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OpenAI is set to streamline its artificial intelligence offerings by phasing out the <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43418650/openai-launches-o3-mini-model-makes-it-free-after-deepseeks-launch">standalone &#8216;o3&#8217; model</a>, CEO Sam Altman announced on Wednesday.
What Happened: Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Altman said that the upcoming GPT-4.5, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41538614/openai-set-to-launch-100x-more-powerful-ai-model-in-december-sam-altman-calls-report-fake-news">internally known</a> as Orion, will be the last non-chain-of-thought model.
After that, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38611412/sam-altman-teases-gpt-5-openais-gpt-4-the-dumbest-model-people-will-have-to-ever-use-again-says-ceo">OpenAI will launch</a> GPT-5 as an integrated system within ChatGPT and its API. The update will include advancements from o3, which will no longer be available as a separate model.
&#8220;We hate the model picker as much as you do and want to return to magic unified intelligence,&#8221; he stated.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43680696/bill-gates-has-a-soft-spot-for-intel-but-says-the-chip-giant-has-lost-its-way-questions-whether-the-company-can-recover-after-ceo-exit-and-falling-behind-in-ai">Bill Gates Has A Soft Spot For Intel, But Says The Chip Giant Has Lost Its Way — Questions Whether The Company Can Recover After CEO Exit And Falling Behind In AI</a>
Moreover, the free tier of ChatGPT will offer unlimited access to GPT-5 at a standard intelligence setting, subject to abuse thresholds.
&#8220;Plus subscribers will be able to run GPT-5 at a higher level of intelligence, and Pro subscribers will be able to run GPT-5 at an even higher level of intelligence.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">OPENAI ROADMAP UPDATE FOR GPT-4.5 and GPT-5: We want to do a better job of sharing our intended roadmap, and a much better job simplifying our product offerings. We want AI to "just work" for you; we realize how complicated our model and product offerings have gotten. We hate…
&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1889755723078443244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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When a user asked Altman about the estimated time of arrival for GPT-4.5 and GPT-5, he responded vaguely saying "weeks/months."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">weeks / months
&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1889757267425370415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: The decision to phase out the &#8216;o3&#8217; model comes after reports that OpenAI&#8217;s &#8216;o3&#8217; could cost <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43420859/the-economics-of-ai-are-about-to-change-completely-why-openais-o3-could-reshape-the-industry-costing-up-to-3000-per-query">up to $3,000 per query</a>, raising concerns about the economic viability of such models.
OpenAI is also reportedly advancing toward <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43591228/sam-altmans-openai-set-to-finalize-in-house-ai-chip-reducing-dependence-on-nvidia-report">creating its own AI chip</a>, which could reduce its reliance on Nvidia Corporation. The company is expected to submit its design to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. for fabrication soon.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has proposed a $97.4 billion purchase of OpenAI's nonprofit division, but the startup's board reportedly <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43646042/elon-musks-97-4-billion-openai-takeover-bid-reportedly-not-received-by-chatgpt-parent-another-one-of-his-tactics-says-sam-altman">intends to decline the offer</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga'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:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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OpenAI Moves To Unify AI Models With GPT-5 — Sam Altman Admits, 'We Hate the Model Picker As Much As You Do'

Global oil prices retreated Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed plans for his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia, raising prospects of potential shifts in global energy dynamics.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 0.84% to $70.77 per barrel, while Brent crude declined 0.86% to $74.53, as markets digested implications of the potential trilateral summit involving Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The announcement came <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43671255/will-donald-trump-help-broker-a-peace-deal-in-ukraine-dont-be-so-sure-polymarket-trader-say">after a 90-minute phone conversation</a> between Trump and Putin, during which they discussed Ukraine. &#8220;We expect to meet in Saudi Arabia&#8230; see if we can get something done,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH4PuUcKW4U">said</a> at the Oval Office, though no specific date was set.
This comes after Trump announced plans for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43674775/trump-putin-highly-productive-call-sparks-oil-sell-off-as-investors-eye-geopolitical-de-escalation">immediate Ukraine peace talks</a>, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming a &#8220;meaningful&#8221; discussion with him.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43681134/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-western-software-superiority-will-make-america-stronger-as-stock-soars-368-on-ai-boom">Palantir CEO Alex Karp Says Western Software Superiority Will Make America &#8216;Stronger&#8217; As Burgeoning AI Demand Pushes Stock Up 368%</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Commodities

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Trump Plans To Meet Russian President To See If 'We Can Get Something Done' — Oil Prices Edge Lower

Google is making big moves again—this time with a <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/02/03/tech/google-offers-voluntary-buyouts-to-ensure-workers-are-deeply-committed/">voluntary exit program</a> for over 25,000 employees in its Platforms and Devices division.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This division includes major teams behind Android, Chrome, Google Photos, and hardware products like Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. Employees interested in the buyout have until Feb 20 to apply, with final decisions expected by March 25.
This isn't Google's first workforce shakeup. In 2023, the company <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/30/24056132/google-spent-two-billion-on-layoffs-severance-fourth-quarter-earnings-2023">laid off roughly 12,000 employees</a>—about 6% of its global workforce—spending a hefty $2.1 billion on severance and related costs.&nbsp;
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<li>BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a></li>
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Now, instead of layoffs, Google is offering voluntary buyouts as part of a broader plan to cut costs and double down on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43303778/bill-gates-says-this-book-on-ai-will-change-every-industry-predicts-millions-of-jobs-will-vanish-by-2030">artificial intelligence</a> investments. According to Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>, GOOGL)) CFO Anat Ashkenazi, the company is looking for "additional opportunities" to reduce expenses at the Google unit while advancing its AI ambitions.
Not everyone is happy about the ongoing restructuring. The Alphabet Workers Union has voiced concerns over job security, <a href="https://www.alphabetworkersunion.org/campaigns/job-security">circulating a petition with over 1,400 signatures</a>. Their demands? Guaranteed severance packages, buyout options before any layoffs, and a shift away from Google&#8217;s tier-based employee rating system.&nbsp;
"Ongoing rounds of layoffs make us feel insecure about our jobs," the petition says. "The company is clearly in a strong financial position, making the loss of so many valuable colleagues without explanation hurt even more."
Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
While Google is trimming certain teams, the broader tech industry is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/12/17/predictions-for-the-tech-job-market-in-2025/">expected to see a rebound in hiring</a>.<a href="https://365datascience.com/trending/who-was-affected-by-the-2022-2023-tech-layoffs/"> Between 2022 and 2023</a>, major players like Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp; made deep job cuts.&nbsp;
But by 2024, these same companies <a href="https://elpais.com/economia/2025-02-08/las-grandes-tecnologicas-vuelven-a-crear-empleo-tras-los-despidos-masivos.html">increased their headcount by 48,571 employees</a>, collectively pulling in a record $1.8 trillion in revenue—largely fueled by AI investments. Amazon saw the biggest workforce expansion, while Alphabet reported the smallest growth.
In another <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/18/24133881/google-android-pixel-teams-reorg-rick-osterloh">strategic shift</a>, Google merged its Android and hardware teams under Senior Vice President Rick Osterloh last April. The goal? To integrate AI more efficiently across its products. Google's voluntary exit program, however, is currently limited to the Platforms and Devices division and hasn't been extended to teams like Search or DeepMind AI.
See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
For Google, this voluntary buyout is a way to keep its workforce aligned with its evolving priorities. The company wants employees who are "deeply committed" to its vision and capable of building innovative products quickly and efficiently.&nbsp;
Offering an exit option allows those who may not be fully on board with the direction Google is headed to leave with financial support.
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<li>Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-the-most-boring-blockchain-company-partners-with-salesforce">this blockchain company partners with Salesforce to uproot lengthy and expensive B2B transactions, and you can invest with just $100.</a></li>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
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The X&nbsp;account of the co-founder&nbsp;of the President Donald Trump-backed World Liberty Financial was hacked Wednesday to promote a fake meme coin associated with Barron Trump, Trump&#8217;s youngest son.
What Happened: World Liberty Financial confirmed that Zach Witkoff&#8217;s account was breached to shill the fraudulent cryptocurrency and warned users not to engage. 
In a subsequent X post, Witkoff also revealed that his account was compromised but had been restored thanks to the work of X and the team. The hacked post stands deleted as of this writing.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/ZachWitkoff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@zachwitkoff</a>'s account was compromised, and a fake Barron meme was posted. Please do not engage. We are resolving the issue ASAP.
&mdash; WLFI (@worldlibertyfi) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldlibertyfi/status/1889788282940113265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The coin ran up to billions in valuation before crashing by 97%, <a href="https://dexscreener.com/solana/ghx3rpwodfkew4rieefpdttughatqhcec6xv7kmskqej">according </a>to data from Dexscreener.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43584910/man-who-accidentally-lost-his-775-million-bitcoin-stash-expresses-desire-to-buy-the-landfill-site">Man Whose $775 Million Bitcoin Fortune Lies Buried In A Landfill Now Wants To Buy The Trash Heap</a>
Why It Matters: This incident is not the first time a member of the Trump family has been falsely associated with a cryptocurrency. 
Last month, Ivanka Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43173869/ivanka-trump-denounces-fake-crypto-coin-using-her-name">publicly disassociated herself from a memecoin project </a>promoted under her name. She issued a stern warning to consumers about the risk of falling victim to such scams. 
The hacking incidents follow the <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43518087/official-trump-coin-jumps-427-but-still-75-below-januarys-all-time-high">official coin launches</a> by the President and First Lady Melania Trump last month, which engulfed the cryptocurrency industry in an unprecedented frenzy. 
Official Trump (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) has plunged 79% since its peak last month, while the Official Melania Meme (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">MELANIA</a>) was down 83% from its pinnacle.
Image via Shutterstock
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

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Fake Barron Trump Memecoin Promoted After World Liberty Financial's Co-Founder's X Account Hacked: Do Not Engage Warning Issued

On Wednesday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest executed significant trades involving Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), Robinhood Markets Inc (HOOD), Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>). These trades reflect Ark&#8217;s strategic positioning in the dynamic tech sector.
The Palantir Trade
Ark Invest made a notable decision to sell shares of Palantir across multiple ETFs, including 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>), and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>). The total shares sold amounted to 174,910, with a closing price of $117.39, resulting in a transaction value of approximately $20.53 million. This move comes amid a surge in Palantir&#8217;s stock, driven by increasing demand for AI solutions. Palantir&#8217;s CEO Alex Karp has highlighted the company&#8217;s role in <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43681134/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-western-software-superiority-will-make-america-stronger-as-stock-soars-368-on-ai-boom">enhancing Western technological capabilities</a>, while <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43646506/dan-ives-says-palantir-could-be-next-oracle-or-salesforce-as-ai-boom-drives-massive-software-spending-highlights-8-10x-multiplier-effect">analyst Dan Ives</a> predicts Palantir could rival industry giants like Oracle and Salesforce.
Since the year began, Palantir shares have risen 56.12%, while over a 12-month period they have shot up a massive 368.62%. However, Wood has been on a selling spree lately, she <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43646255/cathie-woods-massive-tuesday-overhaul-unloads-28-4m-in-palantir-dumps-robinhood-swoops-up-tech-giants-shopify-amd-tsmc-and-amazon">offloaded</a> $28.4 million worth of stock on Tuesday and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43613535/cathie-wood-dumps-16-million-worth-of-palantir-stock-after-record-highs">another $16 million</a> worth on Monday. 
The Robinhood Trade
Ark Invest reduced its position in Robinhood by selling 25,086 shares through the ARKW ETF. With a closing price of $55.91, the transaction was valued at approximately $1.4 million. This trade follows Robinhood&#8217;s recent <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43676276/robinhood-q4-earnings-highlights-record-revenue-eps-beat-analyst-estimates-crypto-revenue-up-700">fourth-quarter earnings report</a>, which showcased record revenue and a significant increase in crypto revenue, exceeding 700% growth.
The AMD Trade
Ark Invest expanded its stake in AMD by purchasing 5,162 shares via the ARKW ETF. The shares closed at $111.72, making the acquisition worth approximately $576,698. AMD remains at the forefront of the AI-driven semiconductor boom, with <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/02/43657421/amd-traders-get-new-leveraged-etfs-as-ai-chip-battle-heats-up">new leveraged ETFs</a> launched to capitalize on its market movements.
The TSMC Trade
Ark Invest also increased its holdings in TSMC by acquiring 4,579 shares through the ARKW ETF. The shares closed at $206.38, resulting in a purchase value of approximately $945,014. This move comes as <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43660030/trump-tariff-threats-put-pressure-on-taiwan-semiconductor-could-push-advanced-packaging-capacity-to-us">TSM faces geopolitical pressures</a> and considers shifting some operations to the U.S. amid Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff threats.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Sold 397,727 shares of Roku Inc (ROKU) from ARKK.</li>
<li>Bought 40,935 shares of Deere &amp; Co (DE) in ARKK.</li>
<li>Sold 54,233 shares of Oklo Inc (OKLO) from ARKQ.</li>
<li>Bought 42,376 shares of Cameco Corp (CCJ) in ARKQ.</li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43681423/dutch-bros-shares-spike-25-after-hours-jim-cramer-says-his-favorite-coffee-chain-is-the-real-deal">Dutch Bros Shares Spike 25% After Hours, Jim Cramer Says His Favorite Coffee Chain Is &#8216;The Real Deal&#8217;</a></li>
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Equities

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ARKW

HOOD

PLTR

Cathie Wood Dumps More Palantir Amid Stock's Red-Hot Rally, Robinhood Also Gets The Chop — Ark Adds AMD And TSMC Stock

Coffee chain Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>) saw its shares soar nearly 25% in after-hours trading Wednesday following stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43676849/dutch-bros-stock-rallies-after-blockbuster-q4-results-details">results and an optimistic 2025 outlook</a>, drawing praise from CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer.
What Happened: &#8220;Cramer-fave Dutch Bros crushes it. As watchers know, these guys are the real deal,&#8221; Cramer wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the earnings release.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Cramer-fave Dutch Bros crushes it. As watchers know, these guys are the real deal
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1889784874166259923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The drive-through beverage company reported earnings of 7 cents per share, exceeding analyst estimates of 2 cents. Revenue jumped to $342.8 million, beating expectations of $317.8 million and marking a significant increase from $254.12 million in the same quarter last year.
CEO Christine Barone highlighted the company&#8217;s impressive performance, noting a 35% revenue growth and system same-shop sales growth of 6.9%. &#8220;We believe our brand is resonating with customers, as we delivered 2.3% system same-shop transaction growth, the largest year-over-year increase in over two years,&#8221; Barone said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43676276/robinhood-q4-earnings-highlights-record-revenue-eps-beat-analyst-estimates-crypto-revenue-up-700">Robinhood Q4 Earnings Highlights: Record Revenue, EPS Beat Analyst Estimates, Crypto Revenue Up 700%+</a>
Why It Matters: The company&#8217;s expansion continues to accelerate, with 32 new shops opened in the fourth quarter, including 25 company-operated locations. Company-operated shop revenues increased 38.2% to $314.2 million compared to the previous year.
Looking ahead, Dutch Bros projects fiscal 2025 revenue between $1.55 billion and $1.57 billion, with plans to open at least 160 new system shops. 
While the stock has gained over 130% in the past year, recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BROS/analyst-ratings">analyst consensus shows a mixed outlook</a>. The latest ratings from B of A Securities, Jefferies, and Stifel in January 2025 suggest an average price target of $67.67, indicating a potential downside from current after-hours trading levels.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/12205736/Screenshot-2025-02-13-at-7.26.46%E2%80%AFAM-1024x379.png" alt="" class="wp-image-779963" style="width:626px;height:auto" /></figure>
Price Action: The stock closed at $64.71 on Wednesday before surging to $80.79 in after-hours trading, pushing its market capitalization above $9 billion, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

BROS

Dutch Bros Shares Spike 25% After Hours, Jim Cramer Says His Favorite Coffee Chain Is 'The Real Deal'

Leading cryptocurrencies gained on Wednesday, defying stock decline amid higher-than-expected inflation data.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+1.68%</td>
<td>$97,612.38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+4.27%</td>
<td>$2,718.34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+4.11%</td>
<td>$0.2628</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin sailed above $98,000, following a 31% jump in trading volume. The leading cryptocurrency has lost 4.46% of its value since February began, compared to an average monthly return of 14.11%.
Ethereum hit the upper reaches of $2,700 following a 4.27% increase in the last 24 hours. The second-largest cryptocurrency also recorded a 30% jump in trading volume.
In the past 24 hours, 137,999 traders were liquidated, with total liquidations at $308.36 million. More than $162 million was accounted for long liquidations.
Bitcoin's Open Interest rose by 0.84% in the last 24 hours. The long exposure fell sharply, with 58% of Binance futures traders betting on the cryptocurrency's increases, down from 69% a day ago.
Market sentiment remained in the "Neutral" zone, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PancakeSwap (CAKE)</td>
<td>+36.32%</td>
<td>$2.66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Onyxcoin (XCN)</td>
<td>+30.71%</td>
<td>$0.02474</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sonic (S)</td>
<td>+21.04%</td>
<td>$5486</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.23 trillion, gaining 2.47% in the last 24 hours.
Major stock indexes sank on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 225.09 points, or 0.50%, to close at 44,368.56. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.27%, ending at 6,051.97. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite reported a marginal gain of 0.03% to close at 19,649.95.
The decline followed the <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43667632/inflation-rises-in-january-housing-costs-up-adding-to-consumers-2025-concerns">hotter-than-expected</a> January Consumer Price Index, adding to inflationary concerns. CPI rose 3% on a year-over-year basis in January, missing expectations of 2.9%
Investors priced in a 97% chance of the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates unchanged during the next meeting in March, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according </a>to the CME FedWatch tool.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez drew attention to a state of "anxiety" among Ethereum investors as the cryptocurrency struggled to reclaim $3,000.
"A decisive move above this level could restore confidence," the analyst predicted.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Investors are feeling &quot;anxious&quot; as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ethereum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ethereum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> struggles to reclaim $3,000. A decisive move above this level could restore confidence! <a href="https://t.co/QxIRoakWZn">pic.twitter.com/QxIRoakWZn</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1889742265821655102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Martinez described $97,800 as a key resistance level for Bitcoin, as about 119,400 BTC were accumulated at the level.
"The longer Bitcoin stays below this price, the more likely investors may look to exit to manage risk," he added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">119,400 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> were accumulated at $97,800, making it a key resistance level. The longer <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> stays below this price, the more likely investors may look to exit to manage risk! <a href="https://t.co/beglMSSIC9">pic.twitter.com/beglMSSIC9</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1889706781888356568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
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Movers

Trading Ideas

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Spike Amid Hotter-Than-Expected Inflation Numbers: ETH's Decisive Move Above $3,000 Could Restore Confidence, Says Analyst

On Wednesday, U.S. stocks experienced a downturn, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 225 points to 44,368.56. The Nasdaq Composite saw a marginal increase of 0.03%, settling at 19,649.95, while the S&amp;P 500 fell by 0.3% to 6,051.97. The Consumer Price Index <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43667632/inflation-rises-in-january-housing-costs-up-adding-to-consumers-2025-concerns">rose to 3% year-over-year</a>, surpassing expectations, which contributed to the market&#8217;s overall performance.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day.
Dutch Bros Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>)
Shares of Dutch Bros closed at $64.71, marking a 0.78% increase. The stock reached an intraday high of $64.98 and a low of $62.11, with a 52-week range of $26.32 to $68.47. Dutch Bros. stock shot up nearly 25% to $80.79 in the after-hours trading. 
The coffee chain&#8217;s&nbsp;stock surged&nbsp;following the release of its <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/02/43676849/dutch-bros-stock-rallies-after-blockbuster-q4-results-details">fourth-quarter earnings</a>, which reported a profit of 7 cents per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of 2 cents. Revenue for the quarter was $342.8 million, exceeding expectations and reflecting significant growth from the previous year.
Robinhood Markets&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>)
Robinhood saw a 4.82% rise, closing at $55.91. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $56.74, with a low of $52.65, and it has traded between $11.43 and $57.27 over the past year. In after-hours trading, Robinhood stock shot up over 15% to $64.47. The company reported <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43676276/robinhood-q4-earnings-highlights-record-revenue-eps-beat-analyst-estimates-crypto-revenue-up-700">record revenue</a> in its fourth-quarter earnings, with a notable increase in cryptocurrency revenue, which soared by over 700% to $358 million.
AppLovin Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>)
AppLovin&#8217;s stock climbed 1.35% to close at $380.32. The stock hit an intraday high of $390.21 and a low of $372, with a 52-week range of $45.12 to $417.64. The stock rocketed 29% to $490.75 in the after-hours trading. The company&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43676556/applovin-stock-soars-on-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-strong-guidance-and-more">fourth-quarter results</a>&nbsp;exceeded expectations, with revenue reaching $1.37 billion and earnings per share at $1.73, both beating analyst estimates.
Reddit Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>)
Reddit experienced a 1.27% increase, closing at $216.47. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $220.75, with a low of $211, and it has traded between $37.35 and $230.41 over the past year. In after-hours trading, the stock fell sharply by over 13% to $187.80. The company&#8217;s <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/02/43676199/reddit-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-shares-slide-as-user-growth-slows">fourth-quarter earnings</a> exceeded expectations, although user growth showed signs of slowing.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla shares rose by 2.44%, closing at $336.51. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $346.4, with a low of $329.12, and a 52-week range of $138.8 to $488.54. The electric vehicle maker&#8217;s stock <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43675344/tesla-jumps-as-analyst-highlights-growth-in-evs-ai-robotics">gained momentum</a> after an analyst highlighted growth opportunities in autonomous vehicles, robotics, and energy solutions.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading&nbsp;<a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a>&nbsp;by Benzinga.
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

RDDT

TSLA

Dutch Bros, Robinhood, AppLovin Corp, Reddit, Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) CEO Alex Karp envisions the company&#8217;s legacy as strengthening Western technological supremacy while deterring adversaries, amid surging demand for artificial intelligence solutions that has driven the stock up over 350% in the past year.
What Happened: In a recent interview with Stock MVP&#8216;s Tom Nash, Karp emphasized Palantir&#8217;s role in bolstering Western software capabilities: 
&#8220;The superiority of the West in software production has made Western countries, especially America, healthier, wealthier, and stronger,&#8221; he stated, adding that he wants potential adversaries to reconsider their stance against Western nations.
This vision comes as Palantir reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43449486/palantir-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-us-revenue-up-52-customer-count-up-43-strong-guidance-this-is-a-new-phase-unlike-anything-that-has-come-before">strong fourth-quarter results</a> on Feb. 3, with revenue reaching $827.52 million, exceeding analyst expectations of $775.91 million. The company&#8217;s U.S. commercial revenue surged 64% year-over-year to $214 million, while government contracts contributed $343 million, up 45% from the previous year.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Alex Karp answered my question in today's AMA in the most <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24PLTR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$PLTR</a> way ever. This makes so proud to be a Palantir OG. <a href="https://t.co/Hlf3x8UOYy">pic.twitter.com/Hlf3x8UOYy</a>
&mdash; Tom Nash (@iamtomnash) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamtomnash/status/1889742490615349586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43674775/trump-putin-highly-productive-call-sparks-oil-sell-off-as-investors-eye-geopolitical-de-escalation">Trump-Putin &#8216;Highly Productive&#8217; Call Sparks Oil Sell-Off As Investors Eye Geopolitical De-Escalation</a>
Why It Matters: Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives sees Palantir potentially emerging as a dominant force in AI software, comparing it to industry giants Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) and Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>). Ives highlighted the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43646506/dan-ives-says-palantir-could-be-next-oracle-or-salesforce-as-ai-boom-drives-massive-software-spending-highlights-8-10x-multiplier-effect">multiplier effect in AI</a> spending, noting that &#8220;for every dollar spent on Nvidia chip, there&#8217;s an 8 to $10 multiplier across tech, across the ecosystem software.&#8221;
Despite Palantir&#8217;s elevated valuation metrics, including a price-to-earnings ratio of 613.95 and market capitalization of $258 billion, former hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli projects the company&#8217;s operational cash flow to reach $1.8 billion in 2025 and $2.7 billion by 2026. The company has forecast revenue of $3.75 billion for 2025, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43485885/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-defends-palantirs-valuation-amid-24-surge-says-ai-firms-cash-flow-justifies-expensive-price">surpassing analyst estimates.</a>
The stock&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> stands at $65.50, based on 23 analyst ratings, though recent assessments from Citigroup, RBC Capital, and UBS suggest an average target of $85, indicating potential downside from current levels around $117.
Price Action: Palantir closed at $117.39, up 4.24% on Wednesday, and rose 0.21% after hours to $117.64. Year to date, it&#8217;s up 56.12%, surging 368.62% over the past year, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

ORCL

Palantir CEO Alex Karp Says Western Software Superiority Will Make America 'Stronger' As Burgeoning AI Demand Pushes Stock Up 368%

Elon Musk&#8217;s X has reportedly agreed to a $10 million settlement in a lawsuit initiated by Donald Trump.
What Happened: Trump and other plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in 2021, following his deplatforming by the company, then known as Twitter, due to his role in the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38327539/trumps-bid-to-pause-jan-6-capitol-riot-case-denied-by-judge"> U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021</a>.
Trump's team initially thought about letting the lawsuit fade, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/musks-x-agrees-to-pay-about-10-million-to-settle-trump-lawsuit-a38348f8?st=HWHZyX">reported</a> the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter. However, the lawsuit led to a settlement despite Musk&#8217;s close ties with the President and his about <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43582376/not-a-bad-return-on-his-investment-bernie-sanders-says-elon-musk-spent-277-million-to-elect-trump-and-made-154-billion-since-election-day">$250 million contribution</a> to Trump&#8217;s election campaign.
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: Last month, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) settled a similar lawsuit over its suspension of Trump&#8217;s Facebook account <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/01/43325503/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-pays-trump-25-million-to-settle-lawsuit-over-facebook-instagram-ban-after-jan-6-riot-a-big-year-for-redefining-our-relationships-with-governments">for $25 million</a>, which is more than double the amount X is set to pay.
Trump&#8217;s legal team is also expected to pursue a settlement with Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google, which banned Trump from YouTube after the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, the report noted.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
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>.
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</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Legal

Media

GOOGL

Elon Musk's X To Pay Trump $10 Million Over Twitter Ban After Zuckerberg's Meta Coughed Up $25 Million — Who Else Is Left?

Elon Musk has never done things conventionally, whether it's revolutionizing space travel, running Tesla, or, apparently, dating. His <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42878599/elon-musk-married-and-divorced-the-same-woman-twice-paid-her-over-20-million-in-settlements-she-refers-to-him-as-perfect-ex-husband">ex-wife, Talulah Riley</a>, revisited the early days of their whirlwind romance, revealing in a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2BWm3Cx/">BBC documentary</a> that their courtship involved a lot more physics than flirtation.
According to Riley, Musk's idea of a romantic invitation was asking her back to his hotel room – not for the usual reasons but to watch "rocket videos." She initially assumed it was code for something else. But no, Musk, now the world's richest man and the visionary behind SpaceX and Tesla, was being quite literal.
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"I remember one evening he said, ‘Would you like to come back to my hotel room so we can look at rocket videos?' I said, ‘Hmm … OK, yeah,'" Riley recalled with a smile. "And we did get into his hotel room, and he did just show me rocket videos."
This wasn't just an isolated anecdote. Musk's obsession with rockets and space exploration has been a defining part of his life. But that didn't stop Riley from being swept up in his orbit – fast. In a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tesla-and-spacex-elon-musks-industrial-empire/">resurfaced CBS interview</a> from 2014, she admitted that their relationship moved at warp speed.
"It all happened very fast," she said. "We were engaged after, I think, sorta two weeks of knowing each other." She was just 22 at the time and described Musk as "very charming" and "definitely the most interesting and eccentric person I have ever met."
Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
The two tied the knot in 2010, only to divorce in 2012. But Musk, never one to give up easily – on space travel or relationships – convinced her to remarry him in 2013. Riley later explained it felt odd to be together without the formality of marriage. "It was like a habit," she told <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/long-reads/talulah-riley-elon-musk-wife-book-quickening-b2112070.html">The Independent in 2022</a>.
That habit, however, didn't last. By 2016, they were divorced for the second time. But Riley has always spoken warmly of Musk, calling him the "perfect ex-husband" and describing their bond as loving and supportive despite the romantic fallout.
She wasn't just a bystander in Musk's world of electric cars and space missions. Riley fully immersed herself in the chaos, even helping care for his five children from his first marriage. She explained she was by Musk's side and it was a "family-wide effort." She also added, "it wasn't like I was stuck in a mansion in Bel Air like a trophy wife."&nbsp;
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
Financially, their divorces came with a hefty price tag. Riley received $4.2 million in their first split and another $16 million after their second, totaling over $20 million. Yet, despite the settlements, they remained close. She even encouraged him to buy Twitter, sending private messages urging him to go through with the deal.
Now remarried to actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Riley still defends Musk against public criticism. In an August 2024 interview with <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/talulah-riley-elon-musk-marriage-twitter-m05nmcmvt">The Times</a>, she was asked why her personal experience of him seemed so different from the often polarizing public image.
"Well, you know more than anyone how what we read in the mainstream media is not necessarily an absolute truth," she said, comparing it to "kayfabe," a wrestling term for a staged performance where everyone buys into the illusion.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
So, is Musk's larger-than-life persona just a performance? Riley didn't give a definitive answer. "I loved/love the guy, so I'm incredibly subjective in my opinion, cannot be unbiased and shouldn't be expected to be either," she admitted. "I'm sure, well … You know what being in love is, right?"
With Musk's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42741855/elon-musks-ex-wife-and-mother-of-5-kids-says-he-wont-take-no-for-an-answer-he-locks-his-gaze-on-to-something-and-says-it-shall-be-mine">relationships being as unpredictable</a> as his business ventures, it's no surprise that his love life continues to fascinate. And in a world where billionaires tend to keep things buttoned up, his approach – whether it's inviting someone to his hotel room to watch rocket videos or rekindling an old romance – is as unconventional as it gets.
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NVDA

Elon Musk's Ex-Wife, Whom He Was Engaged to Only 2 Weeks After Meeting, Joked He Invited Her to His Hotel Room Just to Watch Rocket Videos

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), once a leader in the semiconductor industry, is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/42185698/qualcomms-interest-in-taking-over-intel-wanes-due-to-complexities-involved-report">now struggling</a> to stay competitive, and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) co-founder Bill Gates might not be that optimistic about its future.
What Happened: Earlier this month, in an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-gates-interview-vaccines-intel-google-a8a57b3e21064e888083f977acd52812">interview</a> with the Associated Press, Gates expressed his disappointment over Intel's decline, saying he was "stunned" by how the company "lost its way" in chip design and manufacturing.
"Gordon Moore always kept Intel at the state of the art. And now they are kind of behind in terms of chip design and they are kind of behind in chip fabrication," Gates said.
Intel, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/01/36861400/microsoft-and-intel-are-betting-on-ai-as-analyst-says-the-revolution-is-here-will-copilot-be-abl">dominated the PC era</a>, missed the shift to smartphones nearly two decades ago and has since struggled to keep up with rivals like AMD and Nvidia. The company failed to capitalize on the AI chip boom, weakening its industry position.
See Also: <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43327008/microsofts-13-billion-run-rate-and-openai-azure-deal-spark-surge-in-enterprise-demand-for-ai-solutions-just-first-tranche-of-future-growth-potential">Microsoft&#8217;s $13 Billion Run Rate And OpenAI Azure Deal Spark Surge In Enterprise Demand For AI Solutions: Just &#8216;First Tranche&#8217; Of Future Growth Potential</a>
"They missed the AI chip revolution, and with their fabrication capabilities, they don't even use standards that people like Nvidia and Qualcomm find easy," Gates added.
The tech billionaire also reflected on Intel's leadership shake-up following the sudden <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42275410/intel-ceo-pat-gelsinger-forced-out-by-board-analysts-cheer-potential-strategy-shift-this-move-opens-the-door">departure of CEO</a> Pat Gelsinger in December. "I thought Pat Gelsinger was very brave to say, ‘No, I am going to fix the design side, I am going to fix the fab side.' I was hoping for his sake, for the country's sake, that he would be successful," Gates said.
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: Intel's decades-long partnership with Microsoft is often called &#8220;Wintel.&#8221; It started in the early 1980s with IBM's first personal computers, which ran on Intel processors and Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system.
This alliance fueled an industry-wide shift that made Intel and Microsoft the dominant forces in computing for years. Despite this history, Intel's chip design and manufacturing missteps have put it in a vulnerable position.
Its market share has been eroded by competitors like AMD, whose <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43376506/intel-will-be-fighting-for-every-socket-in-the-data-center-business-says-co-ceo-michelle-holthaus-as-competition-from-amd-nvidia-heats-up">data center chip revenue</a> surpassed Intel's—an astonishing reversal from 2022 when Intel's data center <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/intel-microchip-competitors-challenges-562a42e3?utm_source=chatgpt.com">revenue</a> was three times that of AMD.
Nvidia's dominance in AI chips has further sidelined Intel, exposing its failure to anticipate the industry's shift toward GPU-driven AI computing.
Financially, Intel is in turmoil. The company released its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/earnings/25/01/43353848/intel-earnings-analysis-q4-recap">fourth-quarter earnings</a> last month and reported a drop in revenue by $1.15 billion year-over-year. Intel currently has a market cap of $97.33 billion.
Photo by Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO on Shutterstock
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>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

INTC

Bill Gates Has A Soft Spot For Intel, But Says The Chip Giant Has Lost Its Way — Questions Whether The Company Can Recover After CEO Exit And Falling Behind In AI

HYFM

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

TANH

A federal judge has given the go-ahead to the contentious &#8220;Fork in the Road&#8221; government buyout program, overruling a lawsuit filed by unions.
What Happened: U.S. District Court Judge George O'Toole ruled on Wednesday that the unions challenging the program lacked the necessary standing. The program, which offers federal employees eight months of pay and benefits to leave their government jobs, can now proceed as planned.
The ruling allows the government to close the application window for the program, originally slated to end on Feb. 6. The deadline was extended while the judge deliberated on the unions&#8217; request to stop the Office of Personnel Management from implementing the program.
The White House has previously stated that around 40,000 federal employees, approximately 2% of the 2 million federal workers, had accepted the offer. Despite the setback, the biggest government employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees, among those suing, pledged to continue the fight.
The unions have cautioned employees about the potential pitfalls of the offer, including contradictions in the contract and concerns over whether the necessary funding to honor the commitments to employees will be available, given that the government is only funded through March.
O&#8217;Toole said in his ruling that unions &#8220;do not have the required stake&#8221; when it came to the buyout program. The Judge said they were challenging a policy that applied to others.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43678956/congress-member-josh-gottheimer-dumps-nvidia-microsoft-loads-up-on-tesla-stocks-instead">Congress Member Josh Gottheimer Dumps Nvidia, Microsoft, Loads Up On Tesla Stocks Instead</a>
Why It Matters: This program has been a contentious issue since its inception. The Trump administration&#8217;s memo titled &#8220;A Fork in the Road&#8221; was seen as an attempt to push career federal workers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43314808/trump-memo-heard-around-the-world-how-us-economy-could-adjust-to-buyouts-for-federal-workers">out of their jobs</a> and replace them with loyalists.
Another recent report highlighted that the buyout plan <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/02/43542558/trumps-push-to-reshape-federal-workforce-stalls-in-court">faced a legal roadblock</a> when a federal judge temporarily halted the initiative just hours before the acceptance deadline. Critics argue that the program is designed to encourage mass resignations and clear out career officials.
Despite the ruling, the controversy surrounding the program is likely to continue, given the concerns raised by the unions and the potential impact on the federal workforce.
Image via Shutterstock
Did You Know?
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<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Politics

General

Trump's Controversial 'Fork In The Road' Government Buyout Program Gets The Green Light From Judge: Unions Don't Have The 'Required Stake'

Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>) is set to report its first-quarter earnings after Thursday's closing bell. Here's a look at what to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43664402/lam-research-commits-1-2-billion-investment-in-india-eyes-63-billion-semiconductor-growth-market">expect in the report. </a>
What To Watch: The company's Semiconductor Systems segment will be on watch as AI-driven demand could reflect in its revenues.&nbsp;
Wall Street will also be watching Applied Materials' China revenues which fell to 30% in the last quarter, down from 32% in the previous quarter and 40% before that.&nbsp;
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43663963/record-high-egg-prices-drive-inflation-higher-in-january">Record-High Egg Prices Drive Inflation Higher In January</a>
Needham analyst Charles Shi <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/24/11/42015379/applied-materials-reports-solid-q4-beat-analysts-express-concern-around-high-exposure-to-china-spending-decline">noted that</a> the company's first-quarter China revenues came in roughly flat at around $2.14 billion, &#8220;but still a meaningful step down&#8221; from the average run rate of $2.9 billion per quarter between the fourth quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024, he added.
&#8220;Over the longer term, management sees that WFE (wafer fabrication equipment) intensity, propped up by the strong China demand of 18% in 2023, could decline and normalize to around 15%,&#8221; Shi further wrote.
Investors will look for growth in non-GAAP gross margins which Applied Materials guided to 48.4% for the first quarter, up from 47.5% in the previous quarter.&nbsp;
Stifel analyst Brian Chin maintained a Buy rating on Applied Materials shares but lowered the price target from $250 to $235 on Tuesday heading into the first-quarter print. 
According to estimates from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings of $2.29 per share on revenue of $7.14 billion.&nbsp;It should be noted that Applied Materials has beat consensus estimates on the top and bottom lines in each of the last ten consecutive quarters.&nbsp;
AMAT Price Action:&nbsp; According to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Applied Materials shares ended Wednesday's session down 1.26% at $180.89.&nbsp;
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Image: Shutterstock

Earnings

Previews

AMAT

Applied Materials Q4 Earnings Preview: Semiconductor Systems, China Revenues On Watch

Klana CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski isn't sugarcoating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43303778/bill-gates-says-this-book-on-ai-will-change-every-industry-predicts-millions-of-jobs-will-vanish-by-2030">AI's</a> impact on jobs. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItG8Cqs5ug&amp;t=6s">In a recent interview with Bloomberg</a>, he said, &#8220;AI can already do all of the jobs that we, as humans, do. It's just a question about how we apply it and use it.&#8221;
At Klarna, that application is already in motion. The company <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-12/klarna-stopped-all-hiring-a-year-ago-to-replace-workers-with-ai">stopped hiring in late 2023</a>, leaving its workforce at around 4,500. With a natural turnover rate of about 20%, the team shrank to 3,500 by 2024—without layoffs.&nbsp;
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Siemiatkowski says the strategy is simple: rather than firing people, they're letting AI take over as positions naturally open up. The result? <a href="https://www.klarna.com/international/press/ai-helps-klarna-cut-marketing-agency-spend-by-25-and-run-more-campaigns/">Klarna now saves about $10 million </a>a year by using AI for marketing, legal tasks, and customer service. Their chatbot alone has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/swedens-klarna-says-ai-chatbots-help-shrink-headcount-2024-08-27/">replaced 700 human agents,</a> handling inquiries nearly nine minutes faster than people.
The CEO doesn't see this as a bad thing. Instead, he's betting that employees who stay will actually benefit. &#8220;As the company saves on salaries, part of that gain is going directly into employee paychecks,&#8221; he said. He estimates about 200 workers across different teams have already embraced AI, using it for automation, financial analysis, and content creation.
But not everyone shares Siemiatkowski's view. Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42950380/jensen-huang-declares-the-age-of-agentic-ai-at-ces-2025-a-multi-trillion-dollar-shift-in-work-and-industry">Jensen Huang</a> has repeatedly stated that AI is meant to &#8220;augment, not replace&#8221; human workers. That's a more optimistic take, but the reality is a little murkier.&nbsp;
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
According to a recent <a href="https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_Report_2025.pdf">World Economic Forum survey</a>, 41% of employers expect to reduce staff whose skills become less relevant by 2030. Younger workers are especially uneasy—<a href="https://generalassemb.ly/blog/new-survey-finds-solving-the-ai-skills-gap-starts-at-the-top/">62% of Gen Z employees </a>think AI will replace their jobs within the next decade, per a 2024 General Assembly survey.
And the pushback is already happening. Klarna itself faced backlash when it revealed that AI-generated marketing content had reduced its reliance on photographers. The reaction was so strong that <a href="https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/klarna-ceo-faces-backlash-for-saying-ai-let-marketing-team-half-the-size-it-was-last/p12ltqp">Siemiatkowski had to address</a> it directly, saying, &#8220;I understand why people feel that way. These changes hit people on an emotional level.&#8221;
Klarna isn't alone in this. Companies that lean into AI risk public criticism. Last summer, Lattice announced that it would give AI &#8220;employees&#8221; official records, only to reverse course after online outrage.&nbsp;
See Also: Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-the-most-boring-blockchain-company-partners-with-salesforce">this blockchain company partners with Salesforce to uproot lengthy and expensive B2B transactions, and you can invest with just $100.</a>
In another case, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/eb11f69c-e45c-4f23-8793-0ca5866b4b67">unionized dockworkers</a> staged a three-day strike over automation concerns. Even Hollywood got involved—AI's role in replacing actors and writers was a major sticking point in the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/03/ai-hollywood-strike-sag-aftra-technology/">2023 SAG-AFTRA strike</a>.
For now, the biggest AI disruptions seem to be hitting knowledge-based jobs rather than physical ones. Siemiatkowski predicts that while desk jobs will see major changes, roles that require physical labor—like truck driving—will take longer to automate.
Not all companies are cutting jobs, though. Some are using AI to boost productivity instead of reducing staff. A study by <a href="https://www.indexventures.com/index-press/scaling-through-chaos-in-the-age-of-ai/">Index Ventures</a> found that among 600 European startups, half planned to use AI to hire more people, while only 29% expected their workforce to stay the same.
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Klarna's CEO Says AI Can Already Do 'All The Jobs That We, As Humans, Do'—And He's Proving It By Shrinking His Workforce By 22%

Canaccord Genuity analyst Joseph Vafi maintains HIVE Digital Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIVE#NASDAQ">HIVE</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $8 to $9.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

HIVE

Canaccord Genuity Maintains Buy on HIVE Digital Technologies, Raises Price Target to $9

The Company's units will be listed on the Nasdaq and will begin trading tomorrow, February 13, 2025, under the ticker symbol "MAYAU."&nbsp;

IPOs

MAYA

Maywood Acquisition Prices IPO Of 7.50M Units At $10.00 Per Unit

One of the most active members of buying and selling stocks in recent years has been U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who recently disclosed dozens of new transactions as reported by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent021225">Benzinga's Government Trades page.</a>
What Happened: The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/congress-trading"> trading activity of members </a>of Congress has come under pressure in recent years with retail investors and politicians actively monitoring the activity to see if there are conflicts of interest.
Gottheimer recently disclosed a long list of purchases and sales of stocks, all with a $1,000 to $15,000 value. View the full list of trades at<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent021225"> Benzinga's Government Trades page.</a>
Here are some of the trades that stand out in the list of transactions, with the stock purchases and buys all made from Jan. 8 through Jan. 31.
<ul>
<li>Sold NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>): The transaction log shows four separate sales of Nvidia stock meaning a total of $3,000 to $45,000 in NVDA shares sold. The move comes with Nvidia stock one of the top performers of the last year.</li>
<li>Bought Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>): Gottheimer bought Tesla stock in three separate transactions, totaling a range of $3,000 to $45,000.</li>
<li>Bought Visa Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>): Bought Visa stock five transactions, meaning a total of $5,000 to $75,000 in stock.</li>
<li>Bought and Sold Mastercard Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>): In the transaction report, Gottheimer disclosed two purchases of Mastercard and one sale.</li>
<li>Sold Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>): Gottheimer also sold Microsoft stock in the reporting period with three separate transactions.</li>
<li>Bought Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>): The Congressman bought Johnson &amp; Johnson shares with three transactions totaling $3,000 to $45,000</li>
</ul>
Many of the buys and sells cover the technology sector with some buying of blue-chip names like Johnson &amp; Johnson, Coca-Cola and Berkshire Hathaway.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/25/02/43663526/elon-musk-questions-congress-members-wealth-where-did-they-get-all-the-money">Elon Musk Questions Congress Members&#8217; Wealth: &#8216;Where Did They Get All The Money?&#8217;</a>
Why It's Important: Gottheimer has made thousands of stock buys and sells in recent years and is one of the most active members of Congress when it comes to his trading activity.
While recent sells could be profit taking or for tax purposes, the timing of selling semiconductor stocks like Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor and Broadcom could be questionable given the potential battle with China on export restrictions and new tariffs.
Gottheimer ditched Nvidia and Microsoft stock and chose a different Magnificent 7 stock instead in Tesla. The move will likely be closely followed given Tesla CEO Elon Musk's close working relationship with President Donald Trump, which could lead to favorable contracts and regulation for Tesla.
Gottheimer serves on the Committee on Financial Services, which could make the timing of the purchases of Visa and Mastercard stock questionable also.
In 2023, Gottheimer had the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/01/36459015/10-best-stock-traders-in-congress-in-2023-spoiler-nancy-pelosi-is-back-on-the-list">three best trades </a>as tracked by Unusual Whales with two sales of Meta Platforms profiting over 100% each and a third trade of Monster Beverage also profiting over 100%. Gottheimer also had the best tracked <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/23/01/30260466/10-best-stock-traders-in-congress-in-2022-spoiler-nancy-pelosi-isnt-no-1">trade in 2022</a>, with Amgen acquiring ChemoCentryx making a 140% return for the Congressman.
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent021225"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="330" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/12171436/Picture1-3-1024x330.png" alt="" class="wp-image-779783" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/12171436/Picture1-3-1024x330.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/12171436/Picture1-3-300x97.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/12171436/Picture1-3-768x248.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/12171436/Picture1-3.png 1430w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Photo courtesy of Josh Gottheimer&#8217;s official webpage

Congress Member Josh Gottheimer Dumps Nvidia, Microsoft, Loads Up On Tesla Stocks Instead

Vanguard has once again broadened its fixed-income offerings, rolling out a pair of new<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs"> Treasury-focused ETFs</a> on the Nasdaq. The Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGUS#NASDAQ">VGUS</a>) and the Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VBIL#NASDAQ">VBIL</a>) are low-cost index ETFs that aim to manage liquidity and short-term fixed-income exposure while keeping costs minimal.



VGUS will track the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index, which includes U.S. Treasury securities maturing in under a year. Meanwhile, VBIL will follow the Bloomberg US. Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index, providing exposure to the shortest-maturity Treasury bills available. Both ETFs have an estimated expense ratio of just 0.07%, reinforcing Vanguard's commitment to cost-effective investing.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/02/43605412/as-trade-war-heats-up-these-etfs-offer-a-safe-harbor-for-investors">As Trade War Heats Up, These ETFs Offer A Safe Harbor For Investors</a>



"The goal is to provide investors with a more diverse product range and complement our existing lineup of active and passive funds," <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vanguard-introduces-new-etfs-to-meet-investors-short-term-liquidity-needs-302373595.html">said </a>Sara Devereux, Global Head of Vanguard Fixed Income Group.



With short durations and low volatility, VGUS and VBIL aim to bridge the gap between money market funds and ultra-short-term bond funds. Devereux touts the new funds as "valuable tools for advisors and investors to build more precise and flexible portfolios." 



Vanguard is already a giant in the ETF space, with more than $2.5 trillion in assets under management across nearly 90 ETFs. Fixed-income products make up a significant portion of that, with 21 other bond ETFs, including the $123.7 billion Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BND#NASDAQ">BND</a>). 



The company has long been a leader in passive fixed-income investing, dating back to the launch of the first bond index fund in 1986.



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Photo: Shutterstock

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