsp;have had more taste in&nbsp;my design of my products."&nbsp;
Gates, who is currently worth $164 billion, said he tried recreational drugs in his younger years, including marijuana, but ceased when he began working on Microsoft with co-founder Paul Allen.
He clarified, "Another thing about my personality is that I like my mind to work and be very logical. So I stopped … because it made my mind sloppy, either during or the day afterwards."
He also acknowledged Jobs&#8217; talents in design and marketing, admitting that they were not his strong suits.
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Gates responded to Jobs&#8217; suggestion with a light-hearted remark,&nbsp;"Look, I got the wrong&nbsp;batch. I&nbsp;got the coding batch, and&nbsp;this guy got the marketing-design&nbsp;batch, so good for him.&#8221;
&nbsp;"I envy those skills. I'm&nbsp;not in his league."&nbsp;
Jobs, who passed away in 2011, had publicly expressed his belief that Gates would have been a more well-rounded individual had he experimented with drugs or gone to a religious retreat, or ashram, in his youth.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Why It Matters: This revelation adds a new dimension to the relationship between two of the most influential figures in the tech industry. Despite their differences, Gates and Jobs had a complex relationship, as evidenced by Gates&#8217; recent disclosure.
Jobs&#8217; suggestion to Gates is particularly interesting given their history.
In 1997, Gates <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41340693/bill-gates-saved-rival-apple-from-bankruptcy-by-investing-150-million-steve-jobs-thanked-him-pub">invested $150 million in Apple</a> when the company was on the brink of bankruptcy, a move that saved the company and was publicly acknowledged by Jobs.
Gates also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/10/41457050/bill-gates-once-said-he-was-so-jealous-of-apples-steve-jobs-and-labeled-him-a-genius-and-wizard-no-o">expressed his admiration for Jobs</a> in a 2020 interview, highlighting Jobs&#8217; natural charisma and ability to motivate people.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photos courtesy: Shutterstock and Apple

Tech

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MSFT

Bill Gates Says Steve Jobs Once Told Him, I Wish You'd 'Take Acid' That Would Enhance Microsoft's Product Design More: 'I Envy Those Skills. I'm Not In His League'

It's 2025, and the federal minimum wage in the U.S. is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43234188/bernie-sanders-the-7-25-federal-minimum-wage-is-shameful-in-2025-america">still stuck at $7.25 an hour</a>—exactly where it's been since 2009. While some states have raised it on their own, millions of Americans are still struggling to make ends meet despite working full-time jobs.
Back in 2016, right after Donald Trump won the presidency for the first time, Warren Buffett sat down for an interview with CNN to discuss income inequality, wages, and what should be done to ensure full-time workers aren't living in poverty. Nearly a decade later, his words still hit hard.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">In a Super Rich Country, 40 Hours Should Be Enough</h2>
Buffett, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/43101102/elon-musk-the-richest-man-in-the-world-is-estimated-to-earn-over-23-million-every-single-hour-of-the-day-heres-how-hes-spending-it">one of the world's richest men</a>, has long argued that a full-time job should provide financial stability. He put it bluntly in that interview:
"We have to make sure that in a super rich country, anybody who's willing to work 40 hours a week has a decent living."
That's a simple idea. If you put in the hours, you should be able to afford rent, groceries, and a reasonable quality of life. But the reality in 2025? The gap between the ultra-wealthy and everyday workers is still enormous. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/41082731/new-survey-finds-75-of-americans-support-cuts-for-higher-income-retirees-to-cover-social-security-shortfall">People are still working multiple jobs</a> just to survive, and Buffett's words are just as relevant as they were back then.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Not Just Raise the Minimum Wage?</h2>
Buffett has been asked for years whether the solution is to raise the minimum wage. His answer? It's complicated.
"It's the hardest question I've been asked because I don't know the answer," he admitted in 2016.
He supports higher wages but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39776316/bill-gates-is-against-raising-minimum-wage-because-it-would-cause-job-destruction-says-limited-h">worries about unintended consequences</a>.
"If you tell me I've got to run a business that pays $15 an hour in many industries, I'm going to employ fewer people than before," Buffett explained. "I don't want to employ fewer people; I just want that person to make $15 an hour."
It's a classic economic debate: higher wages mean better pay for workers, but could also lead to fewer jobs if businesses cut costs by hiring less.
Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Buffett's Solution: A Minimum Income, Not a Minimum Wage</h2>
Instead of pushing for a higher minimum wage, Buffett champions the earned income tax credit –government program that supplements low wages with tax credits.
"You don't need a minimum wage. You need a minimum income," he said.
His idea is simple: keep wages as they are but use the tax system to boost take-home pay. The earned income tax credit could ensure that even those in low-wage jobs effectively earn $15 an hour without forcing businesses to cut jobs.
"The earned income tax credit can give everyone $15 an hour even if their market skills don't command it," Buffett explained. "You don't lose any employment, and you make it graduated so there's still an incentive to move up."
The way Buffett sees it, the government has enough money to make this work:
"If we've got an $18 trillion GDP, we can allocate enough so that anybody who works productively at 40 hours a week can have a decent life," he said.&nbsp;
See Also: Many are using retirement income calculators 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>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Did Anyone Listen?</h2>
Since Buffett's 2016 interview, some states have raised their minimum wages to $15 or more, but at the federal level, nothing has changed. The earned income tax credit has been adjusted slightly over the years, but not in any significant way.
In states where the minimum wage has increased, results have been mixed. Some businesses have cut jobs or raised prices, while others have absorbed the costs and seen increased productivity. Meanwhile, in places where wages have stayed low, the struggle continues.
Buffett has continued pushing for an expanded earned income tax credit, but Congress has yet to take meaningful action. He argues that the government knows how to fix the problem—they just haven't done it.
"We need to address the problem not of how to get more eggs—we know how to do that—but how to make sure that in a super rich country, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">anybody who's willing to work 40 hours</a> a week has a decent living," he said.&nbsp;
Nine years after Buffett's interview, the debate over wages and income inequality rages on. The federal minimum wage remains frozen, and while some states have taken action, there's no universal fix. Buffett's push for a stronger earned income tax credit is still an idea sitting on the shelf, waiting for lawmakers to act.
So the question remains: will 2025 be the year politicians finally listen? Or will we be having this same conversation in another decade?
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Personal Finance

Warren Buffett Said 'Anybody Who's Willing To Work 40 Hours A Week' Deserves A Decent Life — But Proposes A Minimum 'Income', Not Minimum Wage

A federal judge has imposed a temporary restriction preventing Elon Musk&#8216;s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department payment systems. The judge cited potential risk of &#8220;irreparable harm&#8221; as the reason for this decision.
What Happened: On Saturday, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued the order in response to a lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 19 states against President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The lawsuit seeks to end what it terms as&nbsp;the government&#8217;s &#8220;new and dangerous&nbsp;expanded access policy.&#8221;
&#8220;That is both because of the risk that the new policy presents of the disclosure of sensitive and confidential information and the heightened risk that the systems in question will be more vulnerable than before to hacking,&#8221; Engelmayer said.
The judge&#8217;s order, effective until Friday, February 14, also requires officials who have accessed&nbsp;the systems since January 20&nbsp;to &#8220;immediately destroy any and all&nbsp;copies of material downloaded from&nbsp;the Treasury Department&#8217;s records and&nbsp;systems.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43419885/musks-doge-eyes-treasury-payment-system-sparks-controversy-leading-to-officials-exit">Musk&#8217;s DOGE Eyes Treasury Payment System, Sparks Controversy Leading To Official&#8217;s Exit</a>
According to the report <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/judge-blocks-elon-musk-doge-accessing-treasury-payment-systems-2025-2">by</a> Insider, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), who initiated the lawsuit, alleged in a video that Musk&#8217;s DOGE had &#8220;accessed the personal private information of tens of millions of Americans&#8221; in the past week. The defendants, Trump and Bessent, are scheduled to present their arguments to Judge Jeannette Vargas on February 14.
&#8220;This unelected group, led by the world&#8217;s richest man, is not authorized to have this information, and they explicitly sought this unauthorized access to illegally block payments that millions of Americans rely on, payments for healthcare, childcare and other essential programs,&#8221; James told the outlet.
DOGE, which aims to reduce government expenditure and regulations, has not yet responded to Business Insider&#8217;s request for a comment.
Why It Matters: This development comes amidst growing concerns over privacy and data security. The lawsuit and the judge&#8217;s order highlight the potential risks associated with granting expanded access to sensitive government systems. 
The case also underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between efficiency and privacy in government operations.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for DOGE and similar initiatives in the future. It could also influence policies around access to government systems and the handling of personal data.
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Image: Shutterstock

Court Halts Musk's DOGE Squad From Gaining Access to Treasury Payment Systems: 'A Risk of Irreparable Harm'

U.S. Sen. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43291979/how-crazy-is-that-says-bernie-sanders-condemning-trump-for-ignoring-working-families-issues-in-his-inauguration-speech">Bernie Sanders</a>, (I-VT), recently took to social media to voice his concerns about proposed Republican policies and executive orders from the Trump administration that he argues would harm working families in favor of adding more to billionaires wallets.&nbsp;
In a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bernie/video/7466148894095740203?_r=1&amp;_t=ZP-8tXFAxwauPG">video</a> Sanders recently posted on TikTok, he outlined the current political landscape and urged Americans to take action against what he sees as a shift toward oligarchy and authoritarianism.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Concerns Over Economic Inequality</h2>
Sanders emphasized the growing wealth gap in the U.S. by pointing out that since Donald Trump was elected as president again, billionaires like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43483655/elon-musk-is-all-in-on-trump-tesla-investors-holding-600000-shares-question-if-he-can-still-run-a-1-25-trillion-company">Elon Musk</a>, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg have seen their wealth increase by over $200 billion. He argued that the men, who stood behind Trump at his inauguration last month, represent a system that is becoming increasingly controlled by the ultra-wealthy.&nbsp;
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One primary concern that Sanders voiced is the Republican-backed Budget Reconciliation Bill. He claimed that this legislation would deliver significant tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans while making cuts to critical programs like Medicaid.&nbsp;
"At a time of unprecedented income and wealth inequality, when so many of our people are struggling to put food on the table, we must not savage programs for working families to provide huge tax breaks for billionaires," he said.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pushback Against Cuts to Social Programs</h2>
In his video, Sanders said that proposed cuts to Medicaid and other federal assistance programs would disproportionately impact low-income Americans. He said that Trump's recent call for a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43322173/trumps-memo-freezing-federal-assistance-money-rescinded-by-another-memo-following-lawsuits">federal funding freeze</a>, which was quickly overturned by the courts, could have serious impacts on programs like Head Start, food assistance, and support for homeless veterans.&nbsp;
"Tens of millions of Americans, some of the most vulnerable people in our country, were impacted by that decision," he said.&nbsp;
Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
Sanders also expressed strong opposition to potential privatization efforts in Medicare and the failure to raise the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43234188/bernie-sanders-the-7-25-federal-minimum-wage-is-shameful-in-2025-america">federal minimum wage</a>, which currently stands at $7.25 per hour. He argued that raising the minimum wage to at least $17 per hour is necessary to ensure that full-time workers can afford basic living expenses.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Differing Views on Policy Changes</h2>
While Sanders has called for action against these policy proposals, Republican leaders argue that tax cuts are necessary to stimulate economic growth and encourage job creation. Supporters of the Budget Reconciliation Bill contend that reducing government spending will help address the national debt and increase financial sustainability. Similarly, proponents of stricter immigration enforcement believe that stronger border policies will enhance national security and protect job opportunities for American workers.
On the issue of housing, Sanders advocates for increased investment in low-income housing projects, whereas some lawmakers emphasize deregulation and private sector solutions as a way to address affordability concerns. These differing approaches highlight the broader debate over the role of government in economic and social policy.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking Ahead</h2>
Sanders concluded his remarks by urging unity among working-class Americans, emphasizing that collective action is the key to achieving meaningful change. "If we stand together and oppose right-wing efforts to divide us up by our race, by our religion, our sexual orientation, or where we were born, if we stand together, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish," he said.
As debates over tax policy, social programs, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43499935/worldwide-57-expect-the-next-generation-to-be-worse-off-financially-what-drives-this-economic-pessimism">economic inequality</a> continue, differing perspectives will shape the direction of policy decisions in the coming months. Sanders&#8217; message serves as a call for civic engagement and political activism, while lawmakers from both sides of the aisle continue to advocate for their respective policy priorities.
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Bernie Sanders Says 'We Must Not Savage Programs For Working Families To Provide Huge Tax Breaks For Billionaires'

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas">many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
All three major indexes declined for the week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which is tracked by the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>), snapping a three-week winning streak, falling 0.54%, while the S&amp;P 500 Index, tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), lost 0.24%, and the Nasdaq-100 Index, tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), dropped 0.53%. 
January's jobs report showed mixed signals, as nonfarm payrolls rose by 143,000—well below December's 307,000—while unemployment edged lower and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43559446/us-economy-adds-fewer-than-expected-jobs-in-january-unemployment-slows-wage-growth-spikes">wages exceeded expectations</a>.
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index unexpectedly fell in February, citing rising inflation expectations, which the report linked to concerns over higher Trump-era tariffs. 
Gold, tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), surged past $2,850 per ounce to new all-time highs, extending its six-week rally as investors sought safety amid inflation fears <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43574339/magnificent-seven-slip-inflation-fears-grip-consumers-gold-hits-record-highs">and economic uncertainty</a>.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43480688/amd-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-data-center-continued-growth">AMD Q4 Earnings: Revenue Beat, EPS Beat, Data Center Up 69%, &#8216;Clear Opportunities&#8217; For Continued Growth And More</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/adam-eckert">Adam Eckert</a>, reports Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) surpassing estimates with $7.66 billion in Q4 revenue and $1.09 EPS, driven by a 69% jump in data center sales, while gaming revenue declined 59% year-over-year.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43453368/xrp-erases-black-sunday-losses-with-20-surge-as-jack-dorsey-posts-intriguing-video-featuring-bitcoin-bull-michael-saylor">XRP Erases &#8216;Black Sunday&#8217; Losses With 20% Surge As Jack Dorsey Posts Intriguing Video Featuring Bitcoin Bull Michael Saylor</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, reports on XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) rallying 20% after Donald Trump&#8217;s temporary tariff relief, while a viral video from Jack Dorsey featuring Michael Saylor morphing into the XRP logo fueled speculation on social media.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43487682/palantir-ceo-hails-elon-musks-doge-initiative-anticipates-positive-outcome">Palantir CEO Hails Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Initiative, Anticipates Positive Outcome</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/namrata-sen">Namrata Sen</a>, highlights Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) CEO Alex Karp&#8217;s enthusiasm for Elon Musk&#8217;s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), calling it a &#8220;revolution&#8221; that will benefit Palantir, despite potential disruptions for government contractors.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43474406/nvidia-still-a-top-pick-as-microsoft-meta-stick-with-gpus-despite-deepseek-challenge-analyst">Nvidia Still A Top Pick As Microsoft, Meta Stick With GPUs Despite DeepSeek Challenge: Analyst</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43475080/paypal-beats-q4-estimates-as-transaction-margins-and-payment-volume-drive-growth-eyes-2025-growth-with-strong-tmd-eps-outlook-ahead-of-investor-day-analyst">PayPal Transaction Margins and Payment Volume Drive Growth, Eyes 2025 Growth With Strong TMD Ahead of Investor Day: Analyst</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43474797/amazon-faces-trumps-tariffs">Amazon &#8216;Relatively Well-Positioned&#8217; To Face Trump&#8217;s Tariffs: Analyst</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43534797/tesla-sales-drop-60-in-germany-are-elon-musks-politics-getting-in-the-way-of-ev-growth">Tesla Sales Drop 60% In Germany: Are Elon Musk&#8217;s Politics Getting In The Way Of EV Growth?</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, reports Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) seeing a 59.5% year-over-year sales decline in Germany for January, attributed to the Model Y refresh and potential backlash from Elon Musk&#8217;s political stance, while broader EV sales in the country rose 53.5%.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43444802/comcast-downgraded-as-broadband-struggles-and-price-cuts-raise-investor-concerns">Comcast Faces Broadband Headwinds, Analyst Downgrades Stock And Cuts Price Forecast</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, reports Scotiabank downgrading Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) to Sector Perform, lowering its price target to $44.50, citing broadband losses and pricing pressure from mobile-broadband bundles, though the company remains optimistic about subscriber retention and long-term ARPU growth.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43540794/what-analysts-are-saying-about-fords-q4-performance-and-outlook">Ford&#8217;s Cost Reductions And Transition In Focus, Analysts Trim Forecasts Amid Lackluster 2025 Guidance</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivani-kumaresan">Shivani Kumaresan</a>, covers analysts&#8217; mixed reactions to Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) beating Q4 estimates but issuing weaker-than-expected 2025 guidance, with Goldman Sachs maintaining an $11 price target, RBC Capital lowering its target to $9, and BofA Securities cutting its forecast from $19 to $15.50, citing pricing pressures, cost-cutting measures, and industry headwinds.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43502963/oil-drops-as-traders-doubt-iran-sanctions-trump-bark-is-far-worse-than-his-bite-analyst-sa">Oil Drops As Traders Doubt Iran Sanctions: &#8216;Trump Bark Is Far Worse Than His Bite,&#8217; Analyst Says</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43459558/novo-nordisk-faces-investor-concerns-over-hybrid-cagrisema-trial-results-for-weight-loss">Novo Nordisk Faces Investor Concerns Over Hybrid CagriSema Trial Results For Weight Loss</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43493897/versace-jimmy-choo-parent-capri-q3-earnings-miss-sales-decline-lackluster-outlook-more">Versace, Jimmy Choo Parent Capri Q3: Earnings Miss, Sales Decline, Lackluster Outlook &amp; More</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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TSLA

Benzinga Bulls and Bears: Tesla, Palantir, AMD, Ford and XRP Rallies After Viral Jack Dorsey Video

A surge of billionaires joining the Trump administration has triggered a boom in Washington&#8217;s luxury real estate market, as tech titans and business leaders rush to establish footholds in the capital.
According to the Financial Times, Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) CEO Mark Zuckerberg is exploring purchasing property in Washington, signaling his efforts to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43296858/mark-zuckerberg-reportedly-explores-buying-property-in-washington-dc-as-meta-ceo-looks-to-work-closely-with-trump">influence the administration&#8217;s technology policies</a>. The move comes as Meta commits up to $65 billion in AI-related spending.
The trend extends beyond tech executives. According to The New York Times, at least a dozen billionaires have been tapped for senior administration roles, led by Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk with a net worth of $429 billion. Musk, is heading the Department of Government Efficiency, is reportedly eyeing property in the Adams Morgan neighborhood.
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Real estate agents report unprecedented demand for luxury properties. &#8220;We&#8217;ve really been overwhelmed by the wealth factor that has come to Washington since the election,&#8221; Jim Bell, executive vice president of TTR Sotheby&#8217;s International Realty, told The New York Times.
Recent high-profile purchases include a $25 million French Chateau-style home bought by&nbsp; Commerce Secretary-nominee Howard Lutnick, setting a local record. The Financial Times said that Trump&#8217;s crypto and AI czar David Sacks bought a $10 million residence in the capital.
&#8220;These are really rich people,&#8221; tech journalist Kara Swisher told The New York Times. &#8220;As much as they like to have an image of not being spendy, they&#8217;re all really spendy. They all have private planes, they all have assistants.&#8221;
Trending: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-y2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a>
The scramble for property mirrors a broader shift in Washington&#8217;s power dynamics. &#8220;There are a lot of very wealthy people looking for a seat at the table,&#8221; Jonathan Taylor of TTR Sotheby&#8217;s told The New York Times.
Billionaire David Rubenstein explained the motivation. &#8220;Big donors would like to get the policies they believe in from the federal government — more oil drilling, easier antitrust policy, more favorable crypto policy, less bank oversight,&#8221; he said.
Prime neighborhoods like Kalorama, Massachusetts Avenue Heights, and Georgetown have seen particular interest. The trend has transformed traditionally elite enclaves, with tech wealth displacing old-money residents.
See Also: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to <a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=byerscta100">become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100</a>.
The transformation of Washington&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/02/43492631/dc-luxury-market-responds-to-trumps-return-with-buying-frenzy-as-business-elite-aim-to-infiltrate-inner-circle">real estate market extends beyond individual purchases</a>, though. A historic Georgetown property, the 1850 Italianate-style home of the late White House counsel and diplomat Boyden Gray, sold for $10.5 million, while real estate agents report actively calling existing homeowners to gauge interest in selling to wealthy newcomers.
For the billionaires, Washington properties represent relative bargains. &#8220;If you want to buy a home in New York or Southampton, a really good house, it could cost $100 million to $150 million,&#8221; Rubenstein told the New York Times. &#8220;You can&#8217;t spend $25 million in Washington even if you try.&#8221;
The influx has particularly impacted established neighborhoods. As Jamie Peva, a Georgetown real estate agent, explained to The New York Times, &#8220;that whole WASP hegemony that started to decline in the &#8217;80s just continued to decline. All of a sudden tech starts to come in. It&#8217;s a meritocracy.&#8221;
Wondering if your investments can get you to a $5,000,000 nest egg? Speak to a financial advisor today.<a href="https://smartasset.com/retirement/find-a-financial-planner?utm_source=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=ben&amp;utm_content=y2_5MilNestEgg"> SmartAsset&#8217;s free tool matches you up with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost</a> to decide which one is right for you.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arrived Achieved A Total Return of 34.7% On Their Biggest Sale Yet — Diversify Your Monthly Income Stream With Fractional Real Estate</h2>
<a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=centennial">Arrived allows individuals to invest in shares of rental properties for as little as $100, providing the potential for monthly rental income and long-term appreciation without the hassles of being a landlord</a>. With over $1 million in dividends paid out last quarter and a growing selection of properties across various markets, Arrived offers an attractive alternative for investors seeking to build a diversified real estate portfolio.&nbsp;
In October 2024, Arrived sold The Centennial, achieving a total return of 34.7% (11.2% average annual returns) for investors. <a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=centennial">Arrived aims to continue delivering similar value across our portfolio through careful market selection, attentive property management, and thoughtful timing in sales.</a>
Looking for fractional real estate investment opportunities? The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/alternative-investments/real-estate">Benzinga Real Estate Screener</a> features the latest offerings.

Real Estate

Why Billionaires Are Buying Up Washington: The 'Trump Bump' In Luxury Real Estate

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/42802731/exclusive-top-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-2024-where-do-tesla-nvidia-gamestop-trump-media-stocks-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Top 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro In 2024 — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, GameStop, Trump Media Stocks Rank?</a>
Here&#8217;s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending Feb. 7:
The Trade Desk (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTD#NASDAQ">TTD</a>): The digital advertising company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes ahead of fourth-quarter financial results on Feb. 12. Analysts <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">expect the company</a> to report quarterly revenue of $758.9 million, up from $605.8 million in last year's fourth quarter. 
Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of 56 cents for the fourth quarter, up from 41 cents per share in last year's fourth quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in more than 10 straight quarters and beaten estimates for earnings per share in three straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. 
The stock has received favorable<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TTD/analyst-ratings"> coverage from analysts</a> in recent weeks with several price target upgrades. Trade Desk shares have also been volatile after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42278221/trade-desk-shares-are-on-the-rise-today-what-you-need-to-know">an analyst suggested</a> that the company could merge with Roku.
Trade Desk shares traded up slightly over the past five days as seen on the<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> Benzinga Pro chart</a> below and are up 68% over the past year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="506" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161553/Screenshot-325.png" alt="" class="wp-image-772727" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161553/Screenshot-325.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161553/Screenshot-325-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161553/Screenshot-325-768x389.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>
BigBear.ai Holdings Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBAI#NYSE">BBAI</a>): The digital intelligence solutions provider saw interest soar along with its stock price during the week. BigBear.ai<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43501000/ai-based-intelligence-provider-bigbearai-partners-with-dod-to-advance-national-security"> landed a Department of Defense contract</a> to advance AI-powered threat detection systems. The news of the DoD deal is welcomed by investors who saw shares fall after<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/41759387/bigbear-ai-stock-drops-after-worse-than-expected-q3-revenue-details"> third-quarter financial results</a> in November.
The company's quarterly revenue of $41.5 million missed Street consensus estimates. The company ended the third quarter with a backlog of $437 million, saying it was building a "long-term sustainable business." 
BigBear.ai shares <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/01/43016362/bigbearai-stock-surges-on-ceo-shake-up-the-details">also traded higher</a> in January with the announcement that Kevin McAleenan would be the new CEO. McAleenan previously served as the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during President Donald Trump's first White House term.
BigBear.ai stock was up over 100% in the last week and shares are up over 400% in the past year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="506" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161627/Screenshot-326.png" alt="" class="wp-image-772728" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161627/Screenshot-326.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161627/Screenshot-326-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161627/Screenshot-326-768x390.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>
Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLR#NYSE">DLR</a>): The data center company saw a surge in interest from Benzinga readers, leading to its second appearance on the Stock Whisper Index in three weeks. The rise in interest comes with Digital Realty's fourth-quarter financial results coming on Feb. 13.
Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $1.69 and revenue of $1.46 billion, both improvements to last year's fourth quarter. The company has missed analyst revenue estimates in four straight quarters, while beating earnings per share estimates in three straight quarters. Investors will be hoping the company beats both estimates.
Digital Realty saw a surge of interest in January with the announcement of The Stargate Project leading to more attention on AI infrastructure. There remains concerns that the new project could actually hurt Digital Realty, which could be something the company is asked about by analysts after its quarterly results.
Digital Realty shares are up 3.5% over the past week and up around 15% in the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161644/Screenshot-327.png" alt="" class="wp-image-772729" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161644/Screenshot-327.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161644/Screenshot-327-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161644/Screenshot-327-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Home Depot Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>): The home improvement stock saw a surge in interest from readers during the week, including more than normal searches for a stock of its size. The interest could be related to pressure on stocks in the homebuilder sector due to tariff and economic concerns. Home Depot could also be volatile <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43544471/winter-storm">with winter storms</a> impacting regions of the country. 
Home Depot is set to report fourth-quarter financial results on Feb. 25, with analysts expecting the company to have earnings per share of $2.97 and revenue of $38.7 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in more than 10 straight quarters. While Home Depot has only beaten analyst revenue estimates in one straight quarter, the company has beaten the consensus figure in six of the last 10 quarters. 
JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers recently<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43166746/home-depot-likely-to-outcomp-lowes-in-q4-analyst-says-as-home-improvement-battle-heads-toward-earnings"> gave the nod</a> to Home Depot in the battle with rival Lowe's Companies for quarterly financial results. The analyst said Home Depot is likely to outcomp Lowe's with stabilizing consumer trends, cutting-edge technology, and its acquisition of SRS Distribution.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161703/Screenshot-328.png" alt="" class="wp-image-772730" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161703/Screenshot-328.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161703/Screenshot-328-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161703/Screenshot-328-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>): The networking and software giant saw increased interest from Benzinga readers ahead of quarterly financial results. Cisco reports second-quarter financial results on Feb. 12. 
Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of 91 cents and revenue of $13.87 billion. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in more than 10 straight quarters and beaten revenue estimates in 10 straight quarters. 
The surge in interest for Cisco comes with shares hitting new 52-week highs on Friday and shares trading at their highest price since December 2021, nearing five-year highs.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="516" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161719/Screenshot-329.png" alt="" class="wp-image-772731" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161719/Screenshot-329.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161719/Screenshot-329-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07161719/Screenshot-329-768x396.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>
Stay tuned for next week's report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent020725&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>
Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42798998/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 3</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42927075/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 10</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43066466/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 17</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/43201590/benzinga-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 24</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43419547/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-52">January 31</a></li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43041374/exclusive-how-high-will-sp-500-go-under-donald-trump-in-2025-readers-are-optimistic-26-say-this" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: How High Will S&amp;P 500 Go Under Donald Trump In 2025? Readers Are Optimistic, 26% Say This…</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Benzinga

Exclusives

BBAI

CSCO

Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk, the world's richest person with a net worth of $412 billion, is at the center of criticism amid a potential conflict of interest as he takes on the role of head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
What Happened: DOGE was introduced by Donald Trump, with Musk leading the department alongside other big names from the tech industry such as Marc Andreessen, the co-founder of Netscape, and Travis Kalanick, the co-founder of Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) among others.
With DOGE, Musk aims to reduce $2 trillion in federal spending by 2026, which is aimed at reducing the federal deficit.
So far, DOGE has announced several measures, including shutting down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has drawn sharp criticism from the Democrats, who have termed the move as "illegal".
Musk's aides appointed to oversee the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have reportedly<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43417749/elon-musks-aides-block-government-workers-from-federal-data-systems-report"> restricted</a> access of career civil servants to computer systems containing the personal data of millions of federal employees.
While critics have said Musk stands to gain from DOGE, data has thrown up a surprising twist.
Here Are The World's Top Five Billionaires
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Total net worth</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elon Musk</td>
<td>$412 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeff Bezos</td>
<td>$257 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Zuckerberg</td>
<td>$251 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Larry Ellison</td>
<td>$197 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bernard Arnault</td>
<td>$193 billion</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Musk leads the list of world's billionaires, with a net worth of $412 billion on Feb. 6 as per the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
Here's What The Data Shows: Here are the top gainers among the world's richest in the first three weeks of the Trump administration.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Net Worth on Jan. 18</td>
<td>Net Worth on Feb. 6</td>
<td>Change</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Zuckerberg</td>
<td>$217 billion</td>
<td>$251 billion</td>
<td>$34 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeff Bezos</td>
<td>$245 billion</td>
<td>$257 billion</td>
<td>$12 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Peterffy</td>
<td>$57.1 billion</td>
<td>$68.1 billion</td>
<td>$11 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jim Walton</td>
<td>$114 billion</td>
<td>$125 billion</td>
<td>$11 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alice Walton</td>
<td>$111 billion</td>
<td>$122 billion</td>
<td>$11 billion</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
On the other hand, Musk's net worth has decreased from $449 billion on Jan. 18 to $412 billion on Feb. 6, a decline of $37 billion, marking the highest decline in net worth among the world's richest.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43554574/apple-faces-mounting-pressure-from-uk-government-to-grant-spying-access-to-encrypted-data-of-users-worldwide">Apple Faces Mounting Pressure From UK Government To Grant Spying Access To Encrypted Data Of Users Worldwide</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

UBER

While Elon Musk Has Been At The Center Of Trump's Presidency In The First Three Weeks, Data Shows His Rivals Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg And Others Benefited More Since The Inauguration: Here's More

On Friday, Cathie Wood's Ark Invest made significant trades involving a number of prominent companies such as&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>),&nbsp;Robinhood Markets Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>),&nbsp;Palantir Technologies Inc&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>), and&nbsp;Roblox Corp&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RBLX#NYSE">RBLX</a>), among others.
The AMZN Trade
Ark Invest, across its ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>), ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>), ARK Autonomous Technology &amp; Robotics ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKQ#BATS">ARKQ</a>), ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>), and ARK Space Exploration &amp; Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKX#BATS">ARKX</a>) funds, purchased shares of&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc. The total number of shares bought across all ETFs was 72,457.
Given Amazon&#8217;s closing price of $229.15 on the day of the trade, the total value of purchases stands at $16.6 million.
The Roblox Trade
Ark Invest bought a cumulative 48,541 shares of Roblox across its ARKF, ARKK, and ARKW funds. The value of the trade stands at $3.21 million, based on Friday's closing price of Roblox stock of $66.28.
The Illumina Trade
Ark Invest bought a cumulative 107,459 shares of Illumina across its ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKG#BATS">ARKG</a>) and ARKK funds. The value of the trade stands at $11.93 million, based on Friday's closing price of Illumina stock of $111.06.
The PLTR Trade
Ark Invest sold 8,150 shares of Palantir from its ARKF fund. The value of the trade stands at $903,428, based on Friday's closing price of Palantir stock of $110.85. The Alex Karp-led company reached an all-time high of $116 on Thursday. 
Other Key Trades
<ul>
<li>Accolade Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACCD#NASDAQ">ACCD</a>): 401,962 shares sold through ARKG fund.</li>
<li>Twist Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TWST#NASDAQ">TWST</a>): 44,562 shares bought through <a>ARKG and ARKK funds.</a></li>
<li>10X Genomics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXG#NASDAQ">TXG</a>): 185,249 shares bought through ARKG and ARKK funds.</li>
<li>PagerDuty Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PD#NYSE">PD</a>): 85,420 shares bought through ARKK and ARKW funds.</li>
<li>Cloudflare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NET#NYSE">NET</a>): 18,319 shares sold through ARKW fund.</li>
<li>UiPath Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PATH#NYSE">PATH</a>): 996,441 shares sold through ARKK and ARKW funds.</li>
<li>Robindhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>): 113,777 shares sold through ARKF, ARKK, and ARKW funds.</li>
<li>Rocket Lab USA Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKLB#NASDAQ">RKLB</a>): 70,252 shares sold through ARKQ and ARKX funds.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43577591/legendary-short-seller-jim-chanos-warns-of-market-speculation-reaching-historic-extremes-wall-street-has-a-printi">Legendary Short Seller Jim Chanos Warns Of Market Speculation Reaching Historic Extremes: ‘Wall Street Has A Printing Press Too'</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Ark Invest

Short Sellers

ETFs

ACCD

AMZN

ARKF

ARKG

ARKK

ARKQ

ARKW

ARKX

HOOD

PATH

RBLX

RKLB

TWST

Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Bets Big On Amazon, Roblox And Illumina While Trimming Palantir Stake After Alex Karp-Led Company Touched An All-Time High On Thursday

The&nbsp;Trump administration&nbsp;has decided to delay the suspension of the&nbsp;de minimis provision, which allows&nbsp;duty-free entry for packages valued under $800.
What Happened: The delay will remain in place until the Commerce Department can establish systems to efficiently process and collect tariff revenues,&nbsp;according to a new executive&nbsp;action announced on Friday.
This decision affects both Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein, Temu, and Aliexpress, and U.S. retailers such as&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc.,&nbsp;eBay Inc., and&nbsp;Etsy Inc., which ship goods from China.
The de minimis provision was part of a broader announcement by&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;regarding 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, a move that could significantly impact global trade dynamics.
Chinese e-commerce giants have leveraged this exemption to build their business models, allowing over a billion packages to enter the U.S. at low costs.
The executive order did not&nbsp;specify the duration of the delay, and Packard suggested it might be a strategic trade negotiation tactic.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43577591/legendary-short-seller-jim-chanos-warns-of-market-speculation-reaching-historic-extremes-wall-street-has-a-printi">Legendary Short Seller Jim Chanos Warns Of Market Speculation Reaching Historic Extremes: ‘Wall Street Has A Printing Press Too'</a>
Why It Matters: The delay of the de minimis suspension comes amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
On Feb. 2,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43423288/trumps-tariffs-are-here-heres-what-will-get-more-expensive-from-canada-china-and-mexico">Trump imposed tariffs</a>&nbsp;on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, including a 10% duty on Chinese goods.
This move was met with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43454424/china-strikes-back-new-tariffs-up-to-15-on-certain-us-imports-in-retaliation-for-trumps-10-levy-on-chinese-goods">retaliatory response</a> from China, which announced new tariffs on certain U.S. imports, effective Feb. 10.
Further intensifying the situation, Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43577207/trump-says-he-will-announce-reciprocal-tariffs-next-week-that-will-impact-everyone-escalating-trade-war-with-global-partners-the-only-fair-way-to-do-it">announced</a> plans to introduce reciprocal tariffs affecting all trading partners, signaling a potential escalation in the trade war.
The delay in suspending the de minimis rule could be a strategic move amid these ongoing trade negotiations.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/02/43577295/trump-praises-taylor-swifts-boyfriend-travis-kelce-ahead-of-super-bowl-appearance-after-kansas-city-chiefs-tight-end-says-it-would-be-a-great-honor-to-have-the-president-at-the-game">Trump Praises Taylor Swift&#8217;s Boyfriend Travis Kelce Ahead Of Super Bowl Appearance After Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Says It Would Be A &#8216;Great Honor&#8217; To Have The President At The Game</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Government

Trump Administration Delays Suspension Of Duty-Free Imports From China Under De Minimis Rule

Renowned short-seller&nbsp;Jim Chanos&nbsp;has raised alarms over current market trends, drawing parallels to the speculative extremes seen during the pandemic. His comments come amid a backdrop of rising concerns about market volatility and speculation.
What Happened: Chanos shared his insights <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2025-02-05/full-digital-jim-chanos-president-founder-chanos-company">with</a> Bloomberg, emphasizing the resurgence of speculative behavior.
He pointed to the proliferation of new meme coins, such as the recent launch of the Trump coin by President Donald Trump, as a clear indicator of speculative fervor.
"The speculation is there for me, not quite as where it was in 2021, which is the most speculative market I&#8217;ve seen. But it&#8217;s getting back there," Chanos said.
He warned that Wall Street might soon witness a surge in issuance similar to the pandemic era, emphasizing that "Wall Street has a printing&nbsp;press too, just like the&nbsp;Fed."
He also highlighted potential risks in the market, including the &#8220;political theater&#8221; in the U.S. and aspects of Trump&#8217;s economic agenda, such as tariffs and government job cuts.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43577575/bitcoin-could-surge-to-200000-by-year-end-says-marathon-digital-ceo-scarcity-us-plans-for-strategic-btc-reserve-c">Bitcoin Could Surge To $200,000 By Year-End, Says Marathon Digital CEO: Scarcity, US Plans For Strategic BTC Reserve Could Aid Growth</a>
Additionally, Chanos pointed to the risk posed by disruptive technology, citing&nbsp;DeepSeek, a Chinese startup that caused a $1 trillion stock rout in January with its AI model.
Chanos, known for his successful bets against companies like Enron, has consistently warned investors about high&nbsp;valuations and speculative market behavior.
He previously predicted a return to pandemic-era market frenzy, cautioning against FOMO-driven trading.
Why It Matters: The concerns raised by Chanos come amid a broader context of market unease.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43372687/robert-kiyosaki-rich-dad-poor-dad-warns-the-biggest-stock-market-crash-ever-is-coming-february-good-news-is-everything-goes-on-sale">Robert Kiyosaki</a>, author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad," recently warned of an impending stock market crash in February, dubbing it &#8220;the biggest stock market crash in history."
Kiyosaki has advised investors to prepare for opportunities that arise during market downturns.
Additionally, the U.S. federal debt, which has surged to nearly $36 trillion, is causing concern. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42236424/1-in-5-dollars-the-government-expends-goes-to-repaying-investors-heres-why-this-spells-trouble-for-trump-and-doge">One in every five dollars</a> the government spends is used to repay investors, posing challenges for Trump&#8217;s economic ambitions.
The growing debt reflects joint fiscal actions by Congress and the president, impacting government functionality.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Legendary Short Seller Jim Chanos Warns Of Market Speculation Reaching Historic Extremes: 'Wall Street Has A Printing Press Too'

Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) price could see a significant increase by the end of the year, according to&nbsp;Fred Thiel, CEO of&nbsp;Marathon Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>). Thiel predicts that the cryptocurrency could more than double its current value this year.
What Happened: In an interview with CNBC, Thiel shared his optimistic outlook for Bitcoin.
"I think there's a general consensus that the price of Bitcoin will move up this year to somewhere between $150,000 to $200,000 by the end of this year," Thiel said.
He noted that substantial Bitcoin sales often attract buying interest, maintaining its price within the $95,000 to $100,000 range.
"I think there is still a big belief that Bitcoin will continue to go up in price. There's still a lot of demand for the asset by not just retail but also institutional investors," he added.
Thiel attributes this potential surge to a more favorable regulatory environment and increased adoption&nbsp;by both private and public&nbsp;sectors, and Bitcoin's scarcity could also play a role in helping the cryptocurrency's growth.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43577494/this-top-50-altcoin-is-set-for-a-massive-surge-after-significant-correction-predicts-trader">This Top-50 Altcoin Is Set For A Massive Surge After Significant Correction, Predicts Trader</a>
He mentioned that U.S. banks might soon be able to hold and lend against crypto, leading corporations to allocate a small percentage of their assets in Bitcoin.
Thiel also suggested the possibility of a U.S. Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, which could further boost demand.
Why It Matters: The prediction by Marathon Digital&#8217;s CEO comes amidst a backdrop of various market analyses and predictions regarding Bitcoin&#8217;s future.
According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43570466/bitcoin-to-hit-all-time-highs-in-february-under-one-condition-standard-chartered-says">report by Standard Chartered</a>, Bitcoin has the potential to reach a new all-time high above $108,000 in February, contingent on the absence of negative market catalysts.
The behavior of U.S. Treasury yields, particularly the 10-year yield, plays a crucial role in this outlook.
Furthermore,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43526328/bitcoin-could-see-a-20b-market-cap-boost-from-1-billion-btc-reserve-purchase-says-analyst-could-have-bigger-surges-this-year-if-central-banks-really-get-involved">Katalin Tischhauser</a>&nbsp;from Sygnum Bank highlighted that a strategic Bitcoin reserve purchase of $1 billion could potentially trigger a $20 billion surge in Bitcoin&#8217;s market cap.
This increase would result from direct capital inflows and a significant upward price surge, driven by the limited liquid supply of Bitcoin.
Moreover,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43505966/bitcoin-struggling-but-perfect-storm-will-take-it-to-500000-ethereum-to-20000-trader-predicts">crypto analyst Michaёl van de Poppe</a>&nbsp;has urged investors to hold onto their crypto assets, emphasizing that Bitcoin is fairly valued while altcoins remain undervalued.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Crypto-friendly regulation in U.S. to drive up bitcoin prices in 2025, says Mara CEO" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hcEG9QHYhkM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $96,200, down 0.8% over the past 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

MARA

Bitcoin Could Surge To $200,000 By Year-End, Says Marathon Digital CEO: Scarcity, US Plans For Strategic BTC Reserve Could Aid Growth

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) is reportedly set to initiate its anticipated company-wide layoffs next week. This move comes as the company is also expediting the hiring of machine learning engineers.
What Happened: Meta has notified employees about upcoming layoffs on Friday, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
According to the company, affected employees in most countries, including the U.S., will begin receiving notifications at 5 a.m. local time on Monday. However, due to local labor laws, staff in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will not be impacted. 
Meanwhile, employees across more than a dozen countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa will be informed between Feb. 11 and Feb. 18, the report added.
Meta did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43569802/wall-street-drops-on-tariffs-threat-dollar-rises-uber-rockets-on-ackmans-tweet-whats-driving-markets-friday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wall Street Drops On Tariffs Threat, Dollar Rises, Uber Rockets On Ackman's Tweet: What's Driving Markets Friday?</a>
In January, Meta confirmed plans to cut approximately 5% of its &#8220;lowest performers&#8221; while backfilling at least some of the positions. Meta's Head of People, Janelle Gale, described the layoffs as &#8220;performance terminations.&#8221; She also clarified that the cuts would not result in office closures or any further updates on the decisions.
Meta is also speeding up its hiring process for machine learning engineers and other &#8220;business-critical&#8221; engineering roles. According to a separate memo from Peng Fan, VP of Engineering for Monetization, this hiring push will take place between Feb. 11 and March 13.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The upcoming layoffs and the accelerated hiring of machine learning engineers come amid a series of strategic moves by Meta.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43551024/mark-zuckerberg-visits-white-house-for-advancing-american-tech-leadership-abroad-as-meta-ceo-continues-to-strengthen-ties-with-trump">visited the White House </a>to discuss collaboration with the Trump administration in advancing American tech leadership abroad. This was seen as a move to bolster Meta&#8217;s standing in the global tech landscape.
However, Meta&#8217;s AI position has been a subject of concern. The company&#8217;s AI models were deemed to be &#8220;clearly behind&#8221; those of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43491799/meta-ai-models-clearly-behind-deepseek-says-analysts-after-mark-zuckerberg-admitted-deepseek-did-some-novel-things-were-still-digesting">Chinese AI startup DeepSeek</a>.
"In terms of the tricks and methodology applied by DeepSeek, the leading labs such as OpenAI and Anthropic are fully aware of such methodologies and also employ these but such is not the case of Meta which is clearly behind," the note from Piper Sandler's analyst read.
Despite these challenges, Meta&#8217;s stock has been performing well, with a 52% surge over the past year, a 19% increase year-to-date, and a 15% rise in the last month. However, Zuckerberg has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43527542/meta-stock-soars-but-zuckerbergs-cashing-in-should-investors-worry">selling millions in stock</a>.
Price Action: According to ratings from 43 analysts,<a href="http://pro.benzinga.com"> tracked by Benzinga</a>, Meta has a consensus price target of $724.86. The latest ratings, issued by UBS, Citigroup, and Oppenheimer on January 30, 2025, suggest a higher average price target of $788.67. This indicates a potential upside of 10.47% for Meta based on these most recent evaluations.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/07232537/Screenshot-2025-02-08-at-9.55.32%E2%80%AFAM-1024x383.png" alt="" class="wp-image-772897" /></a></figure>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Social Media

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta To Begin Mass Layoffs Next Week, Speeds Up Hiring Of Machine Learning Engineers: Report

Amid a significant market correction, analyst and trader Michaël van de Poppe has expressed optimism about the NEAR Protocol (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/near/usd">NEAR</a>).
What Happened: Van de Poppe shared with his 772,700 followers on the social media platform X that NEAR is in an &#8220;ideal spot&#8221; after sweeping liquidity beneath the lows.
He anticipates the next target for NEAR to be between $15 and $20 in the coming three to six months. This would represent a 500% increase from its current price of $3.23.
"Pretty ideal spot for NEAR. It took all the liquidity beneath the lows and seems to have a strong weekly candle. If this is the liquidity sweep, then next target is $15-$20 in the next three-six months," he said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Pretty ideal spot for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NEAR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NEAR</a>. It took all the liquidity beneath the lows and seems to have a strong weekly candle. If this is the liquidity sweep, then next target is $15-20 in the next 3-6 months. <a href="https://t.co/zpCYkf89Ev">pic.twitter.com/zpCYkf89Ev</a>
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1887863888646906059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Additionally, the analyst discussed Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), suggesting it may trade sideways until it surpasses its all-time high resistance level of approximately $108,000.
Bitcoin is currently priced at $96,212, reflecting a 0.8% decline over the past 24 hours.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Important day today with labor market data coming in. Might be pivotal if there&#39;s a big miss. Anyways, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> stuck in the range, the real inflection will occur once it breaks ATH. For now, just consolidation before the next leg up. <a href="https://t.co/KPZ3OJhq4D">pic.twitter.com/KPZ3OJhq4D</a>
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1887815061990752472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43554574/apple-faces-mounting-pressure-from-uk-government-to-grant-spying-access-to-encrypted-data-of-users-worldwide">Apple Faces Mounting Pressure From UK Government To Grant Spying Access To Encrypted Data Of Users Worldwide</a>
Why It Matters: The prediction by van de Poppe comes at a time when the crypto market is experiencing extreme bearish sentiments. In a recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43505966/bitcoin-struggling-but-perfect-storm-will-take-it-to-500000-ethereum-to-20000-trader-predicts">analysis</a>, he urged investors to hold onto their crypto assets, emphasizing that Bitcoin is fairly valued while altcoins remain heavily undervalued.
This sentiment follows a prolonged period of capitulation, where many altcoin investors have faced significant losses over the past 6-12 months.
Furthermore, a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073101/altcoins-flash-bullish-signal-amid-bitcoins-surge-says-research-firm">recent surge</a> in Bitcoin past the $100,000 mark has triggered bullish signals for altcoins, with increased whale transactions indicating potential upcoming investments in altcoins.
This aligns with van de Poppe&#8217;s earlier observations that both Bitcoin and Ethereum were nearing critical buying levels, suggesting a strategic opportunity for investors to &#8220;buy the dip&#8221; as the market recovers.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$NEAR

NEAR

This Top-50 Altcoin Is Set For A Massive Surge After Significant Correction, Predicts Trader

Ford Motor Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) CEO Jim Farley said earlier this week that it is upon the company management to tackle Chinese EV models such as the Xiaomi SU7 in cost of manufacturing and product appeal. 
What Happened: &#8220;While the company needs to work with government partners to make it a level playing field as much as possible. But at the end of the day, it&#8217;s management&#8217;s responsibility to beat the SU7 straight up in a street fight,&#8221; Farley said about imposing tariffs on imports from China to protect domestic automakers.
&#8220;&#8230;what I learned after 40 years in this industry is the company has to stand on its own, toe-to-toe with the cost of those (Chinese) companies and the product appeal of those companies,&#8221; he said. 
Chinese EV players like BYD Co or Xiaomi do not sell EVs in the U.S. However, Chinese vehicle makers are expanding to be a major force in the industry, Farley noted. 
&#8220;Their operational fitness is incredible. Their supply chains are now expanding globally and they&#8217;re increasing their exports around the world,&#8221; he said.
President Trump imposed 10% on Chinese imports over the last weekend. 
Why It Matters: In October, Farley shared his reluctance to part with the SU7 which Ford flew for him from Shanghai to Chicago. He praised its performance and market success, noting, "They sell 10,000, 20,000 a month. They're sold out for six months." Xiaomi has sold over 150,000 SU7 EVs till date. 
For Ford&#8217;s EV segment called Model e, the company reported a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43522408/ford-slides-5-pre-market-after-disappointing-outlook-high-loss-from-ev-segment-in-2024">full-year EBIT loss of $5.08 billion</a> in 2024. The company expects $5 billion to $5.5 billion in losses in its EV segment this year, in line with the loss recorded last year.
Ford CEO&nbsp;Jim Farley&nbsp;also addressed the possible impact of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43524700/ford-ceo-jim-farley-says-trumps-proposed-tariffs-on-mexico-canada-will-be-manageable-in-near-term-but-will-have-huge-impact-if-protracted">increased tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada</a> on Wednesday in the earnings call. While a few weeks of tariffs will be manageable, prolonged 25% tariffs will have a huge impact on the auto industry and mean higher prices for customers, he said.
President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;announced tariffs of 25% on goods from Mexico and Canada last weekend, possibly impacting automakers including General Motors and Ford whose supply chains rely on these regions. Trump, however, delayed the imposition of the tariffs for a month after a discussion with the countries' leaders on Monday.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Image via photos on Shutterstock

Ford CEO Jim Farley Envisions Beating Chinese EVs In 'A Street Fight,' Wants A Level Playing Field: 'Their Operational Fitness Is Incredible'

Var Energi

Halliburton Company&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAL#NYSE">HAL</a>) plans to ink a long-term&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.halliburton.com/en/about-us/press-release/var-energi-halliburton-enter-strategic-relationship" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">strategic pact&nbsp;</a>with&nbsp;Var Energi ASA&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VARRY#OTC">VARRY</a>) for drilling services.&nbsp;

The planned relationship covers drilling services related to exploration and production drilling for V&aring;r Energi across the Norwegian Continental Shelf.&nbsp;

The planned relationship lasts five years, with options for an additional four years.

&quot;Halliburton has extensive experience and proven capabilities from operations in Norway over many years,&quot; Chairman, President, and CEO Jeff Miller said. &quot;Halliburton&#39;s value proposition &ndash; to collaborate and engineer solutions to maximize asset values for our customers &ndash; fits perfectly with V&aring;r Energi&#39;s ambitious growth plans.&quot;

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. By the end of the first quarter, Halliburton&#39;s cash flows provided by&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/23/04/31987184/halliburton-q1-earnings-beat-estimates-on-strong-segment-performance" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">operating activities</a>&nbsp;were $122 million. The company held cash and equivalents of $1.9 billion.

&quot;Solid partnerships and collaboration across the entire value chain will enable operational excellence, supporting our plans for growth and value creation for all parties,&quot; V&aring;r Energi CEO Torger R&oslash;d commented.

Price Action:&nbsp;HAL shares are trading higher by 0.90% to $32.44 in the premarket session on the last check Friday.

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