Latest news for Western Asset Bond ETF (NASDAQ:WABF)

The Fund invests in a portfolio comprised of debt instruments and fixed income securities of various maturities. As used in the Funds name, the Fund defines bonds as debt and fixed income securities of all types. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will seek its investment objective by investing at least 80 percent of its net assets, including the amount of borrowing for investment purposes, if any, in debt and fixed income securities (Principal Investments). Securities that have economic characteristics and provide investment exposure similar to debt and fixed income securities will be counted towards the Funds 80 percent investment policy. As part of its 80 percent policy, the Fund intends to invest in derivatives that (i) provide exposure to the Principal Investments, (ii) are used to risk manage the Funds holdings, and/or (iii) are used to enhance returns. The risk management uses of derivatives will include managing (i) investment-related risks, (ii) risks due to fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates, (iii) risks due to the credit-worthiness of an issuer, and (iv) the effective duration of the Funds portfolio.

Western Asset Bond ETF

Canaccord Genuity analyst Joseph Vafi maintains Payfare (TSX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PAY#TSX">PAY</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from C$2 to C$4.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

TSX:PAY

Canaccord Genuity Maintains Hold on Payfare, Raises Price Target to C$4

After suffering a recent earnings miss combined with a challenging economic backdrop, shares of recreational vehicle provider Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WGO#NYSE">WGO</a>) have printed gobs of red ink over the trailing month. Nevertheless, historical data reveals that investors tend to view bouts of unusual volatility as a buying opportunity, thus making the case for bullish speculation.
First, one of the main contributors to the downside in WGO stock centers on the underlying company's fiscal-first-quarter results. Winnebago <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/12/42615254/winnebago-industries-stock-falls-after-q1-earnings-miss-amid-challenging-marine-operating-environment">reported an adjusted loss per share of 3 cents</a>, badly missing analysts' consensus view of 20 cents. Further, revenue slipped 18% on a year-over-year basis to $625.6 million, also missing the estimated target of $672.232 million.
Second, management provided additional context, but this failed to bolster investor confidence. "As expected, the RV and marine operating environment remained challenging in the first quarter, marked by subdued consumer demand and a cautious dealer network reluctant to make significant commitments on new orders ahead of the historically slow winter season," said President and CEO Michael Happe.
Nevertheless, the head executive stated that the company anticipates a rise in demand as the RV and marine markets enter the more sales-friendly spring season. To be fair, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42654183/is-winnebago-industries-steering-towards-a-turnaround-in-h2-analysts-are-split">analyst views on a turnaround for WGO stock are split</a>. However, a fundamental argument for upside speculation does exist.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42689806/netflix-to-release-beyonce-bowl-nfl-halftime-performance-as-standalone-special">Netflix To Release &#8216;Beyoncé Bowl&#8217; NFL Halftime Performance As Standalone Special</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Historical Trends Favor WGO Stock as a Value Play</h2>
Under normal market circumstances, Winnebago stock tends to carry a neutral trajectory. Specifically, over the trailing five years, the odds that on any given Friday, WGO would generate a positive return relative to Monday's opening price comes in at 50.2%. This figure is calculated by dividing the number of positive weeks over the total number of weeks in the dataset (i.e. last five years).
However, this baseline metric doesn't reveal the emotional shifts in sentiment that may occur during periods of unusual volatility. In other words, pricing events that extend multiple standard deviations below the mean could impact the fear-greed continuum much more greatly than normal market sessions. Therefore, data-driven investors may be better served with a Bayesian inference to calculate conditional probabilities.
Last week, WGO stock lost 9.49% of its market value, which is a rare occurrence. In the past five years, there have only been 14 instances (not including last week) where WGO lost 9.49% or worse. Interestingly, eight of the following weeks saw a positive return or a success ratio of 57.14%.
Additional context makes Winnebago even more enticing. Four of the weekly losses totaling 9.49% or worse occurred in February and March of 2020. Presumably, most investors agree that COVID-19 represents a unique market impact that's unlikely to materialize again anytime soon.
Taking out the impact of COVID-19, the success ratio improves to 70%, with 10 weeks seeing a loss of 9.49% or worse and seven of the following weeks resulting in a positive return.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Bull Call Spread Beckons</h2>
Considering investors&#8217; tendency to buy the dip in WGO stock, speculators may want to consider <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bull-spread#:~:text=A%20bull%20call%20spread%20involves,expires%20on%20the%20same%20date.">bull call spreads</a> of Winnebago shares. This options strategy involves buying a call and simultaneously selling a call, both for the same expiration date. The idea is to take the credit from the short call to partially offset the debit paid for the long call, thus discounting the long position.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="374" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135830/WGO-stock-options-chain-1024x374.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-708024" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135830/WGO-stock-options-chain-1024x374.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135830/WGO-stock-options-chain-300x110.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135830/WGO-stock-options-chain-768x281.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135830/WGO-stock-options-chain-1536x562.jpg 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135830/WGO-stock-options-chain.jpg 1578w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
For WGO stock, the next available options chain expires on Jan. 17, 2025. Given the skepticism surrounding Winnebago's business and comeback intentions, market makers are currently providing attractive pricing for bull call spreads.
For example, the Jan. 17 47.50/50.00 bull call spread — buy the $47.50 call, simultaneously sell the $50 call — carries a net debit of $125 after applying the options multiplier. Should WGO stock hit or exceed the short call strike price of $50, the payout is the difference between the strike prices minus the net debit paid or $125.
In other words, within a few weeks, bullish speculators have the opportunity to pocket a 100% payout. That's an enticing proposition, given that, statistically, investors tend to load the boat when WGO stock encounters unusually steep volatility.
Read Next:
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</ul>
Photo: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com

Earnings Misses

Long Ideas

Options

Options Corner: Winnebago's Implosion Could Signal A Comeback Opportunity

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Neumora Therapeutics.
Looking at options history for Neumora Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NMRA#NASDAQ">NMRA</a>) we detected 12 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 33% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 50% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $581,375 and 6, calls, for a total amount of $245,900.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $5.0 to $15.0 for Neumora Therapeutics over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Neumora Therapeutics options trades today is 7461.43 with a total volume of 6,284.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Neumora Therapeutics's big money trades within a strike price range of $5.0 to $15.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Neumora Therapeutics Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735242345_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NMRA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$1.35</td>
<td>$1.15</td>
<td>$1.45</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$378.0K</td>
<td>15.1K</td>
<td>3.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NMRA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$3.79</td>
<td>$12.50</td>
<td>$77.4K</td>
<td>7.6K</td>
<td>246</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NMRA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$5.7</td>
<td>$5.0</td>
<td>$5.5</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$55.0K</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NMRA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$2.4</td>
<td>$2.25</td>
<td>$2.25</td>
<td>$7.50</td>
<td>$44.4K</td>
<td>8.2K</td>
<td>211</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NMRA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$3.9</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$12.50</td>
<td>$40.0K</td>
<td>7.6K</td>
<td>414</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Neumora Therapeutics</h3>
Neumora Therapeutics Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded to confront the global brain disease crisis by taking a fundamentally different approach to the way treatments for brain diseases are developed. It has rapidly scaled its therapeutic pipeline, which currently consists of seven clinical and preclinical neuroscience programs that target novel mechanisms of action for a broad range of underserved neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The company expects to continue to progress in the development of its pipeline with the planned initiation of multiple clinical trials across its programs over the next 12 to 18 months, which supports numerous anticipated data readouts.
In light of the recent options history for Neumora Therapeutics, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Neumora Therapeutics's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 422,366, the NMRA's price is up by 1.03%, now at $10.74. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 70 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Neumora Therapeutics</h3>
A total of 1 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $30.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from HC Wainwright &amp; Co. lowers its rating to Buy with a new price target of $30.
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Neumora Therapeutics with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Markets

NMRA

This Is What Whales Are Betting On Neumora Therapeutics

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on e.l.f. Beauty. Our analysis of options history for e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>) revealed 9 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 33% of traders were bullish, while 22% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 3 were puts, with a value of $697,100, and 6 were calls, valued at $298,944.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $115.0 to $200.0 for e.l.f. Beauty during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of e.l.f. Beauty stands at 123.67, with a total volume reaching 796.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in e.l.f. Beauty, situated within the strike price corridor from $115.0 to $200.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>e.l.f. Beauty Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735242340_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ELF</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$18.9</td>
<td>$18.5</td>
<td>$18.6</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$558.0K</td>
<td align="right">174</td>
<td align="right">300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ELF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$6.6</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$132.00</td>
<td>$81.0K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">145</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ELF</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$69.8</td>
<td>$68.3</td>
<td>$69.8</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$69.8K</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ELF</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$70.1</td>
<td>$68.6</td>
<td>$69.3</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$69.3K</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ELF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$26.5</td>
<td>$26.2</td>
<td>$26.5</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$55.7K</td>
<td align="right">82</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About e.l.f. Beauty</h3>
e.l.f. Beauty Inc is a multi-brand beauty company that offers inclusive, accessible, clean, vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics and skin care products. The Company's mission is to make the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip, face, and skin concern. The company offers cosmetic accessories for women which include eyeliner, mascara, false eyelashes, lipstick, the foundation for the face, moisturizer, cleanser, and other tools through its stores and e-commerce channels. The products that the company sells are marketed under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, W3LL PEOPLE and Keys Soulcare brands. It carries out sales within the US and internationally, out of which maximum revenue is generated from the US.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with e.l.f. Beauty, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Where Is e.l.f. Beauty Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 353,827, the price of ELF is down by -0.16%, reaching $131.7.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 40 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About e.l.f. Beauty</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $165.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from DA Davidson persists with their Buy rating on e.l.f. Beauty, maintaining a target price of $170. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Truist Securities continues to hold a Buy rating for e.l.f. Beauty, targeting a price of $150. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from DA Davidson continues to hold a Buy rating for e.l.f. Beauty, targeting a price of $170. 
&#x2A; An analyst from DA Davidson persists with their Buy rating on e.l.f. Beauty, maintaining a target price of $170. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Goldman Sachs downgraded its rating to Buy, setting a price target of $165. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest e.l.f. Beauty options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

e.l.f. Beauty Unusual Options Activity For December 26

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in LRCX usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 20 extraordinary options activities for Lam Research. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 30% leaning bullish and 40% bearish. Among these notable options, 12 are puts, totaling $585,068, and 8 are calls, amounting to $1,196,232.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $54.0 to $164.0 for Lam Research over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Lam Research stands at 793.58, with a total volume reaching 4,701.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Lam Research, situated within the strike price corridor from $54.0 to $164.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Lam Research Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735242335_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$5.45</td>
<td>$5.15</td>
<td>$5.25</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$787.5K</td>
<td align="right">627</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$8.85</td>
<td>$8.75</td>
<td>$8.85</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
<td>$172.5K</td>
<td align="right">72</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$10.95</td>
<td>$10.75</td>
<td>$10.84</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$54.2K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td>350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$93.7</td>
<td>$89.65</td>
<td>$90.05</td>
<td>$164.00</td>
<td>$54.0K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$11.15</td>
<td>$10.4</td>
<td>$10.8</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$54.0K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td>200</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lam Research</h3>
Lam Research is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturers in the world. It specializes in deposition and etch, which entail the buildup of layers on a semiconductor and the subsequent selective removal of patterns from each layer. Lam holds the top market share in etch and holds the clear second share in deposition. It is more exposed to memory chipmakers for DRAM and NAND chips. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and Micron.
<h3>Lam Research's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 2,523,239, the price of LRCX is up by 0.7%, reaching $74.35.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 27 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Lam Research</h3>
3 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $82.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Lam Research, maintaining a target price of $83. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Bernstein has decided to maintain their Market Perform rating on Lam Research, which currently sits at a price target of $85. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Equal-Weight rating on Lam Research with a target price of $78. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Lam Research options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

LRCX

Smart Money Is Betting Big In LRCX Options

Insider Trades

Trading Ideas

SKYH

Sky Harbour Group: Rozek Alexander Buffett (Director) Buys 152,486 @ Avg Price: $9.50

U.S. stocks traded slightly lower toward the end of trading, with the S&amp;P 500 edging lower on Thursday.
The Dow traded down 0.03% to 43,283.94 while the NASDAQ fell 0.05% to 20,021.98. The S&amp;P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.07% to 6,035.54.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42669200/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-give-their-take-on-3-utilities-stocks-with-over-4-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Give Their Take On 3 Utilities Stocks With Over 4% Dividend Yields</a>
Leading and Lagging Sectors Industrials shares rose by 0.3% on Thursday.
In trading on Thursday, consumer discretionary shares dipped by 0.5%.
Top Headline
U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 1,000 from the previous week to a reading of 219,000 during the second week of December, compared to market estimates of 224,000.
Equities Trading UP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAES#NASDAQ">LAES</a>) shares shot up 48% to $8.08. On Thursday, SEALSQ announced the launch of SEALQUANTUM.com Lab, a research hub designed to help businesses transition to quantum-safe encryption</li>
<li>Shares of SciSparc Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPRC#NASDAQ">SPRC</a>)got a boost, surging 117% to $0.4801 after the company announced it received its first shipment of vehicles manufactured by Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group.</li>
<li>Zoomcar Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZCAR#NASDAQ">ZCAR</a>) shares were also up, gaining 75% to $2.50 after it reported a 43% year-on-year increase in November bookings.</li>
</ul>
Equities Trading DOWN
<ul>
<li>Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEUP#NASDAQ">NEUP</a>) shares dropped 32% to $4.52.</li>
<li>Shares of Baosheng Media Group Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAOS#NASDAQ">BAOS</a>) were down 42% to $4.14.</li>
<li>SaverOne 2014 Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SVRE#NASDAQ">SVRE</a>) was down, falling 33% to $1.0148.</li>
</ul>
Commodities In commodity news, oil traded down 0.2% to $69.98 while gold traded up 0.5% at $2,649.10.
Silver traded up 0.2% to $30.335 on Thursday, while copper rose 0.7% to $4.1375.
Euro zone
In Europe, markets in Germany, France, London, Spain and Switzerland are closed for the Boxing Day holiday.
European shares were higher today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 gained 0.17%, Germany's DAX fell 0.18% and France's CAC 40 rose 0.14%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index rose 0.33%, while London's FTSE 100 rose 0.42%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Thursday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 gaining 1.12%, China's Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.14% and India's BSE Sensex falling 0.01%.
Economics
U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 1,000 from the previous week to a reading of 219,000 during the second week of December, compared to market estimates of 224,000.
Now Read This: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42684254/top-3-utilities-stocks-youll-regret-missing-in-december">Top 3 Utilities Stocks You&#8217;ll Regret Missing In December</a></li>
</ul>

Equities

Eurozone

Commodities

BAOS

LAES

NEUP

SPRC

SVRE

ZCAR

S&P 500 Edges Lower, SciSparc Shares Surge

Paylocity Holding's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PCTY#NYSE">PCTY</a>) short percent of float has fallen 25.09% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 925 thousand shares sold short, which is 2.12% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.7 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Paylocity Holding Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735241421_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Paylocity Holding has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Paylocity Holding's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Paylocity Holding's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 5.68%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

PCTY

Looking Into Paylocity Holding's Recent Short Interest

First Solar's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NYSE">FSLR</a>) short percent of float has risen 27.67% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 8.10 million shares sold short, which is 9.92% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.81 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>First Solar Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735241416_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for First Solar has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing First Solar's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, First Solar's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.68%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

FSLR

Peering Into First Solar's Recent Short Interest

Summit Materials's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SUM#NYSE">SUM</a>) short percent of float has risen 49.37% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 5.16 million shares sold short, which is 4.78% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.62 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Summit Materials Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735241410_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Summit Materials has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Summit Materials's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Summit Materials's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.42%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Looking Into Summit Materials's Recent Short Interest

<a href="https://downdetector.com/status/openai/" title="https://downdetector.com/status/openai/">https://downdetector.com/status/openai/</a>

MSFT

Downdetector Says User Reports Indicate Problems At OpenAi; ChatGPT, API, And Sora Is Currently Experiencing High Error Rates, Issue Caused By An Upstream Provider

An endorsement of a weight-loss drug by world's richest man Elon Musk could prove beneficial in the battle between two health care companies seeing revenue growth and soaring stock prices as interest in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss-drug">weight-loss drugs grows.</a>
What Happened: A post from Musk on Christmas shared his latest take on weight-loss drugs and could provide a suggestion to anyone<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42291702/obesity-drug-wars-heat-up-amgen-challenges-eli-lilly-novos-dominance"> trying to decide</a> between Eli Lilly's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) Ozempic for weight-loss treatment.
The <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1872086971557761348">post </a>from Musk called himself "Ozempic Santa." Despite the post labeled with Ozempic, Musk admitted in the comments that it is actually Mounjaro that he has taken for weight-loss support.
<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">Ozempic Santa <a href="https://t.co/7YECSNpWoz">pic.twitter.com/7YECSNpWoz</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872086971557761348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
"Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn't have the same ring to it," Musk tweeted.
Mounjaro and Ozempic are both GLP-1 receptors that can be used to help people with diabetes. The treatments are also increasing in popularity as weight-loss options for people around the world.
When it comes to the two weight-loss drug options, Musk shared his personal takes on both.
"High doses of Ozempic made me fart &amp; burp like Barney from The Simpson's. Mounjaro seems to have fewer side effects and be more effective," Musk said.
With the Christmas posts, Musk has now shared publicly that he has tried Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy, another treatment from Novo Nordisk.
You may not be a billionaire like Elon Musk, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42490690/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
Why It's Important: Musk's Christmas post, continues his public support for weight-loss drugs.
After &#8220;South Park&#8221; aired a special mocking weight-loss drugs as a luxury for the wealthy, the billionaire<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39019043/elon-musk-says-ozempic-will-become-very-cheap-after-new-comedy-special-paints-it-as-weight-loss-drug"> predicted these medications</a> would become more affordable over time.
In May, responding to a post about childhood obesity, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38634420/ozempic-ftw-elon-musk-touts-novo-nordisks-blockbuster-drug-as-solution-to-childhood-obesity-problem">Musk signaled support</a> for weight-loss medications by posting &#8220;Ozempic ftw&#8221; (for the win), suggesting these drugs could be a future tool against the epidemic.
The billionaire's future battle <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42607280/elon-musk-vs-rfk-jr-obesity-crisis-debate-sparks-struggle-for-trumps-influence">could be convincing</a> Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump that Americans need more access to affordable weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro. Musk is arguing for more access while Kennedy, who Trump said will be nominated to lead the Health and Human Services, supports healthier eating to fight obesity.
NVO, LLY Price Action: Novo Nordisk stock trades at $87.56 at the time of writing. The stock is down 14% year-to-date in 2024 and up 200.6% over the last five years.
Eli Lilly stock trades at $795.87 at the time of writing. The stock is up 34% year-to-date in 2024 and up 504.7% over the last five years.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/09/41036415/eli-lilly-stock-soars-in-2024-on-weight-loss-drug-success-now-the-company-wants-medical-records-o">Eli Lilly Stock Soars In 2024 On Weight Loss Drug Success, Now The Company Wants Medical Records Of Copycat Treatments</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Musk Tests Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy: Which Weight-Loss Drug Won Him Over?

President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s second term could provide for-profit prisons an economic and regulatory boon amid Trump&#8217;s plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40744471/trumps-plan-to-ban-mortgages-for-undocumented-immigrants-sparks-debate-what-do-the-numbers-say">deport people living in the country illegally</a>.
Private Prisons: Corecivic Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CXW#NYSE">CXW</a>) and Geo Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEO#NYSE">GEO</a>) are the two largest private prison operators in the United States.
Geo Group owns 50 facilities and 64,502 beds across the U.S. concentrated in the South and Southwest. In 2023, CoreCivic operated 43 facilities with approximately 65,000 beds, according to company filings. The facilities include migrant detention centers and minimum-to-medium security prisons.
Private prisons are a topic of debate given their for-profit nature and alleged human rights abuses. <a href="https://news.uchicago.edu/story/us-prison-labor-programs-violate-fundamental-human-rights-new-report-finds">According</a> to the University of Chicago Law School, labor conditions in private prisons are poor. The majority of prisoners are forced to work, often for wages under a dollar per hour, or face solitary confinement or loss of visitation rights. The report found that prisoners produce at least $2 billion annually in goods and over $9 billion in maintenance services.
In August 2016, then-President Barack Obama announced a plan to reduce and eliminate the use of private prisons in the U.S. Following Trump&#8217;s inauguration for his first term in 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama&#8217;s memorandum, <a href="https://www.bop.gov/resources/news/pdfs/20170224_doj_memo.pdf">saying</a> the decision &#8220;impaired the Bureau&#8217;s ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system.&#8221; The stock prices of Geo and CoreCivic subsequently rallied over 30%.
As of July 2024, there <a href="https://homeland.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/24-01143-ICEs-Signed-Response-to-Representative-Tony-Gonzales.pdf">were</a> 662,566 &#8220;noncitizens&#8221; with criminal histories on ICE's national docket, which includes those detained by ICE and on the agency's non-detained docket. Of those, 435,719 are convicted criminals and 226,847 have pending criminal charges.
Trump&#8217;s Immigration Plan: Future immigration enforcement, an issue Trump made central to his 2016, 2020, and 2024 campaigns, would require detention centers, perhaps operated by Geo and CoreCivic.
The ACLU <a href="https://wp.api.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/unchecked-growth-private-prison-corporations-and-immigration-detention-three-years-into-the-biden-administration">found</a> in 2023 that over 90% of migrants detained by ICE were held in privately owned facilities.
In a CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/18/politics/border-czar-homan-trump-deportation-plans/index.html">interview</a>, Tom Homan, Trump&#8217;s incoming border czar, said the government needs a minimum of 100,000 beds to carry out Trump&#8217;s immigration plan. This represents a more than 100% increase over current capacity. He also elaborated on the extent to which Trump will carry out deportation.
"I don't have a number. We want to arrest as many people as we can that are in the country illegally," Homan said. "If you're here illegally, you're not off the table. It's a violation of the law; it's a crime to enter this country illegally."
The American Immigration Council, a pro-immigration advocacy group, <a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/mass-deportation">says</a> there were around 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally in 2022, roughly 3% of the country&#8217;s population. The council estimates that a deportation plan would cost at least $315 billion.
Why it Matters: Geo Group and CoreCivic also appear to be preparing for the future demand for detention centers. On Dec. 16, Geo Group announced a $70 million capital expenditure plan to expand ICE service capabilities.
In September, short-seller Andrew Left <a href="https://citronresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Geo-Group-093024.pdf">called</a> Geo Group the &#8220;default play&#8221; for a Trump presidency given his positions on immigration enforcement.
The market at large also seems convinced. Geo Group&#8217;s stock has risen over 86% since election day, while CoreCivic&#8217;s stock has risen over 58%.
Also Read:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42679657/el-erian-explains-why-us-economy-is-likely-to-continue-outperforming-other-major-economies-in-2025">El Erian Explains Why US Economy Is &#8216;Likely To Continue Outperforming Other Major Economies In 2025&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Government

Politics

CoreCivic, Geo Group Rally By Double Digits Since Election Day: Why Trump Boosts Private Prison Stocks

‘Dogecoin Killer' Shiba Inu's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) relatively flat performance over the past week has not stopped <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42173367/shiba-inu-burn-rate-soars-487-in-a-day-what-is-going-on">its burn rates from increasing</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>Market Cap</td>
<td>24-Hour Trend</td>
<td>7-Day Trend</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.00002167</td>
<td>$12.8 billion</td>
<td>-5.2%</td>
<td>&nbsp;-2.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.314</td>
<td>$46.3 billion</td>
<td>-5%&nbsp;</td>
<td>-1.5%&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.00001743&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>$7.3 billion</td>
<td>&nbsp;-5.5%</td>
<td>&nbsp;-1.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Technical Analysis: Benzinga technical analysis shows Shiba Inu's RSI is oversold at 28.6. This suggests that the price has fallen significantly over a short period, with potential for a price rebound or reversal.
Traders may interpret an RSI below 30 as a signal to look for a buying opportunity, expecting the price to recover soon. However, technical indicators do not predict price action.
Meanwhile, the 200-day simple moving average is below the 50-day and 100-day SMAs, implying a transition from a downtrend to an uptrend. It indicates that the longer-term average price (200-day) is beginning to align with recent upward momentum, suggesting potential for sustained bullishness.
Statistics: Shibburn data shows the ecosystem burned 20.9 million SHIB in the past 24 hours, pushing the burn rate higher by 2,227.6%. 
Around 19 hours ago, a single transaction involved the burning of 13.1 million SHIB and around four hours ago, a single transaction burned 1 million SHIB coins.
Whale Alert data <a href="https://x.com/whale_alert/status/1871955035837321658">shows</a> 2.88 trillion SHIB transferred from a Turkish exchange to an unknown wallet. 
BtcTurk responded that these transfers are part of wallet optimization efforts and fully managed by them, and there is nothing out of the ordinary.
IntoTheBlock data shows large transaction volume increasing by 169.9% in a single day. Shibariumscan data shows daily transactions spiked from 4.51 million to 4.74 million in a single day.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42679813/shytoshi-kusama-celebrates-as-shibainus-virtual-world-shib-the-metaverse-goes-live-on-christmas">Shytoshi Celebrates As Shiba Inu Virtual World &#8216;Shib The Metaverse&#8217; Goes Live On Christmas</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$DOGE

$PEPE

$SHIB

Shiba Inu Burn Rate Spikes 2,227%: What's Going On?

MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shares are trading lower Thursday driven by a Bitcoin pullback and investor reaction to the company's plans to issue additional shares to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42684275/microstrategy-portland-general-electric-and-other-big-stocks-moving-lower-in-thursdays-pre-market-session">fund further Bitcoin purchases.</a>
What To Know: In a filing with the SEC, the company proposed increasing its authorized Class A common stock from 330 million to 10.33 billion units and preferred stock from 5 million to over 1 billion units. This move is intended to support the company's strategy of accumulating Bitcoin, a cornerstone of its transition from software to cryptocurrency investment.
Bitcoin's recent volatility, with a peak near $100,000 and subsequent fluctuations, has added pressure on MicroStrategy's stock. The company recently acquired $561 million worth of Bitcoin, bringing its total holdings to approximately $40 billion. However, its aggressive Bitcoin purchases and reliance on stock issuance to fund acquisitions have drawn investor scrutiny.
MicroStrategy shares have faced significant challenges, including a more than 37% decline from their all-time high and an 8.5% drop following their inclusion in the Nasdaq 100. The ongoing stock issuance and Bitcoin market volatility continue to weigh on investor sentiment.
MSTR Price Action: MicroStrategy shares were down 4.16% at $343.06 at the time of writing, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?new_user=False&amp;backend=google-oauth2">Benzinga Pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent122624&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="526" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26121816/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-12.17.32-1024x526.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707953" style="width:448px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26121816/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-12.17.32-1024x526.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26121816/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-12.17.32-300x154.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26121816/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-12.17.32-768x394.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26121816/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-12.17.32-1536x789.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26121816/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-12.17.32.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42689962/a-billionaire-set-us-up-perfectly-for-this-options-trade">A Billionaire Set Us Up Perfectly for This Options Trade</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock.

Movers

MSTR

MicroStrategy Shares Are Falling Today: What's Going On?

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Amentum Holdings.
Looking at options history for Amentum Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMTM#NYSE">AMTM</a>) we detected 12 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 25% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 75% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $62,908 and 10, calls, for a total amount of $599,620.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $20.0 to $25.0 for Amentum Holdings during the past quarter. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Amentum Holdings's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Amentum Holdings's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $20.0 to $25.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Amentum Holdings Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735240536_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>AMTM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.7</td>
<td>$2.6</td>
<td>$2.7</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$135.0K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMTM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.75</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$2.7</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$112.8K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMTM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.5</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$58.7K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMTM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.5</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$58.7K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMTM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.5</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$58.7K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>771</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Amentum Holdings</h3>
Amentum Holdings Inc is engaged in engineering and technology solutions. The United States and its allies trust it to address their technical and complex scientific, security, and sustainability challenges.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Amentum Holdings, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Amentum Holdings</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,039,781, the price of AMTM is up 1.97% at $20.2. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 132 days.</li>
</ul>
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>.
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Amentum Holdings with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

AMTM

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With AMTM

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Zscaler.
Looking at options history for Zscaler (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZS#NASDAQ">ZS</a>) we detected 21 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 9% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 80% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $128,915 and 19, calls, for a total amount of $1,446,125.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $145.0 and $220.0 for Zscaler, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Zscaler's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Zscaler's whale trades within a strike price range from $145.0 to $220.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Zscaler 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735240532_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ZS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$7.2</td>
<td>$7.05</td>
<td>$7.05</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$97.9K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td align="right">140</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$48.25</td>
<td>$47.9</td>
<td>$47.9</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$91.0K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$48.05</td>
<td>$47.75</td>
<td>$47.75</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$90.7K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$47.8</td>
<td>$47.5</td>
<td>$47.5</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$90.2K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td align="right">158</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$47.7</td>
<td>$47.4</td>
<td>$47.4</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$90.0K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td align="right">111</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Zscaler</h3>
Zscaler is a software-as-a-service, or SaaS, firm focusing on providing cloud-native cybersecurity solutions to primarily enterprise customers. Zscaler's offerings can be broadly partitioned into Zscaler Internet Access, which provides secure access to external applications, and Zscaler Private Access, which provides secure access to internal applications. The firm is headquartered in San Jose, California, and went public in 2018.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Zscaler, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Current Position of Zscaler</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 373,425, the price of ZS is down -0.66% at $186.03. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 63 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Zscaler</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $229.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from JP Morgan continues to hold a Overweight rating for Zscaler, targeting a price of $240. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Piper Sandler continues to hold a Overweight rating for Zscaler, targeting a price of $235. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Zscaler, maintaining a target price of $190. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Keybanc continues to hold a Overweight rating for Zscaler, targeting a price of $250. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Canaccord Genuity keeps a Buy rating on Zscaler with a target price of $230. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Zscaler with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on Zscaler Options

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in OXY usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 19 extraordinary options activities for Occidental Petroleum. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 68% leaning bullish and 21% bearish. Among these notable options, 11 are puts, totaling $419,286, and 8 are calls, amounting to $345,970.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $35.0 to $57.5 for Occidental Petroleum during the past quarter. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Occidental Petroleum options trades today is 2391.0 with a total volume of 10,631.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Occidental Petroleum's big money trades within a strike price range of $35.0 to $57.5 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Occidental Petroleum Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735240527_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$9.4</td>
<td>$9.3</td>
<td>$9.3</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$67.8K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$61.0K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
<td align="right">851</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$2.92</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$60.0K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
<td align="right">236</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$2.93</td>
<td>$2.95</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$59.0K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
<td align="right">640</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OXY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$6.95</td>
<td>$6.8</td>
<td>$6.85</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$45.2K</td>
<td>9.9K</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Occidental Petroleum</h3>
Occidental Petroleum is an independent exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. At the end of 2023, the company reported net proved reserves of nearly 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Net production averaged 1,234 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023 at a ratio of roughly 50% oil and natural gas liquids and 50% natural gas.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Occidental Petroleum, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Where Is Occidental Petroleum Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 8,284,328, the price of OXY is up by 0.08%, reaching $48.16.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 48 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Occidental Petroleum</h3>
A total of 4 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $56.25.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Mizuho keeps a Neutral rating on Occidental Petroleum with a target price of $70. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS persists with their Neutral rating on Occidental Petroleum, maintaining a target price of $51. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Equal-Weight rating on Occidental Petroleum, which currently sits at a price target of $53. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler persists with their Neutral rating on Occidental Petroleum, maintaining a target price of $51. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Occidental Petroleum, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With OXY

WIIM

SBUX

Starbucks shares are trading higher following the end of a five-day barista strike.

Shares of Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>) are rising Thursday but they have run into resistance around the $3.25 level. There is a chance this resistance breaks and the stock<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42668333/tesla-model-x-lucid-gravity-or-rivian-r1s-which-three-row-electric-suv-is-a-better-buy"> keeps moving higher.</a>
Breakouts tend to be bullish. This is why our team of traders has made Lucid our Stock of the Day.
Markets are always trending. They are either going up, down, or sideways. If a market is trending higher the bulls are in control. If it is heading lower, the bears are in charge. If they go sideways, the bears and bulls have equal strength.
Sometimes, when the leadership changes from bears to bulls or bulls to bears, the price action can appear on a chart as a reversal pattern.
If the change occurs in one day, a reversal day pattern may appear. If it takes place over a few days, a V or Inverted V pattern may show up.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42668333/tesla-model-x-lucid-gravity-or-rivian-r1s-which-three-row-electric-suv-is-a-better-buy">Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity Or Rivian R1S: Which Three-Row Electric SUV Is A Better Buy?</a>
If the change is slow and steady over an extended time, it may create a rounded top or rounded bottom pattern.
As you can see on the chart, a rounded bottom formed in Lucid. The bulls slowly took charge in November and the stock has been rallying since.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="571" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135703/lcid-1-1024x571.png" alt="" class="wp-image-708021" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135703/lcid-1-1024x571.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135703/lcid-1-300x167.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135703/lcid-1-768x428.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26135703/lcid-1.png 1459w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
There is resistance at the $3.25 level because it was previously support. Resistance forming at prices that had been support is a common occurrence in the stock market. It happens because of buyer's remorse.
There are traders and investors who purchased shares while they were at support who came to regret doing so when the support broke and the price moved lower. A number of these remorseful buyers decided to exit their positions if they can do so at breakeven.
As a result, now that the stock has rallied back to their buying prices, they are placing sell orders. This has caused resistance to form at the level that had been support.
If the stock gets above and stays above this resistance, traders will call it a breakout. This is a bullish dynamic because it shows that the sellers who created the resistance are out of the way. They have finished or canceled their orders.
This may set the stage for a move higher. Buyers will need to bid premiums to draw sellers back into the market. This could force the stock into a new uptrend and that may be about to happen with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LCID">Lucid</a>.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42688941/are-us-vehicles-under-30000-a-thing-of-the-past-trumps-mexico-tariff-plans-could-change-auto-market#google_vignette">Are Sub-$30,000 Cars Disappearing? Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans Could Reshape US Auto Market</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by Mike Mareen on Shutterstock.

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