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VYNE Therapeutics

VYNE Therapeutics Inc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary, innovative and differentiated therapies for the treatment of immuno-inflammatory conditions. Its advanced product candidate is FMX114, which is being evaluated for the potential treatment of mild-to-moderate AD (atopic dermatitis). The company is also in the pre-clinical stages of developing products containing BET (Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain) inhibitor compounds. Its products include AMZEEQ, ZILXI, and FCD105.

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U.S. stocks traded higher toward the end of trading, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 500 points on Monday.

The Dow traded up 1.67% to 32,959.68 while the NASDAQ rose 1.25% to 12,800.95. The S&amp;P 500 also rose, gaining, 1.23% to 4,167.91.

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VYNE Therapeutics Inc

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Federal Judge Orders $5.9 Billion Fine In Ponzi Scheme Case </h2>
Chief Judge David Godbey of the Dallas federal court on Wednesday ordered Allen Stanford to pay a $5.9 billion civil fine, ending the Securities and Exchange Commission&#8217;s 16-year<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/11/35615187/sam-bankman-fried-joins-the-list-of-convicted-billionaires-but-who-leads-the-winnerslosers"> lawsuit against Stanford. </a>
Stanford is serving a 110-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2012 of defrauding investors in a $7.6 billion ponzi scheme, according to a Reuters report. Authorities said Stanford operated an Antigua-based financial institution, Stanford International Bank, and sold fraudulent high-yielding certificates of deposit over a 20 year period. 
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Judge Godbey also ordered Stanford Financial Group's former CFO James Davis to pay $17.66 million and its former chief accounting officer Gilberto Lopez to pay $3.42 million related to their roles in the fraud.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEC Chairman Appoints New Staff Members</h2>
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday <a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-34">announced </a>Acting Chairman&nbsp;
Mark T. Uyeda has named Natalia Díez Riggin as Senior Advisor and Acting Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;
"I'm thrilled that Natalia has joined us after her tenure working for Chairman Scott on the Senate Banking Committee," Acting Chairman Uyeda said. "Her expertise will help guide us as we focus our efforts at the SEC on capital formation and ensuring companies aren't impeded by ineffective regulation."
Last Saturday, Acting Chairman Uyeda selected several senior staff members to replace recent departures from the SEC.&nbsp;
The SEC senior staff selected by Acting Chairman Uyeda include:
<ul>
<li>Jeffrey Finnell, Acting General Counsel</li>
<li>Robert Fisher, Acting Director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis</li>
<li>Kathleen Hutchinson, Acting Director of the Office of International Affairs</li>
<li>Samuel Waldon, Acting Director of the Division of Enforcement</li>
<li>Ryan Wolfe, Acting Chief Accountant </li>
</ul>
"These talented individuals are committed to protecting the investing public, building trust with American companies and market participants, and promoting capital formation," Acting Chairman Uyeda said.
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Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Financial Crime Weekly: Judge Orders $5.9 Billion Fine In Ponzi Scheme Case, SEC Chairman Appoints New Staff Members

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), the AI behemoth that has been in the headlines for its artificial intelligence platform, has been the forerunner in providing data analytics tools to government customers for intelligence gathering,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43420044/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-nvidia-palantir-rigetti-computing-and-shiba-inu-hints-at-major-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> counterterrorism, and military purposes</a>.
The rise of China&#8217;s DeepSeek, with its open-source AI model and lower development costs, raises the question of how it might impact the future growth of Palantir&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43267966/deepseeks-low-cost-model-reshapes-ai-landscape-experts-predict-shift-to-application-layer" rel="noreferrer noopener">stock in an increasingly competitive market</a>.
CEO Alex Karp recently discussed the growing competition in artificial intelligence from DeepSeek, which has raised apprehensions about the U.S.&#8217;s position in the AI race.
In an <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/31/palantir-ceo-says-chinas-deepseek-shows-need-for-all-country-effort.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interview</a> with CNBC, Karp stressed the urgency for the U.S. to accelerate its AI development in light of these emerging threats. He acknowledged that technology, while beneficial, could be misused, especially in the hands of adversaries, and emphasized the need for a coordinated national effort to safeguard American innovation.
Karp remains optimistic that national security will help protect U.S. advancements from manipulation or theft.
Palantir is set to report its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter earnings on Monday</a>. The street view for the adjusted earnings per share stands at 11 cents, while the analyst consensus estimate for revenues is $775.907 million.
DeepSeek, an open-source AI model, recently overtook OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT as the top free app on Apple&#8217;s U.S. App Store, shaking the tech world.
Read Also: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43250480/nvidia-sinks-below-200-day-average-for-first-time-in-2-years-deepseek-technical-reset" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia Sinks Below 200-Day Moving Average For First Time In 2 Years As DeepSeek Sparks Historic Technical Reset</a>
This success raised questions about the costs of developing AI models, particularly in comparison to the enormous investments made by tech giants like NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>).
Karp expressed doubt about the reported low cost of DDeepSeek&#8217;sdevelopment, stating that he does not fully believe the estimates surrounding the mmodel&#8217;screation.
Palantir, a company valued at nearly $200 billion, has seen substantial growth, largely due to increasing demand for AI solutions.
Karp credited the ccompany&#8217;ssuccess to the focus on improving U.S. technological capabilities, positioning Palantir as a leader in the AI space.
In addition to discussing AI, Karp also addressed political controversies, offering support for Israel following the October 7 attack and defending Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk against allegations related to political gestures. Karp also took a firm stance on illegal immigration, asserting that individuals who enter the U.S. illegally, particularly those engaged in criminal activity, should not be allowed to stay.
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</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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Palantir CEO Alex Karp Sounds Alarm on China's Deepseek – Could This Threaten Palantir's AI Dominance?

Elon Musk&#8216;s X has expanded its antitrust lawsuit, incorporating more prominent advertisers into the list of defendants. The lawsuit charges these advertisers with a collective conspiracy to boycott advertising<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37301290/elon-musk-is-still-attempting-to-defend-hateful-speech-amid-xs-growing-pains-and-public-backlash-rep"> on the platform after Musk&#8217;s takeover</a>.
What Happened:&nbsp;X has now included&nbsp;Nestlé, Abbott Laboratories, Colgate, Lego,&nbsp;Pinterest, Tyson Foods, and Shell&nbsp;in its lawsuit, which was initially filed in August. The lawsuit&nbsp;alleges that members of the&nbsp;now-dissolved&nbsp;Global Alliance for Responsible Media&nbsp;(GARM) unlawfully conspired to withhold billions in advertising revenue from X.
The&nbsp;World Federation of Advertisers (WFA),&nbsp;CVS Health, Mars, Ørsted, and&nbsp;Twitch are also named as&nbsp;defendants in the case. The&nbsp;WFA has previously declared its intention to fight the suit, asserting its compliance with competition law.
As <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-x-adds-more-advertisers-to-antitrust-lawsuit-2025-2">per </a>Business Insider, the lawsuit&nbsp;claims that at least 18&nbsp;GARM members stopped advertising on Twitter between November and December 2022, following Musk&#8217;s acquisition of the platform. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42805588/elon-musk-announces-changes-to-x-over-negativity-concerns-too-much-negativity-is-being-pushed">Elon Musk Announces Changes to X Over Negativity Concerns: &#8216;Too Much Negativity Is Being Pushed&#8217;</a>
This boycott allegedly led to X becoming a less competitive entity in the digital advertising space and a decrease in user engagement on its platform.
X is demanding trebled compensatory damages&nbsp;and injunctive relief for what&nbsp;it alleges are breaches&nbsp;of US antitrust laws. The&nbsp;WFA, Diageo, and&nbsp;WPP are also facing a&nbsp;similar lawsuit from video site Rumble.
Why It Matters: The expansion of this lawsuit underscores the ongoing tension between X and major advertisers following Musk&#8217;s takeover. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the digital advertising industry and competition law. 
If X&#8217;s allegations are proven, it could potentially reshape the dynamics of the digital advertising space and set a precedent for future cases involving alleged anti-competitive behavior.
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Elon Musk's X Bolsters Antitrust Lawsuit With Additional Advertisers

Tom Brady's exclusive Indian Creek Island mansion is making waves in the Miami real estate scene, with bids reportedly topping $150 million, according to Bloomberg. If the sale goes through, it could shatter Miami's single-family home sale record, previously set at $107 million in 2022 when Ken Griffin purchased a Coconut Grove estate.
The football legend's two-acre estate, which he built from the ground up, is located on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/10/41119140/how-indian-creek-village-became-a-fortress-for-the-ultra-wealthy-home-to-50-million-mansions-and-247">Indian Creek Island</a>, often referred to as the "Billionaire Bunker." Brady originally bought the vacant lot for $17 million in 2020 alongside his then-wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Since then, he has designed a sprawling waterfront property featuring a two-story home, a private gym, a cabana and a pool, among other high-end amenities, as reported by property records.
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According to sources familiar with the luxury real estate market, Brady's mansion isn't officially listed but is being quietly shopped to select buyers. Bloomberg's sources revealed that offers exceeding $150 million are already on the table, showcasing just how much demand there is for prime real estate on Indian Creek Island.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bezos Effect</h2>
Indian Creek has always been a haven for the ultra-wealthy, but property values have skyrocketed in recent years, in part <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/04/38075377/jeff-bezos-buys-90-million-florida-mansion-to-live-in-while-his-other-newly-purchased-147-million-ho">due to Jeff Bezos</a>. The Amazon founder has spent $230 million acquiring three properties on the island since 2023, boosting its already sky-high real estate profile. According to Bloomberg, a nearby vacant lot purchased for $27.5 million in 2018 is now being <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42715900/jeff-bezos-neighbor-lists-vacant-miami-lot-for-200-million-after-buying-it-for-just-27-5m">marketed for an eye-popping $200 million</a>.
Luxury broker Ilya Reznik told Business Insider in December that new builds on the island command a premium, with buyers willing to pay enormous sums for modern amenities and exclusivity. &#8220;This is just what&#8217;s going on in Miami,&#8221; Reznik told BI. Brady's estate fits this mold perfectly and could reset the bar for high-end Miami real estate.
Trending: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate —<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=unlockboost-yahoo"> This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Record-Breaking Sale?</h2>
If Brady's property sells for more than $150 million, it would set a record for single-family homes in Miami. The potential sale highlights Indian Creek's growing reputation as one of the most expensive and exclusive communities in the United States.
The human-made island is home to just 40 residences spread across 300 acres, offering unmatched privacy and security. Its single-access bridge is guarded by a dedicated police force, ensuring the utmost discretion for its billionaire residents who include Carl Icahn, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/41912517/inside-ivankas-24-million-billionaire-bunker-mansion-with-a-15-million-mortgage">Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner</a> and, of course, Jeff Bezos.
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Tom Brady's Billionaire Bunker Estate Gets $150 Million Offers – Could Break Miami Single-Family Home Sale Record In Part Thanks To Jeff Bezos

Secretary of State <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/marco-rubio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marco Rubio</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/marco-rubio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;s</a> upcoming visit to Panama is expected to offer crucial insight into the direction of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Latin America, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/43036986/trumps-2-5-billion-power-play-what-seizing-the-panama-canal-would-cost" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">under the Trump administration</a>.
Amid rising tensions over the Panama Canal, the visit could signal whether U.S. policy will take a more aggressive, imperial approach or a pragmatic, negotiation-focused stance, Reuters reports.
The controversy began when President Trump made threatening remarks regarding Panama&#8217;s control over the canal, raising fears of a potential American invasion. Former Panama President Ernesto Pérez Balladares voiced concerns about the potential for significant casualties and international condemnation if U.S. aggression escalates.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, Trump&#8217;s envoy to Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, appeared to offer a more practical solution by suggesting that Panama might preemptively offer the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard free transit through the canal as a means to avoid further tension, Reuters adds.
Read Also:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43418661/trump-announces-new-tariffs-on-goods-from-canada-mexico-and-china-will-go-into-effect-from-feb-1" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Trump Announces New Tariffs On Goods From Canada, Mexico And China: Will Go Into Effect From Feb 1</a>
Despite these efforts, there remains significant uncertainty about the future of U.S.-Panama relations.
In private conversations, Panamanian officials have dismissed Trump&#8217;s claims about a Chinese military presence in the canal, emphasizing that transit fees are legally set and apply to all nations.
Panama&#8217;s political elite has made it clear that the canal&#8217;s status is non-negotiable, with President José Raúl Mulino strongly defending Panama&#8217;s sovereignty over the waterway, which was handed over from the U.S. in 1999.
In response to Trump&#8217;s threats, Panama has already taken some conciliatory steps, including increasing audits on the port operations managed by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings LTD (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CKHUY#OTC">CKHUY</a>), a company involved in the canal&#8217;s operations.
However, these moves have done little to calm the diplomatic storm. While some within the Trump administration suggest that the rhetoric should not be taken literally, others remain firm in asserting U.S. dominance in the region.
As Rubio prepares to visit Panama, there is a glimmer of hope that diplomacy may de-escalate the situation.
The U.S. State Department recently indicated a shift towards fostering a more cooperative relationship with Panama, emphasizing the mutual benefits of a strong partnership rather than attempting to exert unilateral pressure.
Ultimately, Rubio&#8217;s visit will be a critical test of whether the Trump administration can balance aggressive rhetoric with practical diplomacy, ensuring that both U.S. interests and Panamanian sovereignty are respected moving forward.
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</ul>

Politics

CKHUY

Marco Rubio's Panama Visit: Will Trump's Aggressive Rhetoric Lead to War or Diplomacy?

On Jan. 26, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPso1-N9O9s">Face the Nation </a>host Margaret Brennan grilled Vice President JD Vance on the administration's plans to tackle rising grocery prices. Her question was straightforward: "You campaigned on lowering prices for consumers. Which executive order lowers prices?"
Vance, however, sidestepped specifics, focusing instead on broader goals. "We've done a lot, and there have been a number of executive orders that have already caused jobs to start coming back into our country, which is a core part of lowering prices," he said. But he didn't name a single order targeting grocery costs directly.
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Brennan didn't let up, pushing him on when Americans might see relief, particularly for staples like eggs—an item that became a hot-button issue on the campaign trail. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41250565/trump-and-dave-ramsey-break-down-8-eggs-5-gas-and-7-interest-rates-can-anyone-afford-a-house-in-">Egg prices</a> have been through the roof.&nbsp;
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, they jumped a whopping 36.8% between December 2023 and December 2024. A combination of an ongoing bird flu outbreak and state laws requiring cage-free production has put intense pressure on supplies.
"Prices are going to come down, but it's going to take a little bit of time," Vance assured, adding, "The president has been president for all of five days, and in those five days, he's accomplished more than Joe Biden did in four years."
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>
Still, many experts say lowering food prices isn't as simple as signing executive orders. Patrick Penfield, a supply chain expert at Syracuse University, told the New York Post that egg prices could climb another 20% this year, possibly reaching $5 a dozen in some areas.
"The avian flu outbreak has been devastating, and complying with cage-free laws adds significant costs," he explained.
Brennan also called out the administration's priorities, noting that most of Trump's recent executive orders haven't focused on the economy. While Vance claimed "many of them were," he didn't back it up with examples.
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Meanwhile, broader inflation trends add to the complexity. Food prices rose by 2.5% overall last year, and the current inflation rate sits at 2.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.&nbsp;
While that's within manageable levels, experts like Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warn against aiming for outright deflation, which historically has led to economic crises like the Great Depression.
To make matters trickier, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42213610/hasbro-best-buy-brace-as-trumps-tariffs-loom-could-retail-margins-hit-rock-bottom">proposed tariffs on imports</a> from major trading partners like Canada and Mexico could push grocery prices higher. The U.S. imports roughly 15% of its food supply, and new tariffs could make everyday items like beef, tomatoes, and avocados even more expensive, according to Eater.
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Personal Finance

'Which Executive Order Lowers Prices?': CBS Host Brennan Grills JD Vance On Trump's Economic Promises

The crypto market might be in for a surprise as a well-known crypto analyst predicts a significant rally for a competitor of&nbsp;Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu&nbsp;(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>).
What Happened: The analyst, known as Inmortal, shared on X platform that the meme coin Floki (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">FLOKI</a>) is showing a Relative Strength Index (RSI) pattern similar to one that previously resulted in a 200% price surge. 
&#8220;Last&nbsp;time we reached this RSI&nbsp;level we bottomed and pumped&nbsp;200% One of my fav&nbsp;charts right now,&#8221; Inmortal stated.
<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">Last time we reached this RSI level we bottomed and pumped 200% One of my fav charts right now.<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24FLOKI&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$FLOKI</a> <a href="https://t.co/qyRlm2SLJp">pic.twitter.com/qyRlm2SLJp</a>
&mdash; Inmortal (@inmortalcrypto) <a href="https://twitter.com/inmortalcrypto/status/1884709100640231670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The RSI is a tool used to determine whether an asset is overbought or oversold. At the time of the report, FLOKI was trading at $0.000144, marking a 13.2% increase in the last 24 hours.
Inmortal also pointed out a change in the altcoin cycle, forecasting multiple altseasons with funds moving in and out of digital assets, as opposed to a simultaneous rise of most tokens. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/03/37573802/forget-dogecoin-and-shiba-inu-this-meme-coin-has-surged-nearly-70-in-just-24-hours">Forget Dogecoin And Shiba Inu — This Meme Coin Has Surged Nearly 70% In Just 24 Hours</a>
He concluded his analysis by emphasizing the current &#8220;brutal&#8221; market conditions, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) needing only a 5% increase&nbsp;to hit a new all-time&nbsp;high, while many altcoins need a 500% surge to match that.
Why It Matters: The predicted rally for FLOKI is significant as it comes amidst a volatile crypto market. The analyst&#8217;s observation of a shift in the altcoin cycle could indicate a new trend in the crypto market, with funds moving in and out of digital assets rather than a simultaneous surge. 
This could potentially lead to more opportunities for investors to profit from different altcoins at different times. 
Furthermore, the current market conditions, described as &#8220;brutal&#8221; by Inmortal, highlight the potential for significant gains for many altcoins, despite the relatively small increase needed for Bitcoin to reach a new all-time high.
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Image: Shutterstock

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Analyst Forecasts Mammoth 200% Surge for This Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Competitor

Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), owned by Elon Musk, experienced an 8% surge in its stock following an earnings miss, leaving JPMorgan analysts scratching their heads.
What Happened: JPMorgan analyst Ryan Brinkman was left perplexed by Tesla&#8217;s stock performance. Despite a 38% shortfall&nbsp;in earnings before interest and&nbsp;taxes and the lowest profit&nbsp;margin in years, Tesla&#8217;s shares soared.
According to the report <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/tesla-stock-price-outlook-jpmorgan-tsla-earnings-fundamentals-profit-miss-2025-1">by</a> Market Insider, Brinkman offered several theories for the stock&#8217;s rise, including CEO Elon Musk&#8217;s ambitious projections during the earnings call. However, he remained skeptical, maintaining his $135 price target for Tesla, indicating a potential 68% downside from current levels.
&#8220;The move higher in Tesla shares bore no relation whatsoever to the company&#8217;s financial performance in the quarter just completed or to its outlook for growth in the coming year,&#8221; Brinkman told the outlet.
On Wednesday, Tesla reported its first annual&nbsp;sales decline since 2008, with&nbsp;fourth-quarter revenue of $25.7 billion,&nbsp;missing estimates by $1.4 billion,&nbsp;and earnings per share of&nbsp;$0.73, missing estimates by $0.02.
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Brinkman also expressed concern over Tesla&#8217;s&nbsp;guidance for a return to&nbsp;growth in 2025, noting that&nbsp;the company&#8217;s financial performance and&nbsp;analyst price targets seem to be moving in opposite directions.
&#8220;Tesla shares continue to strike&nbsp;us as having become completely&nbsp;divorced from the fundamentals,&#8221; Brinkman concluded.
Why It Matters: The unexpected rally in Tesla&#8217;s stock despite the earnings miss raises questions about the factors driving investor sentiment. While Brinkman&#8217;s analysis points to a disconnect between&nbsp;the company&#8217;s financial performance and&nbsp;its stock price, the market seems to be responding to other factors, possibly including CEO Elon Musk&#8217;s ambitious growth projections.
As Tesla navigates the challenges of missed earnings and a declining sales trend, the market&#8217;s response will continue to be closely watched. 
The divergence between analyst price targets and actual stock performance underscores the complexities of the current investment landscape.
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Image: Shutterstock

Why Is Tesla's Stock Rallying Despite Earnings Miss? JPMorgan Analyst Puzzled

January 27 stands as one of the most eye-opening days in recent Wall Street history.
That's when the markets realized Western technology consumers had been lining up to download a low-cost yet advanced AI assistant app called DeepSeek-V3.
See, DeepSeek isn't just another ChatGPT-like AI assistant — it performs just as well as but the Chinese developers behind DeepSeek claim they spent just $5.6 million in semiconductor chips, about one-tenth of the astronomical development costs companies like OpenAI and Meta Platforms have spent on chips for their AI apps.
As markets realized the same AI performance can be achieved with fewer, and slower, chips, the companies supplying the expensive chips, and the companies that have spent billions on AI already, took a beating. But that's just the beginning.
Here are three other stocks that will struggle in this new DeepSeek era.
See, DeepSeek engineers leveraged Nvidia's (NVDA) reduced-capacity H800 graphics processing units (GPUs) to train its AI model, which achieved more robust performance outputs with lower development costs. That's a departure from usual AI model construction, as many US companies used significantly more powerful – and way more expensive &#8211; Nvidia H100 GPUs to get, as DeepSeek claims, more or less the same performance results.
On Wall Street, the market carnage rolled in fast and furious.
On January 27, Nvidia shares plummeted 17%, while competitors like Broadcom (AVGO) fell 17.4% and Marvel Technology (MRVL) face-planted by 19.1%. Chip stocks and the companies using those chips for AI technology development rebounded modestly in the days following the DeepSeek news. By January 30, NVDA was only down 15% for the previous five days, while Broadcom (-10.25%) and Marvel (-12.50%) followed suit.
Still, the damage hasn't been contained, at least while the notion of a cheaper and equally effective way of building AI models lingers.
"DeepSeek AI's entry into the market offers a disruptive combination of high-level capabilities at a fraction of the cost of industry giants like OpenAI," said Mel Morris, CEO at Corpora.ai, a London-based research engine technology firm. "This affordability opens the door for smaller companies and startups to leverage advanced AI technology that was previously inaccessible. Additionally, the open-source model empowers developers to fine-tune and experiment with the system, fostering greater flexibility and innovation." Morris said that the emergence of DeepSeek AI could challenge the current competitive landscape and push major players like OpenAI to adapt quickly. "The idea that competition drives innovation is particularly relevant here, as DeepSeek's presence is likely to spur faster advancements in AI technology, leading to more efficient and accessible solutions to meet the growing demand," he notes.
Even so, DeepSeek and similar companies in the AI development pipeline may not be the tech sector wrecking ball investors think.
"Many people felt the rising tech giants&#8217; capital expenditures would likely lead to a bubble, but instead, DeepSeek&#8217;s breakthrough will likely extend the rally for AI over time," said James Wo, founder and CEO of Digital Finance Group (DFG), a global blockchain and digital asset investment firm with more than $1 billion in assets under management.
Wo says the DeepSeek long-term model sustainability is no guarantee as the company (and others like it) must also keep up with market shifts.
"Relying on a single breakthrough of training efficiency without consistent innovation will cause it to plateau and lose its competitive edge over time," he noted. "Overall, DeepSeek&#8217;s breakthrough may not completely replace high-performant AI systems entirely but rather coexist in a hybrid ecosystem where different tools are optimized for specific use cases."
Three Stocks That May Have a Problem With the Ascent of AI
It's early in the game, and pinpointing stocks that will suffer at the hands of the DeepSeek saga is a tall task, as the technology and financial facts linked to the story are still being sorted out. Based on the idea that DeepSeek represents a more efficient way of building AI models, however, the following stocks would be at risk.
Nvidia. Perhaps the biggest DeepSeek-related concern is for manufacturing companies that depend heavily on high-end AI hardware sales. "Nvidia is the obvious choice here, but others, like AMD and certain semiconductor manufacturers, could also face headwinds if AI-reliant companies shift toward more cost-effective solutions," says Drew Cohen, marketing lead at the cryptocurrency company GME Ethereum
Oracle. Technology billionaires took a big financial hit from the DeepSeek dip, with Oracle's Larry Ellison, who saw his net worth fall by $27.6 billion early last week. (Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang wasn't far behind, with his net worth down by $20.8 billion.)
Oracle's stock value fell by $70 billion in the DeepSeek melee, although ORCL recouped half of those losses by the week's end. The longer-term problem is that Oracles has been investing heavily in data center development to match up with AI heavyweights like Amazon and Microsoft. A cheaper way to develop AI models threatens that model, mainly by curbing the need for pricey data center operations.
Broadcom. Broadcom has emerged as a powerful force in the AI network technology realm. If DeepSeek's impact on AI development sticks, it will hurt chip companies developing AI semiconductors and crimp their share performance. This week, Morgan Stanley cut its target price on AVGO from $265 to $246, citing "deflationary" AI evolutionary innovations and reduced AI spending enthusiasm.
The Takeaway on DeepSeek and Impacted AI and Chip Stocks
Even if DeepSeek doesn't see widespread adoption by enterprises in the US, it represents a tipping point.
"The technology industry is waking up to the fact they don't need to rely on the walled gardens and expensive fees of hyperscalers to access highly-advanced and innovative AI capabilities," said Marc Suidan, chief financial officer at Backblaze (BLZE), a data storage cloud company in San Mateo, Cal.
Up until a few days ago, it was conventional wisdom for most that AI innovation required a massive amount of capital and infrastructure that only multi-trillion dollar tech giants could provide. But that was an illusion, Suidan said.
 "Using concepts and practices of the past that would eventually get chips to be way more productive, or disruptive innovation using open source solutions, DeepSeek mastered the second one, and proved that with limited resources, they can develop a powerful AI solution," he noted.
What if you could pinpoint stocks with massive profit potential like Matador Resources, which soared 2,100% in just two years? Or Photronics, a semiconductor stock that doubled in under a year?
That&#8217;s the power of our new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/trade-alerts//?utm_source=WebRD-0203&amp;el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}">‘Benzinga Trade Alerts'</a>.
Photo Courtesy: Mamun_Sheikh On Shutterstock.com

Opinion

These 3 Stocks are at Most Risk From China's AI Innovation

&nbsp;Warren Buffett is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43166526/billionaire-warren-buffetts-first-wife-said-he-cared-about-the-win-not-the-money-its-all-mental-with-him-and-money-is-his-scorecard">known for playing the long game</a>, but as a teenager, he wasn't exactly practicing what he preaches today. Long before he became the Oracle of Omaha, Buffett was just a 16-year-old with a knack for numbers, a rebellious streak and a taste for risk. While other kids were busy memorizing equations, Buffett skipped school to bet on horse races and lost a lot. But what he learned from those missteps? Priceless.
In 1946, Buffett, living in Washington, D.C., while his father was serving in Congress, was already fascinated by probability. He wasn't drawn to gambling for the thrill; instead, he was obsessed with how the odds worked. He convinced his father to borrow every book on horse handicapping from the Library of Congress so he could study them as a future hedge fund manager might pore over balance sheets. But theories on paper didn't always translate to wins on the racetrack.
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Buffett's partner in these horse racing escapades was his high school golf coach, Bob Dwyer, who shared his passion for analyzing tip sheets. Together, they'd sneak off to the Charles Town racetrack in West Virginia. Here, Buffett started experimenting with his early models of assessing value – whether a horse was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/04/38275323/warren-buffett-warns-dont-watch-the-market-closely-urges-not-to-obsessively-check-stock-prices-i">"undervalued" or "overvalued"</a> by the odds. Sometimes, his calculations paid off. Often, they didn't.
On one fateful solo trip, Buffett lost all his money after betting on every race to try and recover his earlier losses – breaking what he'd later call the cardinal sin of gambling. By the end of the day, he was down $175, which in 1946 was the equivalent of more than a week's worth of delivering newspapers (his side hustle). With no way to claw back his losses, Buffett made the only reasonable choice: he treated himself to a giant hot fudge sundae at the Hot Shoppe with the last cash.
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While savoring that sundae, Buffett reflected on his mistakes and came to two realizations that would shape his investment philosophy forever: "Nobody goes home after the first race" – a nod to how gamblers (and investors) keep chasing losses – and "You don't have to make it back the way you lost it." In other words, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/03/37589669/warren-buffett-explains-the-stock-doesnt-know-you-own-it-stocks-cant-love-you-back-and-your-feel">doubling down on a bad hand</a> or investment is rarely the smartest move. He also realized that impatience and emotional decision-making were a recipe for disaster.
Buffett never returned to the racetrack after that day, but those hard-learned lessons stayed with him. The discipline to sit out bad opportunities, the patience to wait for the right ones and the awareness that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/03/37563241/warren-buffett-says-hed-trade-a-significant-percentage-of-his-net-worth-for-some-extra-years-of-">losses are part of the game</a> became pillars of his investment philosophy. Unlike gamblers who bet impulsively, Buffett developed a reputation for waiting for the perfect pitch before swinging – whether that's an undervalued stock or an acquisition opportunity.
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Despite this youthful flirtation with horse betting, Buffett is no fan of gambling. He's called it a "tax on ignorance" in 2007 and criticized it for preying on people who don't understand the odds. For Buffett, it's not about luck but about stacking the deck in your favor with careful planning and informed decisions.
So, while Buffett's days of sneaking off to the races may have been short-lived, the lessons they taught him had a long-lasting impact. Who would've thought that a teenage misadventure involving lost bets and a fudge sundae would help build one of the most successful investing careers ever? Sometimes, the track isn't just a place for horses to run – it's a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">place where billionaires are made</a>.
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Warren Buffett Skipped School To Bet On Horse Races With His Teacher – He Lost All His Money Then Treated Himself To A Hot Fudge Sundae

<h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>
President Donald Trump has said that the U.S. will impose tariffs on a variety of imports including computer chips, pharmaceuticals, steel, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635605/exclusive-eric-trump-predicts-inflation-drop-through-energy-policies-and-spending-cuts">aluminum, copper, oil, and gas</a> starting on Feb. 1.
What Happened: President Trump has declared that the U.S. will impose tariffs on a wide range of imports. These tariffs, which could be implemented as soon as mid-February, will target computer chips, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, copper, oil, and gas.
Trump also indicated his intent to raise&nbsp;tariffs on the European Union,&nbsp;citing their unfair treatment of the U.S., but did not provide specifics on the timeline or the extent of the increase. The European Union has yet to respond to these comments.
These newly announced tariffs are separate from the previously announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 10% tariffs on China, which are set to be implemented on Saturday, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/trump-says-tariffs-are-coming-on-computer-chips-steel-and-more-cef9974c">reports</a> The Wall Street Journal.
Trump dismissed concerns about the potential impact of these tariffs on inflation or global supply chains, stating that any disruption would be temporary and that the tariffs would strengthen the U.S. economy.
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"I think there could be some temporary, short term disruption and people will understand that. The tariffs are going to make us very rich and very strong," said Trump. 
Leaders in Mexico, Canada, and China, as well as CEOs of American companies, are closely monitoring the situation, particularly regarding potential exemptions for major industries. Trump&#8217;s team is currently&nbsp;in negotiations over how to&nbsp;potentially reduce tariffs on these countries, but&nbsp;Trump may still decide to&nbsp;proceed with a full-scale approach.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China were imminent, but declined to comment on potential exemptions or what the trading partners could do to avoid the duties.
Trump&#8217;s announcement led to a negative turn in the stock market, with stocks losing morning gains following Leavitt&#8217;s remarks. Trump stated&nbsp;that there was nothing Canada,&nbsp;Mexico, and China&nbsp;could do to avoid the&nbsp;tariffs before Saturday, but mentioned the possibility of&nbsp;a lower tariff on Canadian&nbsp;crude oil.
Why It Matters: The new tariffs mark a significant escalation in Trump&#8217;s second-term trade wars. The move will likely have a substantial impact on global supply chains and could lead to increased inflation. The tariffs could also strain relations with key trading partners, including the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and China. 
The potential for exemptions for major industries adds another layer of uncertainty to the situation. The impact of these tariffs on the U.S. economy and the global market will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
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Image: Shutterstock

Trump May Enforce New Tariffs on Key Sectors Starting Saturday — Chips, Steel Among Potential Targets

President Donald Trump unveiled a $500 billion private-sector AI investment package on his second day in office last week, just as Chinese startup DeepSeek demonstrated it can match U.S. technology at a fraction of the cost.
The &#8220;Stargate&#8221; project, backed by OpenAI&#8217;s Sam Altman, SoftBank&#8217;s Masayoshi Son, and Oracle&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NASDAQ">ORCL</a>) Larry Ellison, aims to build massive data centers in Texas over four years. &#8220;This is money that normally would have gone to China,&#8221; Trump said during the announcement.
DeepSeek&#8217;s breakthrough <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43253190/deepseek-ai-etfs-take-a-hard-hit-amid">threatens to upend the AI landscape</a>. The nascent Chinese company&#8217;s latest models match leading U.S. chatbots while using fewer resources, challenging the assumption that AI advances require ever-increasing computing power and investment.
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The timing heightens tensions in the U.S.-China tech rivalry. Trump&#8217;s administration includes China hawks like AI czar David Sacks and Under Secretary of State nominee Jacob Helberg, who each view the AI race as crucial to national security.
Silicon Valley executives hope Trump will loosen domestic regulations while maintaining pressure on China. The president already scrapped Biden-era requirements for AI companies to share information with the government, promising Stargate partners to make development &#8220;as easy as it can be.&#8221;
DeepSeek&#8217;s rise suggests U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors haven&#8217;t prevented Chinese innovation, according to a report by The Economist. The company&#8217;s mobile app topped U.S. iPhone downloads in January, with investor Marc Andreessen calling it &#8220;AI&#8217;s Sputnik moment.&#8221;
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&#8220;More investment does not necessarily lead to more innovation. Otherwise, large companies would take over all innovation,&#8221; DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng told Chinese media, noting U.S. chip restrictions remain his main challenge.
The contrast between Trump&#8217;s massive investment push and DeepSeek&#8217;s efficient approach highlights diverging strategies in the AI race. While U.S. firms bet on overwhelming resources, Chinese companies focus on maximizing limited computing power.
The battle extends beyond raw investment numbers. The Biden administration&#8217;s &#8220;Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion,&#8221; now under Trump&#8217;s review, aims to tighten controls on GPU exports and AI data sharing. Critics, including semiconductor giant Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), argue such restrictions could backfire, pushing allies toward Chinese technology.
Meanwhile, DeepSeek&#8217;s models remain constrained by Chinese censorship, automatically deflecting queries about sensitive topics like the Tiananmen Square protests or President Xi Jinping. The company also faces infrastructure challenges, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43257133/chinese-ai-startup-deepseek-hit-by-cyberattacks-after-toppling-us-giants-like-nvidia-with-new-ai-model-dubbed-as-chatgpt-killer">experiencing outages as user numbers surge</a>.
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Startups

ORCL

'As Easy As It Can Be': Trump Promises AI Giants Support With $500B Investment Plan, How Does It Compare With DeepSeek?

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
The Nasdaq ended the week down 1.6%, with the S&amp;P 500 losing 1% and the Dow gaining 0.3%, as markets attempted to recover from earlier losses. 
Strong earnings and a more dovish tone from Fed Chair Jerome Powell helped lift sentiment, reinforcing hopes for future rate cuts. However, by Friday, concerns over new U.S. tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada weighed on the market, leading to renewed volatility. 
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the 25% and 10% tariffs would take effect Saturday, raising fears <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43404983/stocks-trim-deepseek-losses-fed-holds-steady-trump-slaps-25-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-this-week-in-the-markets">of economic disruptions.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43196106/rigetti-computing-quantum-stargate">Rigetti Computing, Quantum Stocks Soar On Project Stargate</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/erica-kollmann">Erica Kollmann</a>, highlights Rigetti Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>) surging 42% after Donald Trump announced Project Stargate, a $500 billion AI investment initiative backed by Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), OpenAI, NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and SoftBank, aiming to build AI data centers and enhance computational systems.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43293760/shiba-inus-shytoshi-kusama-teases-extremely-powerful-partnership-for-ecosystemcoin-themed-on-mysterious-personality-rallies-25">Shiba Inu&#8217;s Shytoshi Kusama Teases &#8216;Extremely Powerful Partnership&#8217; — Coin Themed On Him Rallies 25%</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights Shytoshi Kusama's cryptic announcement of a major partnership for the Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) ecosystem, fueling speculation about potential collaborations with Binance or Elon Musk's X.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43242360/jensen-huang-mania-mirrors-taylor-swift-people-are-camping-outside-retailers-for-nvidia-5000-series-gpus">Jensen Huang Mania Mirrors Taylor Swift: People Are Camping Outside Retailers For Nvidia 5000 Series GPUs</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights soaring demand for Nvidia RTX 5000 series GPUs, with enthusiasts camping outside stores ahead of the Jan. 30 launch, reminiscent of Black Friday rushes for Taylor Swift merchandise.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43277294/visa-stock-moves-higher-as-company-becomes-first-partner-of-musks-xmoney-whats-going-on">Visa Stock Moves Higher As Company Becomes First Partner Of Musk&#8217;s XMoney: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/43310673/trump-media-technology-group-stock-jumps-on-expansion-into-financial-services">Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Stock Jumps On Expansion Into Financial Services</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43242497/twilio-set-for-strong-growth-after-key-strategic-shifts-says-analyst">Twilio&#8217;s Turnaround Story Is Underway, Analyst Turns Bullish And Boosts Price Forecast</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43267966/deepseeks-low-cost-model-reshapes-ai-landscape-experts-predict-shift-to-application-layer">DeepSeek&#8217;s Low-Cost Model Reshapes AI Landscape: Experts Predict Shift To &#8216;Application Layer&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, highlights how DeepSeek&#8217;s R1 model, trained for just $5.6 million, challenges billion-dollar AI investments from U.S. tech giants, with Goldman Sachs warning that AI capital expenditures may shift from infrastructure to applications, impacting firms like Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) and Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>).
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/downgrades/25/01/43255575/fannie-mae-freddie-mac-stock-a-considerable-risk-say-analysts-who-downgrade-both-to-underperform">Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Stock A &#8216;Considerable Risk,&#8217; Say Analysts Who Downgrade Both To Underperform</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/erica-kollmann">Erica Kollmann</a>, reports that analysts downgraded Fannie Mae (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FNMA#OTC">FNMA</a>) and Freddie Mac (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMCC#OTC">FMCC</a>) to Underperform, citing risks despite raising their price targets, as privatization attempts remain uncertain following the stocks&#8217; sharp post-election gains.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43373954/cathie-woods-ark-invest-dumps-over-10-million-worth-of-palantir-stock-as-ai-competition-heats-up">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Dumps Over $10 Million Worth Of Palantir Stock As AI Competition Heats Up</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>, reports Ark Invest selling 127,969 shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) worth $10.4 million amid growing AI competition from DeepSeek.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/01/43238883/stock-of-the-day-nvidia-breaks-support-after-deepseek-ai-disruption">Stock Of The Day: Nvidia Breaks Support After DeepSeek AI Disruption</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43269986/taiwan-semiconductor-bounces-back-after-selloff-risks-remain">Taiwan Semiconductor Stock Rebounds After Selloff, US-Taiwan Chip Partnership Still Faces Tariff Threats</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43287042/amd-downgraded-as-nvidias-arm-cpus-threaten-x86-market-and-long-term-revenue-growth-analyst">AMD Gets A Downgrade And It&#8217;s Not DeepSeek Related</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Short Ideas

$BONE

AVGO

FMCC

FNMA

RGTI

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Nvidia, Palantir, Rigetti Computing And Shiba Inu Hints At Major Partnership

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/06/39181971/gen-z-job-applicant-rejects-90-minute-task-ceo-faces-backlash">Job interviews can be stressful</a>, especially when they involve flying across the country and meeting top executives. But one candidate's attempt to make a seemingly harmless request during their interview didn't go as planned. In fact, it ended up costing them the job.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Backstory</h2>
A Reddit user recently <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/tifu/comments/1i9q51i/tifu_went_in_for_a_job_interview_and_asked_to_eat/">shared</a> their &#8220;Today I F&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;ed Up&#8221; (TIFU) moment on the popular subreddit. They described being flown out for a final <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37562830/how-to-ace-the-most-important-job-interview-question-of-all-time">in-person interview</a> after impressing the company during a lengthy Zoom call. With the CEO and CFO involved in the process, it was clear the position was significant – and the company was making a major effort to evaluate their fit.
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After a rough flight in which their knees were cramped against the metal of an airplane seat, the candidate arrived at the hotel and rested for the night. The next morning, they began their full-day schedule, which included meeting various team members and going out for a team lunch – a moment that turned out to be critical.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The &#8220;Unusual&#8221; Request</h2>
When the CEO asked if there was anything they could do to accommodate the candidate, the individual noticed the lunch outing on the schedule and asked if it could take place in the office instead. Why? The flight had left their knees aching. Despite the request&#8217;s insignificance, the CEO&#8217;s response suggested more serious issues. The candidate claims that the CEO answered, &#8220;I guess,&#8221; and walked out of the room perplexedly.
Later in the day, the CEO returned and gently encouraged the candidate to stick with the original plan and take the team out to lunch, saying, &#8220;I really think you need to take the team out to lunch, it will be good for you to bond.&#8221; The candidate quickly agreed, but the damage had already been done.
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>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Fallout</h2>
After completing the rest of the interviews, the CFO entered the room and delivered a surprising verdict: &#8220;We appreciate your time, but we're going to pass on you and look at other candidates.&#8221; The candidate was ushered into an Uber and sent home.
When the recruiter followed up the next morning, they explained that the company felt &#8220;offended&#8221; by the lunch request. The CEO and other team members interpreted the move as a lack of willingness to engage with the team – a red flag for someone being considered for a leadership role.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Did the Company Take it so Personally?</h2>
For many companies, especially those involving high-level leadership, team lunches are not just meals but part of the interview process. They allow executives and team members to observe how a candidate interacts in a social, less formal setting – a crucial test of interpersonal skills.
The company probably had reservations and a schedule in place. Changing everything last minute may have felt inconsiderate to the team.
The company had already invested significant time and money in flying the candidate out, arranging the schedule, and involving top executives. Asking for an accommodation – however small – on day one might have suggested the candidate would prioritize their own comfort over the needs of the group.
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'My Knees Hurt' – CEO Offended By Job Candidate's Unusual Request During An Interview – Here's Why The Company Took It Personally

Representatives of Elon Musk&#8216;s Department of Government Efficiency have reportedly requested access to the payment systems of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43219158/trumps-world-liberty-financial-crypto-venture-amasses-over-388-million-in-digital-assets">sparking concerns among officials</a>.
What Happened: The Washington Post reported on Friday that Musk&#8217;s team is seeking access to the Treasury&#8217;s systems, which are used for a variety of functions.
These include the distribution of&nbsp;Social Security and Medicare benefits,&nbsp;federal employees&#8217; salaries,&nbsp;payments to federal contractors, grants,&nbsp;tax refunds, and more.
The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/31/elon-musk-treasury-department-payment-systems/">report</a> also highlighted conflicts between Musk&#8217;s representatives and David Lebryk, the highest-ranking career official at the Treasury, who announced his retirement on Friday. The motive behind Musk&#8217;s team&#8217;s demand for access to these systems is not yet clear.
Following his election in November, President Donald Trump appointed Musk to head the &#8220;Department of Government Efficiency,&#8221; a commission aimed at eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending. After taking office, Trump signed an executive order directing all federal agencies to provide the panel with &#8220;full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, software systems, and IT systems.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42805331/heres-how-trump-could-wipe-out-40-of-teslas-profits-after-taking-office-according-to-jpmorgan-analyst">Here&#8217;s How Trump Could Wipe Out 40% of Tesla&#8217;s Profits After Taking Office, According To JPMorgan Analyst</a>
Musk, who owns X, has previously stated his desire to enable&nbsp;X users to make payments&nbsp;on the platform, with the goal of transforming X into the &#8220;everything app.&#8221; Earlier this week,&nbsp;it was reported that X&nbsp;will partner with VISA to&nbsp;help achieve this objective.
On the same day, Reuters reported that Musk&#8217;s aides had&nbsp;locked out employees of the&nbsp;Office of Personnel Management from&nbsp;the agency&#8217;s&nbsp;computers, according to two employees&nbsp;who spoke to Reuters.
Why It Matters: The move by Musk&#8217;s representatives to gain access to the Treasury&#8217;s payment systems could have significant implications. 
While the exact reasons for this request are unclear, it comes at a time when Musk is making moves to transform his social media platform, X, into a comprehensive app that includes payment functionalities. 
This development could potentially disrupt the traditional financial system and raise questions about data privacy and security.
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Image: Shutterstock

Musk's DOGE Eyes Treasury Payment System, Sparks Controversy Leading To Official's Exit

President Donald Trump is receiving high marks from voters for his job done in the early days of his second presidency since being <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43139381/how-many-people-watched-donald-trumps-2025-inauguration-spoiler-less-than-biden-four-years-ago">inaugurated on Jan. 20.</a>
What Happened: With just weeks on the job, Trump is receiving high approval ratings of his job as president, continuing a trend of receiving <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/24/12/42511472/trump-hits-7-year-high-in-favorability-ratings-how-republicans-democrats-men-and-women-view-president-elect">more favorable ratings </a>since winning the 2024 presidential election in November.
In the Emerson College January <a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/january-2025-national-poll-trump-starts-term-with-49-approval-41-disapproval-rating/">poll </a>of nationally registered voters, Trump has a 49% approval rating and 41% disapproval rating. The remaining 10% are neutral on Trump's job approval.
"President Trump's 49% job approval rating closely reflects his share of national support in the 2024 election, and his 41% disapproval is the lowest it has been in Emerson national polls dating back to his first term," Emerson College executive director of polling Spencer Kimball said.
Here's a look at how Trump's approval rating varies by age group:
<ul>
<li>Age 18-29: 46% approval, 38% disapproval, 16% neutral</li>
<li>Age 30-39: 47% approval, 39% disapproval, 14% neutral</li>
<li>Age 40-49: 49% approval, 38% disapproval, 13% neutral</li>
<li>Age 50-59: 52% approval, 34% disapproval, 15% neutral</li>
<li>Age 60-69: 49% approval, 48% disapproval, 4% neutral</li>
<li>Age 70+: 48% approval, 49% disapproval, 3% neutral</li>
</ul>
"All age groups have a net approval of Trump, including voters under 30, except those over 70, who narrowly disapprove (49%-48%)," Kimball added
Trump received the most positive job approval rating from the age 50-59 group, who also gave him an 18-point net approval rating.
Along with the 70 and older group having a negative net approval rating, the age 60 to 69 group had only a one-point net approval rating.
The poll also found that 52% of voters think that the United States is headed in the right direction, with 48% saying the country is on the wrong track. This is an improvement from an earlier January Emerson College poll where 67% of voters said the country was on the wrong track and 33% said the country was on the right direction.
Here are the voter percentages by political party for whether the country was headed in the right direction or on the wrong track:
Democrats: 21% right direction, 79% wrong track
Republicans: 87% right direction, 14% wrong track
Independents: 47% right direction, 53% wrong track
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Why It's Important: In the poll, the top voter issues were the economy (35%), immigration (16%), threats to democracy (15%) and healthcare (9%).
President Trump has put a heavy emphasis on addressing immigration first. In the poll, 45% of voters supported changing birthright citizenship to make children of undocumented immigrants not automatically granted citizenship. &nbsp;
The reversal of a 2011 law allowing ICE agents to enter schools and churches received only 42% support in the poll with 45% disapproving of the practice.
The economy could see pressure and volatility with tariffs being placed on other countries and experts predicting the higher costs will be passed onto consumers.
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Trump Job Approval Rating Starts At 49% In New Poll, Which Age Group Gives The Highest Disapproval Rating?

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga&#8217;s Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/42802731/exclusive-top-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-in-2024-where-do-tesla-nvidia-gamestop-trump-media-stocks-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Top 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro In 2024 — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, GameStop, Trump Media Stocks Rank?</a>
Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending Jan. 31:
Pacific Gas &amp; Electric Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PCG#NYSE">PCG</a>): The utility company saw strong interest from readers during the week, which comes as fourth-quarter financial results are approaching. The company is set to report Q4 results on Feb. 13. Analysts<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent013125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> expect the company</a> to report earnings per share of 31 cents, down from 47 cents in the prior year's fourth quarter and revenue of $7.11 billion, up from $7.04 billion in the comparable period. The company has beaten analyst earnings per share estimates in four straight quarters. On the revenue side, the company has beaten analyst estimates in only four of the last 10 quarters. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PCG/analyst-ratings">kept bullish ratings </a>on the stock while lowering price targets.
The stock was down over 5% for the week and shares are down over 7% over the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent013125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="498" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163839/Screenshot-317.png" alt="" class="wp-image-760940" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163839/Screenshot-317.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163839/Screenshot-317-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163839/Screenshot-317-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>
Interactive Brokers Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBKR#NASDAQ">IBKR</a>): The online trading company saw strong interest from readers, which could be related to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBKR/analyst-ratings"> several analyst ratings</a> in recent weeks. UBS maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $225 to $265. Interactive Brokers will also be presenting at the UBS Financial Services Conference on Feb. 10. Goldman Sachs analyst James Yaro <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43132552/interactive-brokers-delivers-well-rounded-earnings-beat-analysts-see-global-retail-trading-growth-ahead">maintained a Buy</a> rating on Interactive Brokers and raised the price target from $214 to $226. The analyst said Interactive Brokers' fourth-quarter financial results showed the company was "well-rounded."
"Looking ahead, the company expects to conduct a number of new programming projects, and plans to increase the marketing budget, both of which should support strong account growth, around which management sounded a constructive tone," Yaro said.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent013125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163909/Screenshot-318.png" alt="" class="wp-image-760941" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163909/Screenshot-318.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163909/Screenshot-318-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163909/Screenshot-318-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>
Mercury Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRCY#NASDAQ">MRCY</a>): The aerospace and defense stock saw strong interest from readers, which comes ahead of second-quarter financial results set for Feb. 4. Analysts expect the company to report a loss of 4 cents per share and revenue of $182.4 million in the quarter. After struggling in past quarters, the company has beaten analyst estimates for both revenue and earnings per share in the last two quarters. The stock may have seen increased interest from readers as the company <a href="https://ir.mrcy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/mercury-develop-data-processing-subsystem-us-satellite-program">announced </a>a new $24.5 million contract for data processing in the U.S. Satellite Program.
"We are proud to support this critical U.S. national security mission," Mercury Systems Vice President of Mercy's Advanced Concepts Group Joe Plunkett said. "The Mercury Processing Platform has an incredible breadth of capabilities that can be integrated in virtually limitless ways to enable mission-critical processing at the edge."
The stock was down 2% on the week and is up around 40% over the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent013125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163941/Screenshot-319.png" alt="" class="wp-image-760942" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163941/Screenshot-319.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163941/Screenshot-319-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163941/Screenshot-319-768x383.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>
Xometry Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XMTR#NASDAQ">XMTR</a>): The AI-enabled manufacturing company saw strong interest from readers during the week. The interest comes as several analysts have shared updates on the small-cap stock in recent weeks and with a new executive announcement. The company added Sanjeev Singh Sahni, a former Wayfair executive, in the newly created President role. In the role, Sahni will lead global operations, product, technology and supplier services. JMP Securities maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $42 price target recently. Earlier this month, JPMorgan analyst Cory Carpenter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/25/01/42914051/take-two-xometry-jpmorgans-bets-in-2025">shared a $45</a> price target on the stock, highlighting the company as a small-cap darling.
"We like XMTR in 2025 as a play on manufacturing under Trump," Carpenter said.
The analyst said the company has catalysts that include international expansion and a "number of ways to win in 2025."
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent013125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="504" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163957/Screenshot-320.png" alt="" class="wp-image-760943" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163957/Screenshot-320.png 1001w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163957/Screenshot-320-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31163957/Screenshot-320-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></a></figure>
Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>): Rounding out this week's Stock Whisper Index is retailer Costco, which continues to see strong interest from readers with shares near all-time highs. The company<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/retail-sales/25/01/42888095/costco-stock-climbs-after-december-net-sales-up-99-year-over-year"> reported strong December</a> net sales of $27.52 billion, up 9.9% year-over-year recently. Costco also made headlines for replacing Pepsi fountain drinks in its stores with Coca-Cola while committing to keep the price of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/24/02/36961118/costco-hires-new-cfo-but-dont-expect-1-50-hot-dog-combo-price-to-change">famous $1.50 hot dog combo</a> in place. The company is also making headlines for defending its DEI policies and increasing non-union worker wages to $30 per hour for most U.S. store workers.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent013125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="500" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31164017/Screenshot-321.png" alt="" class="wp-image-760944" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31164017/Screenshot-321.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31164017/Screenshot-321-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/31164017/Screenshot-321-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Stay tuned for next week&#8217;s report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent013125&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>
Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42798998/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 3</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42927075/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 10</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43066466/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">January 17</a></li>
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Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

EV giant Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has started production of its refreshed Model Y across its four factories around the globe including its gigafactory in Texas, the company said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
What Happened: Tesla shared a photograph of a new Model Y produced at its gigafactory in Berlin and signed by the team there. The photograph shows the black vehicle filled with signatures in gold and silver. 
&#8220;Production has now started across all of our 4 vehicle factories around the world – simultaneously,&#8221; Tesla wrote in its post.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">One of the first New Model Y produced at Giga Berlin, signed by local team &#x1f91d; Production has now started across all of our 4 vehicle factories around the world – simultaneously Giga Berlin/Shanghai/Texas &amp; Fremont Factory <a href="https://t.co/wI1DQbc5r6">pic.twitter.com/wI1DQbc5r6</a>
&mdash; Tesla (@Tesla) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1885440637886984413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Tesla launched the updated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42905406/tesla-launches-refreshed-model-y-in-china-amid-rising-competition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Model Y</a>&nbsp;first in China in January and in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43183608/tesla-launches-refreshed-model-y-in-us-with-25-price-hike-full-self-driving-included" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S</a>. a few weeks later. In both geographies, deliveries are slated to start in March.
The company will be retooling factories for the start of production and the change will result in several weeks of lost production in the first quarter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday, while adding that margins will be impacted due to idle capacity and other ramp-related costs
However, these challenges will be overcome once production is ramped, he said.
Why It Matters: Model Y is Tesla's best-selling vehicle. The refreshed vehicle's launch follows the company reporting a fall in vehicle deliveries for the first time in over a decade.
Tesla reported global&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42766117/tesla-stock-tumbles-on-q4-deliveries-whats-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deliveries of 1.79 million</a>&nbsp;vehicles in 2024, down from full-year deliveries of 1.81 million in 2023.
"…we are not aware of anybody else taking the best-selling car on the planet and updating all factories at the same time," Musk said about Tesla's decision to upgrade all its factories simultaneously.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Tesla

Tesla Begins Global Production Of Refreshed Model Y, Deliveries Start In March

EV startup Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) is expanding its factory in Illinois as it gears up for the start of production of its new R2 vehicle.
What Happened: &#8220;R2 expansion moving quickly!,&#8221; Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The CEO&#8217;s post was accompanied by a picture of the company&#8217;s Illinois factory.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">R2 expansion moving quickly! <a href="https://t.co/UYLWyMUco8">pic.twitter.com/UYLWyMUco8</a>
&mdash; RJ Scaringe (@RJScaringe) <a href="https://twitter.com/RJScaringe/status/1885426301437460517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Rivian was&nbsp;initially looking to start production of its R2 SUV at its new factory in Georgia. However, the company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37552130/rivian-halts-georgia-plant-construction-to-launch-r2-suv-in-illinois-facility-ross-gerber-terms-it-t">halted construction of the plant</a> in Georgia last year in a bid to cut costs and instead decided to launch R2 at its existing facility.
The decision to launch R2 in Illinois instead of Georga will enable the vehicle to be launched earlier and save billions in capital until the start of R2 production, the company then said.
Why It Matters: The R2 is expected to start at around $45,000 — the same price range as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37552684/rivian-almost-catches-up-to-teslas-ev-lineup-with-new-r2-r3-but-theres-no-cybertruck-fighter-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla&#8217;s best-selling Model Y SUV</a>.&nbsp;The new vehicle will be smaller and less expensive than Rivian's existing R1 offerings priced around $70,000, and the company expects it to expand its total addressable market and cater to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39905221/rivian-ceo-rj-scaringe-pegs-slowdown-in-ev-sales-to-truly-extreme-lack-of-choices-under-50k-due-to-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">demand for cheaper EVs.</a> The company received more than 68,000 reservations for the vehicle in less than 24 hours after unveiling it in March.
In addition to its R1 vehicles, Rivian also manufactures electric delivery vans for fleet owners. Online retailer Amazon.com is the main customer for the vans manufactured by the company. 
For the full year 2024, Rivian <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42807694/rivian-reports-2nd-highest-quarterly-ev-deliveries-as-2024-wraps-up">delivered 51,579 EVs</a>, within its guidance of 50,500 to 52,000 deliveries.&nbsp;The company, however, has yet to report a positive gross profit in a quarter.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

RIVN

Rivian Expands Illinois Factory As It Gears To Start Production Of R2 SUV

Workers employed at Chinese EV maker BYD Co&#8217;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) factory in Brazil reportedly earned nearly twice the Chinese hourly minimum wage in many regions, despite questionable working conditions.
What Happened: Chinese workers hired by BYD&#8217;s contractor Jinjiang and employed at the factory earned about $70 per 10-hour shift, Reuters reported. 
However, the workers had to hand their passports to their new employers and let most of their income be sent directly to China as well as pay a $900 deposit which they could retrieve only after working for six months, the report said, citing a contract signed by one of the several workers who Brazilian authorities said were rescued in December.
Brazilian authorities said in December that they have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42667814/brazil-authorities-halt-work-at-byd-factory-site-after-workers-found-in-slavery-like-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">halted the construction of the plant that BYD&nbsp;is building in Salvador</a>, Bahia after finding workers living and working in conditions analogous to &#8220;slavery.&#8221;
Authorities ordered that the construction of the factory in Bahia be stopped after rescuing 163 people working at the site, according to a statement by the Labor Prosecutor&#8217;s Office (MPT). The MPT also noted that the conditions constituted "forced labor." If a worker were to terminate their employment contract after six months, they would leave the country without any pay for their work since the company deducted their airfare to and from Brazil, in addition to other costs, the statement said.
Certain clauses in the agreement viewed by Reuters violate labor laws in both Brazil and China, the report said, citing experts and authorities. One of the clauses also gives the firm the power to extend the labor contract by itself for six months, Reuters added. 
Why It Matters: Jinjiang Group&nbsp;has previously said that the Brazilian authority's portrayal of its employees working at the Chinese EV giant's factory in Brazil as "enslaved" is "completely inconsistent with facts."
Brazilian inspectors have provided no evidence that the EV maker knew of the violations at the construction site. However, according to the acting chief of Brazil&#8217;s Division of Inspection for the Eradication of Slave Labor Matheus Viana&#8216;s statement to Reuters, BYD is &#8220;directly responsible&#8221; for the actions of its contractor on its site. 
BYD was planning to start production at the factory in Brazil in 2025. The company is China's largest EV maker and makes plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles which are sold in China, Europe, and also Brazil.&nbsp;BYD even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42780142/chinese-player-byd-overtakes-tesla-yet-again-as-worlds-biggest-ev-seller-in-q4">trumped American EV giant Tesla </a>as the world&#8217;s largest battery electric vehicle seller in the last quarter of 2024. 
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Image via Shutterstock

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