Latest news for Velo3D (OTC:VLDXW) Stock

Velo3D Inc provides additive manufacturing (AM), also referred to as three-dimensional printing (3D printing), to deliver breakthroughs in performance, cost, and time in the production of high-value metal parts. The Velo3D intelligent metal additive manufacturing solution is comprised of the Velo3D Flow intelligent print preparation software, the Sapphire production system, and Velo3D Assure, real-time quality assurance software. Its complete manufacturing solution enables clients to build the parts need, speed their development, and reduce their product costs.

Velo3D Inc

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/reduce-your-risk-from-respiratory-viruses-this-holiday-season.html" title="https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/reduce-your-risk-from-respiratory-viruses-this-holiday-season.html">https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/reduce-your-risk-from-respiratory-viruses-this-holiday-season.html</a>

Biotech

News

General

BNTX

MRNA

NVAX

U.S. CDC Says Flu, Covid-19, RSV Illnesses Are At Low Levels Right Now Overall In U.S., But We Expect Them To Increase In Coming Weeks; Expects Hospitalizations For Flu And Covid-19 To Start Increasing In Coming Weeks

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) remains a top pick for Goldman Sachs, which sees significant upside <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/news">in the company's stock.</a>
In a client note released Wednesday, equity analyst Kash Rangan described Microsoft as "one of the most compelling investment opportunities" in the tech space, citing its robust position across the cloud stack and growing momentum in artificial intelligence (AI).
The investment bank maintained its Buy rating on the stock, setting a 12-month price target of $500. This projection suggests a 20% upside from Microsoft&#8217;s current price levels, driven by anticipated growth across its cloud and AI offerings.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Microsoft Positioned For Long-Term Secular Trends</h1>
Rangan emphasized Microsoft&#8217;s dominant presence across the entire cloud stack, from applications to infrastructure. 
&#8220;With a strong presence across all layers of the cloud stack, Microsoft is well-positioned, in our view, to capitalize on a number of long-term secular trends, such as Gen-AI, public cloud consumption, SaaS adoption, and digital transformation,&#8221; Rangan stated.
He highlighted these trends could drive sustainable growth, supported by Microsoft's ability to integrate its services seamlessly across its ecosystem.
Microsoft already built a competitive edge in the generative AI market through its Azure cloud platform.
According to Rangan, AI workloads are growing more complex, with 93% of use cases relying on three or more model providers. Microsoft's efforts to mitigate these challenges, including the development of custom chips and advanced hardware, position it as a leader in the AI infrastructure space.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Azure Innovations and Adoption Drive Growth</h1>
Goldman Sachs sees Azure's custom silicon as a game changer in tackling the increasing demand for AI processing power. "Azure's custom chips extend GPU architecture and alleviate capacity constraints," Rangan stated. 
Key innovations such as Azure Cobalt — delivering a 50% improvement in price performance — and Azure Boost DPU — cutting server power usage by threefold while quadrupling performance — offer a strong value proposition.
Azure AI services are also gaining traction, with offerings like the AI Foundry (currently in preview), AI Agent Service (coming soon), and Copilot Studio (already used by over 100,000 organizations). 
Usage of Azure OpenAI Services has doubled in just six months, which, according to Rangan, demonstrates customers' growing ability to deploy real-world AI applications.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Stock Struggles While Azure Deceleration</h1>
Despite Microsoft's strong innovation pipeline, its stock has underperformed the Nasdaq by eight percentage points since reporting fiscal fourth-quarter 2024 results. Slowing Azure growth has weighed on investor sentiment. 
Yet, Rangan expects Azure's reacceleration in fiscal third-quarter 2025 to serve as the next major catalyst for the stock rebound.
Microsoft's commercial Office offerings also provide a significant growth lever. The analyst indicated that the platform boasts over 400 million commercial users, representing less than 50% of the global knowledge workforce, suggesting further expansion potential.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Expansive TAM and Secular Tailwinds</h1>
According to the investment bank, Microsoft stands out due to its expansive total addressable market (TAM) and the company's ability to capitalize on secular tailwinds like cloud adoption and digital transformation. 
&#8220;While MSFT competes with a number of best-of-breed and platform providers across various layers of the tech stack, we believe the company's breadth of offerings and large installed base position the company to expand its share of wallet within customers' IT budgets,&#8221; Rangan wrote.
Read Now:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42093025/will-nvidia-deliver-a-blowout-beat-in-q3-poll-says-maybe-not-but-over-half-see-stock-clearing-150">Will Nvidia Deliver A &#8216;Blowout Beat&#8217; In Q3? Poll Says Maybe Not, But Over Half See Stock Clearing $150</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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Equities

Large Cap

Price Target

Tech

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MSFT

Microsoft 'One Of The Most Compelling Investment Opportunities,' Says Goldman Sachs

WIIM

Eli Lilly shares are trading higher after Verge Genomics announced a collaboration with the company to discover and develop novel treatments for ALS.

QCOM

Qualcomm shares are trading lower. Susquehanna lowered its price target on the stock from $230 to $210.

San Francisco-based Distru, a cannabis ERP platform, has closed a successful $6 million Series A funding round. The funding, led and <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poseidon-portfolio-company-distru-secures-6-million-in-series-a-funding-to-accelerate-growth-and-product-innovation-in-cannabis-erp-302310775.html?tc=eml_cleartime">announced</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/poseidon-investment-management">Poseidon Investment Managemen</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/poseidon-investment-management">t</a>, with additional backing from Global Founders Capital, will accelerate Distru&#8217;s mission to become the go-to platform for cannabis operators across the United States.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/09/34612248/customer-centric-cannabis-platform-new-partnership-drives-sales-efficiency-and-loyalty">Distru</a> has already seen impressive momentum in the cannabis industry, serving operators across 25 states and processing over $2 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) annually. 
The platform streamlines key business operations such as compliance, inventory management, order workflows, and data-driven decision-making. This has made Distru an essential tool for cannabis businesses seeking to enhance efficiency while staying compliant in a highly regulated market.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/09/34612248/customer-centric-cannabis-platform-new-partnership-drives-sales-efficiency-and-loyalty">Customer-Centric Cannabis Platform: New Partnership Drives Sales, Efficiency And Loyalty</a>
Blaine Hatab, co-founder and CEO of Distru, noted &#8220;2024 has been a remarkable year for Distru, marked by efficient growth, achieving strong profitability, and significant product expansion." 
Hatab highlighted recent integrations with major players in the cannabis sector, including Metrc Connect, Dutchie, Treez, Blaze, and Leaflink. The latest funding round, according to Hatab, aims to support further product innovation and expansion, including the integration of new states like New York through Biotrack.
The capital injection is also set to enhance Distru's suite of features, further optimizing compliance, inventory management, and order processing capabilities. 
Poseidon Investment Management's Morgan Paxhia added, "Distru has built the best-in-class Cannabis ERP, and we see that advantage compounding over time." Co-founded by siblings <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/06/27688513/everything-about-managing-cannabis-investment-founds-meet-emily-paxhia-upcoming-speaker-at-benzi?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Emily</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38302710/exclusive-focus-on-selling-numbers-not-dreams-thats-what-makes-cannabis-a-good-investment">Morgan Paxhia</a> in 2013, Poseidon Investment Management is one of the longest-running dedicated cannabis investment funds, known for its diversified strategy across various company stages and industry sub-sectors. 
Get Benzinga&#8217;s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you&#8217;re serious about the business, you can&#8217;t afford to miss out.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What Is An ERP Platform?</h3>
In case you are not familiar with the term, an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platform is a type of software that helps businesses manage their daily operations. It integrates different functions like accounting, inventory, orders and compliance into one system. This makes it easier for businesses to track and manage everything in one place instead of using multiple separate tools.
In the cannabis industry, an<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/01/36648157/the-future-of-erp-is-bright-trends-and-predictions-suggest-rapid-business-growth-and-increased-visib"> ERP platform</a> is especially important because the sector is highly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cannabis-regulation">regulated</a>. Cannabis businesses must comply with strict laws and regulations, and an ERP system helps them stay on top of compliance requirements. For example, it can track inventory from seed to sale, ensuring that the business follows all legal requirements at each step. 
This is crucial because cannabis businesses need to report data accurately to authorities, like the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/metrc">Metrc system</a>, which is widely used in the industry.
An ERP platform also streamlines day-to-day operations, helping cannabis companies reduce errors, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions. 
With the growing complexity of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis">cannabis industry </a>and its rapid expansion, having an ERP system can help businesses stay organized and compliant while scaling their operations.
<ul>
<li>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38278675/it-all-started-with-cannabis-how-this-innovative-manufacturing-software-firm-is-solving-real-pro">It All Started With Cannabis: How This Innovative Manufacturing Software Firm Is Solving &#8216;Real&#8217; Problem For Its Customers</a></li>
</ul>
Cover: AI-generated image

Cannabis

Financing

Markets

This Cannabis Software Co. Secured $6M In A Tight Investment Market, Here's How

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) will release earnings results for its third quarter, after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/earnings">closing bell on Wednesday, Nov. 20.</a>
Analysts expect the Santa Clara, California-based bank to report quarterly earnings at 75 cents per share, up from 40 cents per share in the year-ago period. Nvidia projects to report revenue of $33.14 billion for the recent quarter, compared to $18.12 billion a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Monday, Nvidia announced it partnered with Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google Quantum AI to accelerate the development of next-generation quantum computing devices.
Nvidia shares gained 3.8% to close at $145.41 on Tuesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TCOM/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58c6ab8eb85e9300015f1ae6/william-stein">Truist Securities analyst William Stein</a> maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $148 to $167 on Nov. 19. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 87%.</li>
<li>Stifel analyst Ruben Roy maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $165 to $180 on Nov. 19. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 86%.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/5dfcc5e03513fb0001f01095/matt-bryson">Wedbush analyst Matt Bryson</a> maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $138 to $160 on Nov. 14. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 82%.</li>
<li>Raymond James analyst Srini Pajjuri maintained a Strong Buy rating and increased the price target from $140 to $170 on Nov. 14. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 80%.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/5a12edeeefacff0001e030dc/chris-rolland">Susquehanna analyst Christopher Rolland</a> maintained a Positive rating and boosted the price target from $160 to $180 on Nov. 14. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 72%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying NVDA stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="556" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20010911/image-199-1024x556.png" alt="" class="wp-image-656305" style="width:683px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20010911/image-199-1024x556.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20010911/image-199-300x163.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20010911/image-199-768x417.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20010911/image-199.png 1212w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Read This Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/11/42069785/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-weigh-in-on-3-defensive-stocks-with-over-5-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Weigh In On 3 Defensive Stocks With Over 5% Dividend Yields</a></li>
</ul>

Earnings

Analyst Ratings

GOOG

GOOGL

NVDA

Nvidia Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call

On Tuesday, Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) highlighted the final results from its VOYAGE Phase&nbsp;2b&nbsp;trial of VK2809 in patients with biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, also referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, MASH) at the American Association for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/11/n42074118/viking-therapeutics-presents-results-from-phase-2b-voyage-study-of-vk2809-in-biopsy-confirmed-nash" rel="noreferrer noopener">Study of Liver Disease</a>.
Reduction in Liver Fat Content at 52 Weeks: Patients receiving VK2809 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in liver fat at Week 12, the primary endpoint.
<ul>
<li>Patients receiving VK2809 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in liver fat content at Week 52, with the mean relative change from baseline ranging from 37% to 55%.</li>
<li>The response rate in this study, defined as the proportion of patients experiencing reduction in liver fat ≥30%, ranged from 64% to 88% at Week 52, with all treatment arms demonstrating statistically significant improvement compared to placebo.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41712739/viking-therapeutics-reveals-early-stage-from-experimental-oral-obesity-drug-showing-weight-loss-a" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viking Therapeutics&#8217; Reveals Early-Stage From Experimental Oral Obesity Drug Showing Weight Loss And Safety</a>
Histologic Results at 52 Weeks
<ul>
<li>On the secondary endpoint of NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis, VK2809-treated patients demonstrated NASH resolution ranging from 63% to 75%, compared with 29% for placebo.</li>
<li>Across the combined VK2809 treatment groups, 69% achieved NASH resolution.</li>
<li>On the secondary endpoint evaluating improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of NASH, VK2809-treated patients demonstrated improvement in fibrosis ranging from 44% to 57%, compared with 34% for placebo.</li>
<li>Across the combined VK2809 treatment groups, 51% achieved improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of NASH.</li>
<li>In proportion of patients experiencing both resolution of NASH and improvement in fibrosis, VK2809-treated patients demonstrated improvement ranging from 40% to 50%, compared with 20% for placebo.</li>
<li>Across the combined VK2809 treatment groups, 44% achieved this endpoint.</li>
</ul>
Reduction in Plasma Lipids at Week 52
<ul>
<li>Patients receiving VK2809 demonstrated placebo-adjusted reductions in LDL-C ranging from 20% to 25% and reductions in triglycerides and atherogenic proteins correlated with cardiovascular risk.</li>
</ul>
William Blair notes that VK2735 stands out as a promising candidate for big pharma due to its Phase 3 readiness, the potential for tablet formulation, and Viking&#8217;s amylin program, which is set to begin Phase I trials next year.
While relying on a potential acquisition as an investment strategy is risky, the chances are strong given Viking&#8217;s unique clinical strengths and the significant market potential for chronic metabolic conditions.
The analyst maintains the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VKTX/analyst-ratings">Outperform rating on Viking shares.</a>
Price Action: VKTX stock is up 2.48% at $52.79 at last check Wednesday.
Image via Unsplash
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/contracts/24/11/42089876/nokia-wins-multi-billion-dollar-deal-to-power-airtels-4g-and-5g-expansion-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nokia Wins Multi-Billion Dollar Deal To Power Airtel&#8217;s 4G And 5G Expansion In India</a></li>
</ul>

Health Care

Reiteration

VKTX

Viking Therapeutics Garners Analyst Support For NASH And Metabolic Programs

CSGP

CoStar Group shares are trading higher. Needham reiterated a Buy rating on the stock.

Ford shares are trading lower. The company announced 4,000 European job cuts by 2027 and cited weak EV demand, rising competition, and insufficient government support.

Investor sentiment remained subdued on Wednesday as escalating geopolitical tensions weighed on risk assets ahead of the week&#8217;s most anticipated event: Nvidia Corp.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) third-quarter earnings report, set to be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42093025/will-nvidia-deliver-a-blowout-beat-in-q3-poll-says-maybe-not-but-over-half-see-stock-clearing-150">released after market close.</a>
The market mood deteriorated further after multiple outlets confirmed Ukraine&#8217;s deployment of U.K.-made Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory, a day after launching U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely regarded as a barometer of market anxiety, spiked over 9%, underscoring rising apprehension among investors. 
Major U.S. indices were in the red, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 leading losses as technology stocks bore the brunt of the sell-off.
The U.S. dollar resumed its upward trajectory, with the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>), a proxy for the greenback&#8217;s strength, climbing 0.7%. Safe-haven demand also bolstered gold, which advanced 0.7%, reflecting investors&#8217; flight to safety.
Meanwhile, natural gas emerged as the standout performer among commodities, surging over 6% on the day.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) defied the risk-off sentiment, climbing over 2% to hit a fresh intraday all-time high of $94,989. This propelled its year-to-date gains to an astonishing 123%. 
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices </td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day % chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>43,198.51</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,886.96</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,311.30</td>
<td>-0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>20,544.18</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CBOE VIX</td>
<td>17.94</td>
<td>9.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:30 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent111924&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 0.5% to $587.21.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.2% to $432.04.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) fell 0.6% to $500.28.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 0.5% to $229.57.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) outperformed, falling 1%. The&nbsp;Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) lagged, down 1%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) fell 22% in reaction to a negative earnings report. </li>
<li>Other stocks reacting to earnings included Keysight Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEYS#NYSE">KEYS</a>), up 5.7%; XP Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XP#NASDAQ">XP</a>), down 6%; Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLB#NYSE">DLB</a>), up 14%; TJX Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TJX#NYSE">TJX</a>), down 0.3% and Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WSM#NYSE">WSM</a>), up 30%.</li>
<li>Apart Nvidia, other large-cap tech companies releasing earnings results after the call are Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>) and Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>). </li>
</ul>
Read Now:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/42094649/nvidia-stock-historically-drops-in-december-after-q3-earnings">Nvidia Stock Historically Drops In December After Q3 Earnings</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Commodities

Politics

Forex

Global

Econ #s

ETFs

$BTC

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

KEYS

PANW

SNOW

TSX:XL

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

Stocks Fall Ahead Of Nvidia Earnings, Dollar Resumes Gains, Bitcoin Reaches New Record Highs: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

Amer Sports shares are trading higher after multiple firms maintained Buy ratings on the stock and raised their respective price targets.

Morgan Stanley analyst Tim Hsiao initiated WeRide Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WRD#NASDAQ">WRD</a>) with an Overweight rating with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WRD/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target of $23</a>.
WeRide, a leader in Level 4+ (L4+) autonomous driving technology, is a major player in the global self-driving vehicle sector. The company has achieved significant milestones with its product lineup, including robotaxis, robovans, robobuses, and robosweepers, supported by advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42083431/wix-q3-earnings-revenue-hits-4447-million-innovation-fuels-revenue-margin-expansion-and-ai-momentum-fy24-guidance-raised" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wix Q3 Earnings: Revenue Surge, Margin Expansion, AI Momentum, Raised FY24 Guidance &amp; More</a>
Hsiao initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a price target of $23, underscoring WeRide&#8217;s strong position in the autonomous driving (AD) market and potential for growth.
Founded in 2017, WeRide has established itself as a pioneer in L4+ autonomous driving. It launched China&#8217;s first open-road testing program for L4+ vehicles in 2018 and progressively rolled out its commercial services, starting with robotaxis in 2019, robobuses in 2020, robovans in 2021, and robosweepers in 2022.
The company currently operates in 30 cities across seven countries, including the U.S., China, the UAE, and Singapore, having secured advanced test permits in these regions.
According to CIC forecasts, the global autonomous driving market is expected to grow at an 80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from $93 billion in 2025 to $1.745 trillion by 2030.
Within this market, the penetration of L4+ AD technology is projected to exceed 25% by 2035. For China, the AD market is forecasted to expand at an even faster 85% CAGR, reaching $639 billion by 2030.
The analyst writes that WeRide&#8217;s robust product pipeline and partnerships are central to its growth. The company aims to achieve large-scale commercialization of its robotaxi services by 2026, leveraging collaborations such as its partnership with Uber to deploy robotaxis in the UAE.
According to the analyst, the price target of $23 is based on a probability-weighted discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, assigning weightings of 25% to the bull case, 50% to the base case, and 25% to the bear case.
This valuation reflects WeRide&#8217;s long-term potential while accounting for near-term earnings volatility. The target implies a 30x multiple on 2025 estimated price-to-sales. The company is expected to break even by 2027, the analyst said.
As L4+ autonomous vehicle penetration grows globally, WeRide is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. With its innovative products, strategic partnerships, and expanding global footprint, WeRide offers a compelling investment opportunity in the autonomous driving sector.
The projected large-scale commercialization of its services by 2026 further cements its long-term growth trajectory.
Hsiao projected fiscal 2024 revenue of 645 million Chinese yuan and EPS loss of (6.19) Chinese yuan. The analyst expects fiscal 2025 revenue of 1.52 billion Chinese yuan and an EPS loss of (4.64) Chinese yuan. He estimates fiscal 2026 revenue of 4.62 billion Chinese yuan and EPS loss of (2.59) Chinese yuan.
Price Action: WRD stock is down 8.14% at $17.72 at the last check on Wednesday.
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Image by WeRide

Emerging Markets

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The Details: Originally, Core Scientific leased about 31 acres of city-owned land and had access to 297 megawatts (MW) of power. Under the newly approved agreements, Core Scientific has expanded its lease to approximately 78 acres and increased its power access to 394 MW.
&#8220;Denton has been home to one of our most advanced data centers, and now we expect it will host one of the largest GPU supercomputers in North America, powering artificial intelligence,&#8221; said Adam Sullivan, Core Scientific CEO.
 &#8220;We have had a great experience operating in Denton and are grateful for the strong support we&#8217;ve received from the city staff and community members. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Denton as we expand our infrastructure to support high-performance computing.&#8221;
The expansion is expected to result in a $6.1 billion investment in real property.
How To Buy Core Scientific Shares
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument. 
For example, in Core Scientific's case, it is in the Information Technology sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.
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CORZ Price Action: At the time of writing, Core Scientific shares are moving 5.34% higher at $17.35, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: Image via Shutterstock

Core Scientific, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

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In the last three months, 6 analysts have published ratings on ZIM Integrated Shipping (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZIM#NYSE">ZIM</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $17.18, a high estimate of $25.00, and a low estimate of $10.50. Experiencing a 1.26% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $17.40. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732125669_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive ZIM Integrated Shipping is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Omar Nokta</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexia Dogani</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$13.90</td>
<td>$12.30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Omar Nokta</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexia Dogani</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$10.50</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Muneeba Kayani</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underperform</td>
<td>$13.70</td>
<td>$12.20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexia Dogani</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$15.00</td>
<td>$12.50</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to ZIM Integrated Shipping. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of ZIM Integrated Shipping compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for ZIM Integrated Shipping's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of ZIM Integrated Shipping's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ZIM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on ZIM Integrated Shipping analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know ZIM Integrated Shipping Better</h2>
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd is an asset-light container liner shipping company. It offers tailored services, including land transportation and logistical services, specialized shipping solutions, including the transportation of out-of-gauge cargo, refrigerated cargo, and dangerous and hazardous cargo. Its services include Cargo Services, Digital Services, Schedules, and Shipping Trades and Lines. Geographically, it derives a majority of its revenue from the Pacific trade region.
<h3>Breaking Down ZIM Integrated Shipping's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With a profound presence, the company's market capitalization is above industry averages. This reflects substantial size and strong market recognition.
Revenue Growth: ZIM Integrated Shipping's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 47.57%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Industrials sector.
Net Margin: ZIM Integrated Shipping's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 19.21%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): ZIM Integrated Shipping's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 13.67%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 3.98%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: ZIM Integrated Shipping's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 1.94. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What Analysts Are Saying About ZIM Integrated Shipping Stock

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